Define the audit question
A walkthrough is more useful when it answers a specific question. You might be investigating a winter electricity increase, one uncomfortable room, long air-conditioner run time, or an appliance that appears expensive to operate. Write the question at the top of the worksheet before inspecting the house.
The US Department of Energy describes a home energy assessment as a way to learn how a home uses energy and identify measures that may improve efficiency. DOE distinguishes a simple DIY inspection from a professional assessment that can include diagnostic equipment and safety testing.
Build a twelve-month energy record
For each statement, record the start and end dates, number of billing days, electricity kWh, other fuel use, total cost, and the rate or tariff name. Compare energy units before cost. A higher bill can come from more use, a different rate, fixed charges, or a longer billing period.
Normalize electricity use with this formula:
Average daily electricity use = billing-period kWh ÷ billing days.
If one bill shows 900 kWh over 30 days, the daily average is 30 kWh. If another shows 930 kWh over 31 days, its daily average is also 30 kWh. The second total is larger because the period is longer. This chosen example shows why billing days belong in the comparison.
| Period | Days | kWh or fuel | Per-day use | Weather or household note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Previous | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
| Same season last year | _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ |
Walk through the building envelope
DOE's consumer guide identifies common leak locations where different materials meet and around windows, doors, attic hatches, baseboards, wall-mounted air conditioners, service entrances, vents, and fans. Record the location and visible condition. Avoid turning a visual note into a diagnosis.
- Check accessible weatherstripping and caulk for gaps, damage, or separation.
- Note drafts, uneven temperatures, moisture marks, and rooms that are difficult to heat or cool.
- Record insulation only where it is safely visible. Do not disturb unknown material.
- Mark doors, windows, attic access, recessed fixtures, plumbing penetrations, ducts, and exhaust openings on a simple floor plan.
Do not use smoke, a flame, or a depressurization procedure around combustion equipment without understanding the safety implications. A professional assessor can use a blower door, infrared imaging, and combustion-safety checks as appropriate.
Inventory equipment and appliance loads
List heating and cooling equipment, water heating, refrigeration, laundry, cooking, pumps, dehumidifiers, portable heaters, and devices that remain on. Record the model, fuel, age when known, label wattage or annual kWh, settings, and an observed schedule. Do not guess a precise duty cycle and present it as measured.
| Equipment | Label value | Observed schedule | Condition or comfort note | Next check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating or cooling | _____ | _____ | _____ | Filter, service record, assessor |
| Water heating | _____ | _____ | _____ | Label and manufacturer guide |
| Large appliance | _____ | _____ | _____ | EnergyGuide or measured use |
| Always-on load | _____ | _____ | _____ | Rated monitor if suitable |
Rank observations without promising savings
Group each observation by safety, comfort, evidence, estimated energy impact, cost to investigate, and who should review it. A draft at one window may be easy to inspect, while combustion backdrafting, damaged wiring, persistent moisture, or inaccessible insulation needs qualified help.
This hypothetical triage shows how to turn an observation into a next check instead of calling every symptom an efficiency problem:
| Observation | What the evidence supports | Next check |
|---|---|---|
| 900 kWh in 30 days, then 930 kWh in 31 days | Both periods average 30 kWh per day; use has not increased in this comparison. | Compare the tariff, fixed charges and a similar-weather period before attributing the higher total to equipment. |
| An always-on device appears costly | A nameplate alone does not show its actual idle draw or daily schedule. | Measure with a suitable plug-in meter or obtain model-specific usage information before estimating annual cost. |
| Moisture mark near wiring | A visual note cannot identify the cause or make the area safe to open. | Keep the issue out of the DIY efficiency list and arrange qualified assessment. |
Use calculators to test a stated scenario, then compare the result with the scale of the bill. The Electricity Cost Calculator accepts a known kWh total or a single device schedule. The Appliance Running Cost Calculator combines several loads and lets you vary duty cycle. Neither calculator measures the home.
When a professional assessment adds value
Arrange qualified help when the question involves the whole building, combustion appliances, electrical safety, hidden moisture, major insulation work, or expensive equipment replacement. DOE explains that a professional assessment may include a blower-door test and infrared camera work. Ask what testing is included, how safety is handled, and what the final report will contain.
Keep your bills, floor plan, equipment list, comfort notes, and past work records ready. They help the assessor focus on the question that prompted the audit.
After the visit, connect each recommendation to the observation or test that supports it. Record the proposed scope, expected result, dependencies, and a way to verify the change. Keep safety corrections separate from optional efficiency projects so urgency and payback are not confused.
Sources and limits
- DOE Consumer Guide to Home Energy Assessments (opens in a new tab), for DIY inspection scope, common air-leak locations, and professional diagnostic methods.
- DOE Home Energy Checklist (opens in a new tab), for organizing bill review, equipment maintenance, filters, lighting, and professional audit questions.
This checklist does not estimate savings or diagnose a building. Follow equipment instructions and use a qualified assessor, contractor, or licensed electrician for work outside a safe visual walkthrough. Content and sources last reviewed September 25, 2026.