A home energy audit identifies where your house is losing energy and money. Check off improvements you've already made, and see estimated annual savings for each remaining action. No professional needed for most items.
Energy Audit Checklist
How to Use the Home Energy Audit Checklist
Check off improvements you've already completed. The checklist automatically calculates potential savings from remaining items and shows which improvements deliver the most value. Focus on high-savings items first.
Starting Your Audit
Walk through each room with the checklist. Check for drafts around doors and windows (hold a lit incense stick near frames — smoke movement indicates leaks). Check attic insulation depth (US DOE recommends R-38 to R-60 depending on climate). Note thermostat settings and water heater temperature.
Biggest Bang for Buck
The highest-ROI improvements are typically: air sealing (caulk around windows, weatherstripping doors, seal attic penetrations), programmable thermostat ($30-50, saves $180/year), LED lighting swap ($50-150, saves $225/year), and water heater insulation blanket ($30, saves $50-80/year). These four items cost under $400 combined and pay back within 2 years.
FAQ
Is this energy audit checklist free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run in your browser.
What is a home energy audit?
A home energy audit identifies where your home is losing energy and money. Professional audits ($300-600) use blower door tests and thermal cameras. A DIY audit using this checklist can identify 70-80% of typical energy waste for free, covering insulation, air sealing, heating/cooling efficiency, lighting, and appliances.
How much can a home energy audit save?
The US Department of Energy estimates that energy efficiency improvements identified in a home energy audit can reduce energy bills by 5-30%. The average US household spends $2,200/year on energy — a 15% reduction saves $330/year. High-impact improvements like air sealing and insulation often pay back in 2-5 years.
What are the biggest energy wasters in most homes?
Heating and cooling accounts for 43% of the average US home energy bill. Water heating is 18%. Lighting and appliances make up 35%. The biggest quick wins: programmable thermostats ($50, saves ~$180/year), LED lighting ($30-100, saves ~$225/year), air sealing ($200-500, saves $300-600/year), and water heater insulation ($30, saves $50-80/year).
Does this calculate CO2 savings too?
Yes. Each checklist item shows both the annual dollar savings and CO2 reduction estimate. The CO2 calculations use US average grid emission factors but you can adjust for your region's energy mix.