Home Energy Audits

Performing a home energy audit is the first step toward cutting utility costs and making your house more comfortable.

What’s an Audit?

Audits, or energy assessments, are examinations of a home’s exterior construction and the systems within the home. Audits measure the amount of energy a property uses and identify why and where energy is being lost. Frequent causes of energy loss are leaky windows, a poorly sealed attic, ductwork tears, and invisible cracks.

How It Works:

Professional auditors rely on various tools; the most common being blower door tests and thermographic inspections. The tests, requiring three to four hours, help auditors discover where there is air infiltration or loss and pinpoint hidden, hard-to-reach spots where insulation is lacking or failing. An auditor uses the test results, along with other data about your heating and cooling habits and utility costs, to identify the home improvement projects that will boost a home’s efficiency.

Benefits:

By making upgrades following a home energy assessment, homeowners can save between 5% and 30% on energy bills, according to the Department of Energy. Upgrades don’t always have to be big, high-ticket items. For example, some upgrades, such as air sealing and insulation, can be completed using a DIY approach. For these examples, visit www.energystar.gov or www.energy.gov.

Costs:

The cost of a professional audit can vary based on size and location of the home, but it’s often possible to get free or low-cost audits through utility and government rebate programs. You can locates these programs through the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency at www.dsireusa.org.

Preparing for an Audit:

To help you prepare, list out all of your problem areas, like drafty or hot spaces, and compile copies of your utility bills. It may also be helpful to offer information about your habits, including: 1) the number of residents living in the home and whether people are home during the day; 2) the average thermostat settings for summer and winter months; as well as during the daytime and evening hours; and 3) unused rooms, like the attic, basement, or spare bedroom(s).

Locating Professionals:

To find auditors and energy experts, contact the Building Performance Institute (bpi.org), EnergyStar (energystar.gov), and/or the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) (natresnet.org).