Technology has evolved drastically in the recent time in energy saving mechanisms. Lot of tested and proven methods are being put to use by house owners, both old and new, to reduce their energy bills. Conservation of energy has become the latest motto in order to leave a sustainable green environment for our future generation. With the power consumption is skyrocketing and energy bills soaring at peak levels, people are trying out innovative methods to make their home energy efficient.

It is immaterial whether your home is new or old; there are several ways to save energy. Energy saving audit is an ideal concept that helps in identifying the vulnerable areas of energy loss. It is a simple yet effective task that can be done to find the areas in the home where there are chances of saving energy. This can be done either by the home owner or with the help of a professional. Professional in this field will be able to conduct a better audit of the home to find the loopholes but as a home owner you can follow the checklist given below to conduct an efficient home energy saving audit all by yourself.

Seal the air leaks

First step in energy audit is to inspect the building for any kind of internal leaks. You must take effort to inspect the flooring, walls, and ceiling, and so on to reveal any kind of leaks. These leaks often tend to allow the passage of air flow which leads to inefficient cooling or heating by the electrical devices. Small crevices ad crawls spaces, if any in your home, must be thoroughly brushed to see any leaks. Quite often people neglect the attic area which can be the major space where there are lot of chances to save energy.

If any leaks are detected, steps must be taken to seal the same using the apt materials. Caulk the holes near the faucets and pipes or wiring systems. However,it is also not possible or rather good practice to make your rooms completely sealed. This is because, there are chances of combustion when the gases are emitted by the appliances and they do not get the required air to vent out. So, you must always consider proper ventilation to ensure that there are no chances of combustion inside your home. Ventilation methods can be understood by getting the aid of a ventilation contractor who will be able to guide you better.

Inspect insulation

Insulation is a major contributor for energy saving. If you have an old home, then check if there is proper insulation in place. At times the insulation may fall inadequate for the growing energy prices. So, it becomes essential to upgrade the insulation with better and efficient material. In case the building does not have any form of insulation then it is wise to consult a professional to get to know the level of  home insulation required for the given area. Floors, ceilings, attic and even basement have to be properly insulated with the appropriate materials. Frequent inspection of the insulation also needs to be done to ensure that it serves the purpose of energy conservation.

Check the heating and cooling devices

Inspect the heating and cooling devices regularly. Make sure that the filters and vents of the devices are kept clean to ensure healthy and efficient cooling and heating. Avoid using very old equipment as the latest equipment has in-built energy saving features. Signing up an annual maintenance contract is a viable solution to ensure regular checking of the devices and also making timely replacement of the parts.