Energy Audit Checklist: Find Where Your Money Is Escaping

Why Do a DIY Energy Audit?

Professional energy audits cost $200-$500, and while they're thorough, you can find most common problems yourself for free. A DIY audit helps you:

• Identify the biggest energy wasters in your home
• Prioritize improvements by impact and cost
• Save 10-30% on your energy bills with targeted fixes
• Improve comfort by eliminating drafts and hot/cold spots

Set aside a Saturday morning and walk through your home with this checklist. You'll be surprised what you find.

1. Check for Air Leaks

Air leaks are the #1 source of energy waste in most homes. Heated or cooled air escapes through gaps and cracks, and your HVAC system works overtime to compensate.

The incense test: Light a stick of incense and slowly move it around the edges of windows, doors, electrical outlets, and other potential leak points. If the smoke wavers or blows sideways, you've found a leak.

Common air leak locations:

• Windows and doors: Check weatherstripping and caulking around frames
• Electrical outlets: Especially on exterior walls—install foam gaskets behind covers
• Recessed lights: Older can lights are notorious air leaks
• Attic hatch: Often completely unsealed—add weatherstripping
• Plumbing penetrations: Where pipes enter walls under sinks
• Dryer vent: Check that the exterior flap closes properly
• Fireplace damper: Should seal tightly when closed

2. Inspect Your Insulation

Insulation keeps your conditioned air inside. Over time, it can settle, get damaged by pests, or simply be inadequate for your climate.

Attic insulation: This is the most important area. In most climates, you want R-38 to R-60 (about 10-16 inches of fiberglass or cellulose). If you can see the ceiling joists, you don't have enough.

What to look for:

• Gaps or thin spots: Insulation should be uniform with no bare areas
• Compression: Fiberglass loses effectiveness when compressed
• Water damage: Stained or matted insulation from roof leaks
• Pest damage: Tunnels, nests, or droppings
• Missing insulation: Around HVAC ducts, hatches, or recessed lights

Walls: Harder to check, but you can remove an outlet cover on an exterior wall and peek inside with a flashlight. You should see insulation filling the cavity.

3. Evaluate Your Windows

Windows are a major source of heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. You don't necessarily need to replace them, but understanding their condition helps you prioritize.

Window checklist:

• Single vs. double pane: Single-pane windows lose 10x more heat— consider storm windows or replacement
• Condensation between panes: Indicates failed seal—the insulating gas has escaped
• Drafts around frames: Needs caulking or weatherstripping
• Difficulty opening/closing: Warped frames may not seal properly
• Sun exposure: South and west-facing windows benefit most from treatments

4. Audit Your HVAC System

Your heating and cooling system is likely your biggest energy consumer. Small improvements here can mean big savings.

HVAC checklist:

• Filter condition: A dirty filter restricts airflow and wastes energy. Check periodically during peak seasons, replace every 3 months.
• System age: Units over 15 years old are significantly less efficient than modern systems
• Duct leaks: Exposed ducts in attics or crawl spaces often have gaps at joints - seal with mastic or metal tape (not duct tape!)
• Duct insulation: Ducts in unconditioned spaces should be insulated
• Thermostat location: Should be away from heat sources, direct sunlight, and drafts
• Vents blocked: Ensure furniture and rugs aren't blocking registers

5. Check Your Water Heater

Water heating accounts for about 18% of your home's energy use - second only to HVAC. A few simple checks can reduce this significantly.

Water heater checklist:

• Temperature setting: Most are set to 140°F but 120°F is sufficient for most homes - saves 6-10% on water heating costs
• Tank insulation: Older tanks benefit from an insulation blanket ($20-$30)
• Pipe insulation: Insulate the first 6 feet of hot and cold pipes
• Age: Water heaters over 10 years old are much less efficient - start planning for replacement
• Sediment buildup: Drain a few gallons annually to remove sediment

6. Hunt for Phantom Loads

"Phantom" or "vampire" loads are devices that draw power even when turned off. They account for 5-10% of residential electricity use.

Common phantom loads:

• TV and entertainment systems: Can draw 10-50 watts even when "off"
• Phone and laptop chargers: Draw power even without a device attached
• Game consoles: Some draw significant power in standby mode
• Desktop computers: Sleep mode still uses power
• Microwave/coffee maker displays: Those clocks add up
• Printers: Often left on 24/7 unnecessarily

7. Review Your Lighting

If you haven't switched to LED bulbs yet, you're paying 5-10x more than you need to for lighting.

Lighting checklist:

• Bulb type inventory: Count how many incandescent or CFL bulbs remain
• High-use fixtures first: Kitchen, living room, and outdoor lights have the fastest payback
• Dimmer compatibility: Some LEDs don't work with old dimmers
• Motion sensors: Great for outdoor lights, garages, and closets
• Natural light: Are blinds or furniture blocking usable daylight?

A typical home has 40-50 light sockets. Replacing incandescents with LEDs can save $100+ per year.

8. Examine Appliance Efficiency

Major appliances account for about 15% of your energy bill. Older models are significantly less efficient than modern ENERGY STAR appliances.

Appliances to evaluate:

• Refrigerator: Models from before 2000 use 2-3x more electricity. Check the door seals—a dollar bill should be held firmly when the door closes.
• Washer/dryer: Front-loaders use 50% less water and energy. Clean the dryer vent annually.
• Dishwasher: Modern ones use less water than hand washing. Run full loads and skip the heated dry cycle.
• Freezer: A standalone freezer in the garage works harder in summer heat. Keep it 3/4 full for efficiency.

Your Energy Audit Action Plan

Now that you've completed your audit, prioritize fixes by cost and impact:

The Bottom Line

A DIY energy audit takes a few hours but can reveal hundreds of dollars in annual savings. The key areas to check:

• Air leaks: Use the incense test around windows, doors, and outlets
• Insulation: Check attic depth and look for gaps or damage
• Windows: Note single-pane, failed seals, and missing weatherstripping
• HVAC: Change filters, seal ducts, consider a smart thermostat
• Water heater: Lower to 120°F, insulate tank and pipes
• Phantom loads: Use power strips for electronics
• Lighting: Switch to LEDs, especially in high-use areas
• Appliances: Evaluate efficiency of older major appliances

Many of these fixes pay for themselves within a year. Use House Reminders to schedule regular maintenance tasks like changing HVAC filters, cleaning dryer vents, and annual energy check-ups to keep your home running efficiently year after year.