Your electric bill arrives and it's higher than expected—again. Before you blame the utility company, consider this: the average St. Louis home wastes 25-40% of its energy through inefficiencies you might not even notice. A home energy audit reveals exactly where your money is going—and how to keep more of it.
What Is a Home Energy Audit?
A home energy audit is a systematic evaluation of your home's energy consumption. Unlike simply reading your electric bill, an audit identifies specific areas of waste and prioritizes improvements by return on investment.
DIY vs. Professional Audits
DIY Energy Audit: - Cost: Free - Time: 1-2 hours - Depth: Surface-level findings - Best for: Initial awareness
Professional Energy Audit: - Cost: $200-500 (often rebated by utilities) - Time: 2-4 hours - Depth: Comprehensive analysis with specialized equipment - Best for: Actionable improvement plan
The Major Energy Thieves in St. Louis Homes
1. Heating and Cooling (45-55% of energy use)
The biggest portion of your energy bill goes to HVAC. Common issues:
Duct leakage: Average St. Louis home loses 20-30% of conditioned air through duct leaks, often in unconditioned attic spaces.
Inadequate insulation: Homes built before 2000 often have R-19 or less in attics (current code requires R-38 to R-49).
Old equipment: HVAC systems over 15 years old operate at 10-15 SEER compared to modern 16-21 SEER units.
Signs your HVAC needs attention: - Rooms that are always too hot or cold - Visible dust around vents - Utility bills increasing year over year - HVAC running constantly during moderate weather
2. Water Heating (15-20% of energy use)
Your water heater runs 24/7, even when you're not using hot water.
Electric water heater inefficiencies: - Standard tanks lose 15-20% to standby heat loss - Old elements reduce heating efficiency - Sediment buildup reduces capacity
Consider these upgrades: - Heat pump water heaters (2-3x more efficient) - Tankless systems (eliminate standby loss) - Insulation blankets (reduce standby loss 25-45%)
3. Lighting (5-10% of energy use)
Still running incandescent or CFL bulbs? You're spending 5-10x more than necessary.
| Bulb Type | 60W Equivalent | Annual Cost (3 hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|
| Incandescent | 60W | $7.20 |
| CFL | 13W | $1.56 |
| LED | 8W | $0.96 |
Quick win: Replace your 10 most-used bulbs with LEDs and save $50-70 annually.
4. Phantom Loads (5-10% of energy use)
Electronics and appliances that draw power even when "off":
- TV and entertainment systems: 10-50W each
- Computer equipment: 5-30W
- Chargers (phone, laptop): 2-5W each
- Smart home devices: 2-8W each
The math: 20 devices drawing an average of 10W = 200W constant draw = 1,752 kWh/year = $175+ annually
5. Outdated Appliances (10-15% of energy use)
Refrigerator comparison: - 1995 model: 600-800 kWh/year - 2026 ENERGY STAR: 300-400 kWh/year - Annual savings: $35-50
Older washer and dryer: - Old top-loader washer: 500 kWh/year - ENERGY STAR front-loader: 150 kWh/year
Conducting Your Own Energy Audit
Step 1: Review Your Energy Bills
Pull 12 months of utility bills and look for: - Seasonal patterns (expected) - Unusual spikes (investigate) - Year-over-year increases (beyond rate changes) - Comparison to neighbors (some utilities offer this)
Step 2: Walk Through Your Home
Check for air leaks around: - Windows and doors (feel for drafts) - Electrical outlets and switches - Plumbing and wiring penetrations - Attic hatch or stairs - Fireplace dampers
Examine insulation: - Attic: Should be uniform and at least 10-14 inches deep - Walls: Feel for cold spots in winter - Basement/crawl space: Look for exposed insulation damage
Step 3: Assess Your Electrical System
Inspect your electrical panel: - Age of panel (older panels less efficient) - Signs of overloading (warm breakers, frequent trips) - Outdated technology (fuses instead of breakers)
Evaluate lighting: - Count incandescent and CFL bulbs - Note fixtures left on frequently - Consider motion sensors for low-use areas
Step 4: List All Electronics and Appliances
Create an inventory noting: - Age of each major appliance - ENERGY STAR rating (or lack thereof) - Usage patterns - Standby power draw
Professional Audit Tools and Techniques
When you hire a professional energy auditor, they use:
Blower door test: Measures total air leakage in your home by creating pressure difference
Thermal imaging: Infrared cameras reveal insulation gaps and air leaks invisible to the eye
Duct blaster: Quantifies duct leakage separately from building envelope
Combustion safety testing: Ensures gas appliances vent properly
Creating Your Energy Improvement Plan
Prioritize by ROI
High ROI (pay back in 1-3 years): - LED lighting upgrades - Smart thermostat installation - Air sealing (weatherstripping, caulking) - Smart power strips
Medium ROI (pay back in 3-7 years): - Attic insulation upgrades - Duct sealing - Water heater replacement - ENERGY STAR appliances
Long-term ROI (7+ years but significant savings): - Window replacement - HVAC system upgrade - Solar panel installation - Heat pump conversion
St. Louis Utility Rebates and Incentives
Ameren Missouri offers: - HVAC rebates: $200-1,000 - Insulation rebates: Up to $500 - Smart thermostat rebates: $50-100 - Energy audit rebates: Often cover audit cost
Federal tax credits: - Energy efficiency improvements: 30% credit - Solar installation: 30% credit through 2032 - Heat pumps: Additional credits available
Quick Wins You Can Do Today
- Lower water heater to 120°F (Saves $50-100/year)
- Replace 5 most-used bulbs with LED (Saves $30-50/year)
- Unplug unused chargers and electronics (Saves $25-50/year)
- Adjust thermostat 2 degrees (Saves $50-100/year)
- Wash clothes in cold water (Saves $30-40/year)
Total first-year savings: $185-340 with zero installation cost
When to Call an Electrician
Some energy improvements require professional installation:
- Smart thermostat installation (if no C-wire)
- Ceiling fan installation
- Whole-house surge protection
- Dedicated circuits for high-efficiency appliances
- EV charger installation
- Solar panel preparation
Start Your Energy Audit Today
Understanding where your energy goes is the first step to controlling costs. Whether you start with a DIY walkthrough or schedule a professional audit, the insights you gain will pay dividends for years to come.
Ready for a professional electrical assessment?
First Choice Electric helps St. Louis area homeowners optimize their electrical systems for efficiency and savings. Contact us for a free consultation on energy-saving electrical upgrades.