What to Expect from a Home Energy Audit

Ever feel like your house is too hot in summer, too cold in winter, and too expensive to keep comfortable? You’re not alone. High utility bills, stuffy rooms, and drafty hallways frustrate families everywhere. But there’s a way to get answers—and a path forward.

A home energy audit is like a check-up for your house. At Kingstar HVAC, we use state-of-the-art tools and decades of experience to pinpoint where your comfort and cash are slipping through the cracks. Whether it’s emergency hvac fixes or long-term efficiency, a professional audit reveals what you can’t see.

What Happens During an Energy Audit? 🏠

Think of a home energy audit as detective work for your house. Our certified technicians arrive with a toolkit of specialized equipment. Here’s what you can expect:

• Blower Door Test: We seal your front door with a large, temporary frame and a powerful fan. This fan gently pulls air out, lowering indoor pressure. Any leaks—around windows, doors, or even tiny cracks—stand out as air rushes in from outside.
• Infrared (Thermal) Scanning: Using an infrared camera, we scan your walls and ceilings. Cold spots glow blue, hot leaks burn orange. It’s like X-ray vision for finding hidden energy waste.
• Duct Leakage Checks: We pressurize your ductwork and measure how much air escapes. Leaky ducts can waste up to 30% of your heating or cooling energy.
• Ventilation Review: We assess your home’s fresh air systems, exhaust fans, and attic vents. Proper ventilation keeps air fresh and helps prevent mold.
• Insulation Inspection: We check your attic, walls, and floors for gaps or thin spots. Missing or compacted insulation is like wearing a winter coat with holes in it.
• HVAC Performance: From furnace installation to AC repair, we assess if your heating and cooling equipment is sized right and running efficiently.

All these steps are guided by industry standards like ASHRAE and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score. Our technicians hold advanced certifications, so your results meet the highest level of accuracy.

Key Areas Assessed

A full audit covers more than just duct cleaning or AC maintenance. Here are the main zones we explore:

Attic & Roof

• Insulation depth and coverage
• Air leaks near chimneys, fans, and light fixtures

Walls & Windows

• Drafts at frames or sills
• Window glazing and weatherstripping

Basement & Crawlspace

• Moisture, mold, or standing water
• Insulation and vapor barriers

Ductwork & Vents

• Leaks at joints and seams
• Blocked or undersized ducts

Mechanical Systems

• HVAC age, type, and condition
• Filters, thermostats, and controls

Indoor Air Quality

• Humidity levels and ventilation rate
• Air balancing to ensure even comfort

Each area is checked for both immediate problems and long-term opportunities. Sometimes the culprit is obvious—a missing vent, a torn duct. Other times, it’s a subtle combination of factors.

How to Prepare

Getting ready for your energy audit is simple, but a little prep goes a long way.

• Clear Access: Move furniture or boxes away from attic hatches, crawlspaces, and mechanical rooms.
• Unlock Doors: Make sure all rooms, closets, and utility spaces are accessible.
• Check Pets: Secure cats and dogs, as the blower door test can be noisy.
• Gather Bills: Recent energy bills help us spot trends and spikes.
• List Concerns: Note any hot or cold spots, drafts, or odd noises.

Plan for about two to four hours, depending on house size and services like generator maintenance or sheet metal near you.

Interpreting Your Results 📊

After the audit, you’ll get a detailed report. But what does it all mean?

• Leakage Numbers: The blower door test gives a number—how many times per hour your home exchanges air with the outside. Lower is better, but too low can mean stuffy air.
• Infrared Images: Colorful pictures highlight problem areas. Think of these as a treasure map—“X” marks the spot for fixes.
• Energy Savings Estimates: We’ll show how much you could save by addressing each issue. The report breaks it down by project, so you can prioritize.
• Health & Safety Alerts: If we find mold, carbon monoxide risks, or code violations, we’ll flag them so you can act quickly.

We explain everything in plain language and answer your questions on the spot.

Next Steps

Knowing is only half the battle. Here’s what comes next:

• Seal Leaks: Caulking, weatherstripping, and insulation upgrades save energy and money.
• Upgrade Equipment: Old furnaces, inefficient ACs, or outdated thermostats may need replacing.
• Improve Ventilation: Sometimes, a new whole-house fan or air balancing can make all the difference.
• Schedule Follow-Up: Maintenance matters. Regular duct cleaning, HVAC repair, and filter changes keep systems running strong.
• Tap Into Rebates: Many states and utilities offer rebates for energy upgrades. We’ll help you navigate the paperwork.

The Value of a Home Energy Audit

A home energy audit isn’t just about lower bills (though that’s a big perk). It’s about living better—warm in winter, cool in summer, breathing easier every day.

• Comfort: No more sweating in the bedroom or shivering in the basement.
• Savings: Every leak sealed is money back in your wallet.
• Health: Cleaner air, less mold, and balanced humidity mean fewer sick days.
• Safety: We catch gas leaks, carbon monoxide, and electrical risks before they become emergencies.

And with Kingstar HVAC, you get the latest technology and industry certifications, whether it’s emergency hvac, generator installation, or air scrubbers for indoor air quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a home energy audit and a simple inspection?

An audit uses advanced tools (like blower doors and infrared cameras) to measure how your home actually performs—not just visual checks. It’s like the difference between guessing your car’s speed and reading the speedometer.

Will I need to make upgrades right away?

No. The audit gives you a menu of options. You choose what to fix now and what to plan for later.

How often should I get an energy audit?

Most homes benefit from an audit every 5–10 years, or after big changes like new windows, HVAC installation, or a room addition.

Is an audit worth it if I’m not planning to stay in my house?

Absolutely. An energy-efficient home has higher resale value, and many buyers ask for recent audit reports.

How Home Energy Audits Help in Emergencies

During a sudden heatwave or deep freeze, your home’s weak spots show up fast. Emergency hvac calls often reveal problems that a home energy audit could have prevented—like leaky ducts, undersized equipment, or poor insulation. Getting ahead of these issues means fewer panicked calls and more peaceful nights.

Seasonal Timing & Local Factors 🌦️

Audits can be done year-round, but certain seasons highlight specific issues:

• Winter: Best for spotting drafts, insulation gaps, and heating repair needs.
• Summer: Ideal for checking AC performance, attic ventilation, and humidity.
• Storm Season: Check generator maintenance and make sure whole-house fans are up to code (see local guidelines from the International Residential Code or your state energy office).

No matter the season, Kingstar HVAC’s certified team brings the right tools for the job—from sheet metal near you to geothermal system checks.

Final Thoughts

A home energy audit is a smart investment in your comfort, savings, and peace of mind. It’s a clear-eyed look at what’s working and what’s not. With the right plan, you can turn a drafty, expensive house into a cozy, efficient home—for every season and every family member.

Call Kingstar HVAC now — or reach us anytime at  844-484-1596 .