Scheduling a home energy audit is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your home. As a homeowner, you don't want to miss out on the advantages of a home energy audit because of misinformation.

The following are six commonly held beliefs about home energy audits that aren't accurate. 

You have to pay a lot to have a home energy audit done.

Home energy audits are not usually excessively expensive for homeowners. Some homeowners might even be able to find home energy experts that can perform an audit free of charge. 

In the long run, home energy audits are definitely worth their cost because they can reduce utility costs and thereby pay for themselves many times over in the long run. 

Home energy audits aren't beneficial for all properties.

A home energy audit can almost always find some efficiency issue that a homeowner can correct for lower utility bills and a more environmentally friendly household.

Even if you think that your home is already as efficient as it can be, it doesn't hurt to have an audit done to enjoy the benefits of confidence and peace of mind regarding your home's efficiency level. 

Home energy audits are time-consuming and intrusive.

A home energy audit can be completed in as little as two hours and shouldn't take much longer than four hours. The procedure is not very intrusive because it only requires an auditor to inspect a few home components such as windows, eaves, walls, and appliances

Homeowners can do complete and detailed home energy audits on their own.

While it's possible for homeowners to do their own home energy audits, audits performed by homeowners without home energy expertise won't be as thorough if they are not completed by professionals.

Professional home energy auditors are more knowledgeable about where air leaks and energy loss are most likely to occur in a home. Professional auditors are also better able to determine the best solutions for various causes of energy loss in a home. 

Recommended improvements after a home energy audit will be unaffordable.

Some of the needed improvements that are detected in an energy audit won't cost very much money at all. Simple procedures like applying weatherstripping to doors and windows are low-cost ways to save big on utility bills. 

Only older homes need home energy audits.

Homes of all ages can benefit from home energy audits. Even newer homes can be susceptible to energy loss that increases a home's carbon footprint. 

For more information on home energy audits, contact a professional near you.