Doing a Home Energy Audit Yourself – Part 2 Air Windows, Doors and Furnace

DIY Home Energy Audit 4. Windows
• Windows are a large energy waster but we can’t live without them. You want to ensure that you’re getting the best performance out of what you have. Glass has a very low resistance to heat movement therefore your goal here is to reduce air infiltration.
• Inspect windows for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around the window frames then the window leaks.
• Make sure the window seals well. If the window is loose in its track you need to do something.
• Do you have cracked or missing panes? Do you have storm windows?

DIY Home Energy Audit 5. Doors
• Doors are also a large energy waster. Some door materials have a low resistance to heat movement. Foam filled steel doors are very efficient. However, hollow wood doors are not. You want to ensure that you’re getting the best performance out of what you have. Your goal here again is to reduce air infiltration.
• Inspect doors for air leaks. See if they are loose, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around the door frame then the door leaks.
• Make sure the door seals well. If the door is loose or warped so you can see daylight around it when it is closed, you need to install some weather stripping to tighten it up. This is also true for how threshold seals the bottom of the door.
• If you have a storm door, use it during heating and cooling season.

6. Water Heater & Furnace
• A water heater heats and holds water. As heat moves out of the tank, the water is heated to match the thermostat setting. Your goal here is to keep as much heat in the tank as possible.
• Newer water heaters have adequate insulation built into them. Older water heaters may benefit from the installation of a water heater insulation jacket. You may also save by installing the first 6 feet of water pipe insulation. DIY Home Energy Audit
• Water temperature is another comfort issue. We may know that we can save money if we turn our water heater temperature down, but we want hot water.
• How old is your furnace? Newer High efficiency furnaces save you big on your utilities.
• If your home’s furnace ducting runs through areas not heated or cooled, you will have a reduced efficiency of your system. Ductwork does not resist heat movement well.

7. Fireplace
• A fireplace provides enjoyment but it also provides a large opening for heat to transfer in and out of a home. Fireplaces can have a negative efficiency. This means that they can take more heat out of a home than they provide. Your goal here is to stop air infiltration.
• Make sure the flue damper closes and seals tightly and keep the damper closed when not using the fireplace.

8. Thermostat Setting
• Where you set your thermostat setting is a comfort issue. Some of us know that we can save money if we set our thermostat lower in the winter and higher in the summer. Some are willing to pay the higher prices to remain comfortable. Our goal here is to remember that there may be other lower cost ways to keep warm or cool.
These are only the major areas to evaluate in your home. There are plenty more but when you have these all up to standard then you are well on your way to having an efficient home.

Included is a work sheet you can use to help you keep track of where your home is at.

Next time we will look at what you can do to help or totally bring your home up to par.

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