A DIY home energy audit is a walk-through that helps you spot energy waste before buying new equipment. Review your bills, check thermostat schedules, look for drafts, and inspect lighting and appliances. Use what you find to choose your next steps; a visual inspection cannot measure hidden air leaks or confirm combustion safety.
My starting point is simple: use less energy before investing in new ways to supply it. This one-afternoon checklist puts that efficiency-first approach into practice.
Your DIY home energy audit checklist
Bring a notepad, flashlight, your recent utility bills, and an optional plug-in electricity meter rated for the devices you want to check at your DIY home energy audit. Keep the inspection visual: do not open electrical panels, adjust gas equipment, or disturb insulation.
- Every room: note drafts, comfort problems, unused lights, and electronics left running.
- Living areas and bedrooms: check accessible window and door seals, bulb types, and thermostat schedules.
- Kitchen: check appliance settings and accessible refrigerator coils according to the manual.
- Bathrooms and laundry: look for hot-water leaks, check shower fixtures, and inspect the dryer lint screen and accessible vent.
- Utility area: check the air filter and record heating-system and water-heater information without removing covers.
- Attic hatch: look for visible gaps and insulation problems only from a safe, accessible position.
- Finish: list quick fixes separately from work that needs a qualified contractor.
For background on the efficiency-first approach, see my home energy upgrades guide. Use the sections below to turn your checklist into an action plan.
Start with your utility bills for your DIY Home Energy Audit
First, pull the last 12 months of electricity and heating-fuel bills. If you heat with oil or propane, include delivery records too. Then write down each month’s energy use and cost.
For electricity, calculate your average daily use:
Monthly kilowatt-hours ÷ number of days in the billing period = average kWh per day
Next, compare the seasons. Does electricity use rise in summer when the air conditioner runs? Does gas or oil use jump in winter? Mark the highest-use months and ask what changed. A cold snap, extra time at home, an older appliance, or a new space heater might explain the increase.
If your utility offers hourly or daily usage data, review it as well. A sharp increase can help you narrow down when an appliance or system is drawing more power.
Check your thermostat and heating system for your DIY Home Energy Audit
Heating and cooling can account for a large share of a home’s energy use. ENERGY STAR says they can represent as much as half. So next, check your thermostat settings and schedules for your DIY home energy audit.
Look for settings that heat or cool an empty home. Adjust the schedule to match when you are there, while keeping temperatures safe for people, pets, and plumbing. Savings depend on the building, weather, heating system, and schedule; do not assume a fixed percentage for every degree you change.
However, don’t apply a deep setback automatically to a heat pump. Some systems may use less-efficient backup heat to recover. Follow the equipment guidance or ask your installer which schedule suits your system.
Also, check the air filter in your DIY home energy audit. If it looks clogged, replace it with the correct size and type. A clean filter helps your system move air. Record the filter size and the replacement schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
Find drafts around doors, windows, and openings
On a breezy day, hold a strip of tissue near exterior doors and windows. If it moves, check for a draft. You can also inspect the edges of outlets, baseboards, attic hatches, and places where pipes or cables enter the home for your DIY home energy audit.
A smoke pencil can help reveal air movement. If you use incense, keep it away from curtains and other flammable materials, and avoid it if anyone in your home has asthma or sensitivities. Never use an open flame to find leaks.
Write down what you find. Worn weatherstripping and small gaps may need only simple repairs. Caulk and weatherstripping often cost less than $200 for common DIY fixes, although costs vary by home energy audit. These measures may improve comfort and reduce wasted heating or cooling, but the savings depend on the size and location of the leaks.
Windows deserve a careful look, too for your DIY home energy audit. Check for damaged seals, gaps, and windows that do not close properly. However, don’t assume replacement is the first answer. Seth’s guide to energy-efficient windows and patio doors offers additional context.
Check the water heater
Water heating is another major household energy use. If you have a storage water heater, check its temperature setting. DOE guidance says 120°F is suitable for most households and can help reduce energy losses. Use care: a setting that works for one household may not be right for every health or plumbing situation. If someone at home has special medical needs, ask a qualified professional before changing it.
