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PropDoctor

How to Consider a Professional Energy Audit

Complete checklist with climate-adjusted recommendations

Overview

A BPI-certified auditor uses blower door tests and thermal imaging to find invisible energy waste.

Hire a ProEasy~30 min

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Understand what a professional energy audit includes

A comprehensive energy audit (also called a home energy assessment) typically includes: a blower door test that depressurizes the home to measure total air leakage in CFM50, thermal (infrared) imaging to identify insulation gaps and air leaks invisible to the naked eye, combustion safety testing on gas appliances, duct leakage testing, inspection of insulation levels in attics, walls, and crawl spaces, and a review of HVAC equipment condition and efficiency. The auditor produces a prioritized report of recommended improvements with estimated costs and energy savings.

2

Find a BPI-certified or RESNET-certified auditor

Look for auditors certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) or RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network). These certifications ensure the auditor follows standardized testing protocols and can accurately model your home's energy performance. Check the BPI contractor database at bpi.org or ask your utility company for referrals — many utilities maintain approved auditor lists and may subsidize the cost.

3

Check for utility rebates and subsidized audits

Before paying full price, check what your utility company offers. Many utilities provide free or heavily subsidized energy audits (often $0-$100 instead of $300-$500) for their customers. Some states and municipalities also have programs funded by weatherization assistance or Inflation Reduction Act dollars. The DSIRE database (dsireusa.org) lists incentives by state and utility.

4

Prepare your home for the audit

Before the auditor arrives: clear access to the attic hatch, basement, crawl space, furnace, and water heater. Have your past 12 months of utility bills available (or grant the auditor online portal access). Note any comfort complaints — drafty rooms, rooms that are always too hot or cold, excessive dust, or humidity issues. Clear furniture away from exterior walls and vents if thermal imaging will be performed. The audit typically takes 2-4 hours.

5

Understand the blower door test results

The blower door test measures air leakage in cubic feet per minute at 50 Pascals of pressure (CFM50). The auditor will compare your result against benchmarks: a tight home is under 1,500 CFM50; an average home is 2,000-3,500 CFM50; a leaky home is above 4,000 CFM50. They will also calculate air changes per hour (ACH50) by dividing CFM50 by home volume. Target is 3-5 ACH50 for existing homes. While the blower door is running, the auditor uses a smoke pencil or thermal camera to pinpoint exactly where air is leaking.

6

Review the audit report and prioritize improvements

The audit report should include: a prioritized list of improvements ranked by cost-effectiveness, estimated costs for each improvement, projected annual energy savings, available rebates and incentives that reduce out-of-pocket cost, and a simple payback period for each measure. Common high-impact improvements include: air sealing (best ROI at $0.50-$1.00 per square foot), attic insulation (R-49 minimum in most climate zones), duct sealing, and HVAC upgrades. The top 2-3 items on the list typically deliver 70-80% of the total savings.

7

Get quotes and schedule the work

Use the audit report to get quotes from insulation contractors, HVAC companies, and weatherization specialists. Many BPI-certified auditors also perform the recommended work. Get at least two quotes for each major improvement. Ask contractors if they participate in utility rebate programs — some can apply the rebate directly at the time of installation. After improvements are made, consider scheduling a follow-up blower door test to verify the actual reduction in air leakage.

Cost Estimates

DIY Cost

N/A (professional service only)

Professional Cost

$0-$500 for the audit (often subsidized by utilities); $1,000-$10,000+ for recommended improvements

Safety Tips

  • No physical safety concerns for the homeowner — the auditor handles all testing equipment.
  • If the auditor identifies a combustion safety concern (e.g., backdrafting gas appliance), address it before proceeding with air sealing work.

When to Call a Professional

This entire process involves calling a professional. A BPI-certified energy auditor is the appropriate professional. Many HVAC companies and insulation contractors also offer energy audits, but ensure the auditor holds BPI or RESNET certification for a thorough, standardized assessment.

Pro Tip

The single best time to schedule an energy audit is before you undertake any major renovation. The audit results can be integrated into renovation plans at little additional cost — adding insulation during a gut renovation is a fraction of the cost of retrofitting it later. If you are buying a home, an energy audit during the inspection period gives you negotiating leverage and a clear improvement roadmap.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping the energy audit and guessing which improvements to make — homeowners often overspend on windows when air sealing would have been 10x more cost-effective.
  • Choosing an auditor who is not BPI or RESNET certified and receiving a cursory walkthrough instead of a real blower door and thermal imaging assessment.
  • Not checking for utility rebates before paying full price for the audit.
  • Implementing improvements out of order — air sealing should always come before insulation, and insulation before HVAC replacement (a tighter home needs a smaller HVAC system).
  • Ignoring the combustion safety testing results — tightening a home without addressing backdrafting risks can create carbon monoxide hazards.

This Task Appears On

Home Energy Efficiency Audit Checklist

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