What to Expect from a Home Energy Audit

Prepare useful information

Gather recent utility bills, equipment ages and service records, and a list of rooms that are uncomfortable or drafty. Note renovation work, moisture concerns, unusual energy use, and how the home is occupied.

Ask in advance whether the assessor needs access to the attic, crawlspace, mechanical equipment, or electrical panel. Clarify whether diagnostic testing is included and what safety or access limitations could prevent it.

Ask how findings are produced

A useful assessment explains observations and measurements, rather than giving only a list of products to buy. Ask whether the evaluation includes air leakage, insulation, duct distribution, combustion safety, moisture, and heating and cooling equipment as appropriate.

The assessor should distinguish observed facts from estimates and explain how recommendations relate to the home. An assessment is not automatically a formal engineering design, code inspection, or guarantee of savings; ask what level of analysis is being provided.

• Request a written report with photos, priorities, and the basis for each recommendation.
• Ask what follow-up measurements or specialist reviews are needed before construction.

Use the report to solicit bids

Separate health and safety concerns, moisture control, maintenance, and energy improvements instead of treating every recommendation as equally urgent. Obtain technical clarification where findings are uncertain before authorizing major work.

Use the report to create a shared scope for contractors, then ask them to identify deviations and exclusions. A written assessment helps focus bids but does not replace verification of local code, permit, or equipment requirements.