In our never-ending quest to save money on energy bills, it’s easy to forget the importance of an energy audit. It’s not until we experience a cold or sweltering summer that we realize how much our monthly energy bill can vary. Did you know that by conducting an energy audit, you could potentially find ways to reduce your energy consumption by up to 30%?
In some cases, simple fixes like adding insulation or upgrading your windows can save you a lot of money in the long run – and may even make your home more “solar-friendly.” So, if you’re considering going solar, don’t forget to look at your home’s energy efficiency.
What is an Energy Audit?
It is an assessment of how much energy your home consumes. A certified auditor will come to your house and evaluate how much energy you use and point out areas where your home could be more efficient.
The auditor will also provide recommendations on how to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Some improvements may be simple and inexpensive, like weather-stripping doors or sealing ductwork. Others may be more costly, like upgrading windows or installing insulation.
But no matter what improvements you decide to make, an energy audit is a valuable first step in making your home more efficient – and preparing it for solar.
Increased Property Value:
In addition to reducing energy bills, making your home more energy-efficient can also increase its value.
Potential purchasers seek energy-efficient homes with additions like solar panels, a solar hot water system, extra insulation, and efficient temperature management. These improvements may pay for themselves if you decide to sell your home in the future.
An energy audit will tell how energy-efficient your home currently is so you can determine the amount of solar energy you’ll have to produce. It’ll also help you with the number of solar panels you’ll need to install.
Identify Energy-Saving Opportunities:
An energy audit will help determine where you’re losing the most energy. It will also highlight the changes and upgrades you need to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
The audit will also estimate how much money and energy you could save by making these changes.
Some examples of energy-saving opportunities that might be identified during an audit include:
- Adding insulation to your attic or walls
- Upgrading to energy-efficient windows
- Replacing an old furnace or air conditioner
- Air duct cleaning
When you take care of all these, your solar panels will be able to produce more energy, and you’ll save even more on your utility bills.
Reduce Carbon Footprint:
One main reason why people go solar is to help save the environment. But, if you keep losing energy due to poor insulation, you’re not helping the planet.
An energy audit will help you understand your home’s carbon footprint and what changes you can make to reduce it. Reducing air infiltration, utilizing maximum daylights, replacing old appliances with more efficient versions, and using less electricity for heating are just a few suggestions.
Conclusion:
If you’re waiting for a super intervention to save the environment, it might be time to start with something a little more local – like your home. Installing solar panels is one way to be more eco-friendly.
Once you’ve got all the details on your solar requirements, let The Queen Team General Contracting in Woodbury, NY, help you start the solar panel installation process.