A home energy audit gives you a real sense of how your house uses—and loses—energy. It helps you spot wasted energy and points out the best ways to boost efficiency.
When you look at insulation, air leaks, heating and cooling, appliances, and lighting, you can actually target changes that cut utility costs and make your place more comfortable.
You can do an audit just by walking through each room with a checklist. Some people go all-in with infrared cameras and blower doors, but honestly, a careful inspection can reveal drafts, bad insulation, or old devices that just eat up energy.
If you approach it right, an audit can kick off real energy savings. You’ll waste less, and your home will be better prepared for wild weather, so you stay comfortable no matter the season.
Understanding Home Energy Audits
A home energy audit shows you how your house uses and loses energy, and then helps you figure out how to improve it. You’ll look at insulation, air leaks, heating and cooling, and how well your appliances work, so you can find upgrades that actually lower your bills.
What Is a Home Energy Audit?
A home energy audit is basically a deep dive into your property’s energy performance. You’ll look at how you use heat, cooling, and electricity, and where you might be wasting it.
Usually, you’ll check insulation, test for air leaks, and review your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. You’ll also look at the lighting, appliances, and water heating.
Pros might use tools like blower doors to check air leaks or infrared cameras for heat loss. If you’re doing it yourself, you can stick with visual checks and simple tools—you’ll still find plenty of issues.
You want to walk away with a clear list of improvements that make your home more efficient but don’t ruin your comfort.
Benefits of Conducting an Energy Audit
An energy audit lets you see where your money goes every month. When you can pinpoint efficiency problems, you can actually plan upgrades that matter.
Some of the main perks:
- Lower utility bills because you’re not wasting so much energy
- Better comfort once you fix drafts or uneven temps
- Longer equipment life since efficient systems don’t work as hard
- Improved indoor air quality by sealing leaks and getting ventilation right
Sometimes, audits even pick up safety issues like gas leaks or bad ventilation with combustion appliances.
A lot of utility companies offer free or cheap audits, which is a nice bonus. Sometimes you can get rebates or incentives for making the upgrades they recommend.
Types of Energy Audits
Energy audits come in a few flavors. The three main types:
| Type | Description | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary | Quick visual check for obvious issues | First step for DIY inspections |
| General | More detailed, may include basic testing | Budget-friendly professional option |
| Comprehensive | Full diagnostic testing with specialized tools | Best for accurate, prioritized recommendations |
Comprehensive audits give you the most detail, but they cost more.
You can start with a preliminary or general audit, and if you need more info, move up to comprehensive. It’s a good way to balance cost and detail.
Preparing for Your Home Energy Audit
Good preparation makes your audit actually useful. Start by collecting past utility bills, see how you use energy over time, and jot down any issues you’ve noticed that might hurt efficiency.
This way, you can focus on where changes will make the biggest difference.
Gathering and Reviewing Energy Bills
Your energy bills show how much electricity, gas, or other fuels you use each month. Try to collect at least 12 months of utility bills so you can spot seasonal changes in heating and cooling.
Look for patterns in usage and cost. Compare the same months from different years—if your usage keeps creeping up and you haven’t changed anything at home, something’s off.
It helps to make a simple table:
| Month | kWh Used | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1,200 | $150 | Cold weather spike |
| Feb | 1,050 | $140 | |
| … | … | … | … |
If you organize your bills before the audit, it’s way easier to spot weird trends or possible issues.
Identifying Energy Consumption Patterns
Energy patterns show when and how you use the most energy. These patterns can reveal if certain systems—or just habits—are driving up your usage.
A summer spike in electricity? That might mean your air conditioning isn’t efficient. Steady high winter gas use? Maybe your insulation or heating needs work.
If your utility has a dashboard or you have a smart meter, check your usage by time of day. You’ll probably see peaks when everyone’s home and everything’s running.
Knowing these patterns lets you focus the audit on the biggest energy hogs.
Making a List of Problem Areas
Write down any rooms that feel drafty, temperatures that don’t match, or equipment that never seems to stop running.
Also, look for visible signs: condensation on windows, weird hot or cold spots, or noisy HVAC units.
Snap some photos or jot down quick notes. Giving the auditor specifics helps make sure they check everything, not just the obvious stuff.
Step-by-Step Home Energy Audit Process
A thorough audit checks how well your house keeps in heat or cool air, how air moves around, and where energy leaks out. Careful inspection and some testing help you find the spots that waste energy, so you can actually fix them.
Inspecting Insulation and Ventilation
Insulation keeps heat in during winter and blocks heat gain in summer. The attic is usually the first spot to check—bad insulation here can cost you a lot.
You’ll want to look at walls, floors above unheated spaces, and crawl spaces, too.
Watch for uneven coverage, gaps, or insulation that’s been squished down. In older homes, insulation sometimes settles, leaving bare patches.
Ventilation matters just as much. Good attic ventilation stops moisture and helps insulation do its job. If you see condensation, mold, or smell musty odors, your ventilation might be lacking.
