You may have already reduced your electricity usage already by switching to LED lights, raising the thermostat on your aircon and using a slow cooker to make your Sunday roasts. This is all great, but there will almost certainly be some ways in which your household is using too much energy.
An energy audit, also known as an energy assessment, can identify the areas in which you’re using too much power so you can decide how to reduce your consumption. Many energy audits use thermographic cameras to look for areas which let out heat in the winter and let in heat in the summer. You should also ask for any fuel-using appliances to be tested to see if they’re efficient or if they’re leaking vapours into your home.
The air flow through your property will also be examined to see if you can further reduce your heating and aircon expenditure. Electricity isn’t getting any cheaper so anything you can do to use less will have a big impact on your annual budget.
An energy audit can increase your property’s value
It doesn’t matter how old your home is, if you can tell potential buyers that it’s recently had an energy audit and is performing at its best in terms of energy efficiency, then you’ll have more chance of selling faster and at a decent price.
It’s also good for business
If you can reduce the electricity consumption at your business premises, then you’ll improve your bottom line, helping you to concentrate money on marketing or development.
You’ll also be less dependent on imported electricity, making your supply more secure, especially if you have solar panels and maybe a solar battery as well.
A lesser-known benefit of an energy audit is that it can help you to look after your electrical appliances and equipment so that they last longer. If you’re reliant on your gadgets and machinery for any reason, can you afford not to have an audit?
