More and more homeowners are becoming concerned with their home's efficiency with regards to heating and cooling. There are different reasons for conducting a home energy audit. They all boil down to saving money, but not necessarily in the way one might think.
The average homeowner that has an energy audit conducted is primarily concerned with preventing drafts and air leakage that will force their HVAC system to work longer and harder than it should. Again, while this is the main focus, several other benefits can manifest of which the homeowner is unaware.
Once the energy audit is completed and the results are compiled and presented, the homeowner will want to better insulate those areas that are problem areas. This will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the drafts and leaks that were present thereby saving money on running the HVAC system as much.
A common and prevalent problem area in almost every existing structure is heat loss passing through the ceiling and slowly seeping through the attic insulation. Choosing the correct insulation is paramount. A radiant barrier will solve the problem, but not every problem area will require the same type of insulation. Leaks at the windows, doors, and even insulation around the water heater need to have specific types just for their own application such as spray foam insulation.
By correctly insulating problem areas, a second benefit is to the family's health. Any moist air that has penetrated the envelope of the house has the potential to cause mold and can provide health risks and increase healthcare costs. Although this is not a widely rampant situation from just a few small air leakages, it is something to be concerned about. Those families that live in a humid region and have a member with asthma or other respiratory condition should be even more concerned given the nature of these conditions.
Providing that the problem areas are remedied, a home energy audit can improve the perceived quality of the home when it comes time to sell. Showing that a home's energy efficiency is high is a strong selling point and is becoming a major concern to prospective home buyers as energy costs continue to increase.
The last major benefit is that the home will just be more comfortable to live in for the family. Life is short, but if it isn't comfortable, it can be much longer and more miserable than can be imagined.
For more information and guidance about radiant barriers and energy efficiency, visit http://www.utilityimprovements.com. Utility Improvements offers Temper Shield, a radiant barrier product that can be installed economically.
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