DIY Home Energy Audits

A home energy audit is a great first step toward cutting down on energy costs, improving the comfort of your home and reducing your environmental impact. And you don’t necessarily need to hire a professional to gain a basic understanding of where you can make improvements. Let’s take a look at some ways to perform your own DIY energy audits.

Check for air leaks.

In the U.S., air leaks in homes can account for 25% to 40% of the energy lost when heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The biggest culprits tend to be windows and doors, though other areas in your home like wall switches, baseboards and attic hatches can present challenges as well.

The easiest method to check for leaks is to visually inspect for gaps and cracks where air might be escaping—you might even be able to see light coming through slight openings around windows and doors in some cases. Or you may notice drafts of warm or cool air in certain areas of your home, depending on the season. If you suspect an air leak but don’t see or feel any obvious signs of air escaping, you can try using smoke from a smoke pen or stick of incense as a guide.

Testing for Air Leaks With Smoke

1. Close all windows, doors and openings to create a controlled environment
2. Turn off your fans and HVAC system to prevent air movement
3. Light your smoke pen or incense to produce a steady stream of smoke
4. Hold your smoke source near areas where you suspect a leak
5. Watch closely for smoke that waves or is blown away

PRO TIP: Try performing your smoke test on a windy day for more noticeable results.

Once you’ve determined you have air leaks, they’re often a relatively easy fix. Caulk works great around windows, baseboards and other areas with thin cracks that leak air. For doors, you may need new weatherstripping or a new door sweep. Specially made foam gaskets can prevent tiny drafts around outlets and light switches, and expanding foam can be used to fill larger, out-of-sight gaps around your home.

Check your insulation.

It’s estimated that 89% of homes in the U.S. are under-insulated, so it can pay to do a little investigating throughout your home. In areas such as your attic and crawl space, it will be relatively easy to check insulation visually. The insulation in your attic should rise higher than the level of your attic floor joists. If it’s missing in spots or if it’s level with or below your joists, you likely need to add more. You can also determine the thickness of your insulation with a tape measure and compare that to the recommended R-values for your area.

If you have a crawlspace beneath your home, visually inspect it, as well, making sure that each space between floor joists is covered with adequate insulation. If you notice bare spots, damage or insulation that doesn’t meet the recommended R-value, you’ll want to take steps to add or replace insulation as needed.

Exterior walls, too, can sometimes suffer from inadequate insulation, though these areas of your home can be harder to access. One trick for checking walls is to use a thermal camera, which will help you detect temperature differences. If you suspect an exterior wall of your home isn’t well insulated, it may be worth the purchase of one of these cameras, which can be bought online for a few hundred dollars. Problem walls can be insulated using blown-in insulation or expanding foam, though you may need to call in an expert for such a task.

Inspect your air ducts.

Air ducts in your attic, crawlspace or basement can be another area of concern when it comes to conserving energy. Check for obvious signs of damage, such as disconnected joints, holes, tears or sections that may be missing insulation. You can also try running your HVAC system while running your hand along specific areas to feel for air leaks. The smoke tests and thermal cameras mentioned above work great for this too. Be sure to replace or repair any damaged sections that could be leaking cool or warm air.

Evaluate your electricity use.

Today’s technology makes it easier to check your electricity use with a home energy monitor. These devices, which typically range between $100 to $300, help you understand how much energy your appliances and systems are using with real-time and historical data. Some brands can even send you alerts and notifications and integrate with other home smart systems you might have. By identifying “energy hogs” and inefficiencies, you could potentially save between 10% and 20% on your energy bills.

In most cases, you can install a home energy monitor yourself, though they typically need to be connected to your home’s electrical panel. This involves shutting power off at the breaker, removing the panel’s cover, mounting the monitor and connecting various sensors. If you’re unsure about installing one yourself, don’t hesitate to call in a licensed electrician.

We hope you found these DIY home energy audit tips helpful. Stay tuned to our blog and social media for more tips in the future.