How Home Energy Audits Are Uncovering Hidden Efficiency Issues Across Richmond
Amid this particularly cold winter, Viridiant staff have been hard at work conducting home energy audits throughout the greater Richmond area. We’ve received calls from residents facing $500 electric and gas bills, struggling with icy rooms and frozen pipes, and overwhelmed by questions about where to start in tackling these issues.
During our visits to these homes, we’ve uncovered numerous opportunities for cost-effective improvements in both energy efficiency and comfort. Since the start of 2025, we’ve identified issues such as:
- Duct leakage exceeding 40%
- Completely disconnected ducts in attics
- Attics with no insulation
- Leaking water heaters
- Uninsulated refrigerant lines (critical to heat pump performance)
- Water leaks
- Doors with no weatherstripping
- Heat pumps stuck on auxiliary heat
- Hazardous venting of gas appliances
- Uninsulated exterior walls in a recently renovated home
- Ineffective duplicate layers of insulation
Our clients own and rent homes of all shapes, sizes, ages, and values, spanning areas like Varina, the Fan, Bon Air, Chester, Glen Allen, Mechanicsville, Church Hill, and Lakeside. For as little as $89, some homeowners received a comprehensive inspection of their smaller properties, along with a prioritized list of cost-effective improvements—many of which could be addressed with just $20 worth of materials.
See that copper pipe connecting to the outdoor unit of this home’s heat pump (above left)? In winter, all of the system’s heat travels through that pipe, and in summer, all of the cool air does too (this applies to air conditioners as well). That pipe should be properly insulated to ensure maximum efficiency! Unfortunately, the foam sleeves typically used for insulation deteriorate when exposed to the sun. Re-insulate yours today to keep your system running smoothly!
And here’s a disconnected duct in an attic (above right) —sometimes, the cause of a cold room is as simple as this. We thoroughly investigate every corner of a home to uncover opportunities for cost savings. In fact, massive duct leakage like this is surprisingly common, and we encounter it regularly. There’s hardly anything more cost-effective than fixing ductwork that’s wasting warm air into a vented attic in the middle of winter.
Whether you’re a home maintenance pro or you’ve just purchased a house and wish it came with an owner’s manual (seriously, the last toaster I bought had more instructions than my house!), having one of Viridiant’s building science and construction experts take a look can make a world of difference. We’re not here to sell you windows, heat pumps, solar panels, or new appliances — those are great tools for the right jobs. Our goal is to assess what your home truly needs and provide you with unbiased advice on the most cost-effective solutions that will bring you the greatest benefit. We’re passionate about helping people save energy!