A home energy audit or assessment identifies areas in your home where you can conserve energy and save money on your electricity bills.
A typical home energy audit can cost anywhere between $200 and $700. Note that this is an average range based on industry research, and the actual cost of an audit can vary based on factors such as the size of the house, the number of appliances and even your location.
What Is a Home Energy Audit?
A home energy audit is a systematic inspection of your home conducted by a certified professional known as an energy auditor. The auditor may use various tools and equipment, such as infrared cameras, blow doors, power loggers and flowmeters, to identify places where you may be wasting energy and where you can save on power use.
The auditor then prepares a detailed report on their findings and offers recommendations to avoid energy waste and thus reduce utility bills. These usually include home insulation, HVAC maintenance or upgrades, sealing any air leaks, switching to more energy-efficient appliances or making cost-saving upgrades such as a solar panel installation.
Why Do You Need a Home Energy Audit?
Getting an energy audit can reduce your overall energy consumption, which means a reduction in electric or gas bills. The U.S. Department of Energy states that home energy audits can reduce your home energy bills by 5% to 30%. They can also help with health and safety.
A home with proper insulation and no leaks is also more comfortable, as it retains the internal climate better. By offering ways to reduce energy consumption, energy audits also reduce a home’s overall carbon emissions.
Who Performs an Energy Audit?
Professionals with specific certifications perform energy audits. Energy auditors can have certifications from a variety of institutions. Some institutions that offer energy certification programs are the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), Building Performance Institute (BPI), Building Science Institute (BSI) and Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET).
An auditor’s certification is an essential qualification indicating their ability to perform complex energy audits. Choosing a certified auditor is also necessary if you are applying for incentives such as the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.
Occasionally, your utility company may also offer energy audits for free or at a low fee because it’s easier and more cost-effective for utilities to reduce peak demand than to build new generation units. For instance, Garland Power and Light (GPL) in Texas offers a free energy audit for its customers.
What Impacts the Cost of a Home Energy Audit?
Several factors can increase or decrease the cost of a home energy audit, such as the home’s size, the type and complexity of the audit, the cost of labor in your location and any other additional testing requirements. Let’s take a closer look at each factor.
Home Size
The larger a house, the longer its energy audit will last. With more items to inspect, you will probably have to spend more on an audit. Here is a chart showing the average price range for different home sizes.
| Home Size (sq ft) | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| < 1,000 | $100–$500 |
| 1,000-2,000 | $100–$1000 |
| 2,000-3,000 | $200–$1,500 |
| 3,000+ | $300+ |
Type of Energy Audit
Audits can have different types or levels. Some audits require simple walk-throughs and visual inspections, while others may require more sophisticated tests and special equipment. Higher-level audits generally cost more than simpler audits, as they last longer and need more equipment.
Labor Cost
The hourly pay for an energy auditor depends on factors such as experience and type of certification. Income statistics platforms show that the average hourly pay for energy auditors in the U.S. ranges between $20 and $45.
The cost of an energy audit can range from $100 to over $1,000, depending on the level of the audit, the size of your home and the auditor’s rate.
Location
Homes in locations with harsher climates require better insulation and more energy-efficient appliances, as they tend to consume more energy. An audit in such a location can last longer than one in other, milder-climate locations.
Similarly, some cities or states may offer incentives for energy audits, lowering their costs. Homes in remote areas may also have to pay more for an audit to cover the auditor’s travel time and expenses.
Additional Testing
In certain cases, the basic energy audit process may be insufficient, requiring additional, more sophisticated tests. These tests include diagnostic pressure testing and ventilation rate measurements, which require more time and equipment and cost more.
What Happens During an Energy Audit?
When you request an energy audit, the auditor will visit your home to perform a detailed, room-by-room analysis. Additionally, they will also analyze your previous energy bills to correlate your home’s size and number of appliances with the bill average to determine if there is a possibility of energy loss and a potential for savings.
Based on the level of the audit, the professional will check for air leaks and drafts, insulation quality and life and your HVAC system’s efficiency and condition. They may also ask several questions related to energy consumption hours, the type of electric plan and provider, thermostat temperatures, and more.
The auditor will use equipment such as blower doors, infrared cameras and thermometers to perform tests related to air leakage, faulty insulation, etc. At the end, the auditor will compile a detailed report with the findings, listing areas of energy loss and potential ways of energy and bill savings.
How Much Does a Home Energy Audit Cost by ASHRAE Level?
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has developed three levels of energy audits based on the details of the process. The cost of your energy audit will depend on the level you choose.
Level 1 (Walk-Through Audit)
The most basic ASHRAE level audit includes a simple walk-through of your house and a review of your energy bills. The auditor does quick, visual inspections of the home’s condition and its appliances and offers recommendations, such as swapping your older lights for LEDs. The audit requires one to two hours and can cost around $200 for an average-sized home.
