
What does an energy assessment involve?
Are your energy bills getting a bit out of line for the budget? Maybe the electricity went up more than you expected this past summer, and the gas bill has almost doubled this winter even though the winter has been milder. It may be time to consider a home energy test. An energy test for homes can tell you a lot about your home and where you’re losing energy when cooling, heating, and even the ‘silent thieves’ that have infiltrated your home.
A licensed and professional certified energy auditor will visit your home and assess your property for it energy efficiency. An energy assessment for residential property involves the following:
- Establish the age and construction method of the residence.
- Measure the floor and wall areas of the residence.
- Inspect the heating system.
- Identify existing insulation in attic and cavity walls.
- Identify any alternative heat source and energy-efficient items.
The certified energy auditor will collect detailed data on the residence as outlined by the Department of Energy and issue a certificate. The detailed data the certified energy auditor collects will include items on a government issued energy audit checklist.
What is an energy audit checklist?
A general home energy test is based on an energy audit checklist that will assess the energy efficiency of your residence by a Certified energy auditor. The certified energy auditor will inspect the appliances and equipment within the home and how they are used. It will include a review of your home’s design and based on the data they gather using the home energy test checklist, they can identify prospects where you can reduce your energy cost, usage, and provide solutions to improve these areas.
The Heat Efficiency
The entire heating system is evaluated for the following:
- The age, brand, condition, and model number.
- The type of energy used for the heating system.
The heating system evaluation includes the blower motor, fan, thermostat, timer, and all components that create and distribute the heat. This evaluation enables the certified energy auditor to collect the energy efficiency data of the heating system.
The Insulation Efficiency
The certified energy auditor will evaluate the type of insulation that is installed within the residence. The certified energy auditor will measure the existing insulation and do a comparison to the current standards:
- Attic insulation – what is the dept vs what is recommended.
- Wall insulation – The existing wall insulation is examined and compared to the recommendation.
- Double glazing – The glazing on doors and windows s checked and compared to what is recommended.
What are the three things an energy audit will tell you?
There are two types of home energy efficiency test or home energy audits:
- The Home Energy Survey: A visual inspection that will not use any type of diagnostic testing equipment.
- The General Energy Audit: Also referred to as a detailed energy audit or standard energy audit. Thishome energy test will collect detailed information, expanding on the home energy survey involving the energy usage of the home and provide a financial analysis of the energy expenses.
Can you do your own energy audit?
A professional home energy test will be more thorough and informative, but a “do-it-yourself” home energy test can be helpful. With the DIY home energy test, you can pinpoint some areas that need to be addressed. As you walk through your home looking for issues, create a checklist so you’ll know what you what problems you identified. This checklist will allow you to list what needs immediate attention first.
How do I do an energy audit on my house?
The following is a step-by-step of what to check for a DIY home energy test:
- Air Drafts: The first step in a home energy step is to list the air leaks and drafts that are obvious. By reducing those air drafts, you can save up to 20% a year in energy costs. Those air leaks can be found along the baseboards and where the floor and wall meet. Areas, where two different part of the house meet on the exterior, are subject to be an area of air leaks. Check around the doors, lighting, light switches, windows, and electrical outlands, and plumbing fixtures.
- Ventilation: When insulating or sealing your home for energy efficiency, be cautious with back drafting combustible appliances and exhaust fans that require air.
- Insulation: The heat that is lost through the ceiling and walls of your home may be larger than you think. When a house is built, the builder will typically put the recommended insulation. With the price of energy today though, that insulation is probably inadequate.
- Cooling and Heating Equipment: Inspect the cooling and heating equipment every year and replacing the filter every 30 days is always recommended. Make sure the system is free of dirt, dust, and nothing blocking the vents.
- Lighting: The lights in your home are responsible for as much as 10% of the energy costs. Replace the current bulbs as they burn out compact fluorescent lamps, incandescent, or light-emitting diodes. Some utility companies offer incentives like rebates for using energy-efficient lamps.
- The Appliances and Electronics: Your energy cost is affected by how you use your appliances and electronics. Estimate the energy use of these and then look for ways to reduce your energy use with them, like unplugging what you’re not using, change the setting for items like computers to go to sleep, and when buying new, buy products that are more energy-efficient.

What is a home energy audit blower door test?
A temporary “blower door” outfitted with a powerful fan and installed in your back or front door’s frame. Then the fan is turned on and sucks the indoor air outside. The purpose of these ties to is to measure your home’s airtightness, which is a larger part of your home’s energy efficiency.
In summary, a home energy rating system test is an analysis of the construction plans and onsite inspections of a home and based on that information, a Home Energy Rater will use a software package designed specifically to analyze and measure energy efficiency.
A DIY home energy test is the next best thing when you can’t afford or arrange a professional home energy test. Follow the steps we have provided here or surf the internet for a more comprehensive DIY home energy test. Call 817-781-8781 today to get started on a home energy audit or blower door test in Fort Worth, TX