What Will a Home Energy Audit Tell You?
Published on October 11, 2021
With the ever-rising cost of energy, it’s important to appreciate the value of an energy-efficient home. And although the price of oil, gas, and electricity may be out of our direct control, we can certainly manage the amount of energy we use at home. Bottom line – the less energy that your home consumes, the more dollar savings from season to season.
Energy efficiency can always be improved, and when it comes to attic insulation in Toronto, an energy audit can determine the performance value of that insulation. In many cases, upgrades and retrofits can substantially improve energy efficiency. However, in cases where attic insulation has passed its lifespan or damage, its performance could be well-below the standard, attic insulation removal and upgrade may be required.
What Will a Home Energy Audit Tell You?
Essentially, an energy audit assesses your home from top to bottom, identifies current energy consumption patterns, and recommends measures to improve energy efficiency. A professional energy audit will pinpoint where the house is losing energy during the winter and summer. Using various tools and equipment, an auditor can accurately assess problem areas and suggest possible actions to correct underperformance. The finished report will be detailed and explanatory. If you’re concerned about the energy-efficiency of your insulation, you can book an attic inspection from EcoComfort. One of our trained attic experts will identify deficiencies in your attic and recommend attic insulation removal or upgrades when necessary,
Attic Insulation and Energy Efficiency
One of the more important aspects of an energy audit is an inspection of the insulation installed throughout the attic. That’s because a home’s overall energy efficiency is highly dependent on the performance (or lack) of the attic insulation. For homeowners considering upgrades to their attic insulation in Toronto, home energy efficiency will be significantly improved. As such, there will be less demand on winter heating and summer cooling, along with noticeable dollar savings.
Assessing Attic Insulation Performance
During an energy audit, it’s essential to determine if your attic insulation is performing and thus providing sufficient energy efficiency for the home. To begin with, there should be a high-quality product installed like blown-in cellulose insulation. More than that, the installation should provide appropriate air sealing as well as adequate R-Values. Anything short would necessitate upgrades. If the energy audit discovered deterioration or contamination, this would surely point to the need for attic insulation removal.
The Need for an Expert Attic Inspection
Somewhat different from an energy audit, an attic inspection will focus on the attic and roof cavity with a specific focus on the insulation. Here, an inspector will identify any signs that the installed insulation is underperforming. A good inspection will also recommend upgrades or retrofits that would improve performance and energy efficiency. In the event that an inspection uncovers water damage, mold growth, or animal debris, insulation replacement would likely be the only remedy.
Attic Insulation for Energy Efficiency
There’s no question that home energy efficiency is measurably improved when attic insulation is upgraded. At EcoComfort Insulation and Contracting, the product of choice for the attic is blown-in cellulose. When professionally installed, the finished application provides satisfactory R-Values and long-term performance. With the appropriate air sealing and proper ventilation, overall home energy efficiency is enhanced, providing substantial dollar savings on both heating and cooling.