If the tank is older and uninsulated, check the manufacturer’s instructions before adding an insulation blanket. Don’t cover controls or vents. Also, look for exposed hot-water pipes that may benefit from proper insulation.
Finally, consider a low-flow showerhead. It can reduce hot-water use while still providing a comfortable shower.
Hunt for phantom loads at your DIY Home Energy Audit
Some electronics use electricity even when they seem to be off. Game consoles, cable boxes, and chargers are common places to look.
Use a plug-in electricity meter to measure individual devices. A Kill A Watt meter or a smart plug with energy monitoring can show whether a device draws power when idle. Many households have standby loads; the amount varies. DOE cites research suggesting that standby power can approach 10% of residential electricity use in a typical home.
Use meters only for suitable plug-in devices and follow their safety ratings. Don’t connect a meter to hardwired equipment, large appliances, or anything outside the meter’s capacity. If a device uses power while idle, consider a power strip with a switch, unless the manufacturer recommends leaving it on.
Sweep lighting and appliances for your DIY
Walk through each room and note any remaining incandescent or halogen bulbs. Replacing a 60-watt incandescent with a 9-watt LED cuts the bulb’s wattage by 51 watts. To estimate the annual savings, multiply that difference by how many hours the bulb runs, then by your electricity rate.
For example, at about 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, a bulb used three hours a day could save roughly $16 a year. The result changes with your rate and how long the light stays on. One bulb may feel like a small win; several frequently used bulbs can add up.
While you’re there, vacuum dust from accessible refrigerator coils if the manual recommends it. Clean the dryer lint screen after every load, and check the dryer vent for lint buildup. A blocked vent can create a safety hazard, so have it cleaned if you can’t do it safely yourself.
Look at the big-ticket items
Use a flashlight to inspect the attic hatch and any accessible attic insulation. Note gaps, uneven coverage, or areas where you can see the ceiling below. Don’t step onto an attic ceiling or disturb insulation. If you see vermiculite, suspect asbestos, or find signs of moisture or pests, stop and get professional advice.
Attic insulation and air sealing often rank among the most cost-effective improvements, but the right solution depends on your home. Also note window condition, duct locations, and the age of your furnace, boiler, or air conditioner. If equipment needs replacement, a properly sized heat pump may be worth considering. First, address air leaks and insulation so a contractor can assess the home’s needs accurately.
A visual walk-through is not a substitute for a professional audit. It also cannot verify combustion safety, hidden moisture, or the proper sizing of new equipment.
Turn your notes into a payback-ranked plan
Now sort your findings into three groups for your DIY Home Energy Audits:
- Quick, low-cost fixes: thermostat schedules, filters, weatherstripping, LEDs, and reducing standby loads.
- Planned improvements: targeted air sealing, insulation, or water-heater upgrades.
- Major projects: window replacement, heating-system replacement, or a heat-pump installation.
For each item, record the estimated cost, expected benefit, and available incentives. Then tackle the cheapest, fastest improvements first. Save major purchases for after you’ve identified the home’s needs. That payback-first order reflects Seth Leitman’s efficiency-first approach: reduce waste before investing in new equipment.
New York homeowners: check available support
New York residents may have access to home energy assessments and efficiency incentives through NYSERDA and their utility. EmPower+ offers support for eligible households. The NYS Clean Heat program and utility programs may also help with qualifying heat pumps or heat-pump water heaters.
Start with NYSERDA’s residential programs and incentive information. Then check the latest offers from Con Edison or National Grid, depending on your service area. Program rules, funding, equipment requirements, and rebate amounts can change. Confirm eligibility before buying equipment or signing a contract.
Thanks to NYSERDA, the U.S. Department of Energy, ENERGY STAR, and New York’s utilities for making public guidance and program information available. This guide draws on those resources and Seth Leitman’s long-running focus on practical, efficiency-first solutions.
One afternoon, a notepad, and a modest supply budget can help you find opportunities to reduce energy waste. Start with what you can measure, fix the easy problems first, and let your findings guide the bigger decisions.
Outside sources for DIY Home Energy Audits
- U.S. Department of Energy: Consumer Guide to Home Energy Assessments (2021 PDF)
- NYSERDA: Find Incentives and Contractors
- ENERGY STAR: Energy Savings at Home
