How to Conduct a Home Energy Audit: DIY Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s chat about something super practical and totally worth your time: Doing your own home energy audit. Trust me, it’s easier than it sounds and can make a big difference in your monthly bills. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your home is cozy in the winter and cool in the summer without wasting energy. So, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get into it.

Why You Should Perform a Home Energy Audit

Taking time to do a home energy audit is like giving your home a check-up to see how energy-efficient it is. This means looking for spots where you might be losing heat in the winter or letting in too much warmth in the summer. By identifying these areas, you can make simple fixes that save you a lot of money over time while making your home even more comfortable year-round.

The Cost of a Professional Home Energy Audit

According to Forbes, the typical cost of a home energy audit is around $425, with the price range stretching from $100 to $2,000 depending on factors like the size of the house, the specific tests conducted, and the location. Generally, most homeowners will pay near the average amount, with prices usually ranging from $0.08 to $0.15 per square foot.

As energy costs continue to climb, minimizing energy usage at home becomes increasingly important. Many homeowners could benefit from reassessing their home’s energy efficiency, but knowing where to start and what to look for can be daunting. This is where a professional home energy audit comes in handy. These evaluations can pinpoint areas of energy waste and recommend upgrades to improve energy efficiency and lower costs.

The good news is that hiring a professional is not the only way to discover what can be done to plug energy leaks to reduce your home’s utility bills.

DIY Home Energy Audit: Step-by-Step Process

While a professional home energy assessment is the best way to pinpoint where your home is losing energy and where you can save, you can still do a simple but thorough walk-through yourself and spot many issues.

This DIY home energy check won’t be as detailed as a professional assessment, but it can help you identify some of the easier areas to address. As you go through your home, keep a checklist of the areas you’ve inspected and note any problems you find. This list will help you prioritize your energy efficiency upgrades. Don’t assume that just because your home is new or recently built, there aren’t opportunities to save energy. Energy-saving technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, often outpacing the training that many builders receive, even among the most reputable ones.

Essential Tools for a Home Energy Audit

To get started, gather these basic tools:

notepad and pen (or digital device) for notes
flashlight
candle, incense sticks, and matches or lighter
hairdryer
current energy utility bills

Step 1: Check and Improve Home Insulation

Good insulation is key to keeping your home energy-efficient. Start in the attic, as this is where most heat loss occurs. Here’s what to look for:

Attic Insulation: Ideally, your attic should have at least 10-14 inches of insulation. If it looks thin, it might be time to add more.
Walls: Check for insulation in your walls by removing an outlet cover and peeking inside. You should see some insulation material.
Basements and crawl spaces can also lose heat. Make sure there’s insulation in your basement walls and around crawl spaces.

Maximize Savings with Added Insulation

If your DIY audit also includes adding insulation to attics, walls, and floors, you could save an additional 10-15% on your energy bills. This might add another $100 to $150 in annual savings.

Step 2: Find and Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks are sneaky culprits of energy waste. They let your precious heated or cooled air escape and let in drafts. Here’s how to find them:

Windows and Doors: This is a two-person operation. Close all doors and windows. One of you stays inside with a lit candle or incense stick, holding it near the frames and around door and window openings. The other person stands outside, using a hairdryer on high speed to simulate wind. If the flame or smoke wavers, you’ve got a leak. Take detailed notes to identify every location.
Baseboards: These spots can also be drafty. Use the same candle or incense technique here, even though you may not get a hairdryer positioned on the other side. Any noticeable air movement should tell the tale.
Attic Hatch: Don’t forget to check the entrance to your attic. It should be insulated and sealed well.
Electrical Outlets: Identify every electrical outlet box and switch plate on the exterior walls of your home. Take off the covers to see if the air gaps behind are filled with insulation. If they are not, for certain you have an air leak, even if you are unable to test it as suggested above. Sure, it’s not major but added together with every other air leak in the house, there goes more warmed or cool air!

Once you’ve found the air leaks, seal them up with weatherstripping, spray foam, or caulk. These quick and inexpensive fixes will make a huge difference.

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For electrical outlets, add a rubber or foam gasket behind each outlet and switch cover on your home’s exterior walls. These gaskets are available at home improvement stores or online and provide a simple and cost-effective way to stop those sneaky air leaks.

Seal Air Leaks for Big Savings

Sealing air leaks around doors, windows, and other areas can reduce your heating and cooling costs by about 10-20%. For a typical household, this can translate to annual savings of around $200 to $300.

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Step 3: Inspect Your Heating and Cooling Systems

Your heating and cooling systems play a big role in your home’s energy use. Here’s how to give them a good once-over:

Furnace and Air Conditioner: Make sure they’re both running efficiently. Change filters regularly (every 1-3 months). If these appliances are more than 15 years old, consider replacing them with newer, more energy-efficient models.
Ductwork: Check your ducts for obvious leaks or areas where air might be escaping. According to the Department of Energy, sealing ducts can improve efficiency by up to 20 percent.
Thermostat: If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, get one. They’re great for managing your home’s temperature and saving energy when you’re not around to do that manually.

MORE: How to Slash Your Home Heating Bill Using the Science of Infrared

Our Pick for Best Inexpensive Programmable Thermostat

Wyze Programmable Smart WiFi Thermostat

For a budget-friendly, effective programmable thermostat, we highly recommend the Wyze Programmable Smart WiFi Thermostat. We’ve been using it for the past three years and it has proven to be an excellent choice for maintaining comfort and energy efficiency at home.

