DIY: Spring Home Energy-Efficiency Audit

Spring has officially arrived, and summer is just around the corner. Now is the perfect time to perform an energy-efficiency audit of your home and make the necessary updates and repairs to ensure your home is ready for the new season.

When making your home energy-efficiency audit checklist, be sure to include these five areas that can help maximize your efforts and get the most out of your energy savings this spring.

Locate air leaks and seal them

The most obvious leaks in your home can come from improperly sealed doors and windows. According to energy.gov, the potential energy savings from reducing drafts around your home can help save up to 20% per year. Doors and windows tend to be the biggest problem areas for air leaks, but gaps in the baseboards, flooring and in the ceiling can be areas that need to be checked. Once you discover the air leaks in and around your home you should plug and seal them with the appropriate material.

Check insulation levels

Air loss through the ceiling and walls in your home can be significant if the insulation levels are less than the recommended minimum. Depending on the age of your home, your level of insulation might be inadequate to ensure your home is the most energy-efficient. If you believe your home may be lacking the proper insulation levels, be sure to reach out to a professional installer to discuss your options.

Install energy-efficient light bulbs

Lighting in your home can account for up to 10% of the cost of your monthly energy bills. Check the light bulbs in your home and consider replacing inefficient bulbs with more efficient options, such as energy-saving incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). To learn more about what light bulb options are available and what might be the most efficient for you needs check out our blog, Light It Up: What to Know When Shopping for Light Bulbs. Also look for opportunities to use controls such as sensors, dimmers, or timers that can help reduce lighting usage.

Appliances, Devices and Electronics

The appliances, devices and electronics you use in your home can be major energy users, depending on when and how often you use them. To ensure these items in your home are not costing you when they are not in use, consider unplugging them to prevent “phantom loads.”

For appliances like your refrigerator, dishwasher and washer and dryer, be sure to check the settings. Making changes like, switching your refrigerator setting to 36 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit, or using eco settings on your dishwasher or washer and dryer can help create significant savings over time on your energy bills.

For older appliances that might no longer be running at peak efficiency consider changing those out for new more energy-saving Energy Star® options. To learn more about what to look for when shopping for new appliances check out our blog 4 Things to Look for When Purchasing Energy-Efficient Appliances.