Energy audit tools precisely fathom areas where you might be losing energy. Sometimes, our powers of perception are not enough to do the needful. Home energy audits, every so often, can be the difference between mounting electricity bills and those bills which are well in control. Energy runs out through vents that include, but are not restricted to, doors, windows, walls, structural gaps in awnings, and host of electrical appliances. Let me take you through the best ways to minimise energy loss.
Heating pumps
While inspecting a heating pump, find out if any of the fans are clogged. Use sealants for closing in any gaps in the ducts of heat pumps ( the gaps invariably lead to heat loss ). You can use an insulation blanket to strengthen the effect. Also, remember that a pump works best when operated close to 120 degrees.
Pipes and conduits
Coming to pipes and conduits, insulation holds the key in ways more than one. Perfectly insulated conduits ease the flow of hot water to any given level. Canned foam can be a great ally in curtailing air movement around the pipes.
Ceiling ducts
Mark all the ducts or vents in the ceiling and seal them with high-performing sealants. This indemnifies the ceiling against rush of warm air through the attic. The effect is more prominent if the attic is duly sealed right from the joist area (either with mineral wool or loose-fill)
Electrical vents
Why do people treat the baseboards and electrical outlets diligently? It is because negligence can spike energy bills many notches. A shoe-mould for preventing air movement through baseboards and a foam gasket for cutting down air passage through electrical vents is considered ideal.
Attics and lofts
Attics, it is well known, are the chief source of energy loss. Walls with insulated fibreglasses should be safeguarded with an additional layer of spray foam. Insulating without Weatherstripping may prove futile.
Power Tracks and power of LED
Use power tracks for cutting down on energy dissipation while the electrical appliances are kept on a standby. Use only those recessed lights which have their “insulation contact” rating in place. LEDs save a lot of energy when compared to the incandescent bulbs. CFLs also solve the purpose but they add to the carbon footprint.
Make it a point to undertake as many home energy audits as possible and duly facilitate measures which work towards energy-efficiency and monitoring.
Below is a video featuring a sample walkthrough of a home energy audit:
https://youtu.be/8eKpfjnT0ro
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