The Complete Guide to Home Energy Assessments

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Uneven indoor temperatures. Drafty doors. Ice buildup on the roof. These are a few telltale signs that a home is operating inefficiently and wasting energy.

Completing an energy assessment, also known as an energy audit, is the first step to making your home more energy-efficient and comfortable. Through the assessment, an energy auditor will provide an overview of your home’s energy use, pinpoint where it’s wasting energy, flag any safety or health issues, and identify energy-saving opportunities.

All New York homeowners and renters living in 1-4-family homes are eligible for a no-cost energy assessment. Other building types, such as businesses, multifamily buildings, and not-for-profit organizations may qualify for incentives and technical support to help cover the cost of an energy assessment.

Read on for our complete guide to home energy assessments and take control of your energy use.

When Should You Get a Home Energy Assessment?

If you’re experiencing high energy costs or drafty conditions in your home, getting an energy assessment can uncover the underlying causes and put you on the path to lasting energy savings and comfort.

Depending on how your home uses energy, getting ahead of higher heating costs in winter or increased air conditioning usage in summer could be opportune times for an energy assessment. It’s also important to get an assessment before making efficiency upgrades and installing clean energy technologies like solar or heat pumps to ensure the system is correctly sized. With a well-insulated and sealed home, you may be able to install a smaller system, another potential savings opportunity.

What Does a Home Energy Assessment Entail?

A home energy assessment is performed in person by a professional energy auditor. It typically takes between a half hour to three hours to complete depending on the property size and if any testing is involved (more on that below). The assessment process can be thought of in three phases: evaluation, testing, and efficiency recommendations.

Evaluation often begins with an analysis of a home’s historical energy use (i.e., utility bills) to establish a baseline for energy performance. Then, auditors conduct an inspection of the home’s interior and exterior to assess sources of energy loss and potential health and safety issues, such as mold or poor ventilation. They’ll typically examine the heating and cooling systems, insulation levels, doors and windows, lighting fixtures, and other structural components that make up the building envelope.

During a more in-depth assessment, an auditor may also run tests to measure airtightness in the building. A common method is a blower door test, which involves installing a fan in an exterior doorway to pull air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside to help detect air leakage. Auditors may also run a thermographic scan with an infrared camera to hone in on heat loss and leaks in the home.

Based on the results, auditors will compile a report with recommendations to make your home more energy efficient. Reports may also outline the estimated cost and expected annual savings for moving forward with upgrades, such as adding insulation or converting to heat pumps. Keep in mind that many potential energy upgrades identified in an assessment are eligible for Inflation Reduction Act tax credits and New York State incentives.

Preparing for a Home Energy Assessment

Planning ahead can help make the most of an assessment. Compile a list of any existing problems in your home, such as drafty rooms or condensation, to raise with the energy auditor. It’s also helpful to have questions prepared for any improvements you’re interested in making, whether installing a heat pump water heater or home electric vehicle charging port.

Having copies of a year’s worth or more of energy bills gives the auditor a better understanding of your home’s energy use and potential issues before completing the walkthrough inspection. Ensuring there’s easy access to the attic, basement, and HVAC equipment in the home beforehand is also recommended to streamline the process and ensure you’re getting a top-to-bottom home assessment.

You can read the full NYSERDA story here, or contact Halco to learn more!