Professional Energy Assessment

A professional energy audit isn’t free, but if you’re able, they can save you time, energy and extra savings in the long run as a result of their findings. Here’s what you need to know:

• A professional home energy audit can take from four to eight hours and may cost between $300 and $500 – although be sure to ask for an estimate in writing and what it includes before selecting an auditor.
• Professional assessments are a good option to ensure you’re identifying all potential energy waste in your home — especially those in tough to spot or difficult to access areas like crawl spaces and attics.
• The auditor will ask you questions about your comfort in the home, like drafty areas, or be able to analyze your energy bill for you.
• They will go room by room in your home taking notes, conducting tests and looking for potential energy savings. The auditor will also test your heating and cooling system to see if it is running well or needs a tune up. A typical assessment may include a blower door test, which tells the auditor generally how well your house is insulated – or not.
• Any work to implement the auditor’s recommendations for saving energy found during an audit comes at an additional cost.

While a professional audit can be costly, following through with some of the recommendations a professional will give you may save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in annual and long-term energy costs on your bill.

To Find an Energy Efficiency Contractor:

• Ask your friends and neighbors for references
• Make sure to use licensed contractors only –
  • The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) has compiled a list of building Energy Auditors who do business in Virginia.
  • EPA recommends finding certified auditors at the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET).
  • You can also see if the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program and its specially-trained Building Performance Institute (BPI) contractors available in your area.
• Get at least three bids in writing
• Run your final list by the Better Business Bureau to check for any complaints

Additional Links:

• For information about a HERS (home energy rating system) Rater from RESNET: www.natresnet.org/directory/raters.aspx
• For information about BPI:  www.bpi.org

Be sure to ask if your professional auditor will review and measure the following areas of your home:

• Wall, ceiling and floor insulation
• Square footage and approximate age of your home
• Window and frame type
• Type, model and location of heating/cooling system
• Ductwork, duct insulation and/or any indications of previous duct dealing
• Type of foundation
• Checklist of common air-leakage sites
• Estimated age and efficiency of major appliances
• Amount and type of light fixtures
• Visual indications of condensation
• Exhaust Fans
• Water fixtures
• Combustion equipment and any evidence of flame rollout, blocked chimney or corroded vent connector

You should also check with your utility provider or state support programs. Many utility companies and social services organizations provide income-qualified customers with free or low-cost energy audits. If you qualify, you may also be eligible for financing, incentives and rebates to implement the auditor’s recommendations. Visit our incentives page to explore utility and government credits and rebates.