If your insulation is below what’s recommended, you can add more. The U.S. Department of Energy has R-value guidelines for different climates, which can help you figure out how much you need.
Detecting and Sealing Air Leaks
Air leaks let your heated or cooled air escape, and let outside air sneak in. Common places: gaps around pipes, wiring, chimneys, recessed lights, and attic hatches.
Drafty rooms often mean leaks around windows, doors, or baseboards. Try the incense stick or smoke pencil trick on a windy day—if the smoke moves, you’ve found a leak.
Once you spot leaks, seal them up:
| Location | Recommended Sealant |
|---|---|
| Small gaps (<1/4 inch) | Caulk |
| Large gaps | Expanding spray foam |
| Moveable joints (windows/doors) | Weatherstripping |
Be careful not to block ventilation in attics or crawl spaces while sealing.
Assessing Windows and Doors
Windows and doors can let out a lot of energy if they aren’t sealed well or if they’re just old. Check for cracked caulking, worn weatherstripping, or loose frames.
Single-pane windows without storm protection lose more heat than double- or triple-pane ones. If you can’t replace them, adding storm windows or window film helps.
Hold a damp hand near window and door edges—if you feel cold air, reseal with fresh caulk or put in new weatherstripping. Even tiny gaps can bump up your bills.
Evaluating Heating and Cooling Systems
Heating and cooling (HVAC) use a big chunk of your energy. Check if your systems are running efficiently.
Make sure filters are clean and replace them regularly. Dirty filters slow airflow and make the system work harder. Check ductwork for leaks or bad insulation, especially in areas that aren’t heated or cooled.
If your furnace, boiler, or AC is over 15 years old, it might be time for an ENERGY STAR® upgrade.
Review your thermostat settings. A programmable or smart thermostat can save energy by changing temps when no one’s home.
Evaluating Appliances, Lighting, and Electronics
Appliances, lighting, and electronics can eat up a surprising amount of energy. Old appliances, bad bulbs, and plugged-in devices you don’t use can all add up.
By checking these, you can find easy ways to cut waste.
Checking Appliances for Efficiency
Big appliances like fridges, dishwashers, and washing machines run almost daily, so their efficiency matters. If yours are over 10 years old, they probably use more energy than new ones.
Look for the ENERGY STAR® label—that means it meets strict efficiency standards. The EnergyGuide label shows you estimated yearly use and cost.
Regular upkeep helps too. Clean fridge coils, check door seals, and run full loads in your dishwasher and washer.
If you need a new appliance, pick the right size. Too big wastes energy, too small gets overworked.
Quick checks:
| Appliance | Common Efficiency Step |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Set between 35–38°F |
| Clothes Dryer | Clean lint filter after each load |
| Dishwasher | Use air-dry setting |
Optimizing Lighting Fixtures and Bulbs
Lighting can be about 10% of your electric bill. Swapping out old bulbs for LEDs can cut that by up to 75% and the bulbs last way longer.
Check which fixtures can use LEDs or CFLs. ENERGY STAR®-rated bulbs are a safe bet.
Try dimmers, motion sensors, or timers to keep lights off when you don’t need them. If you have a lot of fixtures, start with the bulbs you use most.
Letting in more natural light helps, too. Keep windows clean, open the blinds, and use light-colored paint to bounce daylight around.
Reviewing Electronics and Power Usage
A lot of electronics suck up power even when they’re “off”—that’s standby power or “phantom load.” TVs, game consoles, chargers—they’re all guilty.
Unplug stuff you’re not using, or plug it into smart power strips that cut power automatically.
Check device settings for energy-saving modes, especially on computers and monitors. Lowering screen brightness and using shorter sleep timers can help, too.
When you buy new electronics, look for ENERGY STAR® certification. They use less power and still work just as well.
Assessing Water Heating and Hot Water Usage
Water heating can take a big bite out of your energy budget. How efficient it is depends on the type of system, its condition, and how you use hot water.
Cutting waste in both the system and your daily habits can lower bills and save energy.
Evaluating Water Heating Systems
First, figure out what kind of water heater you have—storage tank, tankless, or hybrid. Each type works differently and needs different maintenance.
For storage tanks, check the insulation and look for rust or leaks. Bad insulation lets heat escape, so your system works harder.
Tankless heaters only heat water when you need it, so you avoid standby losses, but you need to size them right and descale them if you have hard water.
Set your water heater thermostat to 120°F (49°C). That’s hot enough for most uses and safer, too.
Check hot water pipes, especially if they run through unheated spaces like basements. Adding pipe insulation cuts heat loss and gets hot water to you faster.
Improving Hot Water Efficiency
If you cut back on unnecessary hot water use, you can lower your energy bills without giving up comfort. Swapping in low-flow showerheads and aerated faucets reduces water flow, but you’ll still get decent pressure.
Fix leaking faucets right away. Just one drip every second can waste over 3,000 gallons of water a year, and a lot of that is hot water.
