The homeowners guide to an Energy Audit by Doncaster Electrician
With energy costs ever rising for homeowners, a great way to cut back on spending is to simply cut back on wasted energy use. Working alongside a Doncaster Electrician, an energy audit will help you to assess where you can reduce power usage and optimise savings.
So what takes place during an audit? Your electrician will work to assess the following.
Your electrician will assess any obvious air leaks in your home, such as cracks/holes in your mortar and foundation as well as around windows and doors.
Indoor air leaks may also be present at the edges of flooring or skirting boards as well as junctions between walls and ceilings.
Your electrician will also safely check leaks from lighting, plumbing fixtures, switches and electrical outlets. Once any leaks are identified, they will be covered with permanent sealant.
By sealing off air leaks and reducing draft or temperature regulated air in your home, you can save up to 20% on energy costs per year.
In old homes or homes with inadequate installed insulation, heat loss through ceilings and walls can be significant. Double storey homes/ homes with an attic should be checked that it is as insulated as lower levels. Considering heat rises, it’s important to try and trap it in this space.
3. Inspect heating and Cooling Equipment
Your energy audit will include checks of your cooling and heating devices. This includes ducted heating, the wall built air conditioners, hot water service and alternative cooling systems. Your filters will be checked as well as heating ducts which, if old, could have potential air leaks.
The audit will assess if such systems need to be cleaned, serviced or entirely replaced in some cases. When functioning poorly, these systems will use up more energy than normal resulting in higher energy costs for the same temperature outcome.
Lighting energy can account for 10% of your total electric bill. An easy way to reduce the cost of this spending is to replace inefficient bulbs with a sustainable choice such as Light-Emitting Diodes (LED) lights, or energy saving incandescent.
Your electric provider may even offer rebates or incentives for purchasing energy efficient lamps.
5. Appliances and Electronics
During an appliance audit, your residential electrician will use tools that can assess the energy output of each appliance and compare this against a standardised appliance list to assess if any faulty appliances are using excessive energy to run.
They will also assess which appliances have a “sleep” or “standby mode” to assess how much power is utilised in this state. Often consumers are confused in thinking no energy usage occurs when appliances are not actively being used.
With this information on energy consumption, your Doncaster Electrician can advise you on the best method, mode or time to use an appliance in order to save the most energy.
Now that you know what takes place during an audit, it’s time to apply for its benefits. To find out, check out our next blog that details just what you can gain from an audit.
Heaven Sent Electrical provide a comprehensive range of electrical services for both Residential and Commercial projects.