The first step to making your home more efficient in the way it uses energy is to check your home heating index. When you check your home heating index it establishes a baseline of energy use so you can determine how much energy you are using, how it compares to similar homes, and how much you have improved after making changes.
We all want to be energy efficient. Some of us are concerned for the environment. Other of us are trying to save money on monthly bills, avoid dependence on power companies, and fulfill other desires.
How To Check Your Home Heating Index
It is surprisingly simple to check the HHI. All you need to do is gather a few pieces of information. You will need to know your annual fuel use. If you only have one power source, this number may be on your bill, or you may need to call your company to find out. If you have multiple power sources you may have to locate several bills or make a few phone calls, but it isn’t complicated.
Home’s Square Footage
You also need to know the size of your house. Most calculators that analyze HHI use square footage. If your information is in a different unit of measurement it is very easy to find an online converter to determine the square footage. The only other thing you need to know is your zip code. As soon as you have gathered this information, you are ready to check your home heating index.
Use A Home Heating Index Calculator
A few minutes and a quick web search will lead you to many websites offering to allow you to check your home heating index for free. Many environmental organizations and utility companies have an HHI calculator on their website. When you input your information, you will receive a HHI score.
What Does Your HHI Score Mean?
The lower your score, the more energy efficient your home is. If your score is high, there are plenty of steps that you can take to rectify the situation. The main reason to check the HHU is to know if you should make some changes, so don’t feel bad if you have a bad score.
A Score Above 13
A score of 13 or more means that your housee is energy inefficient. You definitely want to take some immediate steps to make your home more efficient.
A Score Between 8 And 13
A score between 8 and 13 is average. It could certainly be worse, but you might be able to save a surprising amount on energy and money by making some changes.
A Score Lower Than 8
A score lower than 8 is great – very efficient in its energy use. While there may be a few minor tweaks that can improve it, you don’t have much to worry about.
Improving Your Home Heating Index
Once you check the HHI, you know that you are wasting energy. Unfortunately a home heating index check doesn’t tell you what to do next. Luckily, there are some simple first steps that everyone should take, regardless of the results of the home heating index check.
Keep Heat In The House
You don’t want to pay to heat the whole neighborhood, so find out where the heat is escaping and rein it in. Cracks around doors and windows are a common source of lost heat. Weather stripping and caulk are inexpensive, and can save a ton of energy over time. Look at your attics, basements, and other less-used areas. You may find cracks and holes where heat is escaping. Adding or replacing insulation is inexpensive and provides immediate energy savings.
Keep Your Heating System Well Maintained
Keep your filters changed and cleaned. Look at your owner’s manual to see what kind of maintenance is required and make sure to follow up. When you aren’t home, turn the heat down. Even just lowering it a few degrees will result in noticeable savings. A programmable thermostat is a good way to automate the temperature so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn it down.
Get A No Cost Energy Audit
Many utility companies can provide an energy audit at low or no cost to you. They can come inspect your home and recommend ways to improve your energy efficiency. This is a helpful tool to make sure you are making the most important changes to conserve both energy and money.
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