Energy Audit
Understanding the Energy Audit: Why it’s worth doing?
Energy audits are easily accessible to everyone, however only a very few choose to get one. The majority of people aren’t aware of the benefits they provide or the fact that they exist.
Only 9% of respondents to the survey in 2020 by the Department of Technology and Society, Stony Brook University, New York had ever undergone an energy audit.
An energy audit could really assist you in reducing your carbon footprint through the identification of areas in your residence or industrial building that use up energy. It can also help you save time and money on costs for energy by reducing your energy usage.
This guide will provide the fundamentals that an audit can provide, how it will assist you in saving money on energy, and how it can aid you in assessing how your building impacts the environment. building.
What is an Energy Audit?
A commercial or residential building is subject to an energy audit to assess the efficiency of its use. Energy efficiency simply means you require less energy to accomplish the same task. This audit will provide you with the complete analysis of the use of electricity and energy efficiency.
This audit report is going to offer important information about your energy usage and Energy Star score. This will help you to pinpoint and fix any issues related to energy use so that you can reduce your the cost of electricity. Before you implement any renewable energy system, it’s a good idea to conduct an energy audit.
Who performs an Energy Audit?
A registered energy auditor or an energy auditor adviser to energy of Barnes Solar will conduct a home or business energy audit. Barnes Solar energy auditors can also conduct energy efficiency assessments for commercial and noncommercial buildings.
What happens during an Energy Audit?
An energy audit consists of three components: testing, evaluation, and suggestions to improve efficiency.
When the audit is complete after the audit is completed, the auditor from Barnes Solar will give you a report detailing energy consumption and a final energy rating. Also, there are home improvement suggestions that can be made to reduce energy costs.
The Evaluation
A certified energy auditer from Barnes Solar registered with the government will come to your home or business to perform the energy audit. This will determine how much energy you are using and any areas of concern.
During their walk-through , they’ll look at specific aspects that impact the efficiency of your business’s energy use.
Barnes Solar auditors will examine your heating systems, also known by the name HVAC, and your insulation levels. Underground walls, and attic walls are included. They also count and calculate the number of doors and windows in your house.
Testing for airtightness and other tests
The air tightness or blower door test is the third element in an audit of energy efficiency. An energy auditor from Barnes Solar will check for air leakage inside homes or structures during this portion of an audit. An airtightness test includes the air sealing process. Barnes Solar auditor will secure the front door of the building and install a massive fan inside.
The fan will draw the indoor air outside of the building. This will cause outside air to move through the cracks and holes. These air leaks can often be felt with your hands however Barnes Solar auditors will make use of incense and feathers to pinpoint the exact location.
Barnes Solar energy auditor will conduct a thermographic analysis of your home or business to determine its energy usage. They also employ various energy consumption devices to determine energy consumption such as surface thermometers and infrared cameras.
Barnes Solar auditor will also examine utilities bills that were paid in the past.
Recommendations for improving energy efficiency
After your commercial or residential construction has been assessed and tested, Barnes Solar energy auditor will give you an extensive list of improvements to energy efficiency you can take. The majority of these suggestions can aid in reducing your utility bills if implemented.
Why is an Energy Audit Important?
An annual energy audit will help you reduce your carbon footprint, save energy, and remain efficient. Here are a few reasons why an energy audit is essential:
- An energy audit can help identify energy-saving opportunities.
- This will help you better plan and understand your energy use.
- An energy audit can help find safety concerns with wiring electrical, ventilation and other systems. This can help make your home or business more safe.
- It can increase the value of a house.
- An energy audit can assist you in determining ways to lower carbon monoxide levels in your workplace and home.
Are there different types of Energy Audits?
There are two types of energy audits: a preliminary and more thorough one. The needs of your business will determine the type of audit you choose.
The preliminary energy audit Audit is a data collection procedure that offers an initial analysis. This kind of audit is typically conducted by the auditor via an investigation that is a walk-through. Barnes Solar energy auditor who is a professional uses readily available information and limited diagnostic tools to conduct a preliminary audit.
