Glossary
Home Energy Audit
Definition
A home energy audit is a professional assessment that evaluates how much energy a home uses and identifies opportunities to reduce consumption and costs. Audits typically include blower door testing (to find air leaks), infrared thermal imaging (to locate insulation gaps), duct leakage testing, and analysis of HVAC equipment efficiency.
Understanding Home Energy Audit
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save 5-30% on energy bills by implementing audit recommendations. Many utility companies offer free or subsidized energy audits. Shipshape's Home Health Assessment includes energy efficiency analysis as part of its 25-point inspection, and ongoing smart sensor monitoring provides continuous energy performance data that a one-time audit cannot.
Related Terms
Home Health Assessment
A Home Health Assessment is an AI-powered digital inspection that evaluates the condition of a home's major systems and generates a comprehensive report with a Home Health Score. Shipshape's assessment uses a 25-point guided survey plus AI image analysis to identify issues, estimate remaining equipment life, and recommend preventive actions.
SEER Rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)
A SEER rating measures the cooling efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps over a typical cooling season. Higher SEER numbers mean greater efficiency: a SEER 16 unit costs roughly 20% less to operate than a SEER 13 unit. Federal minimums are SEER 14-15 depending on region, while premium units reach SEER 25+.
R-Value (Thermal Resistance)
R-value measures how well insulation resists heat flow. Higher R-values mean better insulation performance. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends R-38 to R-60 for attic insulation and R-13 to R-23 for walls, depending on climate zone. Inadequate insulation is one of the top causes of energy waste in homes.
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