An audit you'll love - PART 1

A do-it-yourself home energy audit lets you identify and prioritize home upgrades that will reduce your energy bill and make your home more comfortable. Like the home energy audits offered by many utility companies, the DIY home energy audit starts with a simple walk-through of your home to assess energy wasters and improvements to eliminate them.

Here are three important places to start:

Inspect your cooling/heating system
 

Heating and cooling accounts for nearly half your home's energy usage. Improving efficiency here can make a noticeable difference on your monthly energy bill.

• Your HVAC system should be inspected at least once a year. Your Lennox dealer can check and clean your equipment to help control energy usage.
• If you have a central heating and cooling system, the filters should be checked monthly – especially during high-usage seasons – and replaced as needed (at least once every three months) to keep the system working efficiently.
• Check ductwork for streaks of dirt that indicate air leaks. These should be sealed with duct mastic. Insulate ducts or pipes that extend through unheated spaces.
• If any HVAC unit is more than 15 years old, a newer system can greatly reduce your energy usage and lower your energy bill. Rebates are available from Lennox until June 30.

© 2012 Lennox Industries Inc.