Energy 101: Home Energy Assessment

U.S. Department of Energy
14 Oct 201003:31
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive home energy checkup to identify and seal inefficiencies, thereby saving energy and money. It outlines the process starting with an inspection by a professional auditor, who checks for leaks, insulation quality, and the efficiency of appliances like furnaces and water heaters. The script also highlights the use of an infrared camera to detect air leaks and suggests energy-efficient lighting and appliances as part of the solution. The final step is receiving a detailed report on efficiency upgrades to stop energy loss.

Takeaways
  • 🏠 A leaky home is costly year-round and requires a comprehensive home energy checkup to identify inefficiencies.
  • 🛠️ To stop energy loss, consider installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances and creating a sealed barrier around the house.
  • 🔍 A professional home energy technician, known as an auditor, is needed for a thorough home energy checkup.
  • 🧐 The auditor starts the cold-weather evaluation by inspecting the exterior for issues around walls, joints, and eaves.
  • 🔑 Checking attic leaks is crucial, as they can be a significant source of energy loss.
  • 🏡 Proper insulation installation is vital for energy efficiency; it should be even and not just stuffed into spaces.
  • 🔌 The auditor inspects for leaks around electrical lines and ensures they are sealed to prevent energy loss.
  • 🔥 The basement's furnace and water heater are checked for energy efficiency and potential waste.
  • 🔩 Ductwork connections are inspected to ensure they are sealed and directing warm air correctly.
  • 🌀 The blower door test helps identify air leaks by depressurizing the home and using an infrared camera to spot them.
  • 💡 Recessed lighting fixtures can be significant sources of air leaks, and switching to energy-saving bulbs can help.
Q & A

  • What is the primary goal of a home energy checkup?

    -The primary goal of a home energy checkup is to save energy, save money, and make the house more comfortable.

  • What types of improvements can help increase a home's energy efficiency?

    -Improvements such as installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances and creating a sealed barrier around the house can help increase energy efficiency.

  • Who should perform a thorough home energy checkup?

    -A thorough home energy checkup should be performed by a professional home energy technician, also known as an auditor.

  • During the cold-weather evaluation, where does the auditor start the inspection?

    -During the cold-weather evaluation, the auditor starts the inspection on the outside, looking for problems around walls, joints, and under the eaves.

  • Why is it important for insulation to be correctly installed?

    -It is important for insulation to be correctly installed because it needs to be evenly applied between all areas of the house frame to effectively insulate and prevent energy loss.

  • What specific areas will the energy auditor inspect in the attic?

    -In the attic, the energy auditor will check for leaks, inspect the insulation, and look for any issues around the trap door that might let cold air pass into the house.

  • What common problem might be found with furnaces during the checkup?

    -Common problems with furnaces include losing efficiency as they age and having clogged filters, which make the furnace work harder and waste energy.

  • How can the efficiency of a water heater affect energy consumption?

    -If a water heater is old and not insulated, it may not be energy efficient, leading to higher energy consumption.

  • What is the purpose of the blower door test during the energy checkup?

    -The blower door test is used to depressurize the home, allowing outside air to rush in through openings, making it easier to spot leaks with an infrared camera.

  • What can the infrared camera reveal during the blower door test?

    -The infrared camera can reveal cold air rushing into the home, with darker colors indicating worse leaks.

  • Why are recessed lighting fixtures often identified as problematic during energy assessments?

    -Recessed lighting fixtures are often identified as problematic because they can be significant sources of air leaks.

  • What are the benefits of using compact fluorescent light bulbs over incandescent bulbs?

    -Compact fluorescent light bulbs are an energy-saving alternative to incandescent bulbs, using less energy to provide the same amount of light.

  • What will the comprehensive home energy report provide to homeowners?

    -The comprehensive home energy report will show homeowners which efficiency upgrades are right for their home and identify where energy leaks are occurring.

