It could be a fun weekend project for the entire family. It could morph into a science experiment for your favorite science student. It might even be both, but one thing is for certain: a do-it-yourself home energy audit can give you the information you need to give your energy bills the cold shoulder.

Since insulation plays a key role in a home energy audit, allow the best attic insulation company in Las Vegas, First Quality Roofing & Insulation, teach you how to pinpoint where your home might be losing energy. Then you can make the minor repairs and improvements that lead to real energy savings.

Even if your home is relatively new, don't dismiss the value of a home energy audit. This notion is short-sighted, largely because energy-saving technology is changing so rapidly, the U.S. Department of Energy says: "Do not assume that just because your home is recently constructed – or even new – that there are no opportunities to save energy."

Gather your tools

Before you put on your auditor's hat, gather some tools of the trade:

• A pen or pencil and paper notebook or a laptop
• A tape measure
• A flashlight
• A long-stemmed lighter (which will help you detect air leaks)
• A screwdriver (to remove and tighten outlets and switch plate covers)
• Facial tissues (you'll see why)

You probably will need a ladder, dust mask and gloves to inspect your home's insulation – unless you decide to leave this important matter to the finest attic insulation company in Las Vegas. Prepare to take notes as you conduct your home energy audit, though some people prefer to flag problem spots with sticky notes. You might wish to do both.

Let your audit begin

Moving forward with the audit, your goal is to identify air leaks, malfunctioning devices, faulty construction and anything that appears suspicious. In alphabetical order, these are the best places to focus your energy for a productive home energy audit:

• Cable lines, phone lines, water lines, exhaust vents and every other opening that leads to the outdoors. They should be insulated properly.
• Doors and windows, where even the tiniest cracks, gaps or holes could add up to a monthly energy loss of 25 percent, the department of energy says. To isolate these culprits, run the long-stemmed lighter along the inside perimeter of doors and windows, preferably on a breezy day. If the flame moves, take it as a sign that your doors or windows are not as airtight as they could be and make repairs with caulk or weather stripping.
• Ducts, where 20 percent of your home's circulating air could be escaping through cracks, gaps, holes and disconnected sections. Look closely for dirt streaks near seams – a sure sign of air leaks that should be repaired with mastic tape.
• Electronics, which should be plugged into power strips and turned off at the main switch when not in use. Devices that are plugged in but fully charged still draw electric current – and could be costing you about $200 a year, says the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
• Fireplace damper, where a suspected leak can be confirmed by holding that long-stemmed lighter in the firebox and watching for any flame movement.
• Heating and cooling equipment. You should be checking the filter monthly and replacing it when it becomes so filthy that you can no longer see through it. Yearly maintenance checks also help ensure that HVAC equipment operates efficiently.
• Insulation in your attic, basement, crawlspace and garage. Here you must inspect the amount, condition and depth of the insulation – a heady task that many homeowners ultimately ask the experts at First Quality to diagnose. There are two good reasons: 30 percent of the cool air you pay for could be escaping from your home because of insufficient insulation, and First Quality can remedy the problem.
• Lighting, which requires a bit of an investment these days in energy compact fluorescent lamps before you see the eventual payoff. (Hint: Try making the conversion one room at a time to spread out the cash outlay.)
• Outlets and switch plates, which should be checked for air leaks by removing the covers and holding a tissue over the opening. If the tissue moves, you've discovered a leak that should be plugged with insulation.
• Walls and ceilings, where sealing drafts (detected again with that handy lighter) can save you between 5 percent and 30 percent a year.

Home energy audits can be both fun and rewarding, especially when you see the results of your energy-saving efforts paying off. Remember that when you need the most reputable attic insulation company in Las Vegas to fortify your efforts, First Quality is just one phone call away. And like a home energy audit, that's a thought worth warming up to.

Contact us today to schedule your appointment at 702-262-7847.