Your heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system is the No. 1 user of electricity in your home. An HVAC system accounts for up to 58 percent of energy costs from a typical utility bill. If you are keeping your thermostat below 78 degrees in the summer, you can expect to have a higher bill. In fact, for every degree cooler, energy costs can increase 7 to 10 percent.

Higher heating and cooling costs are also caused by anything that makes your HVAC system work harder. Dirty AC filters, poor insulation, bad thermostats and air leaks can make your HVACs use a lot of energy to keep your home at comfortable temperatures. If you think your HVAC system is not running efficiently, review the HVAC section of the energy audit checklist.

Energy Audit Audio/Visual

See our short video to learn more about your heating and cooling system and how you can perform your energy audit. Also, learn how you can reduce costly air leaks throughout your home. Watch now 

Energy Audit Checklist - Heating and Cooling Systems

  Set up an appointment with a heating/air conditioning professional. 
  Set your thermostat 78-80 degrees (summer).
  Set your thermostat 68-70 degrees (winter). Properly secure furnace panel door.
  Make sure freon suction line is properly insulated (located outside by condenser).
  Replace dirty filter/make sure it’s inserted properly.
  Check for air leaks around plenum and, if needed, repair with rated air duct tape (located at the top of HVAC system).
  Check air ducts for air leaks. Seal with rated air duct tape.
  Check insulation level in attic R-30 = 12 inches.

Energy Audit Checklist - Air Infiltration

  Check seal around doors and windows. Replace caulking with new caulking.
  Feel around doors and windows and outlets/switches for drafts. Seal with weather stripping and switch/outlets foam gaskets. 
  Insulate and weather strip attic access.
  Seal around plumbing with expanding foam.
  Check fireplace damper to make sure it’s closed when not in use.
  Seal air leaks around window-mounted air conditioning units.

      Open and Print A Complete Energy Audit Checklist