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Schedule an Energy Audit

Summary: Home Energy Assessments Are Fundamental

Description

An energy audit is a great first step in the journey to saving money, improving the air quality of your home, and reducing your carbon footprint. It evaluates energy and heat loss in your home, providing the foundation for your home energy plan, and allowing you to focus on the actions that will make the biggest difference. 

Before scheduling an energy audit, there are many important questions to answer: 

Getting Started

You can begin exploring the answers to these questions in our Deep Dive. Our Energy Navigators can also help you understand the process of hiring a good auditor, preparing for your audit, and interpreting your audit results. 

Deep Dive

Home energy assessments, also known as home energy audits, help you see the big picture of your home’s energy use. This includes energy use, energy loss, comfort, and safety. For these reasons, conducting an energy audit is an essential step to take before creating your energy plan and moving forward with your home energy transition. 

Can I do it myself? 

The most thorough way to understand your home’s energy efficiency is by hiring a professional to conduct an audit. Although it can be costly, there are several rebates available, and you may qualify for a free energy audit. If you decide not to hire a professional or want to get a feel for your home’s energy use and loss yourself first, there are several easy ways to conduct a mini-audit. Also, you can call Efficiency Vermont customer support for technical support and advice or to set up a free virtual home energy visit.

Read this guide on DIY home energy assessments from the Department of Energy. 

How do I choose an auditor? 

Before moving forward with an energy audit, it is important to ask the auditor some essential questions. 

Here are some examples of critical questions to ask, inspired by Rewiring America and Green Homes America: 

To receive incentives for your audit, the auditor must be certified by one of several organizations. 

How do I prepare for the audit?

Before the auditor arrives, make sure that they have access to all of the rooms in your house, including the attic and crawl space. It is also helpful to create a list of questions and priorities so that the auditor can best target your needs. 

What does the audit consist of?

During the energy audit, the auditor will assess each room of the house, conducting diagnostic testing using fans and thermal imagers. Two common tests are the blower door test and thermographic inspection. The auditor will also ask you questions about your energy bills and energy use. For example, they will be interested in how many people are at home during the day, what your average thermostat setting is, and if there are any unused rooms. The audit should last 2-3 hours. 

What do I get from the audit?

After the audit, you will receive a detailed report of all of the sources of energy loss in your home and the steps you can take to remedy them. Auditors will also provide financing information about those next steps.  

How much do energy audits cost? 

The average energy audit costs $425. However, you may qualify for a free energy audit if you qualify for CVOEO’s weatherization assistance program. Regardless of income, anyone can get a $150 tax credit for an energy audit. 

Sources referenced: 

CVOEO Weatherization Eligibility Guidelines: https://www.cvoeo.org/weatherization-eligibility 

Department of Energy Recognized Home Energy Auditor Qualified Certification Programs for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/us-department-energy-recognized-home-energy-auditor-qualified-certification-programs 

Efficiency Vermont Home Energy Assessments: https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/services/energy-assessments/home-energy-assessments 

How to Ensure Your Home Energy Audit Qualifies for a $150 Tax Credit: https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/how-ensure-your-home-energy-audit-qualifies-150-tax-credit 

What to look for in a high-quality energy audit: https://homes.rewiringamerica.org/articles/what-to-look-for-in-a-high-quality-energy-audit 

10 Questions to ask the Energy Auditor before having an Energy Audit: https://www.greenhomesamerica.com/10-questions-to-ask-before-energy-audit/ 

Written by Maggie Bryan July 16, 2024

Steps to Take

Getting a home energy audit is doable! Here are some basic steps: 

  1. Read about the home energy audit process using our Deep Dive

  2. Explore rebates and tax credits that may reduce or eliminate the cost of an audit. 

  3. Schedule your audit with a qualified firm, like Efficiency Vermont or Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity.

  4. Prepare for the audit. Your auditor will let you know what you’ll need.  

  5. Use the audit to help make a plan for your home. Our Energy Navigator can help.

  6. Share your experience with others via our testimonials. Note: You need to join the Energy Navigators community to post. 


Equipped with the information contained in your audit, you’ll be ready to take on substantive projects like weatherization and installing heat pumps.

 

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