Why Should You Invest in an Energy Audit Before Installing Solar Panels?
Before installing a solar energy system, you’ll need to do a thorough energy audit of your home. The purpose of this energy audit is to determine whether the inclusion of a solar system can help you become more efficient in energy consumption. Here are some reasons why you’ll need to conduct an energy audit before planning to install a home solar energy system.
Audits Reveal Potential Sources of Energy Waste
Carrying out an energy audit shows your energy consumption rate, and reveals potential causes of energy waste in your home. At the end of the audit, you’ll get a report that shows the steps you should take to save the energy you’re currently wasting. For instance, the audit may reveal that you need to change your appliances and insulate your walls and ceiling to reduce energy consumption.
Audits Help You Understand Your Current Energy Usage
A comprehensive energy audit should check your energy consumption for at least the last six months and up to the last 12 months. Determining the average rate of monthly energy consumption will show you how you may be fairing on costs. By using computer simulations your auditor can show the current energy load. The auditor can also find out the energy consumption rate for all appliances in your home. By understanding how you’re currently using energy throughout your home, you’ll be able to make the appropriate adjustments.
Audits can Help Improve Resale Value
If an energy audit report shows that your home is energy efficient, the resale value of your home is likely to be higher than that of a similar property that is less energy efficient. Learning that your home needs energy efficiency improvements also offers the opportunity to raise the resale value by fixing the issues found during your audit. Buying an energy-inefficient home may increase costs for any new homeowner. As such, buyers are always willing to pay more for a home that is energy efficient.
Audits Help Gauge Home Safety
Combustion safety testing is always included in the energy audit process of all homes. This is a test conducted on home heating equipment to determine exhaust leakage, carbon monoxide levels, and any gas leakage. Pipes connecting cylinders to regulators are also checked for crevices that can allow leakage. Reports from such energy audit tests should give recommendations on how to put in place safety precautions that will prevent leakages and the production of carbon monoxide.
You should first ensure that you get a comprehensive audit from a solar panel installation company before planning to install a solar energy system. The audit will help you to understand your energy consumption, and inform your solar panel fitting plan and budget.
Call Efficient Home Services today to schedule your free energy audit!