Outlines
00:00
🏠 Home Energy Efficiency and Leak Prevention

This paragraph introduces the concept of home energy efficiency and the importance of preventing leaks in any season to save money. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive home energy checkup, which involves a series of tests and inspections to identify areas for improvement. The goal is to save energy, reduce costs, and increase home comfort. The paragraph suggests installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances, creating a sealed barrier around the house, and upgrading the home to save energy, which can result in significant savings on the energy bill. It also mentions the role of a professional home energy technician, or auditor, who can help identify and fix issues related to energy efficiency.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Leaky home
A 'leaky home' refers to a house that is not well-sealed, allowing air to escape and enter inefficiently. This concept is central to the video's theme as it discusses how energy is wasted in such homes, costing homeowners money. The script mentions that a comprehensive home energy checkup is needed to identify and fix these inefficiencies.
💡Home energy checkup
A 'home energy checkup' is a series of tests and inspections aimed at assessing a home's energy efficiency. The video emphasizes the importance of this process in identifying areas where a house could be more efficient, thereby saving energy and money. It is the starting point for making a home more comfortable and cost-effective.
💡Energy-efficient lighting and appliances
Energy-efficient lighting and appliances are those designed to use less energy than their less efficient counterparts. The script suggests installing these as a way to reduce energy consumption and save on energy bills, directly contributing to the home's overall efficiency and cost savings.
💡Sealed barrier
A 'sealed barrier' is a term used to describe a properly sealed exterior of a house that prevents drafts and air leaks. In the context of the video, creating a sealed barrier is likened to putting a blanket around the house to minimize leaks, which is crucial for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment and reducing energy costs.
💡Energy auditor
An 'energy auditor' is a professional who performs a home energy checkup. The script mentions that homeowners should look for an auditor, also known as a home energy technician, to help identify and fix energy inefficiencies. The auditor plays a key role in the home's energy assessment process.
💡Insulation
Insulation is a material that helps to reduce the flow of heat into or out of a building. The video explains that insulation should be correctly installed and evenly applied within the house frame to be effective. The condition and installation of insulation are critical factors in a home's energy efficiency.
💡Furnace
A 'furnace' is a central heating system used to warm a home. The script discusses the importance of checking the energy efficiency of the furnace, as older furnaces can lose efficiency and cost more to operate. The video suggests that sometimes, a simple filter change can improve a furnace's performance.
💡Water heater
A 'water heater' is an appliance that heats water for household use. The video points out that if a water heater is old or not insulated, it can be wasting energy. Insulation and age are key factors in determining the efficiency of a water heater.
💡Ductwork
Ductwork refers to the system of ducts that deliver heated or cooled air throughout a building. The script highlights the importance of inspecting duct connections to ensure a tight fit and prevent air leaks. Properly sealed ductwork is essential for maintaining energy efficiency.
💡Blower door test
A 'blower door test' is a diagnostic procedure used to measure the airtightness of a building. The video describes how an energy auditor uses this test to depressurize the home and identify air leaks by allowing outside air to enter through unnoticed openings. This test is instrumental in locating and fixing leaks in a home.
💡Infrared camera
An 'infrared camera' is a device that detects infrared radiation, which is used to visualize temperature differences. In the context of the video, an infrared camera is used during the blower door test to spot leaks by showing where cold air is entering the home. The darker the color displayed by the camera, the worse the leak.
Highlights

A leaky home costs money in any season.

Comprehensive home energy checkup is the starting point to stop energy loss.

Energy-efficient upgrades can save 5 to 30 percent on energy bills.

Professional auditors are needed for a thorough home energy checkup.

Auditors look for wall, joint, and eave issues during cold-weather evaluation.

Attic inspection is crucial for identifying leaks in the home barrier.

Proper insulation installation is key for energy efficiency.

Electrical line holes must be sealed to prevent energy loss.

Furnace and water heater efficiency can be improved to save energy.

Furnace filters should be changed regularly to maintain efficiency.

Water heater insulation can prevent energy loss.

Ductwork connections must be sealed to direct warm air properly.

Blower door test helps identify air leaks in a home.

Infrared camera can detect air leaks during the blower door test.

Revealing air leaks with darker colors on an infrared scan.

Recessive lighting fixtures can be significant sources of air leaks.

Switching to energy-saving light bulbs can reduce energy consumption.

Home energy assessment provides a report on efficiency upgrades and leak solutions.

Transcripts

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Energy EfficiencyHome InspectionInsulation CheckEfficient AppliancesLeak DetectionComfort HomeCost SavingsProfessional AuditInfrared ScanEnergy Upgrades