Energy Audits

Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) lists Florida as the sixth highest consumer of energy consumption compared to other states. The national average energy bill is $111.67 and Florida residents have a state average of $126.44—that’s 13% more than the national average. Energy consumption is based on cooling and heating your home, running appliances, turning on lights, and using other electrical components. The higher-than-average energy consumption is not surprising consider the constant heat and humidity Florida residents face every day.

Granted, these numbers are an average of all of Florida, so residents of Central Florida may have a slightly higher average for their energy bill with fewer cool days than North Floridians or those along the coast.

Energy Audits in Greater Tampa Bay Area

If you live in Central Florida and have an average energy bill well over the state average, then you might need an energy audit. Having a $250 or higher bill two or three months out of the year isn’t bad but if two-fifty is low for your home, give us a call.

Energy audits are also available to customers interested in going “green” and seeing where in their home they can be more conservative of energy usage.

What Is An Energy Audit?

An energy audits is a lot like you would expect, it is an analysis of the energy consumption in your home and which areas of your home are the worst. The energy auditor then makes recommendations on the changes you can make to scale back your usage.

What To Expect During An Energy Audit

Depending on the size of your home, an energy audit can take from 30 minutes up to 4 hours. When the energy auditor arrives, they will use a variety of tools and methods to gauge energy usage in of different electrical components of your home. Your energy auditor may:
  • Inspect the outside of your home, reviewing window and door seals and checking eaves where air may be leaking out of your home. When you have major air leaks, your HVAC system has to work harder to cool or warm your home, which in turn drives up its energy usage.
  • Check in the attic to inspect the amount of insulation to ensure it is applied evenly and thick enough to meet building requirements.
  • Look at the electrical wiring viewable from the attic to see if installation was done properly.
  • Review your light sources to determine the type of bulbs in use.
  • Review the model and hook-ups of your appliance such as your refrigerator or washer and dryer.
  • Examine your air conditioner for obvious signs of repair or maintenance (like filter changes or dirty coils) that can overwork your system. Visual inspection of your duct work for any signs of tears or air leakage.
  • Perform a general inspection of your water heater, checking for its age. Older units often consume more energy than newer models.
  • Perform a Blower Door Test, which is a way to analyze a home for leaks by sealing the home and using special machines to depressurize it and review for excessive hot/cold spots.
Following the audit of your home, the energy auditor will provide you with an analysis of their findings along with list of energy efficient recommendations.
Common recommendations may include:
Adding additional insulation
Changing all light bulbs to LED lighting
Repairing duct work
HVAC Maintenance
Update appliances to energy efficient models
Replace your water heater
Repair the seal around windows and doors
Upgrade windows to double panes, which are more energy efficient
Inspections available with detailed inspection reports.
Request an Inspection Services

Helpful Articles

What Fixes Are Mandatory After A Home Inspection?
Truth About Home Inspections: Homes Can't Actually Fail
Why A Commercial Building Inspection Is Crucial Before Buying A Business
7 Affordable & Easy Ways To Prepare Your Home For Hurricane Season
6 Signs Your Home Might Have Water Damage
Annual Home Maintenance Inspection And Hurricane Season
Hidden Signs Reveal Mold in Your Home: Importance of Mold Inspections
Must-Do Common Repairs Before Selling Your Home
5 Home Inspection Defects That Should Send You Running
Better Gift Ideas For Dad This Father's Day
Create A Hurricane Preparedness Plan for Your Home
What You Need To Know About Mold And The Problems It Causes
6 Must-Ask Questions When Buying A Property
Is Market Value, Appraised Value, And Tax Value The Same?
Wind Mitigation Inspection: Types Of Features That Are Examined
Why Are Home Insurance Rates Increasing In Florida?
5 Reasons For An Annual Attic Inspection
Will A Wind Mitigation Save Me Money?
How An Insurance Inspection Can Help With Your Insurance Premiums
Most Important Features First-Time Homebuyers Want
4 Tips For Buying An Affordable Home
6 DIY Repair Tricks To Try When Your Furnace Is Not Working
5 Essential Elements Of A New Construction Inspection
Fall And Winter Home Maintenance Advice From A Tampa Home Inspector To Share With Your Buyer
Common Causes Of Cracked Foundations In Tampa Homes
Foundation Settling vs. Foundation Problems In Tampa Bay Homes
Tampa Home Inspector Advises Seasonal Well Maintenance Testing
Top Five Safety Issues We Find During Home Inspections In The Tampa Area
Negotiation Tips For Investors Following The Home Inspection To Share With Your Real Estate Client
Preparing to Sell A Home? 7 Things Tampa Home Inspectors Look For Before Anything Else
Indoor Home Maintenance You Should Be Doing This Fall And Winter
5 Reasons Why Investors Should Have A Home Inspection
5 Popular Design Trends Home Inspectors Deem Unsafe
The Importance of Well Water Testing
New Construction Phase Inspections: Pre-Slab Inspection
Preventing Water Intrusion
HVAC Maintenance Tips For Pet Owners
What Inspections Are Required On A New Home Build?
Tampa Home Inspector Talks Pest Inspections
5 Questions To Ask Your Tampa Home Inspector
Do I Need Other Inspections If I’m Buying A House?
Home Inspector Notes That Might Not Be Actually Dealbreakers
Tips For Buying A Tampa Home In 2022
© 2023 Acu System Home and Building Inspections. All Rights Reserved.
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram