Understanding the Energy Audit: Why it’s worth doing?
Energy audits are easily accessible to all, but few people choose to have one. Most people are not aware of the benefits they offer or their existence.
Only 9% of respondents to the 2020 survey by the Department of Technology and Society, Stony Brook University, New York had ever undergone an energy audit.
An energy audit could really help you minimize your carbon footprint through identifying areas in your residential and industrial buildings that waste energy. You can also save time and money on energy bills by reducing your energy consumption.
This guide will explain the fundamentals of an energy audit, how this can help you save money on energy, and how it can help you assess the environmental impact of your building.
What is an Energy Audit?
A residential or commercial building is subject to an energy audit in order to assess its energy efficiency. Energy efficiency simply means that you use less energy to accomplish the same task. This audit will provide you with a detailed analysis of your electricity usage and power efficiency.
The audit report will provide important information about your energy consumption and Energy Star rating. This information will allow you to identify and rectify any energy usage problems in order to reduce electricity costs. Before implementing any renewable energy system, it is a good idea to conduct an energy audit.
Who performs an Energy Audit?
An energy auditor or registered energy advisor from Nevada Solar Group will conduct a home or business energy audit. Nevada Solar Group energy auditors can also conduct energy efficiency assessments for commercial and noncommercial buildings.
What happens during an Energy Audit?
An energy audit consists of three components: testing, evaluation, and recommendations for efficiency.
After the audit is completed, the auditor from Nevada Solar Group will give you a report that details energy consumption and a final energy rating. Also, there are home improvement suggestions that can be made to reduce energy costs.
The Evaluation
An energy auditor from Nevada Solar Group registered with the government will visit your business or home to conduct an energy audit. This will determine how much energy you use and where there are problems.
During their walk-through they will examine specific elements that affect your business’s energy efficiency.
Nevada Solar Group auditors will inspect your heating systems, also known as HVAC systems, as well as your insulation levels. Underground walls, as well as attic walls are included. They will also count and count the number of windows and doors in your building.
Airtightness and Other Tests
An air tightness or blower door test is the second component of an energy audit. Energy auditor from Nevada Solar Group will check for air leakage in buildings or homes during this part of an audit. An airtightness test includes an air sealing procedure. Nevada Solar Group auditor will seal the building’s front door and place a large fan inside.
The fan will draw the indoor air outside of the building. This will cause outside air to flow through any cracks and holes. These air leaks can often be felt with your hands, but Nevada Solar Group auditors will use feathers and incense to pinpoint the exact location.
Nevada Solar Group energy auditor will perform a thermographic scan of your home or business to assess its energy consumption. They will also use a variety of energy usage equipment to measure energy consumption such as surface thermometers and infrared cameras.
Nevada Solar Group auditor will also review utility bills from the past.
Recommendations for improving energy efficiency
After your commercial or residential building has been inspected and tested, Nevada Solar Group energy auditor will give you a detailed list of energy efficiency improvements that you can make. Most of these recommendations can help you reduce your utility bills if implemented.
Why is an Energy Audit Important?
A routine energy audit will help you reduce your carbon footprint, conserve energy and continue to be efficient. Here are some reasons why an energy audit matters:
- An energy audit can help you identify energy-saving opportunities.
- This will allow you to better understand and plan your energy use.
- An energy audit can help you identify safety issues with wiring, ventilation and electrical systems. This will make your home or business more secure.
- It will increase the value of a home.
- An energy audit can assist you in determining how to lower carbon monoxide levels in your homes and businesses.
Are there different types of Energy Audits?
There are two types of energy audits available: a preliminary and a more detailed one. Your needs will determine which type of audit you choose.
Preliminary energy audit: This audit is a data gathering exercise that provides a preliminary analysis. This type of audit is often done by the auditor through a walk-through investigation. Nevada Solar Group energy auditor who is a professional will use readily available data and limited diagnostic tools to conduct a preliminary audit.