Level 2 (Energy Survey and Analysis)
This level involves a more thorough inspection of your home along with a review of energy bills. It may also include one or more tests using some of the special equipment mentioned earlier. A level 2 audit can cost about $500 for a typical home.
Level 3 (Detailed Analysis and Improvements)
This is the most comprehensive audit level, with significant time spent analyzing each room of the home. It also involves multiple tests and special equipment and may require more than one professional to conduct. Naturally, Level 3 audits are the most expensive of the lot and can cost around the $1,000 mark for a standard home size.
Cost of Common Home Energy Audit Add-Ons
The number of tests required for your home energy audit can affect its cost. The following table shows the typical pricing for some of the most common audit tests:
| Add-On Service | Average Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Infrared Scanning | $100-$500 | Thermal imaging that shows temperature variations in a house, helping to identify heating losses or overheating appliances |
| Blower Door Test | $200-$500 | Measures how much air leaks into or out of the building using fans, pressure gauges and infrared imaging. |
| Duct Leakage Test | $100-$500 | Measures how much air is leaking from the HVAC system’s ducts |
| Indoor Air Quality | $200-$500 | Tests for indoor pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, mold, radon and dust mites. |
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro To Conduct a Home Energy Audit
Conducting your home energy audit yourself is a good idea if you want to identify obvious areas of energy conservation and don’t wish to spend money on it. A DIY audit can help save you some money on your energy bills, but it may not be sufficient if you want to see a significant difference in your energy and bill values.
One reason for this is the lack of special equipment. Most homeowners lack the equipment and skills needed for special tests. That said, many libraries and other public institutions lend infrared cameras, thermal sensors and radon detectors to those willing to conduct a simple but effective home energy audit.
Hiring a professional can cost you a few hundred dollars, but it has its advantages. For example, a professional auditor will identify more areas of energy and cost savings. Also, most incentives are only available if you hire a certified auditor.
How To Save Money on Home Energy Audit Costs
You can save money on energy audits by conducting the audit yourself, provided that you succeed in identifying most of the areas where you can save energy. Alternatively, you can also check for free audit services with your energy provider or utility company.
Most locations offer one or more incentives for energy efficiency measures, including home energy audits. To reduce the cost of an audit, check for available rebates or tax credits in your area.
Lastly, you can also bundle services with an energy service company. For example, some solar companies offer a free energy audit if you install solar panels with them. Some HVAC or insulation companies may also offer complementary or low-cost audits when you bundle services.
Available Energy Audit Incentives and Rebates
Depending on your location, you may be eligible for one or more energy audit incentives or rebates. The following are some types of incentives available for home energy audits nationwide.
- Federal tax credits or rebates: The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit is a federal tax credit that can save you up to $150 on your home energy audit and up to $3,200 on related upgrades.
- Common state-level incentives: Some American states, such as New York, can offer incentives for home energy audits to its residents, such as free or low-cost audits, direct rebates or tax credits. State governments can also offer rebates on the required energy efficiency upgrades identified in an energy audit. Several states also offer rebates through the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) program, which offers direct rebates on home upgrades identified in an energy audit. Currently, Illinois, North Carolina and Indiana provide incentives related to energy efficiency upgrades. However, note that the HOMES program falls under the Inflation Reduction Act, the funding for which is currently halted.
- Utility company programs: Many utility companies also offer energy audit programs. Some utilities offer free audits, while others offer rebates or discounts for home audits. Some utility companies offering programs for home energy audits are Tri-County Electric Co-op, Sam Houston Electric Co-op, Mid-South Electric Co-op and New Braunfels Utilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Energy Audits
Are home energy audits worth the cost?
Yes, home energy audits are usually worth the cost, as they can save you more money on energy bills than the cost of the audit itself. Implementing recommendations in an audit report can have significant and long-lasting effects, making the audit worthwhile.
However, energy audits may not be worth the cost for modern, recently built homes. Newer homes generally have fewer efficiency issues, such as leaks or poor insulation and are more likely to use energy-efficient appliances.
How long does a home energy audit take?
A typical home audit takes a few hours to complete. Most average-sized homes can have their audit completed in two to four hours. However, the time required for an audit may vary based on factors such as the size of the house, its age, the number of identified issues, the level of audit and any additional tests needed.
Do I need to prepare my home for an energy audit?
You do not need extensive preparation for an energy audit. However, we recommend moving furniture or other items to remove obstructions, keeping your energy bills handy, and even making a list of energy-related issues that you’re already aware of in your home.
What certifications should I look for in an energy auditor?
When hiring an auditor, check if they are a Certified Energy Auditor (CEA), Building Energy Modeling Professional (BEMP) or Certified Energy Manager (CEM). Look for reputable accreditations from institutes such as ASHRAE, AEE or BPI.
