As a homeowner, you look for all of the ways to reduce utility costs to balance your budget. While you may believe that your home is energy-efficient, there may be hidden causes of inefficiency that show up in your monthly bills. Here are three methods of measuring your home energy efficiency to ensure your home is running as smoothly as possible.
Blower Door Test
One of the most common efficiency issues in homes is that they are not airtight. If your home is not airtight, conditioned air will leak out of your home. At the same time, cold or hot air from outside will leak into your home. The result is a major decrease in home energy efficiency.
A blower door test uses a special type of fan that measures the difference in air pressure inside your home as compared with the air pressure outside. The results of the test provide a picture of airflow exchange to help you decide whether additional sealing is needed.
Thermographic Inspections
Thermographic inspections utilize infrared to pinpoint problem areas in your home. During this inspection, an infrared camera will show different colors for areas that are cool versus those that are warm. If you notice areas that are particularly warm or cold during this inspection, more investigation can be done in the affected area to get a better idea of the source of the problem.
Low-Emissivity Window Test
Whether you just purchased your home or you’re just wondering whether your windows are the source of drafts, a low-emissivity window checker can help determine whether your windows are the source of your home energy efficiency problems. During this test, a device is used on each window in your home to check whether the low-emissivity coating is still intact. If you find that the coating is no longer sufficient for keeping out drafts, you may want to consider replacing your windows.
For more information on optimizing energy efficiency in your Dayton home, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services.
