How much does a home energy audit cost?
How much does a home energy audit cost?
$200 – $600 average home energy audit cost
$0.10 – $0.50 energy audit cost per square foot
Average cost of home energy audit
A home energy audit costs $200 to $600 on average, but prices range from $99 for a tiny home with low energy consumption to $2,300+ for an in-depth analysis of a large commercial building. The cost of a home energy audit depends on the home size, location, and tests required.
| National Average Cost | $400 |
| Minimum Cost | $99 |
| Maximum Cost | $2,300+ |
| Average Range | $200 to $600 |
What is a home energy audit?
A home energy audit, also called a home energy assessment, provides a snapshot of a home's current energy consumption, pinpoints areas of energy waste, and identifies potential safety concerns like air quality issues from lack of ventilation or carbon monoxide leaks.
A home energy assessment typically involves:
Reviewing current utility bills
A visible walk-through and inspection
Various energy efficiency tests, depending on the audit level
A final report of the findings
Recommendations for home energy efficiency improvements
Home energy audit cost per square foot
Home energy audits cost $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot on average. In general, the bigger your home, the more time it'll take to inspect, test, and analyze, with costs increasing accordingly.
| Home size (in square feet) | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $100 – $500 |
| 1,200 | $120 – $600 |
| 1,500 | $150 – $750 |
| 1,800 | $180 – $900 |
| 2,000 | $200 – $1,000 |
| 2,500 | $250 – $1,250 |
| 3,000 | $300 – $1,500 |
Home energy assessment cost by level
Many energy auditing companies base their audit packages on the three audit levels developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) for commercial energy audits. These levels go from basic to extremely detailed, depending on the needs of the building in question.
| Audit level | Average cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $100 – $250 |
|
| Level 2 | $250 – $650 |
|
| Level 3 | $650 – $1,000+ |
|
Level 1 audit
A level 1 energy audit costs $100 to $250 on average and involves a simple walkthrough inspection and a review of the home's current utility bills. The audit results include an analysis of the findings and recommended actions to improve the home's energy efficiency.
Professionals typically recommend level 1 audits only for small homes with lower energy usage.
Level 2 audit
A level 2 audit costs $250 to $650. This more thorough audit includes the same level 1 processes but also involves a more in-depth energy survey and analysis. A level 2 audit works well for larger buildings with more areas of potential energy waste.
Level 3 audit
A level 3 energy audit costs $650 to $1,000+ and is the most comprehensive option. A level 3 audit is typically used for commercial properties. This thorough survey includes the level 1 and 2 processes, but also includes more detailed testing and often provides more advanced solutions based on the results analysis.
Energy audit cost by test
Energy audits may involve one or more tests based on the house size, age, and current energy consumption. The cost of each test may be lower when rolled into an audit package including multiple tests.
| Test type | Average cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Duct testing | $100 – $700 | Determines if and where ductwork is leaking and tests overall efficiency. |
| HERS certifications | $150 – $250 $50 – $100 each additional | Required in some states to qualify for rebates; mostly used by builders and realtors to confirm a home or remodel meets industry energy efficiency standards |
| HERS (Home Energy Rating System) test | $150 – $800+ | Mostly used by builders and realtors but may be added to a home energy audit to analyze and rate a home's energy efficiency |
| Thermographic imaging | $200 – $500 | Uses infrared cameras to find temperature fluctuations within the home to pinpoint the sources of air leakage |
| Blower door test cost | $200 – $450 | Finds and measures air leakage through doors, cracks, or broken seals |
Home energy audit cost factors
The major factors affecting the cost of a home energy audit are:
Home size – The larger the home, the more areas to inspect and the higher the cost of the audit.
Audit level – Audit cost typically increases with the ASHRAE level. A level 1 audit is typically the cheapest but most basic assessment. Level 3 audits are more costly but detailed.
Audit equipment & tests used – The type and number of tests impact the total cost.
Extra services – Including a HERS rating test or other additional testing can increase the cost but result in a more accurate picture of the home's current energy efficiency and the specific areas needing improvement.
