Home energy audits are an excellent way to save significant amounts of money on your electric bill each month. While some utility companies offer home audits for free, you should be aware that many of them do not. If you find yourself in a market where there are no free audits available, the cost that you’ll pay (usually about $300 to $500) is well worth the annual savings you’ll experience with your electric bills.
It is recommended that you contract with a professional to conduct the audit for you, as it is imperative that the person conducting the audit knows what he is doing. During the extensive process, the following locations should be checked for possible leaks:
- Window frames
- Door frames
- Air conditioning ducts
- Switch plates
- Wall insulation
- Attic doors
- Garages (attached)
- Baseboards
- Fireplaces
- Window air conditioning units
- Electrical outlets
If you live in an older home, you should be aware that the insulation may not be sufficient by today’s standards. Having appropriate insulation in your house is extremely important in terms of keeping your home operating at optimal energy efficiency.
Another improvement that is likely to be recommended to you during a home audit is that you make the switch to energy efficient appliances in your kitchen. While some of these pieces of equipment are more expensive, it is possible to take tax deductions for the purchase of them, which could offset your overall expenditures in the long run. Another bonus is that you might be eligible for additional tax credits through the purchase of insulation, better windows, or more energy efficient air conditioning systems.
One very simple step that will probably be recommended to you is that you switch all of your light bulbs to CFL rather than using the old standby incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs produce more heat in your home and also increase your electric bill by approximately 25% each month. Though CFL bulbs cost more initially, the savings they will provide for you will more than make them a worthwhile purchase, especially over the long term.
If you don’t already have a digital thermostat installed in your home, you might want to consider making the investment in one. Typically, they cost about $100, but they allow you to program your thermostat in advance to run at certain temperatures when you’re away from home and more comfortable ones while you’re at home. Making these types of adjustments to your thermostat can go a long way towards helping you to reduce your energy costs every month.
