In a world increasingly concerned about energy consumption and environmental impact, performing a residential energy audit before you remodel your home is more than just a good idea; it's a step towards energy efficiency and sustainability. Whether you're planning to renovate your entire house or just a single room, understanding your home's energy performance can help you make informed decisions.

Here's why a residential energy audit can enhance your remodeling process. 

Residential Energy Audit 

A residential energy audit, also known as a home energy assessment, is a thorough review of your home's energy use.

• Energy Audit: A professional energy auditor uses a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of your residence. They'll identify areas where your home loses energy, which systems are operating inefficiently, and propose solutions to improve energy efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint.

Identifying Energy-Saving Opportunities

An energy audit can uncover opportunities to save energy (and money) that you might not have been aware of.

• Energy Efficiency: the audit could reveal that your home is not adequately insulated, leading to heat loss in the winter and making your air conditioner work harder in the summer.
• Big Savings: While energy-efficient upgrades might have a higher upfront cost, they can save you money in the long run. Energy-efficient appliances, better insulation, and renewable energy systems like solar panels can significantly reduce your energy bills.

By addressing this in your remodel, you can improve your home's energy efficiency and comfort.

Prioritizing Improvements

The audit will provide a roadmap for improvements, helping you prioritize your remodeling efforts.

• Prioritize: You can focus on the changes that will make the most significant difference in terms of energy efficiency, comfort, and cost savings.

Improving Home Comfort

An energy-efficient home isn't just cost-effective; it's also more comfortable.

• Comfort: Better insulation and efficient heating and cooling systems can help maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home, reducing cold drafts in winter and heat influx in summer.

Enhancing Home Value

Energy-efficient homes are increasingly sought after in the real estate market.

• Return on Investment: If you plan to sell your house in the future, energy-efficient upgrades could potentially increase its value.

What to Expect From an Energy Audit?

During an energy audit, the auditor will typically do a room-by-room walkthrough to understand how your home uses energy. They might use equipment like blower doors, which measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, or infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation.

After the audit, you will receive a report detailing your home's energy use with recommended improvements. This could include everything from sealing air leaks and adding insulation to upgrading to energy-efficient appliances or installing renewable energy systems.