If you see daylight through the top or bottom of your door, it’s leaking. If a home is older, it likely isn’t properly insulated, or the insulation may have deteriorated. Since most leaks aren’t visible, performing a home energy assessment could save you money on utility bills.
Consider hiring a certified energy auditor to analyze your home’s energy use and efficiency. Auditors perform visual inspections and use infrared cameras around the interior and exterior of your home to visually see where heat is escaping, and blower door tests to measure how airtight the home is. Many times, your utility company’s website will have a link to certified energy auditors. In addition, homeowners can claim 30% of the cost of the home energy audit, up to $150, on their federal income tax.
Alternatively, homeowners can conduct a DIY inspection. Energy.gov offers a home audit checklist that walks you through an assessment.
Some key tasks to seal and protect your home:
- Locate and seal air leaks with weatherstripping.
- Insulate electrical outlets and the dryer duct.
- Insulate attics and crawlspaces.
- Outside, use spray foam insulation to fill holes and gaps.
- Install a programmable thermostat.
- Hang thermal drapes.
- Change furnace filters regularly. Get them delivered on a schedule so it becomes second nature.
Additionally, you can reduce your tax bills with federal tax credits. Taxpayers can claim 30%—up to $1,200—for improvements like new energy-efficient windows, doors, skylights, water heaters and furnaces. Some of these credits can be combined for a total allowance of $3,200 in one year. To find any local rebates, enter a ZIP code in the Energy Star Rebate Finder.
