If you can’t stand the heat, get back in the AC! At least if your house is set up well to keep you cool… Detail View checks for insulation and sealing in a whole-home inspection, so we’ll alert you if you need to make any changes when you hire our certified inspectors. But if you want to make some quick changes to keep your home energy efficient, here are some of the top energy inefficiencies we search for when doing a whole-home inspection.
Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are some of the most common culprits of energy loss in your home. One of the best things you can do daily is to ensure you routinely fully close your windows and doors and don’t leave them open too long or unintentionally.
Of course, leaving your windows open for airflow can help you with your energy bills at certain times. But be mindful to only have your windows open when they’re helping you cool the home, not when it’s too hot and humid to be useful.
As for where we come in, during a whole-home inspection, we check around your windows and doors for gaps. We will see if the weather stripping and seals are intact. If not, we’ll make our recommendations. If you’re not using a certified home inspector, you should check the seals around your windows and doors at least every couple of years.
Insulation
Another heat suck is lack of insulation, particularly in attics. While insulation is vital for energy efficiency throughout your home, adding insulation to walls can be more difficult after the fact. For attics, on the other hand, the procedure is more straightforward.
During whole-home inspections, we check for adequate insulation—both in amount and placement. Since heat rises, you might think that attic insulation matters less in the summer than in the winter.
However, radiant heat transfer through materials can lead to the rest of your house getting hotter, amping up your energy bill. Inadequate insulation will also make your attic significantly warmer than the (already sweltering in July!) outside temperatures.
Ventilation
Poor ventilation can completely derail your home’s ability to cool itself. Even an effective AC or HVAC system can’t overcome problems with your vents.
During a whole-home inspection, Detail View Home Inspections will check that you have proper airflow throughout the house. That means checking the functionality of attic vents and other vents. We’ll also check that your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans work.
Good ventilation is crucial for your summer and winter comfort, but it also serves other functions. Ventilation plays a part in your home’s humidity and energy efficiency.
Beyond your whole-home inspection, you should call professionals to clean your air ducts every 3 to 5 years. Again, this affects not only your comfort but also your home’s safety and your family’s health.
No one wants to breathe air full of decades-old dust and debris!
Other Ways to Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
As certified home inspectors, most of our suggestions for improving your home’s energy efficiency involve the items we inspect during a whole-home inspection. But there are other ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency, too.
Landscaping—The right landscaping can greatly reduce your cooling costs! By providing strategic shade, you’ll not only have a lovely landscape but also a lower bill.
Appliances—Modern appliances generally have much higher energy efficiency standards. While having energy-efficient appliances won’t necessarily make your home cooler, lowering your bill will make you worry less about your AC!
Mindful Choices—Whether setting your home up with smart automation or making small changes yourself, all your everyday choices contribute to your energy bill, your comfort, and your home’s longevity.
By focusing on the areas you can control, you won’t have to spend as much time worrying about the things you can’t – like the energy company’s rates!
Call for Your Whole-Home Inspection!
Not sure where to start to get your home more energy efficient? Call Detail View Home inspections, and we’ll inspect your whole home and give you the tip you need to increase its energy efficiency!
