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type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-energy-solutions issue-january-2025" data-elementor-post-type="elementor_library"> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4e0b74d7 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-items-stretch elementor-section-content-middle elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-section-height-default" data-id="4e0b74d7" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no"> <div data-dce-background-color="#ECECEC" data-dce-background-overlay-color="#FFFFFF" data-dce-background-image-url="https://icl.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ancient-attic.jpg" class="elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-120f5923" data-id="120f5923" data-element_type="column" data-settings="{"background_background":"classic"}"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-background-overlay"></div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7938ce9a animated-fast elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="7938ce9a" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="heading.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <h1 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Uncover savings with a DIY energy audit</h1> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-33c3be92 animated-fast elementor-align-right elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info" data-id="33c3be92" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_animation":"fadeIn"}" data-widget_type="post-info.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <ul class="elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info"> <li class="elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-0e0ae39 elementor-inline-item" itemprop="about"> <span class="elementor-icon-list-icon"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-paperclip"></i> </span> <span class="elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-terms"> <span class="elementor-post-info__terms-list"> <a href="https://icl.coop/category/energy-solutions/" class="elementor-post-info__terms-list-item">Energy Solutions</a> </span> </span> </li> <li class="elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-adb9741 elementor-inline-item" itemprop="about"> <span class="elementor-icon-list-icon"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-book-open"></i> </span> <span class="elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-terms"> <span class="elementor-post-info__terms-list"> <a href="https://icl.coop/issues/january-2025/" class="elementor-post-info__terms-list-item">January 2025</a> </span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="dce-fix-background-loop elementor-element elementor-element-62b7282f elementor-widget-mobile__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-dyncontel-acf-relation" data-id="62b7282f" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="dyncontel-acf-relation.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="dce-acf-relationship-natural"> <div data-elementor-type="archive" data-elementor-id="27704" class="elementor elementor-27704 dce-elementor-rendering-id-1 elementor-location-single" data-elementor-post-type="elementor_library"> <section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3b5372b9 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle" data-id="3b5372b9" data-element_type="section"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-145d1cf9" data-id="145d1cf9" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2dd5d1f8 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image" data-id="2dd5d1f8" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="theme-post-featured-image.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <figure class="wp-caption"> <img src="https://icl.coop/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Miranda_Boutelle_Headshot-qaydyevb4cre5bdrginncxwez4371ohiofn1t5xgnk.jpg" title="" alt="" loading="lazy" /> <figcaption class="widget-image-caption wp-caption-text"></figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7969c351 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading" data-id="7969c351" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="theme-post-title.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default"><a href="https://icl.coop/icl-author/miranda-boutelle/">Miranda Boutelle</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4257270e elementor-view-stacked elementor-shape-square elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-absolute elementor-hidden-phone animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon" data-id="4257270e" data-element_type="widget" data-settings="{"_position":"absolute","_animation":"fadeInDown","_animation_delay":"500"}" data-widget_type="icon.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-icon-wrapper"> <a class="elementor-icon" href="#postcontent"> <i aria-hidden="true" class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-dce-background-color="#EDEDED" data-dce-background-image-url="https://icl.coop/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ancient-attic.jpg" class="elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-694fef7d" data-id="694fef7d" data-element_type="column" id="eg-featured-image" data-settings="{"background_background":"classic"}"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1faa1b5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer" data-id="1faa1b5a" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="spacer.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-spacer"> <div class="elementor-spacer-inner"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section data-dce-background-color="#FFFFFF" class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5ffa9a8e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="5ffa9a8e" data-element_type="section" id="postcontent" data-settings="{"background_background":"classic"}"> <div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no"> <div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-31b64860" data-id="31b64860" data-element_type="column"> <div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated"> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6c463e79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-content" data-id="6c463e79" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="theme-post-content.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <p>A home energy audit may sound daunting, but it can be as easy as creating a checklist of improvements based on what you see around your home. Here’s what you’ll need to find opportunities to save energy and money: a flashlight, dust mask, tape measure and cooking thermometer. I recommend taking notes on your phone or a notepad.</p> <p>First, check the heating and cooling equipment. Determine the age and efficiency of the equipment by looking up the model number on the nameplate. The average lifespan of HVAC equipment is 10 to 30 years, depending on the type of equipment and how well it’s maintained. If your equipment is older, it may be time to budget for an upgrade. Check the filter and replace it if needed.</p> <p>Then, check the envelope of your home, which separates the heated or cooled areas from the exterior, for drafts and air leakage. Feel around windows and trim for any drafts. Pay special attention to spots where different building materials come together. Check under sinks for gaps around pipes. Seal with weatherstripping, caulk or expanding foam as needed.</p> <p>Make sure to replace incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs with LEDs. LEDs use significantly less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.</p> <p>Next, look in the attic, while wearing a dust mask, to make sure it’s insulated. You may be able to see enough from the access area using a cellphone with the flash on to take pictures. Use the tape measure to check the depth of the insulation. It should be a minimum of 12 inches deep. This can vary depending on the type of insulation used and your geography.</p> <p>Insulation can become compacted over time. It should be evenly distributed throughout the attic. Loose fill or blown-in insulation should be fluffy and evenly dispersed. Rolled batt insulation should fit tightly together without gaps.</p> <p>Also, exterior walls should be insulated. If your home is older than the 1960s, the walls are probably not insulated. Homes from the 1960s or 1970s likely need more insulation. Sometimes you can see wall insulation by removing an outlet cover or switch plate and using a flashlight to look for insulation inside the wall cavity. Turn off the power at the electrical panel to avoid the risk of electric shock. Wall insulation can be blown in from the inside or the outside of the home. This is a job for a professional.</p> <p>If you have a basement or crawlspace, head there next. Unfinished basements should have insulation on the rim joists, at minimum. This is the area between the top of the foundation and the underside of the home’s first-story floor. Use closed-cell spray foam or a combination of rigid foam and spray foam to insulate rim joists.</p> <p>Crawl spaces should have insulation on the underside of the floor between the floor joists. Insulation should be properly supported in contact with the floor with no air gaps. Water pipes and ductwork should also be insulated.</p> <p>Lastly, check the temperature of your water by running it for three minutes at the faucet closest to your water heater. Then fill a cup and measure with a cooking thermometer. Hot water should be between 120 and 140 degrees. You can reduce the temperature on your water heater to reduce energy waste and prevent scalding.</p> <p>Once your home energy audit is finished, review your findings and start prioritizing home energy efficiency projects. For step-by-step instructions, visit <a href="https://energy.gov/save">energy.gov/save</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="elementor-element elementor-element-364b32bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-navigation" data-id="364b32bf" data-element_type="widget" data-widget_type="post-navigation.default"> <div class="elementor-widget-container"> <div class="elementor-post-navigation"> <div class="elementor-post-navigation__prev elementor-post-navigation__link"> <a href="https://icl.coop/be-a-star/" rel="prev"><span class="elementor-post-navigation__link__prev"><span class="post-navigation__prev--label">Previous Article</span></span></a> </div> <div class="elementor-post-navigation__next elementor-post-navigation__link"> <a href="https://icl.coop/a-fireside-chat-about-the-fireplace/" rel="next"><span class="elementor-post-navigation__link__next"><span class="post-navigation__next--label">Next Article</span></span></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section 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