Home Energy Audit Checklist
Find the biggest energy wasters in your home with this comprehensive DIY audit checklist. Locate drafts, inefficient appliances, and phantom loads.
In this guide
- Check for air leaks and drafts
- Inspect insulation levels
- Evaluate heating and cooling systems
- Audit lighting and appliances
A DIY home energy audit involves inspecting your home for air leaks around windows, checking attic insulation depth, changing HVAC filters, and identifying old incandescent lighting and phantom appliance loads.
Step 1: Locate air leaks
Air leaks (drafts) are one of the greatest sources of wasted heating and cooling energy. The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 10% to 20% per year.
- Inspect the caulking and weatherstripping around all exterior doors and windows.
- Look for gaps where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls or the floor.
- Check the fireplace damper to ensure it seals tightly when closed.
Step 2: Check insulation
Heat rises, meaning poor attic insulation forces your furnace to work overtime. Look into your attic. If the insulation sits level with or below the floor joists, you likely need to add more. The Department of Energy recommends a minimum of R-30 insulation in warm climates and up to R-60 in cold climates.
Step 3: Inspect HVAC
Heating and cooling account for roughly half of your home's total energy use.
- Check your furnace and AC filters. Dirty filters force the fan to work harder, wasting electricity. Replace them every 1 to 3 months.
- Inspect visible ductwork in the basement or attic for holes, disconnected joints, or missing insulation.
Step 4: Audit appliances
Walk through your home and identify the electrical devices that are secretly draining power.
- Lighting: Are there any incandescent bulbs left? Upgrade them immediately to LEDs.
- Phantom Loads: Identify entertainment centers or home office equipment that stay in "standby" mode 24/7. Plug them into a smart power strip.
- Old Refrigerators: An old secondary fridge in the garage can cost $100+ a year to run. Unplug it if it is rarely used.
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