Detail energy audit: A professional auditor of Barnes Solar will conduct this kind of audit. They monitor, analyze and validate energy use to identify problem areas and recommend ways to improve efficiency. The report’s technical content will contain their suggestions and conclusions. A certified auditor of your energy consumption from Barnes Solar can also use sophisticated instrumentation, such as an scanner flue gas analyzer, a flue gas analyzer and a flow meter, to conduct a thorough review of your energy usage.
How do I conduct an Energy Audit of my own home?
You can do an DIY energy audit of your home, if you don’t have enough money to engage a professional auditor from Barnes Solar.
You can keep a list of the areas you’ve reviewed, and note of any issues. This will help you decide on the improvements to energy efficiency that you need to take into consideration.
Do-it-yourself energy audits aren’t as reliable and credible in comparison to professional service. If you’re not sure what to do to fix or diagnose a problem, it is recommended to seek out an expert.
Step 1: Find the air leaks. The first step is to identify air-conditioned areas that are not properly ventilated. Air leaks are frequent in gates, window frames and electrical outlets. If you notice a leak, seal it with weather-stripping or caulk.
Step 2: Assess the ventilation in your home. Once you have found any air leaks inside your home, it is time to assess how your home’s ventilation works. It is essential to be sure you have a safe and adequate air supply when you are using fuels such as propane, natural gas, or wood.
Step Three: Check your insulation levels. This step is easy. This is a simple step. It is necessary to examine the insulation levels within your attic and around the cooling and heating systems. In winter, energy usage increases when there isn’t enough insulation.
Step Four: Evaluate your lighting. Although it may not seem as a lot, your lighting can have significant impact on the cost of your energy. You can convert to LEDs or energy-saving incandescent bulbs (CFLs) and reduce your energy costs.
Step 5: Take a look at your appliances and electronic devices. Energy-efficient appliances are one of the most effective ways to save energy within your home. It’s essential to think about the kind of electronics and appliances you own when performing your energy assessment. Are they Energy Star-certified? Are they older in design and more energy-efficient?
Are Energy Audits Free?
Certain utility plans and energy service providers provide homeowners a no-cost energy audit. These low-cost energy audits generally do not offer specific details and only provide general estimations of your building’s energy usage. Free energy audits do not offer specific energy-saving strategies.
What Should an Energy Audit Cost?
Depending on the location of your residential or commercial construction, the costs could vary dramatically.
The cost of an energy audit is dependent in relation to whether it’s a residential or commercial property.
You may qualify for rebates on energy if you decide to conduct an audit.
How long does it take to conduct Energy Audits?
It is contingent on how big your house is, as well as how many electronics and appliances you own. The type of audit chosen as well as the number of doors and windows are in use will also affect the duration of your energy assessment. A typical home energy audit takes three to four hours.
How can Barnes Solar audit energy use?
Barnes Solar has their energy audits performed by licensed professionals. This differs from home audits. An audit for companies is similar to a home energy audit by using the same process and checks the same types of.
What is an Energy Audit Checklist?
A checklist for energy audits is utilized to assist Barnes Solar energy auditors and homeowners who want do their own audit of the home. The checklist is a report that includes all the aspects of the business or home to be examined.
You will most likely find these sections on the checklist for your energy audit:
- Lighting
- Electric motors
- Air leakage
- Insulation
- Water heating
- Heating systems for businesses and homes
- Systems for cooling
- Electronics
- Doors and windows
- Habits
Is it worth doing an Energy Audit?
Yes audits of energy efficiency can be worth the effort. You could save as much as 30% on your energy costs by having one of the auditors from Barnes Solar assess the efficiency of your business or home. Implementing the recommendations of your auditor can aid you in saving 5-30 percent on your energy bills. You can also positively affect the environment through these improvements and reducing carbon emissions.
An Energy Audit is an energy-saving endeavor
A thorough energy audit is required to identify energy efficiency issues and potential energy-saving solutions in a house or business. An in-depth energy audit report will reveal what appliances are using more electricity than they should. This will help you find areas that you can cut down on electricity consumption and aid in fighting climate change.