How to Perform a DIY Home Energy Assessment

1. Air Leaks. Reducing drafts in your home could result in energy savings of 10% to 20% per year, so make sure to:

• Check for air leaks in gaps along baseboards and where walls and ceilings meet.
• Check for draftiness around windows, doors, lighting and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets.
• Re-caulk faucets, pipes, and electrical outlets as needed.
• Look for cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation, and siding of your home, and seal them with caulk or weather stripping.

2. Insulation. According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), 90% of single-family homes in the U.S. are under-insulated. Take these steps to determine whether yours is one of them, starting on the top floor:

• Make sure your attic hatch is weather-stripped and closes tightly.
• Seal attic openings for pipes, ductwork, and chimneys with an expanding foam caulk or other noncombustible sealant, and seal electrical boxes with flexible caulk.
• Check for the presence of a vapor barrier, like tar paper or a plastic sheet, under the attic insulation. Vapor barriers are important because they help keep water vapor from seeping into insulation. If you don’t find a vapor barrier, one easy fix might be to paint your ceilings with vapor barrier paint.
• Line your attic floor with the recommended amount of insulation, which is typically based on your home’s age and where it is located.
• Check wall insulation levels.*

*Please note that DIY insulation checks are not foolproof. For best results, hire a professional to conduct a thermographic inspection.

3. Plumbing. A plumbing update can help prevent burst or frozen pipes. It can also lower your water and electricity bills and help conserve water. Here’s what to put on your checklist:

• Use pipe sleeves, heat tape, and heat cable to insulate pipes in unheated areas of your home, like the garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
• Install low-flow faucets and showerheads to potentially save up to eight gallons of water per minute.
• Switch your old water heater to an energy-efficient model.
• Check for toilet leaks by adding three drops of food coloring to the toilet tank, then waiting 30 minutes. If you see color in the bowl, chances are you have a leak that should be addressed before it causes bathroom water damage.
• Put water leak detection devices in areas of your home where water damage typically originates.

4. HVAC. Keep your current heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment in good condition by:

• Following the manufacturer’s recommendation for inspecting it.
• Replacing forced-air furnace filters every other month.
• Hiring a professional to check and clean your equipment on an annual basis.
• Replacing any outdated heating or cooling systems, especially if they are more than 15 years old, with energy-efficient units, which could greatly reduce your energy consumption.

5. Lighting. Did you know lighting accounts for around 15% of an average home’s electricity use? Replacing inefficient lightbulbs with energy-saving incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can make a big difference. In addition, you may be able to reduce your lighting use by installing sensors, dimmers, or timers.

6. Appliances and Electronics. Obviously, when they are on, your appliances and electronics are consuming energy—but how much? There are actually a variety of ways you can estimate energy usage and cost of common items in your home. You can start to reduce this energy usage by unplugging items, like toaster ovens, coffeemakers, and computers, when not in use and investing in new, more energy-efficient appliances and electronics.