Top 5 reasons to get a home energy audit in Montana

Should I get a home energy audit?

That's something I wished I would have asked before I started renovations on my own house. Looking back, if I would have had some basic guidance while adding insulation and upgrading to a heat pump, I would have been more confident, done things in a better order and probably saved money right away, even before counting the long-term energy savings.

As I've been reflecting on this and the experiences of clients and friends, I've been thinking about these top five reasons for getting an energy audit:

1. The first step is the hardest

You start with a vague instinct, a firm resolution or even a sketched-out plan or to invest in your house, use less energy, cut your carbon emissions or go all-electric. But then the question rears its head: Where do I start? It can be enough of a hang-up that you never take the first step.

An energy audit is a great place to start because it takes a lot of the guess-work out of what comes next and helps build your momentum toward success. The audit report is like a trip itinerary or a recipe for cooking a meal. It gives you a path for moving forward confidently.

2. Health and safety

The main goal of an energy audit is to save on energy. But it can turn up other factors more basic to your well-being. Mold, asbestos, carbon monoxide, water damage and natural gas leaks are all things encountered by energy auditors.

When we get down in your crawlspace or climb in your attic, we find things you might not be aware of. Often, the fix can be addressed as part of the recommended energy-saving measures. Sometimes, energy-saving measures can raise their own issues. For instance, sealing major air leaks in a house can cause natural-drafting appliances like water heaters to exhaust carbon monoxide into the house -- something that an audit can catch and help prevent.

3. What matters most may surprise you

It's very common for people to think they should replace their old windows. And while there are cases where it makes sense to get new windows, there are also simpler, much less invasive home improvements that can save more energy and money.

For example, adding attic insulation (and sealing common but non-obvious air leaks in the ceiling) is often the biggest "bang for the buck." Or, if you have an electric-resistance water heater, it might make a lot of sense to replace it with a heat pump and take advantage of rebates you might not be aware of.

4. Order of operations

Let's say you've read up on heat pumps and want to get one. An HVAC tech looks at your old furnace and maybe asks about your insulation to help size the heat pump unit. Then they install it. Later, you get around to doing some other home upgrades, including adding insulation. Now, you notice that your heat pump turns off and on all the time. What's going on? The unit is now oversized for your house so it can't operate optimally. And you paid more for the oversized unit.

Here's another way that could go: You start with an energy audit. We talk about your goals, including maybe adding a heat pump. Rather than an after-thought, adding insulation becomes your top priority because it almost always makes sense to do before a heat pump. The audit report also reminds you to ask your HVAC contractor to do a Manual J calculation that takes into account the added insulation and maybe even a blower door test result after the insulation and air sealing were done. You save money on a smaller heat pump unit that performs well for your updated house.

There are all sorts of ways that order matters, and part of being an energy auditor is helping to walk people through that.

5. Claim the free money

With the 25C tax credit, local utility incentives and the forthcoming Inflation Reduction Act rebates, households can potentially claim thousands of dollars to help with home energy efficiency. But it can be a lot to research and navigate on your own. Part of an energy audit is helping you make sense of these incentives. There's a good chance the incentives will more than pay for the energy audit, and you're left to reap the long-term savings in utility costs.

6. Peace of mind

This bonus #6 is kind of the sum of #1-5. A home energy audit helps you get started and can catch problems you might not be aware of. It maps out next steps in an order that makes sense and that sets you on the path to maximum cost savings. Working on your house isn't easy, and an energy audit is an investment in peace of mind.