A home energy audit identifies where your home is losing energy and prioritizes improvements that deliver the best return on investment. The average home wastes 25-30% of its energy through air leaks, poor insulation, inefficient equipment, and outdated lighting.
10 steps across 1 sections
1. Steps Guide
- Review your energy bills — Analyze 12-24 months of utility bills for seasonal patterns, year-over-year increases, and unusually high consumption. Calculate your cost per square foot and compare to ...
- Inspect for air leaks — Check around windows, doors, electrical outlets, plumbing penetrations, attic hatches, recessed lights, and where different building materials meet. Use an incense stick or ...
- Evaluate insulation — Check attic insulation depth (should be 10-14 inches of fiberglass or equivalent). Inspect wall insulation (hard to check without professional tools). Check rim joist and craw...
- Assess windows and doors — Single-pane windows lose significant heat. Check for drafts, condensation between panes (seal failure), and proper weatherstripping. Evaluate whether window film, storm w...
- Inspect the HVAC system — Check air filter condition, thermostat settings and programming, ductwork for leaks and disconnections, and system age. Leaky ducts can waste 20-30% of heated/cooled air.
- Check water heating — Verify the water heater temperature (120F is optimal), insulation (older units may need a blanket), and pipe insulation for the first 6 feet of hot water pipes. Water heating ...
- Evaluate lighting — Inventory all light fixtures and bulb types. Replacing incandescent and CFL bulbs with LEDs saves $75-$100+ per year. Lighting accounts for about 10% of electricity costs.
- Check appliances and electronics — Identify energy vampires (devices that draw power when "off"). Use a plug-in energy monitor ($15-$25) to measure individual appliance consumption. Replace old app...
- Prioritize improvements by ROI — Rank improvements by cost-effectiveness: air sealing (highest ROI), insulation, HVAC maintenance, LED lighting, thermostat upgrades, window improvements, and applia...
- Schedule a professional audit — A professional audit with a blower door test and infrared imaging reveals problems invisible to DIY inspection. Many utilities offer this free or at reduced cost. Sc...
Common Mistakes
- Starting with expensive upgrades
- Ignoring ductwork
- Not sealing before insulating
- Only focusing on heating
- Setting the water heater too high
Pro Tips
- Take advantage of utility rebates
- Use a smart thermostat
- Address the building envelope first
- Consider a home energy score
- Check for tax credits