Northern Virginia Home Energy Audits  703-912-4710  703-328-4057 Serving the DC METRO area since 1998   Doing Energy Audits to save you money and fix your problems

Top Ten Reasons to Get an Energy Audit

1. Add a layer to your attic insulation

You probably didn't know that the majority of homes built before 1980 are under-insulated. Which means heat can escape through the ceiling, past the roof and into the atmosphere.  As a general rule, if you have less than 16 inches of attic insulation, you probably need more

2. Add insulation to other areas of the home

It's a simple equation: add insulation to reduce energy usage and increase comfort. Supplementing the insulation in your crawl space, under floors and against basement walls is a great way to stop the transfer of heat or cold through your house.

3. Insulate Pipes

It's no secret that insulated hot water pipes keep water warmer longer. As a result, your heater will not have to work as hard.

4. Seal the Ducts

You probably don't need to heat your attic or unfinished basement. But chances are, you're heating them anyway. If you have even small cracks or holes in your air ducts, warm air from the furnace can escape into the attic or basement before it ever reaches its destination. That means the furnace has to work overtime to keep the rest of the house warm.

5. Plug the Drafts

The exterior of your house is your first line of defense against drafts, so it's important to caulk, seal and weather-strip around all seams, cracks and openings. Be sure to pay special attention around windows and where siding or bricks and the wood trim meet. You can also reduce drafts from the inside by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping around windows and door frames, and near electrical boxes and plumbing penetrations.

6. Close Vents to Guest Rooms

Today, many homes have more rooms than family members can occupy. By closing the vents to just one spare bedroom in your house, you'll probably see a difference in your heating bills.

7. Install Energy Efficient Doors and Windows

Today’s doors and windows are designed and insulated to reduce the transfer of cold air into the home, which can help you reduce fuel costs by up to 15%.*

8. Insulate Pipes

It's no secret that insulated hot water pipes keep water warmer longer. As a result, your heater will not have to work as hard.

9. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Why heat the house when nobody's home? A programmable thermostat can automatically lower and raise your home’s air temperature when you're at work or comfortably nestled under a comforter. By simply turning your thermostat back from 72°F down to 65°F for eight hours a day, you can save as much as 10 percent on your annual heating and cooling costs

10. Let the Sun Shine In

On those cold winter days, fill your home with the warmth of the sun's rays by raising the blinds and shades on windows on the south and west sides of your house.