How to Run a DIY Home Energy Audit in an Afternoon
Before spending money on upgrades, it pays to know where your home actually loses energy. A professional audit with a blower door and infrared camera is thorough, but you can catch many of the same problems yourself in an afternoon. A DIY audit points you toward the fixes that will matter most.
Start With Air Leaks
Drafts are a leading source of wasted heating and cooling. On a windy day, move a hand or a lit incense stick around windows, doors, outlets, and where pipes enter walls. Watch for the smoke to waver, which signals air movement. Note every leak so you can seal them with caulk or weatherstripping later.
- Window and door frames
- Electrical outlets on exterior walls
- Attic hatches and recessed lights
- Where plumbing, cables, and vents penetrate walls
- Baseboards and where the wall meets the floor
Check Insulation and Equipment
Look in your attic to judge insulation depth, and note any thin or missing spots. Inspect your HVAC filter, which should be clean, and check the age of your furnace, air conditioner, and water heater. Older equipment nearing the end of its life is worth flagging for eventual replacement with an efficient model.
Review a year of utility bills to spot your highest-use months. That reveals whether heating, cooling, or something running year-round dominates your usage, which tells you where savings will come from.
Turn Findings Into Action
Rank your list by cost and impact. Air sealing and weatherstripping are cheap and fast, so do those first. Insulation and equipment upgrades cost more but deliver lasting returns.
Many utilities offer free or discounted professional audits and rebates on the improvements they recommend. If your DIY pass turns up big issues, a professional audit can confirm them and may unlock incentives, so check what your provider offers.