Energy audit can help assess residence’s value

As 2008 begins and colder temperatures set in, homeowners may wonder how to save money on their rising energy bills this year.

Conducting a do-it-yourself home energy audit is a fast, relatively simple way to assess how much energy a home consumes and to determine what a homeowner can do to make the home more energy efficient. There are also companies operating in metropolitan Las Vegas that specialize in home energy audits.

A home energy audit will show homeowners where the home is losing energy, how efficient the heating and cooling systems are, and ways to converse electricity. All it takes is a thorough inspection of the areas listed here and keeping a checklist of the problems.

-- Air leaks. Stopping or minimizing drafts can save 5 to 30 percent of annual energy costs. Some places to inspect where air commonly seeps from homes include gaps around: baseboards, wall and ceiling junctures, electrical outlets, switch plates, window frames, weather stripping, fireplace dampers, attic access panels, window-mounted air conditioners (in older homes) and foundation seals.

If a homeowner can feel air coming through any of those places into the house, that area needs to be properly sealed.

On the home's exterior, a homeowner should look at the areas where two different building materials meet. If a homeowner can rattle windows or see daylight around door or window frames, that area needs to be sealed.

Once a homeowner has identified the leaks, he or she should seal them with caulk, weather stripping or the same material as the original seal.

Replacing windows with new, high-performance ones will improve a home's energy efficiency and may result in a tax deduction. Homeowners should check with their accountant or tax preparer regarding tax deductions for energy-efficiency improvements to their homes. A less expensive alternative is to hang thermal or insulated drapes or curtains on windows.

-- Insulation. In older homes especially, the amount of insulation in the ceiling and walls may be insufficient for current standards. Check the attic space via the access panel to see if that area is well insulated, or insulated at all. To check walls, make a small hole in a closet or other out-of-the-way place and probe into the wall with a long stick or screwdriver. The area should be completely filled with an insulating material.

Fill the gaps in any openings with expanding foam. Flexible caulk should be used to seal any electrical boxes in the ceiling. If the home lacks a vapor barrier, consider painting interior ceilings with vapor barrier paint. This reduces the amount of water vapor that can pass through the ceiling and reduce insulation's effectiveness.

-- Heating and Cooling Equipment. Inspect the heating and cooling systems. See if ducts and pipes that are located in unheated spaces and the water heater and hot water pipes are insulated. Dirt streaks around the ductwork, especially near the seams, are evidence of leaks.

Have the equipment checked and cleaned by a professional annually. For forced-air furnaces, replace the filters every 30 to 60 days. Consider replacing units that are more than 15 years old with a new energy-efficient one.

-- Lighting. Look at the bulbs in the home and determine if a lower-watt bulb would work just as well. Compact fluorescent lamps can save up to 75 percent of the lighting energy of an incandescent bulb.

A home audit is a great way to find a home's energy deficiencies and make simple improvements that will save time and money in the long run.