Identifying Energy Loss to Save Money & Protect Your Home

While you may have accepted that homeownership is not cheap, sometimes a bill can make your jaw drop. Certain expenses like your mortgage payments are fixed costs, so you can plan ahead. However, variable costs like utilities can catch you by surprise.

Wondering what has been making your bills run so high? It’s possible that it’s not your son’s extra long shower or your spouse leaving the lights on. It might just be energy loss. But what is energy loss, and what other ways can it affect your home?

Today, we are going to help you better understand what energy loss means and how you can prevent it from costing you thousands over time.

What Is Energy Loss?

Whenever energy moves from one place to another, some amount of energy is lost during transmission. For example, there is typically a certain amount of energy that diffuses elsewhere on its way to your home from the energy plant. Consequently, the amount sent out to you rarely amounts to how much you actually receive. This is called energy loss, and it happens around the clock in every type of energy transmission.

While there’s not much you can do about the energy lost in utilities on the way to your house, there are other types of energy loss you can counteract. If you’re wondering what you can do to prevent energy loss, you’ll need to diagnose the problem and find the source.

Some signs you may be experiencing energy loss include:

Rising utility bill costs
Allergies, irritation, or respiratory issues
Condensation on windows
Drafts around doors and windows
Evidence of mold or mildew
Temperature and humidity concerns

These signs are not only annoying, but can indicate a serious issue that has the potential to worsen if ignored.

What Are Common Causes of Energy Loss?

Because there are many sources of energy loss, it can be difficult to identify what may be causing your bills to rise. Homes are built to insulate and protect, so energy loss is a sign that your home’s defensive barriers are wearing down. By performing routine home inspections and maintenance, you can catch these vulnerabilities before they become larger problems.

So, what exactly do you need to inspect to find these defects?

Drafty Doors or Windows

Poorly installed doors or windows can be a major source of energy loss, especially when they aren’t properly maintained. Over time, the natural settling of the home, environmental wear, and age can break down window and door materials. This may result in gapping, warping, or corrosion that allows energy to leak. You can generally detect energy loss through doors and windows by noticing drafts or condensation forming within the panes of glass.

Poor Insulation

Insulation throughout your home is essential to maintaining optimal temperature and moisture regulation. If the insulation in your walls, floors, ceilings, or attic is flimsy or needs replacing, energy can easily pass through the structural materials and out of your home. Replacing the insulation in your home should help regulate temperatures, keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in winter.

Appliances and Electronics

Whenever an electronic device is plugged into the wall, it will use energy even if it is turned off. This applies to every appliance and device in the home, including TVs, cable boxes, smart home devices, and more. Unplugging appliances when they aren’t being used will break that circuit connection and stop energy leakage.

Leaky Ducts

If the air ducts in the home aren’t properly sealed and insulated, or if they have holes or gaps, air will escape. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, “you can lose up to 60% of your heated air before it reaches the register if your ducts are not insulated.” To prevent this continued waste of energy, you should have a professional check your HVAC system.

Can Energy Loss Be Prevented?

If you’re like many homeowners who are concerned about their rising bills, there are steps you can take to prevent energy loss. To properly and effectively mitigate energy loss, you should:

Perform an energy audit: a report of how much energy your home consumes and where can be performed by a professional
Weatherize your home: properly seal your home from the environment, making repairs such as updating windows and doors and reinforcing attic insulation

Ready To Start Saving? Update Your Home Today

At Advance Roofing, Windows, Siding & Doors, our deep industry knowledge provides homeowners great peace of mind when undertaking any home improvement project. Our services result in a home addition or upgrade that’s beautiful, functional, and energy efficient.

Contact Advance Inc. today for a quote, or browse our services on our website. We are happy to help!

How to Identify Energy Loss to Save Money and Protect Your Home