Heating, cooling, and powering our homes account for a substantial portion of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions—around 15% as estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency. So, if you’re looking to make a positive impact on the environment, your home is a key place to start.
Understanding your household’s energy use can be tricky. Factors like whether you use gas or electric heat and how frequently you operate appliances all play a role. To simplify this, many experts suggest getting a home energy assessment. This professional evaluation examines each part of your home, helping you identify energy inefficiencies and create a tailored plan to combat them. Not only does this benefit the planet, but it can also save you money in the long run.
Typically costing between $100 to $1,000, these assessments can be a worthwhile investment. The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, can help offset some of these expenses. However, Congress recently made adjustments to some benefits, which start getting phased out soon.
As a climate reporter, I’ve written extensively about energy efficiency. But it wasn’t until I moved into my first house, a century-old home in Ohio, that I decided to see for myself. That’s when I signed up for a home energy assessment.
The assessment revealed areas needing improvement. Tim Portman of Portman Mechanical conducted my evaluation. We started with a conversation about my goals for a more comfortable, eco-friendly home. Then he checked my furnace, air conditioner, and water heater, noting that both the furnace and air conditioner pressures were too high, indicating inefficiency. He explained that my ductwork may not be appropriately sized for those units. He used a helpful analogy: “It’s like having great water pressure in a kinked garden hose.”
After inspecting the basement, he set up a blower door, a device that creates a vacuum to find leaks. When he turned it on, hot air rushed into my home. With a measurement of 4,500 cubic feet of air leakage in my 1,500 square-foot house, I learned I was three times leakier than I should be. “It’s like driving your car with the AC on and the windows down,” he said, using humor to highlight the severity.
Next, he added a thermal camera to his toolkit. Outside temperatures were 80°F (27°C), and the camera revealed hot spots indicating leaks, particularly around the attic. Areas of concern included gaps in my century-old windows and even in the bathroom fan. The thermal findings showed my walls lacked insulation, partly due to outdated knob and tube wiring, a relic from the early 20th century that can be costly to replace.
Portman’s top recommendation was to consult an electrician about this old wiring, as its removal could allow for better insulation options. He estimated the cost of removing the wiring could reach $30,000, while replacing the electrical panel alone might cost around $3,000. Since federal tax credits are available for weatherization upgrades through 2025, now is a smart time to tackle these issues.
In the meantime, my husband and I have a DIY project ahead: sealing the leaks with caulking and spray foam. Effective weatherization not only benefits the environment but can also significantly reduce energy bills. Portman suggested that with the right improvements, families could potentially cut their bills by half or even more.
This is not only beneficial for your wallet but also an essential step toward creating a more sustainable future. As we continue battling climate change, household energy assessments offer a practical way to take action while also ensuring your home is comfortable year-round.
For detailed guidelines on improving your home’s energy efficiency, visit the Department of Energy. Their resources can help you navigate the available options and tax incentives.
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