Assessing your home energy use

A home energy assessment is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes. It allows you to evaluate what you can do to make your home more energy efficient. First make a list of obvious air leaks (drafts). You can save potentially 5% to 30% per year by reducing drafts in your home. Air leakage occurs when outside air enters a house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. You should look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Also it's a good idea to check the caulking and weather stripping. There should be no gaps or cracks.