In an earlier article, we discussed the importance of being informed and prepared for your home's energy audit. Specifically, arranging your home so that when the auditor arrives so he can easily inspect the tough-to-reach areas. Conducting a thorough interview was also mentioned so you can feel confident in the services you're paying for. A few other suggestions revolve around the topic of understanding your role while the auditor surveys your home.

Here are two items to consider when planning a home energy audit:

Have appropriate information available: In the earlier article we mentioned that you should have your most recent energy bills on hand to give the auditor context as he inspects the home. Another piece of information you should have available is a list of areas in your house that feel drafty, or areas where there is usually condensation on the windows. These may be clear indicators of the ways that your house is wasting energy. 

A thorough auditor will also consider factors such as how many people are living in the house, if anybody works at home during the day, how many rooms are being used and what the average thermostat settings are for both the summer and winter. 

Be present: Being at the home for the energy audit is the easiest way to get the most out of the experience. Not only will you be able to see with your own eyes all of the many small ways you can improve your home's energy efficiency, but you'll also see how to conduct an informal energy audit yourself if future changes to the home leave you wondering if the levels of energy consumption have been affected. 

To learn more about how much energy your home is consuming and what improvements can be made, schedule an energy audit with industry-leader Alban Inspections if you live in the Virginia or Washington, D.C. area.