Efficiency improvements
Your energy auditor will recommend updates based on where they find your home lacks efficiency. While improvements may be costly, many upgrades qualify for energy efficient home improvement tax credits and incentives to help offset the cost. Additionally, the long-term savings these improvements generate typically makes them worth it.
| Efficiency upgrade | Average cost (after tax credit & rebates) |
|---|---|
| Insulation cost | $1,600 – $8,000 |
| ENERGY STAR appliance package cost (fridge, microwave, oven-stove range, & dishwasher) |
$2,100 – $5,400+ |
| Weatherstripping installation cost | $130 – $470 |
| Electrical panel cost | $850 – $2,500 |
| Exterior door cost | $300 – $1,900 |
| Storm window cost | $150 – $400 each |
| Window replacement cost | $450 – $1,500 per window |
| HVAC zoning system cost | $1,700 – $4,500 |
| Solar panel cost | $12,600 – $31,500 |
| Solar water heater cost | $1,500 – $6,600 |
| Solar battery storage cost | $5,600 – $11,200 |
| Micro wind turbine cost | $500 – $4,000 |
| Geothermal heat pump cost | $15,000 – $35,000 |
Energy efficiency tax credits & incentives
Below are some of the available tax credit and rebate programs resulting from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
Exterior doors, windows, skylights, and insulation materials
Central air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps
Biomass stoves and boilers
Home energy audits
Residential Clean Energy Credit
Solar, wind, and geothermal power generation
Solar water heaters
Fuel cells
Battery storage (beginning in 2023)
High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEEHRA)
Heat pump HVAC systems
Heat pump water heaters
Electric stoves and cooktops
Heat pump clothes dryers
Upgrading circuit panels, insulation, air sealing, ventilation, and wiring.Â
Check for additional incentives available through your state, local government, and utility company, and discuss your options with a qualified tax professional to help maximize your savings
Benefits of a home energy audit
An energy audit provides a snapshot of your home's current energy use and efficiency. There are many benefits to making changes that improve the home's efficiency based on the audit results, including:
Reduced utility bills due to increased efficiency
Stabilized home temperature / increased comfort
Reduced carbon footprint
Improved air quality
A safer home
Potential increased home value
Home energy audit FAQs
Is a home energy audit worth it?
A home energy audit is worth it for most homeowners as it highlights the exact areas of the home needing updates or modifications to increase the home's efficiency. Making those improvements costs money but reduces waste, lowers energy bills, reduces your carbon footprint, and provides significant long-term savings.
Can I do my own energy audit?
While you can perform a basic energy audit yourself, a professional brings expertise and advanced tools and detectors to pinpoint problems a DIY energy audit might miss. Plus, their ASHRAE-certification is needed for most home improvement tax credits and incentives.
How long does a home energy audit take?
A home energy audit takes 2 to 4 hours on average, depending on the home size and type of audit. A Level 1 audit in a tiny home may take as little as 30 minutes to complete, while a Level 2 audit of a large, multi-story home may take 6 hours.
How often should you do a home energy audit?
Consider doing a home energy audit if:
It's been 2 or 3 years since your last energy audit.
You've just made a major home improvement or modification.
You notice a sudden, unexpected increase in your utility bill.
You're planning to sell your home soon.
Getting estimates from energy audit companies
Follow these guidelines when searching for a home energy auditor near you:
Use an online energy assessment tool to give you an idea of areas that may need improvement before the audit.
Compare detailed quotes from at least 3 energy audit companies.
Check out certified energy auditor reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Look for an energy auditor certified through one of these DOE-accepted programs:
Any other third-party certification recognized or considered equivalent by the U.S. Department of Energy
Ask for references and confirm their credentials.
Questions to ask a home energy auditor
Ask these important questions to ensure you select a qualified and experienced home energy auditor and get the most out of your home assessment:
What licenses and certifications do you have?
Which tests are included in the audit?
What other tests are available, and how much do they cost?
Do you use a calibrated blower door test?
Do you use a thermal imaging camera?
How do you determine which improvements I should make first?
Does the audit include a follow-up visit to confirm the recommended improvements are successful?
How should I prepare the home for the audit?
How long will the energy audit take?
Can you provide a list of references I can contact?
How quickly can you do the audit?
Does this audit qualify for the federal tax credit?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.