Heating and cooling expenses can add up quickly in Minnesota’s harsh winter climate. For homeowners, this can mean paying a great deal out of pocket in energy costs each winter. With a home energy inspection, you can take charge of the situation by learning which areas are adding up on your monthly energy expenses and minimizing your energy usage. Energy savings for you also mean less strain on the environment. At Craftmasters Remodeling in Maplewood, we offer home energy efficiency testing to help you get a grip on your energy usage. We’ve put together this handy guide to explain what you can expect from a home energy inspection.
Home Energy Testing
Simply put, a home energy inspection takes a look at the amount of energy your household consumes and offers valuable solutions to save energy costs and cut down on waste. If you’re interested in lowering your heating costs and reducing your environmental footprint, our experts help you create a more energy-efficient home to live in. We determine where your home’s problem areas are and help you understand why they are costing you in terms of energy loss. Once we evaluate how your home is using energy, we will offer you actionable solutions and work with you to create a plan for reducing your costs.
Thorough Inspection
Our home energy efficiency experts will begin with a visual inspection. They will diligently examine your home and premises to pinpoint problem areas. They’ll consider the age and structure of your home, creating a checklist of areas for concern. Energy-saving technology has evolved significantly over the past few years, so even newer homes may have areas for improvement.
We will also use a thermal image camera to help us identify areas of heat loss not visible to the naked eye using infrared technology. Using a specialized machine called a blower door, we conduct a blower door test to measure air infiltration rates or leakage.
Air Leak Concerns
One of the first things our home energy inspection experts will look for is spaces where drafts may be causing a higher energy expenditure. In Minnesota’s cold winter weather, even the smallest draft can add up to a big expense. We will examine the baseboards of your home and spaces where the walls connect. Outside your home, we will evaluate areas where various building materials come together, which could allow for imperfect sealing. Walls, doors, and windows are all areas of concern.
Examining Insulation
We will also examine your attic and other unfinished spaces for insulation weakness. When insulation levels are lower than the recommendation, this can remove heat from your home quickly, causing your energy expenses to stack up fast. We will also take a look at weather stripping to prevent cold air from seeping in from these spaces.
Twin Cities Home Energy Testing Experts
Once we’ve conducted a thorough walkthrough of your home, our expert contractors can offer you solutions to get your energy savings started. We recommend small, easily implementable changes and large-scale projects, helping you determine your next best course of action without any pressure. If you are ready to start saving on your energy bill, we can help. Give us a call at 651-757-4100, or contact us online to schedule your home energy inspection today.