It’s easy to install with step-by-step guidance via the Wyze app, compatible with 90% of home systems (C-wire adapter included), and controllable from your phone, ensuring comfort and preventing frozen plumbing. Integration with Alexa and Google Assistant allows voice control, and its 7-day scheduling feature lets you set daily routines effortlessly. The Wyze app provides usage tracking and energy-saving insights, while the built-in motion sensor and phone location features automatically adjust the thermostat to save energy when you’re away.

Wyze Programmable Smart WiFi Thermostat

Thermostat Tweaks for Big Energy Savings

Lowering your thermostat by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% per year on heating and cooling. Combining this with air sealing, you might see total savings of around 20-30%.

Step 4: Enhance Home Lighting Efficiency

Lighting is another area where you can save a lot of energy. Here are some tips:

Switch to LEDs: If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, it’s time to switch to LEDs. They use a fraction of the energy and last much longer.
Use Natural Light: Make the most of natural light during the day. Open curtains and blinds to let the sunshine in, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Timers and Sensors: Install timers or motion sensors for outdoor lights. This way, they’ll be on only as needed.

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Switch to LEDs for Big Savings and a Greener Home

By replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs, the typical household can save around $300 annually on their electricity bill. This is a significant reduction and also contributes to less frequent bulb replacements and a smaller environmental footprint.

Step 5: Manage Appliances and Electronics

Your appliances and electronics can be energy hogs if you’re not careful. Here’s how to keep them in check:

Unplug Devices: Many devices use energy even when they’re turned off. Unplug chargers, computers, and other electronics when they’re not in use, or use a power strip to turn them all off at once.
Energy-Efficient Appliances: If you’re in the market for new appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR label. Supposedly, these appliances meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.
Laundry Tips: Wash clothes in cold water when appropriate and air-dry instead of using the dryer whenever possible.

Step 6: Optimize Hot Water Usage

Hot water can be a big energy drain, so make sure you’re using it efficiently:

Water Heater: Set your water heater to 120℉. This is hot enough for most needs and will save energy. Most dishwashers these days have an internal water heater to get it up to 140℉, which is necessary according to most dishwasher manufacturers.
Low-Flow Fixtures: Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators. They reduce water use without sacrificing pressure.
Fix Leaks: Even a small drip adds up to a huge amount over time. Fix all plumbing leaks promptly.

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Speakman Hotel Anystream Adjustable Shower Head

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Save Water and Money with a Low-Flow Showerhead

Switching to a low-flow shower head can lead to significant water and cost savings for a typical household. Low-flow shower heads use about 2 gallons per minute (GPM) compared to the standard 2.5 GPM. Assuming a household takes 2 showers a day, each lasting 8 minutes, this change can save around 4,380 gallons of water annually. With an average cost of $0.015 per gallon of water, this amounts to approximately $65.70 in water bill savings per year. Additionally, the reduced hot water usage can lower energy bills, potentially adding another $50-$100 in annual savings, making the total savings around $115-$165 each year.

Step 7: Review Energy Bills for Hidden Insights

Now, grab those past energy bills and give them a good look. Compare them month-to-month and year-to-year to spot any unusual spikes. This little detective work can reveal when you started using more energy and help you pinpoint the why behind it. By understanding these patterns, you can take action to bring those bills back down.

MORE: 13 Easy Ways to Cut Your Electricity Bill

Step 8: Make a Plan to Boost Energy Efficiency

You’ve done the hard part by identifying where your home is losing energy. Now, it’s time to make a plan to address these issues:

Prioritize Fixes: Start with the most significant issues that are easiest to fix, like sealing air leaks or changing light bulbs.
Set a Budget: Decide how much you’re willing to spend on improvements. Remember, many energy-saving measures are low-cost or even free.
Take Action: Implement your changes. Some things you can do yourself, while others might require a professional. For bigger projects like adding insulation or replacing a furnace, it might be worth getting expert help.

Bonus Tips

Here are a few extra tips to help you keep your home energy-efficient all year long:

Seasonal Maintenance: Check and maintain your home’s energy systems seasonally. Clean your gutters, check insulation, and service your heating and cooling systems before the start of each season.
Use Window Treatments: Heavy curtains or thermal blinds can help keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.
Plant Trees: Strategically planted trees can provide shade in the summer and windbreaks in the winter, reducing your home’s energy needs.

Take Control of Your Energy Use and Save Money

Performing a DIY home energy audit might seem a bit daunting at first, but it’s a fantastic way to take control of your energy use and save money. Plus, it’s one of those tasks that gives you a real sense of accomplishment. You’re not only making your home more comfortable but also doing your part for the environment. So, go ahead and give it a try. Your wallet—and the planet—will thank you!

Remember, every little bit helps, and with these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to a more energy-efficient home.

Empower yourself to save money and reduce your environmental impact with our DIY Home Energy Audit Checklist. Download the checklist and start your journey towards a more energy-efficient home today!

Question: What’s the most surprising thing you discovered during your home energy audit? Share your experiences and tips.

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Why You Should Perform a Home Energy Audit

The Cost of a Professional Home Energy Audit

DIY Home Energy Audit: Step-by-Step Process

Essential Tools for a Home Energy Audit