How-to
How to Do a Home Energy Audit (DIY and Professional)
🇩🇪 Diesen Artikel auf Deutsch lesenA DIY audit means checking for air leaks, insulation levels, heating and cooling equipment, water heating and lighting. A professional audit adds a blower door test and an infrared camera, typically costs a few hundred dollars and is often subsidized by utilities. Fix the cheapest, biggest problems first: air sealing, insulation and thermostat settings.
Most homes waste energy in a handful of predictable places. An energy audit finds them so you spend money where it matters most.
Step by step
- Collect a year of energy bills
Note monthly electricity and gas usage. Big seasonal swings point to heating and cooling as the main costs.
- Look for air leaks
Check around windows, doors, outlets on exterior walls, attic hatches, plumbing penetrations and recessed lights.
- Check insulation
In the attic, measure insulation depth. In walls, remove an outlet cover (power off) and look for insulation behind the box.
- Inspect heating and cooling
Note the age of your furnace, AC or heat pump, check the filter and look for disconnected or leaky ducts.
- Check the water heater
Note its age and temperature setting (120 °F is recommended) and insulate accessible hot water pipes.
- Review lighting and appliances
Replace remaining incandescent bulbs and measure old refrigerators and freezers with a plug-in meter.
- Make a priority list
Rank fixes by cost and impact. Air sealing and insulation usually come first.
Professional energy audits
A certified auditor uses a blower door to depressurize the house and measure how leaky it is, and an infrared camera to see missing insulation and air leaks. Many utilities offer free or discounted audits; independent audits typically cost a few hundred dollars. The report ranks improvements by cost and expected savings.
Typical findings and priorities
| Finding | Typical fix | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Attic air leaks | Seal with caulk and foam | Low |
| Thin attic insulation | Add insulation to R-38–R-60 | Medium |
| Leaky ducts in attic or crawl space | Seal with mastic | Low–medium |
| Old furnace or AC | Replace with high-efficiency system | High |
Start by estimating your current heating cost:
Home Heating Cost CalculatorEstimate your yearly and monthly heating billTry the calculator →Frequently asked questions
How do I find a qualified energy auditor?
Ask your utility first. Look for auditors certified by recognized building-performance organizations, and check reviews.
How much can an audit save?
It depends on what is found. Homes with poor insulation and many air leaks can often cut heating and cooling costs significantly after the recommended fixes.