How to Get a Home Energy Audit

Introduction: Why Every Homeowner Should Consider an Energy Audit

A home energy audit is a room-by-room inspection that identifies air leaks, insulation gaps, and HVAC inefficiencies driving up your utility bills. Depending on your home’s age, size, and climate zone, a professional audit can reveal savings of 5–30% on annual energy costs. Use our tools below to estimate your potential savings before you book, then compare local auditors on HVACDatabase.com. This guide explains the full audit process, what you can safely check yourself, and how to act on findings without risking DIY mistakes.

Quick Answer: What to Expect from an Energy Audit

A professional home energy audit typically costs $200–$600 (often discounted to $100 or free through utility rebate programs) and includes a blower door test, infrared thermographic scan, and a custom report listing prioritized improvements. You can perform a preliminary DIY check by looking for drafts, inspecting insulation depth, and visually examining ductwork, but only a certified auditor can quantify air leakage rates and spot hidden thermal weak spots. After the audit, focus on sealing air leaks and upgrading attic insulation first—these carry the fastest payback. Use our Energy Calculator to see personalized savings estimates.

What an Audit Can Find: Hidden Energy Losses

Most homes lose conditioned air through dozens of small gaps that add up to the equivalent of leaving a window open all year. A professional audit uncovers problems invisible to the naked eye, such as:

• Air leakage around recessed lights, attic hatches, and rim joists
• Insufficient or settled insulation in walls and attics
• Leaky ductwork in unconditioned spaces
• Oversized heating or cooling equipment that short-cycles
• Exhaust fan backdrafting and moisture issues

Professional vs DIY Audit Comparison

Professional Audit Process (And What It Means for You)

A certified energy auditor follows a systematic approach using specialized instruments. You should observe but never attempt to perform these tests yourself—they require training and calibrated equipment.

The Blower Door Test

A powerful fan is temporarily mounted in an exterior door frame to depressurize the house. The auditor measures how much air leaks in, pinpointing drafty areas with smoke pencils or thermal cameras. Reducing these leaks can cut heating and cooling loads by 10–20%.

Infrared Thermography

An infrared camera scans walls, ceilings, and floors to detect temperature differences. This reveals places where insulation is missing, settled, or wet. You can use the images to decide where to add insulation for the fastest payback.

Combustion Safety Check

Only the auditor performs this. They test gas-fired appliances for proper venting and carbon monoxide risk. Homeowners must never open combustion chambers or adjust gas valves. If your auditor flags a hazard, shut off the appliance and call a licensed technician immediately.

DIY Energy Audit: Safe Checks Any Homeowner Can Do

Before booking a professional, walk through your home and note these obvious issues. Use a notepad or take photos.

• Visual air leaks: Check for gaps around windows, doors, baseboards, and electrical outlets. On a windy day, use a piece of tissue or incense stick to locate drafts.
• Attic insulation: Measure insulation depth with a ruler. Compare your level to the recommended R‑value for your climate using our energy label guide.
• Ductwork inspection: In basements or attics, look for disconnected or crushed ducts, and feel for air leaks with your hand. Do not enter enclosed or elevated spaces without proper safety gear.
• HVAC filter and vents: Replace a dirty filter (filter replacement guide) and ensure supply and return vents are unblocked by furniture.
• Lighting & appliances: Swap remaining incandescent bulbs for LEDs to reduce heat gain and energy use.

Safety Boundaries: What Homeowners Should Never Attempt

Energy auditing occasionally uncovers serious hazards. To protect yourself and your home, never perform or attempt to fix:

• Opening or repairing electrical panels, capacitors, or contactors
• Handling refrigerant, recharging, or cutting refrigerant lines
• Adjusting, cleaning, or inspecting gas burners, thermocouples, or flues
• Testing or replacing a compressor or sealed combustion components
• Bypassing safety switches, pressure sensors, or high‑limit controls
• Entering crawlspaces or attics with potential mold, vermiculite insulation, or exposed wiring

If your audit reveals any of these issues, use our contractor search to find a licensed, insured professional.

