May 10
16
DIY Home Audit Checklist
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Do-it-yourself Home Audit Checklist
| HOME AREA | WHAT IS WASTING ENERGY? | HOW TO SAVE ENERGY? | |
| 1 | Lighting | Incandescent or halogen Light bulbs; lights turned on all the time | Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs or LEDs; turn off lights in rooms that you’re not using |
| 2 | Water Heater & Piping | Un-insulated | Upgrade or install insulation |
| 3 | Water Heater Thermostat Setting | Set to 125 °F | Set to 120 °F or lower |
| 4 | Electronics and small appliances | Left on when not using, plugged directly into outlets (but still using electric power even when turned off!) | Plug all electronics and appliances into power strips that you turn off when not in use (turning off power strip completely shuts off power use) |
| 5 | Heating & Cooling Equipment | Older than 10-12 years | Time to replace with energy efficient equipment; Install programmable thermostat; make sure air conditioner has proper amount of refrigerant |
| 6 | Forced Air Furnace | Dirty, old filter on the air intake | Replace or clean air intake filter once every 1-2 months during high use season |
| 7 | Electrical outlets, windows and window frames, baseboards, doors, attic hatch and wall/window mounted air conditioners | Air flowing in due to gaps or deteriorating of exterior caulking or weather stripping* | Apply new caulking, seal or weather stripping** |
| 8 | Exposed faucets, pipes, electric outlets and wiring | Cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding | Seal effectively with mortar or caulking to prevent any heat loss |
| 9 | Attic floor | Poorly insulated floor with gaps, thin insulation | Upgrade or install insulation including the attic hatch cover |
| 10 | Attic vents | Vent and interior air flow blocked by insulation | Clear vents of any insulation to help interior air circulation |
| 11 | All exterior corners of home; where siding and chimneys meet; and areas where the foundation and siding meet | Air flowing in due to cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and/or siding | Apply new mortar, sealer or siding to seal leak** |