Try to schedule showers and laundry so you’re not running a bunch of hot water tasks at once. That way, the temperature stays steady and you don’t put extra strain on your system.
If you have a storage tank water heater, drain the tank once or twice a year to clear out sediment. Sediment buildup can really drag down efficiency.
If your household uses a lot of hot water, consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR®-rated water heater or a heat pump water heater. These options can save you money over time by improving water heating efficiency.
Advanced Tools and Professional Energy Audits
Specialized equipment can uncover hidden energy losses that a basic inspection might miss. When you use the right tools and know what you’re doing, you get accurate measurements and data that help you make smart improvements.
Blower Door Test and Air Leakage Detection
A blower door test shows how airtight your home is and helps you find air leaks. The test uses a strong, calibrated fan set up in an exterior doorway.
When the fan runs, it creates negative pressure inside, so outside air sneaks in through any gaps or cracks.
Technicians use smoke pencils or infrared cameras to spot where air comes in. Common trouble spots include window frames, door thresholds, attic hatches, and places where pipes come through.
They record the results as air changes per hour (ACH). Lower ACH means your home is better sealed and you’re losing less air.
Most comprehensive energy audits include this test. It’s pretty handy for figuring out where you need weatherstripping, sealing, or insulation. You can hire a pro or rent the gear, but honestly, getting accurate results takes some training.
Infrared Camera Inspections
An infrared camera spots temperature differences on surfaces by reading infrared radiation. Basically, it lets you “see” where heat escapes in winter or creeps in during summer.
When you scan with one, you might notice cold or hot patches on walls, ceilings, or floors. These spots can mean missing insulation, moisture problems, or thermal bridging, and you’d probably never notice them with just your eyes.
You’ll get the best results when there’s a big temperature difference between inside and outside, like early winter mornings or late summer afternoons.
Infrared inspections are quick and non-invasive, so they’re a favorite for finding issues before you start opening up walls. While you can buy consumer models, the pro devices deliver sharper images and more accurate readings.
When to Hire a Professional Energy Auditor
A professional energy auditor brings specialized tools, training, and a lot of experience. They stick to standard testing methods, so you get results you can trust.
If you want a comprehensive energy audit with blower door testing, infrared imaging, and detailed efficiency calculations, hiring a pro makes sense.
Pros can also spot safety problems, like backdrafting from fuel-burning appliances, and make sure your ventilation is up to par. Many carry certifications from groups like BPI or RESNET, which tells you they know their stuff.
Sometimes, your utility company or state program will offer rebates or even free audits, so it’s worth checking what’s available.
Implementing Energy-Saving Improvements
Once you know where you’re losing energy, making targeted changes can cut utility bills, make your home more comfortable, and help your systems last longer. Upgrades might be as simple as sealing up leaks or as involved as adding renewable energy systems. Even small tweaks to your daily routine can add up to real savings over time.
Prioritizing Energy-Saving Upgrades
Some improvements make a bigger dent in your energy use than others. It’s smart to start with upgrades that tackle the largest sources of energy loss.
Sealing leaks around windows, doors, and attic hatches usually pays off fast. Adding insulation to attics, walls, or crawl spaces can also lower your heating and cooling needs all year.
Switching to a high-efficiency HVAC system or replacing an old water heater can save you a lot too. Here’s a quick look at common upgrades and what you might get out of them:
| Upgrade | Primary Benefit | Typical Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Weather stripping & caulking | Reduces drafts | Lower heating/cooling costs |
| Attic insulation | Improves temperature control | 10–20% energy savings |
| High-efficiency HVAC | Uses less energy to heat/cool | Lower utility bills |
If you start with the most cost-effective changes, you’ll get the most bang for your buck before moving on to pricier projects.
Adopting Energy-Efficient Practices
Your daily habits really do shape your energy use. Just adjusting your thermostat by a few degrees can cut heating and cooling costs without making things uncomfortable.
A smart thermostat can handle temperature changes for you, adjusting based on when you’re home or away. That way, you’re not heating or cooling an empty house.
Switching to LED lighting and using motion sensors or timers can trim your lighting bill. Unplugging electronics when you’re not using them helps cut down on standby power, too.
Little things like running full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine, cleaning HVAC filters often, and using ceiling fans to move air around can all boost efficiency and even improve indoor air quality.
Considering Renewable Energy Options
If you’re ready to invest in something that’ll last, renewable energy systems can help you rely less on the grid. Most folks go for solar panels when they want to generate electricity at home.
Depending on where you live, geothermal heating and cooling can do a surprisingly good job at keeping your place comfortable. It taps into the earth’s steady underground temperature.
Some homeowners check out solar water heating systems, which use sunlight to preheat water. That way, your traditional water heater doesn’t have to work as hard.
You can pair renewable systems with energy-efficient appliances and battery storage. This combo can boost your savings, and it really helps during a power outage.
With available incentives and rebates, you might find the upfront costs a bit easier to handle. These options are getting more attainable for a lot of people.