Dallas Home Show - DIY Energy Audit Rev 4

Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit Tips by Andrea Ridout www.askandrea.com askandrea@askandrea.com What’s an “Energy Audit”? It’s an evaluation of your energy usage to reveal where, and more importantly, how efficiently you’re using energy. You can conduct a very simple energy audit around your home, and do it with no formal training! Some items you can correct on your own. Some will require a professional. Either way, a simple “DIY” home energy audit will help you discover what needs attention. You’ll Need the Following Basic Tools: 1) Indoor-outdoor thermometer with a wired outdoor sensor (not wireless). One is ok, two are better. 2) Incense sticks (Option: Very thin tissue paper, tape, and pencil.) 3) Kill-A-Watt Meter (approximately $30.00). 4) Yardstick, flashlight. #1: Fix Air Leaks – Often the Worst Cause of Energy Loss in a Home Check windows and doors for air leaks. On a windy day, turn off your AC and all ceiling fans. Hold lit incense (or very thin tissue paper taped to a pencil) near gaps in windows, doors, fireplace dampers, light switches, and wall outlets. Incense smoke should rise vertically (or the tissue shouldn’t move). If you see any movement in the smoke or tissue, you’ve found an air leak that needs to be fixed. “Air Leak Detector” #2: Check Your Air Conditioner – The Largest Electric Load in Your Home Tape the “outdoor” sensor of thermometer #1 to the air intake of your air conditioner (where the filter ...