🏠 Your Home — Basic Information
1,800
sq ft

Older homes typically have poorer insulation and inefficient systems.

3 people

More occupants = more hot water, lighting, and appliance use.

🌡️ Heating & Cooling System
🏗️ Insulation & Building Envelope

Recommended: R-38 to R-60 depending on your climate zone.

💧 Water Heating & Appliances
⚡ Existing Upgrades

Check everything your home already has:

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Score: B+
Energy efficiency score — updates as you fill in details
$—/yr
Est. annual cost
$—
Potential savings
B+
Letter grade

Analyzing your home energy profile…

Home Energy Audit — What It Is and Why Every Homeowner Needs One

An energy audit shows you exactly where your home is wasting energy. It’s the first step to lower bills, better comfort, and a healthier home.

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What Is a Home Energy Audit?

A home energy audit is a detailed review of your home’s energy use. It looks at insulation, HVAC, windows, doors, air leaks, water heating, and appliances. The goal is simple: find where you’re losing money and energy — and tell you exactly what to fix first. Our calculator gives you a digital audit based on your home’s characteristics.

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How Much Can You Actually Save?

The typical US homeowner can save 15–30% on energy bills with targeted improvements. That’s $200–$600 per year for the average home. Homes with older HVAC systems, poor insulation, or drafty windows often save much more — sometimes $1,000 to $2,000 annually. The key is knowing which upgrades give you the best return for your specific home and climate.

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HVAC Is Your Biggest Energy User

Heating and cooling account for about 46% of your total home energy use. This makes your HVAC system the biggest opportunity for savings. Upgrading from an 80% efficient furnace to a 96% model saves about $15 for every $100 you spend on heating. Switching from a 10 SEER central AC to a 20 SEER unit cuts cooling costs nearly in half.

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Insulation — The Silent Money Saver

Poor insulation forces your HVAC system to work harder all year long. Adding attic insulation from R-19 to R-49 can cut heating and cooling costs by 10–20%. The US DOE says this is often the single highest-return home improvement — with payback periods of 3 to 7 years. Air sealing adds more savings on top of insulation for almost no cost.

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IRA Tax Credits — Don’t Leave Money Behind

The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act offers the most generous home energy incentives in US history. You can claim up to $3,200 per year in energy efficiency tax credits — plus up to $8,000 in HEAR rebates if your income qualifies. These credits don’t expire soon, but the program does change, so checking eligibility before your next upgrade is essential.

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Your US Climate Zone Matters

The US Department of Energy divides the country into 8 climate zones. Your zone determines the right insulation R-values for your home, whether cooling or heating is your bigger concern, and which upgrades give the best return. Zone 1 Florida homes benefit most from efficient AC and low solar heat gain. Zone 7 Alaska homes need maximum insulation and efficient heating above all else.

📐 How We Calculate Your Energy Score

Energy Score (0–100) = Base Score − Penalties + Bonus Points Annual Cost Estimate = Heating Cost + Cooling Cost + Water Heating + Lighting + Appliances Heating Cost = HDD × Sqft × Climate Factor × Age Factor × Fuel Cost ÷ AFUE Cooling Cost = CDD × Sqft × Climate Factor × (1/SEER) × Electric Rate Potential Savings = Current Cost − Optimized Cost × Upgrade Efficiency Factor

Our calculations are based on US DOE Building Energy Data Book data, EIA residential energy consumption surveys, and ASHRAE 90.2 standards. Climate factors use NOAA Heating Degree Days (HDD) and Cooling Degree Days (CDD) data for each US state. Energy prices use EIA national averages updated for 2024. Results are estimates — your actual savings will vary based on exact home conditions, local energy rates, and how upgrades are installed. A professional DOE Home Energy Score assessor can provide a certified audit.

US DOE Recommended Insulation Levels by Climate Zone

Find your zone and see the minimum R-values the Department of Energy recommends for your home.

ZoneRegion / StatesAttic R-ValueWall R-ValueFloor R-ValueMain Concern
Zone 1–2FL, HI, TX (south), AZ, LAR-30 to R-49R-13 to R-15R-13Cooling
Zone 3GA, NC, SC, CA (most), NVR-38 to R-60R-13 to R-15R-19 to R-25Cooling dominant
Zone 4VA, TN, MO, MD, NC (mtns)R-38 to R-60R-13 + R-5 insul. sheathingR-25 to R-30Mixed
Zone 5OH, NY, IL, PA, IA, CO, WAR-49 to R-60R-20 or R-13 + R-5R-25 to R-30Heating dominant
Zone 6MN, WI, ME, ND, MT, VTR-49 to R-60R-20 + R-5R-25 to R-30Heating
Zone 7–8AK interior, extreme northR-60+R-20 + R-10R-30+Heating

Frequently Asked Questions

The average US homeowner saves $200 to $600 per year after implementing energy audit recommendations. Homes with older systems or significant air leaks often save $800 to $1,500 or more annually. The DOE estimates that air sealing and insulation alone can reduce energy bills by 15–20%. The actual savings depend on your current home condition, climate zone, energy prices, and which improvements you make. Our calculator gives you an estimate specific to your home.
Air sealing is almost always the best first investment — it’s cheap (sometimes under $200 DIY) and delivers immediate savings. After air sealing, adding attic insulation gives excellent returns with payback periods of 3–7 years. Smart thermostats deliver consistent 8–12% HVAC savings for around $150–$250. HVAC upgrades (heat pumps, high-efficiency furnaces) have higher upfront costs but the best long-term returns, especially with IRA tax credits that can cover 30% of the cost.
The US Department of Energy divides the country into 8 climate zones (1 through 8). Zone 1 covers the hottest areas like southern Florida and Hawaii. Zone 8 covers the coldest like interior Alaska. Most of the continental US falls in zones 2–6. You can find your exact zone by county using the DOE’s Building America climate zone map. Our calculator includes all 50 states with their primary zone. Your zone determines the right insulation levels and which energy upgrades matter most.
Yes — for most homeowners, a professional energy audit pays for itself within 1–2 years. A professional audit typically costs $150 to $400 and uses specialized equipment including blower door tests (to measure air leakage) and thermal imaging cameras (to find insulation gaps). This is far more accurate than a self-assessment tool. Some utility companies offer free or subsidized audits. You can also get a DOE Home Energy Score from a certified assessor — and that score may be required to qualify for certain IRA rebate programs.
The Inflation Reduction Act’s energy efficiency credits run through 2032. For 2025, homeowners can claim 30% of the cost (up to $2,000) for heat pump HVAC systems, 30% (up to $600) for energy-efficient windows and doors, 30% (up to $1,200) for insulation and air sealing, 30% of solar panel installation costs (no cap), 30% (up to $1,000) for EV chargers, and 30% for heat pump water heaters (up to $600). The HEAR (Home Efficiency Rebates) program offers additional income-based rebates up to $8,000. Always verify current amounts at energystar.gov or irs.gov as program details can update.
Our digital energy score is based on factors including your home’s age and size, insulation levels (attic, wall, floor), HVAC type and age, window quality, air sealing condition, water heater type, lighting, and existing upgrades. Each factor earns or loses points. A score of 90–100 is an A (excellent, near Passive House standards). A score of 60–74 is a C, which represents the average US home. The official DOE Home Energy Score (1–10 scale) is assigned by certified assessors using the same general framework but with physical inspection and blower door testing.
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