Tools to Calculate Your Savings Before You Start

Get a clearer picture of your energy profile before committing to an audit:

• Energy Calculator – Estimate annual consumption and potential percentage savings.
• Rebate Finder – See if your utility offers free or discounted audits.
• BTU Calculator – Check if your current HVAC is properly sized.
• Repair or Replace Calculator – Use after the audit if you discover aging equipment.

Decision Tree: When Should You Get an Audit?

Use these simple rules to decide whether to book a professional energy audit now:

• Your home is over 10 years old and you haven’t had an audit → Yes, professional.
• Monthly energy bills exceed $0.12 per square foot (e.g., $240 for a 2,000 sq. ft. home) → Yes, professional.
• Some rooms are consistently hot in summer or cold in winter → Yes, professional.
• Your HVAC system is over 15 years old → Yes, professional audit + repair vs replace analysis.
• You just moved in and want a baseline → DIY check first, then decide.
• You’re about to upgrade insulation or windows → Professional audit ensures you spend money where it matters.

How to Find and Vet a Qualified Energy Auditor

Not all “auditors” are equal. Ask these questions before hiring:

• Are you certified by BPI (Building Performance Institute), RESNET, or a local utility program?
• Do you own and calibrate a blower door and infrared camera?
• Will the final report include a prioritized list of improvements with estimated savings?
• Can you provide references from homes similar to mine (age, size, construction type)?
• Do you perform combustion safety testing, and are you insured for liability?
• What is the turnaround time for the report, and will you walk me through it?

Use our contractor comparison tool to vet local professionals.

Local Factors That Change Your Audit Priorities

Climate and home construction drastically affect what an audit should focus on:

• Hot, humid climates (e.g., Phoenix, Houston): Dehumidification and air‑sealing are critical. Excess humidity makes ACs work harder. See how ceiling fans can raise your comfortable setpoint.
• Cold climates (e.g., Chicago, Minneapolis): Attic and wall insulation ROI is highest. Ice dams often point to air leaks; an audit can map them. Check Chicago heating contractors for seasonal insights.
• Coastal homes (salt air): Corroded ductwork and outdoor units worsen efficiency. An auditor can recommend corrosion-resistant replacements.
• Older homes (pre‑1960): Knob‑and‑tube wiring, uninsulated cavities, and single‑pane windows dominate. Audits often reveal a need for air‑sealing before insulation; ask about vermiculite testing before disturbing insulation.

After the Audit: Action Plan to Maximise Savings

Turn your audit report into real savings by prioritizing these steps:

1. Seal Air Leaks: Apply caulk, foam, and weatherstripping. See how to seal air leaks for a walkthrough.
2. Top Up Insulation: Focus on attic floors, then walls and crawlspaces.
3. Seal Ducts: Hire a contractor to seal accessible ducts; do not attempt to seal unconditioned trunk lines yourself.
4. Service HVAC Equipment: Schedule a professional tune‑up (editorial estimate: $80–$250) and replace filters.
5. Install a Smart Thermostat: Reduce runtime when you’re away; check energy usage calculations to quantify savings.
6. Monitor Results: Compare bills for 12 months post‑improvement using our Energy Calculator to measure impact.

Methodology

Our cost ranges and savings estimates are editorial approximations based on aggregated industry data, Energy Star guidelines, and Department of Energy averages. Actual audit costs vary by home size, market, and available utility rebates. Savings projections depend on existing insulation levels, air leakage rate, and local climate. Always request multiple quotes and confirm rebate eligibility before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contractor Checklist

Before approving HVAC work, ask for a written scope rather than a one-line price.

• What failed, and what evidence did the technician use to diagnose it?
• Is the part or system still under manufacturer, labor, home warranty, or installer warranty?
• Does the price include diagnosis, parts, labor, taxes, disposal, permits, and return visits?
• Will any refrigerant, gas, combustion, electrical, or code-related work be handled by a qualified technician?
• For replacement quotes, did the contractor verify sizing, duct condition, electrical capacity, drain routing, and warranty registration?
• What happens if the repair does not solve the problem?