There are many factors that contribute to high energy bills in a home or building. Some of the considerations we look at during an energy audit including the following:
Size of the home. Larger homes tend to have higher overall demand than a smaller one.
How much are you paying for kilowatt-hours of electricity, therms of natural gas, or gallons of propane? Each of these will fluctuate over time and impact even the most efficient homes.
Thermostat settings. The higher you set a thermostat in the winter, the more energy consumption you should expect to have. Consider 2 identical homes where one sets the thermostat to 74 in winter and the other sets the thermostat to 68. The second home will have lower bills than the first home simply based on the thermostat setting. The lower you set a thermostat in the summer, the more energy consumption you should expect to have. Finding the proper balance point to keep comfortable while keeping bills down can be challenging.
Building tightness. Drafty buildings are inefficient buildings.
Building insulation. Have the attic insulation levels increased to today’s standards? Have the exterior walls been insulated? What about the basement or crawlspace?
Heating and cooling systems.
Are the systems sized properly for the home?
Are they operating safely?
Are they distributing air evenly throughout the home?
What is the efficiency rating of the installed systems? If upgrading a system, how would a more efficient system impact the bills?
Are windows left open when a heating or cooling system is operating?
Fireplaces. Are the dampers left open when the fireplace is not in use?
Water heating. Is the heater sized appropriately for the house? Is it operating safely? Are there any problems with losing heat through the water lines? Are low-flow showerheads and aerators in place?
People. How many people live in the home? Certainly, a home with more occupants will tend to spend a bit more on bills than a similar home with fewer occupants. The number of occupants will impact how much lighting and appliances are used.
Lighting. Have the bulbs been replaced with LEDs? Are lights left on unnecessarily? Are there timers or sensors that might make sense to automate turning off lights when rooms are unoccupied.
Dehumidifiers. Are they being used incorrectly?
Appliances. Are the clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators aging and inefficient?
Pool pumps. Are swimming pools heated? Is the water temperature being maintained too high? Are pool covers being used? Are efficient pool pumps being installed?
