How Much Does a Home Energy Audit Cost? [2025 Data]

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by an Angi Editor in accordance with our AI policy.

Home energy audit cost averages $437, with a standard range between $100 and $2,400. Prices depend on your home's size, the type of audit, and your location. Some audits are priced per square foot, $0.10 to $0.40 per square foot. Understanding these costs helps you budget for a more energy-efficient home.

A home energy audit can reveal hidden problems, lower your utility bills, and improve your comfort. This guide explains what affects home energy audit cost, ongoing expenses, and smart ways to save.

Home Energy Audit Cost Factors

Understanding what shapes your home energy audit cost helps you make informed decisions and plan for improvements. Let’s break down the main cost drivers, from audit types to preparation and extras.

Types

Home energy audits come in several forms, each with its own benefits and price point:

• A basic visual audit involves a walkthrough to spot obvious inefficiencies.

• A standard audit includes diagnostic testing, such as blower door tests and infrared scans. 

• Advanced or diagnostic audits go even deeper, using specialized tools for a comprehensive analysis. 

• DIY kits are also available for those wanting a hands-on approach.

Some utility companies or local governments offer free or subsidized audits, which can significantly reduce your cost. The type of audit you choose determines the level of detail, time required, and overall price.

Size

The size of your home has a direct effect on your home energy audit cost. Larger homes take longer to inspect and require more detailed testing, which increases the price. Many auditors charge by the square foot, between $0.10 and $0.40 per square foot.

Here’s how costs might break out by home size:

Materials

Most home energy audit costs are for the service itself, but advanced audits may require special materials. These can include diagnostic tools like blower doors, infrared cameras, or temporary seals. In most cases, these tools are included in the overall fee, but some auditors may itemize costs for specialized equipment or additional testing.

Labor

Certified energy auditors or HVAC specialists perform home energy audits. Labor is charged as a flat fee for the audit, though some pros bill hourly—rates often range from $75 to $150 per hour. Highly qualified or experienced auditors may charge more, and labor costs are often higher in urban areas or regions with a higher cost of living.

A standard audit takes two to four hours to complete, but larger or more complex homes can require more time, which increases the total cost. Choosing a certified auditor ensures a more thorough inspection and reliable recommendations.

Prep

Before an audit, you may need to clear access to attics, basements, or crawl spaces, and gather recent utility bills for review. If you handle this prep yourself, there’s no added cost, but if you request the auditor or their team to move furniture or access tight spaces, expect added fees of $25 to $75, depending on the amount of labor involved.

Preparation helps the audit go smoothly and ensures the auditor can access every area that needs inspection.

Additional Cost Factors

Several other factors can impact your total home energy audit cost, including:

• Follow-up visits or re-inspection which may cost $50 to $200 per visit.

• Detailed written reports or supplemental documentation, sometimes charged at $50 to $150.

• Permit or inspection fees, if local regulations require them—these are uncommon for audits but may arise during upgrades.

• Additional diagnostic tests, such as duct leakage or combustion safety, can add $50 to $200 each.

• Post-audit consultation or project management services often $50 to $150 per hour.

• Rebates, incentives, or tax credits can help offset your total cost—check with your utility provider or local government for available programs.

Home Energy Audit Ongoing Costs

After your audit, you may encounter some ongoing costs to maintain and maximize your home’s energy efficiency. Let’s look at what to expect beyond the initial inspection.

Maintenance

Experts recommend scheduling a follow-up home energy audit every five to ten years, or after major renovations. These repeat audits cost the same as your initial inspection. To keep your home energy efficient, you might also need periodic check-ups or monitoring services, which can range from $50 to $200 per visit, depending on the provider.

Maintaining energy improvements—such as sealing gaps or replacing insulation—also incurs ongoing costs, which are lower than those of initial fixes.

Repairs

A home energy audit often uncovers needed repairs, such as adding insulation, sealing ductwork, or fixing HVAC systems. Here’s what you might expect to pay:

• Air sealing costs: $350 to $1,000

• Insulation upgrade costs: $1,200 to $3,000

• Duct repairs or sealing fees: $500 to $2,000

• HVAC repair costs: $150 to $1,500

These repairs are separate from the audit cost but are often essential for improving efficiency and comfort.

Insurance

Standard home insurance policies rarely cover the cost of a home energy audit or related repairs. However, making energy efficiency upgrades can sometimes qualify you for insurance discounts, especially if you upgrade electrical or HVAC systems. If you make major upgrades, you may need an additional insurance rider, which can cost an extra $50 to $200 per year.

DIY Home Energy Audit vs. Hiring a Pro

If you’re handy and want to save on labor, a DIY home energy audit is an option. DIY kits, priced between $30 and $150, include checklists, instructions, and basic tools such as smoke pencils or thermometers. You’ll need several hours, a keen eye, and a willingness to crawl into tight spaces.

Professional audits cost more up front but offer far greater accuracy and often include diagnostic tests unavailable to most DIYers. While DIY can save money, you risk missing hidden issues or making less effective improvements. For comprehensive results and eligibility for rebates, hiring a local energy audit pro is recommended.

Cost of Common Home Energy Audit Add-Ons

Some homeowners choose to add extra services during their energy audit for deeper insight or tailored recommendations. Common add-ons and their costs include:

• Blower door test: $100 to $300

• Infrared thermography or thermal imaging: $150 to $400

• Duct leakage testing: $100 to $300

• Combustion safety testing: $75 to $200

• Detailed written reports or energy modeling: $50 to $200

• Follow-up consultation or project management: $50 to $150 per hour

• Additional zone or outbuilding audits: $100 to $300 each

• Home performance upgrades (such as insulation or air sealing): $350 to $3,000, depending on the project

Choosing only the add-ons you need helps keep your home energy audit cost manageable.

Tips to Reduce Home Energy Audit Costs

You can take several steps to lower your home energy audit cost without sacrificing quality:

• Research local utility or government rebates and free audit programs before scheduling an audit.

• Get multiple quotes from certified energy auditors to compare services and prices.

• Bundle your audit with other home services, such as HVAC maintenance, to receive discounts.

• Prepare your home ahead of time by clearing access to attics, basements, and utility areas.

• Choose the audit type that fits your needs and avoid unnecessary add-ons.

• Schedule your audit during off-peak seasons for potential price breaks.

• Ask about group or neighborhood discounts if several homes schedule audits together.

These steps can make your audit more affordable while still ensuring a thorough inspection.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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