Doing a home energy audit might sound cumbersome, but if you follow some easy advice, it can be a breeze!  At Ecover, we view a more energy efficient home as simply a way to save you a significant amount of resources and money!

As you walk around your home, check out the following:

1. Look for air leaks or drafts. You could realize 5% to 30% in energy savings by simply doing away with the drafts. Check the air flow through window frames, the weather stripping around doors, baseboards; look at wall or window-mounted air conditioners, attic hatches, plumbing fixtures, dryer ducts, and fireplace dampers. Note what need caulk, weather-stripping, or insulation.
2. Inspect your heating and cooling equipment. This equipment should be inspected and cleaned annually, or as often as the manufacturer recommends. If the equipment is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with new, energy-efficient units. And a programmable thermostat manages the systems efficiently!
3. Look at your home’s lighting. Purchase LED or CFL lighting products and examine the wattage of the bulbs in your house – you could be using higher watt bulbs than necessary.  And unplug electronic appliances when not in use, like chargers, computer chords, coffee pot, etc. Put all of your electronics on a power cord and turn off the circuit when not in use.
4. Ensure your home is well-insulated. Make sure the floor of your attic is insulated, and that the material isn’t crumbling or compacted, which impacts its effectiveness.
5. Be an energy bill hawk.  Pay close attention to your bills and compare your energy costs month-to-month. Looks for trends, spikes, or changes and then make necessary changes.

DIY to save energy and cash!

Image via Flickr