How much does a home energy audit cost?
Ashburn, VA

How much does a home energy audit cost?

Ashburn, VA

How much does a home energy audit cost?

$200 – $600average home energy audit cost
$0.10 – $0.50energy audit cost per square foot

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$200 – $600 average home energy audit cost

$0.10 – $0.50 energy audit cost per square foot


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Tara Farmer
Written by
Tara Farmer
Edited by
Tamatha Hazen
Fact-checked by
Kristen Cramer

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.

Average home energy audit cost
National Average Cost $400
Minimum Cost $99
Maximum Cost $2,300+
Average Range $200 to $600

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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 energy audit cost by home size
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.

Home energy assessment cost by level
Audit level Average cost Description
Level 1 $100 – $250
  • Basic walkthrough
  • Energy bill review
Level 2 $250 – $650
  • More thorough inspection
  • May involve one or more tests
Level 3 $650 – $1,000+
  • Most advanced inspection
  • Includes additional testing and more advanced analysis

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.

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A man calculating potential savings after a home energy audit
A man calculating potential savings after a home energy audit

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.

Energy audit cost by test type
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.

Energy efficiency improvements and costs
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)

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  • 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. 

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:

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?