Detail energy audit: A professional auditor from Nevada Solar Group will conduct this type of audit. They monitor, analyze, and verify energy usage to identify problem areas and to suggest ways to improve energy efficiency. The technical report will include their recommendations and findings. A professional energy auditor from Nevada Solar Group can also use sophisticated instrumentation, such as a scanner, flue gas analyzer and flow meter, to conduct a detailed audit of your energy consumption.
How do I conduct an Energy Audit of my own home?
You can do a DIY energy audit of the home if you don’t have the budget to hire a professional auditor from Nevada Solar Group.
You can keep a list of areas you have audited, and take note of any problems. This will help you prioritize the energy efficiency upgrades that you should consider.
Do-it-yourself energy audits are not as reliable and credible as professional services. If you are unsure how to diagnose or fix a problem, it is best to hire a professional.
Step 1: Locate any air leaks. First, identify any poorly ventilated areas. Air leaks are common among gates, window frames, and electrical outlets. If you find a leak, seal it with weather-stripping or caulk.
Step 2: Assess your home’s ventilation. Once you have found any air leaks in your home, it is time to evaluate the ventilation system. You must ensure that you have a healthy and adequate air supply if you use fuels like propane, natural gas, or wood.
Step Three: Check your insulation levels. This step is easy. This step is very simple. You will need to inspect the insulation levels in your attic, around your heating and cooling system. In winter, energy consumption is higher when there isn’t enough insulation.
Step Four: Evaluate your lighting. Although it may not seem like much, your lighting can have a huge impact on your energy bill. It is possible to switch to LEDs or energy-saving incandescent bulbs (CFLs) and save money.
Step 5: Examine your electronics and appliances. Energy-efficient appliances are one of the best ways you can save energy in your home. It’s crucial to take into account the type of electronics and appliances you own when performing an energy audit. Are they Energy Star-certified? Are they older and less efficient?
Are Energy Audits Free?
A few utility programs and energy service providers offer homeowners a free energy audit. The above low-cost energy audits typically do not provide specific info and can only provide broad estimates of your building’s energy usage. Free energy audits do not provide tailored energy-saving solutions.
What Should an Energy Audit Cost?
An average home energy audit costs just over $400. Depending on the location of your commercial or residential building, costs can vary greatly.
The cost of an energy audit will vary depending on whether it is a residential or commercial property.
You could be eligible for energy rebates if you opt to have an audit done.
How long does it take to conduct Energy Audits?
It depends on how large your home is and how many electronics and appliances you have. The type of audit chosen and how many windows and doors are available will also affect the time it takes to complete an energy audit. A home energy audit usually takes three to four hours.
How can Nevada Solar Group audit energy use?
Nevada Solar Group has their energy audits completed by licensed professionals, which is different from home audits. A company audit is similar to a home energy audit in that it uses the same process and checks the same categories.
What is an Energy Audit Checklist?
An energy audit checklist is used by Nevada Solar Group energy auditors as well as homeowners who wish to conduct their own home audit. The checklist is a report that lists all aspects of the home or business that should be inspected.
You will most likely find these categories on your energy audit checklist:
- Lighting
- Electric motors
- Air leakage
- Insulation
- Water heating
- Heating systems for homes and businesses
- Cooling systems
- Electronics
- Doors and windows
- Habits
Is it worth doing an Energy Audit?
Yes, energy audits can be worth the effort. You can save up to 30% on your energy bills by having an auditor from Nevada Solar Group assess the efficiency of your home or business. Implementing the recommendations of your auditor can help you save between 5-30% on energy costs. You can also positively impact the environment by making these changes and reducing carbon emissions.
An Energy Audit is an energy-saving endeavor
An energy audit is necessary to find energy efficiency issues and potential energy-saving solutions in a house or business. A detailed energy audit report will reveal what appliances are using more electricity than they should. This will allow you to identify areas where you can save electricity and help you fight climate change.