An energy audit gives methods of improving efficiency. It focuses on: Monitoring and control, Reduction of losses, Improvements in operations and maintenance, More efficient equipment and processes.
An energy audit is an inspection, study and analysis of energy flows for the conservation of energy in a building, process or system to reduce the amount of energy input into the system without adversely affecting the output (s). In commercial and industrial real estate, an energy audit is the first step in identifying opportunities to reduce energy costs and carbon footprints.
A home energy audit is a service in which the energy efficiency of a home is evaluated by a person using professional equipment (such as ventilation doors and infrared cameras), with the aim of suggesting the best ways to improve energy efficiency in the home. heating and cooling of the house.
An energy audit of a home may involve recording various features of the building envelope, including walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, and skylights. For each of these components, the area and resistance to heat flux (R-value) are measured or estimated. The leakage rate or infiltration of air through the building envelope is cause for concern, both of which are heavily affected by the window construction and the quality of the door seals, such as sealing. The objective of this exercise is to quantify the overall thermal performance of the building. The audit can also evaluate the efficiency, physical condition and programming of mechanical systems such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning and thermostat.
A home energy audit may include a written report that estimates the use of energy according to local climate criteria, thermostat configuration, ceiling projection, and solar orientation. This could show energy usage for a given period of time, say a year, and the impact of any improvements suggestions per year. The accuracy of energy estimates is greatly improved when the owner's billing history is available by showing the amounts of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, or other sources of energy consumed over a period of one or two years.
Some of the biggest effects on energy use are user behavior, weather and the age of the home. Therefore, an energy audit may include an interview of the owners to understand their usage patterns over time. The utility billing history of the local utilities company can be calibrated using the heating and cooling day day data obtained from recent local weather data in combination with the building's thermal energy model. Advances in computerized thermal modeling can take into account many variables that affect energy use.
A home energy audit is often used to identify cost-effective ways to improve the comfort and efficiency of buildings. In addition, households may qualify for central government energy efficiency subsidies.