What Is A Home Energy Audit?

What exactly is a home energy audit, and when do you need to invest in one? If you're concerned about rising energy bills or looking to make your home more energy-efficient, consider a home energy audit. While an audit is not a solution for energy inefficiency, it can create a blueprint to follow. If you are uncertain of what energy upgrades to make, a home energy audit is a great place to start.

South Central Services has insulated hundreds of homes with spray foam. For many homeowners, a home energy audit has been the first step in choosing spray foam insulation for their attic, basement, or crawl space.

By the end of this article, you will understand:

• What home energy audits are
• The benefits of home energy audits
• Where to find a home energy auditor
• How to prepare for an audit
• What to do after the audit is complete

What Is A Home Energy Audit?

A home energy audit is a comprehensive assessment of your home's energy usage. Audits are conducted by certified professionals who identify areas where you could be wasting energy and provide recommendations for improvements. The goal of a home energy audit is to find ways to make your home more energy-efficient, saving you money on your energy bills.

Types of Home Energy Audits

There are generally three types of energy audits. The type of audit you need will depend on your budget and the level of detail you want from your auditor. While auditors may not advertise their audits in these levels, the following breakdown can help you determine what services you need from an auditor.

Let's examine each of the types of audits in more detail.

Level One: Walk-Through Audit

A walk-through audit is the most basic type of home energy audit. This basic audit involves a visual inspection of your home's energy systems. The auditor will look for obvious issues like air leaks, poor insulation, and inefficient lighting. For a walk-through audit, your inspector will not use any specialized equipment or tests to diagnose problems in your home.

This type of audit is a good starting point for homeowners new to energy efficiency. These walk-through audits usually cost between $150 and $200 and take about an hour to complete. You pay for their time and their expertise in building science.

Level Two: Detailed Audit

A detailed audit would include the walk-through analysis of a basic audit, as well as some additional tests. These tests could include blower door tests and thermal imaging. Blower door tests and thermal imaging provide a more comprehensive view of your home's energy efficiency, pinpointing specific areas where improvements can be made.

These types of audits can cost between $300 and $600 and may take several hours to complete, depending on the size of your home. If you want evidence of your energy inefficiency, you may want to spend more money for an audit that includes a blower door test or thermal imaging.

Level Three: In-Depth Audit

An in-depth audit is the most comprehensive type of audit. These audits provide detailed analysis and recommendations for technological upgrades. In addition to a walk-through, blower door test, and thermal imaging, these audits often include advanced diagnostic tests. Depending on the auditor, your audit could involve software simulations to predict your home's energy usage under different scenarios.

This level of detail is beneficial for homeowners who are considering significant renovations or upgrades. It can cost between $650 and $900 and usually takes a full day. If you aren’t making significant changes to your home and its structure, you likely will not need this level of detail from your auditor.

Benefits of Home Energy Audits

Energy audits are crucial for understanding how your home uses energy and identifying ways to make it more efficient. With rising energy costs, an audit can point out areas where you can save. Additionally, making energy-efficient upgrades can increase the value of your home, making it a win-win situation.

You could guess where your home wastes energy, but guesses are not guaranteed. Home energy audits can help to take the guesswork out of energy-efficiency upgrades. When your house has ample room for improvement, it can be challenging to determine where you should start. With a home energy audit, you can identify the areas of your home that will offer the most improvement.

How to Find a Qualified Auditor

You'll need to find an auditor to do one of these audits for your home. The most common way to find an auditor is to look for a home energy company that specializes in these audits. If you can’t find an auditing company near you, check HVAC and insulation contractors in your area. Some contractors may offer energy audits as an additional service.

When you find an auditor, ask questions about their process, prices, and certifications. If you have the option, getting multiple quotes from multiple auditors is a good practice.

Auditors will also be certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) or the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Be sure to work with an auditor who has a certification. You can use an online tool from BPI to search for qualified auditors in your area.

What to Expect During the Audit

During the audit, the energy auditor will inspect various components of your home, including your insulation, HVAC systems, appliances, lighting, doors, and windows. Let's examine these areas and possible recommendations in more detail.

Insulation

The auditor will check the quality of insulation in your walls, attic, and basement. Poor insulation can lead to significant energy loss, especially during summer and winter. The auditor may use thermal imaging cameras to identify areas where heat is escaping. If your home is poorly insulated, you could be losing 25% to 50% of your home's heat, leading to higher energy bills.

Heating and Cooling Systems

Auditors will inspect your HVAC system for efficiency. Older systems are often less efficient and can significantly drain your energy resources. The auditor will check the age of your system and its maintenance history. Auditors may also perform tests to see how well it's operating. If your HVAC system is outdated, the auditor will likely recommend upgrading to a more energy-efficient model.

Doors and Windows

The auditor will check for drafts and leaks around doors and windows, which can also contribute to energy loss. They may use thermal imaging to see where cold air enters your home. Properly sealed doors and windows can reduce your heating and cooling costs. If the areas around your doors and windows need more insulation, these places are usually easy for homeowners to insulate on their own.

Appliances and Lighting

Auditors will assess your home's appliances for energy efficiency. You may be advised to switch to ENERGY STAR-rated appliances to save on electricity costs. The auditor will check the energy ratings on your major appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers. If you haven't already switched to LED bulbs, the auditor will assess the types of light bulbs you're using throughout the home. Switching to energy-efficient options can result in substantial long-term savings.

What To Do After Your Home Energy Audit

Once the audit is complete, you will receive a detailed report outlining the auditor's findings and recommendations. This report will guide you in making the necessary upgrades to improve your home's energy efficiency.

Based on the auditor's findings, you may need to make various upgrades, such as improving insulation, sealing air leaks, or updating appliances. Some of these upgrades may qualify for tax credits, which will help you save money on your energy efficiency investments.

After implementing the recommended changes, you’ll need to monitor your energy usage and bills to gauge the effectiveness of the upgrades. If your energy bills do not decrease, you may want to schedule another audit. Some homeowners also make home energy audits a standard practice every few years to account for technological advancements and changes in energy standards.

The Bottom Line About Home Energy Audits

A home energy audit is invaluable for making your home more energy efficient and reducing energy bills. Whether you opt for a basic walk-through or a more detailed assessment, the insights gained from an audit can guide you in making the right upgrades for your home.

Rather than guessing which home improvement method to start with, you can have a personalized guide to your home. A home energy audit is an excellent place to start if you want to improve your home's energy efficiency.

Which type of home energy audit is right for you? Choose the best type of audit based on your home.

Wondering about other ways to save energy at home? Read about the upgrades you can try, ranked from least expensive to most expensive.

Want to learn more about tax credits? Check out our article on the tax incentives for spray foam insulation.