Free Home Energy Audit: How to Get One From Your Utility

Your utility may be willing to send a trained person to your home, find where your energy dollars are leaking out and tell you how to stop it, all for little or nothing. Most households never ask. A free home energy audit is one of the easiest ways to find savings you did not know you had.

What a home energy audit actually is

A home energy audit is a check-up for your house. A trained auditor looks at how much energy your home uses, where it escapes and what to fix first. You get a list of recommendations, usually ranked by cost and payoff.

Audits generally come in two flavors. A walkthrough audit is a visual inspection of your windows, doors, attic, appliances and lighting. A comprehensive audit adds testing equipment, such as a blower door (a fan that measures how leaky your home is) and sometimes an infrared camera that shows hidden heat loss. Free utility audits are usually the first kind, though some programs include testing.

Who offers free audits

There is no single national program, so the answer depends on where you live. Here are the most common places to look, from most likely to least.

Source	What it often offers	Typical cost to you
Your electric or gas utility	Walkthrough audit, sometimes with free LED bulbs, weatherstripping or a smart thermostat	Free to low cost; varies by utility
Weatherization Assistance Program (through your state or local community action agency)	Audit plus free insulation, air sealing and repairs for eligible households	Free if you qualify
State or local energy office	Audit referrals, rebate information, lists of approved auditors	Free information; audits vary
Private auditor (hired directly)	Comprehensive audit with blower door test and report	Commonly a few hundred dollars; varies by area
DIY audit	Your own checklist walkthrough, sometimes with a utility-provided kit	Free to a few dollars

Costs and offerings vary by area and provider, so treat the table as a map, not a price list. To confirm what exists near you, contact your utility, your state energy office or your local community action agency. Help Paying Bills: Every Program Worth Knowing also lists the bigger assistance programs worth checking.

How to request a free audit from your utility

1. Check your bill and online account first. Look for words like “energy efficiency,” “home energy check,” “rebates” or “savings programs.” Many utilities hide the sign-up page there.
2. Search your utility’s website. Try “[your utility name] home energy audit.” Some use different names, like “home energy assessment” or “home performance.”
3. Call customer service if you cannot find it. Use the number on your bill. Ask for the energy efficiency or conservation department if the first person is not sure.
4. Ask about eligibility. Some programs depend on income, home type, whether you own or rent, or how long you have been a customer.
5. Book the visit and ask what to prepare. You will usually want recent bills handy and access to your attic, basement and utility areas.

What to say on the phone

Keep it simple and direct. Here is a script you can use:

“Hi, I’d like to find out whether you offer a free or low-cost home energy audit. If you do, can you tell me what it includes, who qualifies, and whether there are any rebates or free items, like weatherstripping or LED bulbs, that come with it? Also, if I’m renting, do I need my landlord’s permission?”

If the answer is no audit, ask: “Do you offer any other energy efficiency programs, rebates or discounts, or can you point me to a state or local program that does?” Utilities that do not run audits often know who does. You may also want to explore choosing an electricity provider if you live in a deregulated state, as this can complement your energy savings efforts.

The cheapest energy you will ever buy is the energy you stop wasting.

What the auditor will look at

Knowing the checklist helps you spot a thorough audit from a rushed one. A solid visit usually covers these areas.

• Air leaks. Gaps around windows, doors, outlets, attic hatches and where pipes or wires enter the house.
• Insulation. Attic, walls, basement or crawlspace, and whether it is thick enough and evenly spread.
• Heating and cooling equipment. Age, condition, filters and ductwork. Leaky ducts can quietly waste a lot of conditioned air.
• Water heater. Temperature setting, insulation and age.
• Lighting and appliances. Old bulbs, aging refrigerators and always-on electronics. See our guide to phantom energy and the devices that drain money while off.
• Windows and doors. Single versus double pane, seals and weatherstripping.

How to get the most out of the visit

An audit is only as useful as the questions you ask. A little prep turns a quick walkthrough into a real savings plan.

• Gather 12 months of bills. They show your seasonal pattern and help the auditor see where use spikes.
• Make a problem list. Note cold rooms, hot rooms, drafty spots, loud equipment and anything that seems to run constantly.
• Be home and follow along. Ask the auditor to point out what they find so you can see it yourself.
• Ask for the report in writing. You want a ranked list with estimated costs and estimated savings for each fix.

Questions worth asking the auditor

• “Which three fixes give me the most savings for the least money?”
• “Which of these can I do myself this weekend?”
• “Which fixes qualify for a utility rebate or an incentive?”
• “Do you have any free items today, like bulbs, faucet aerators or weatherstripping?”
• “If I can only afford one upgrade this year, what should it be?”

Common fixes and what they typically deliver

Savings depend on your climate, your home’s age and your starting point, so use these as general guides rather than promises. The pattern is reliable, though: the cheap fixes come first and often pay back fastest. For seasonal strategies, see how to lower electric bill in summer.

Fix	Typical upfront cost	What to expect
Weatherstripping and caulk	Roughly $20-$100 in materials	Cuts drafts; small to moderate savings that vary by home
LED bulbs	A few dollars per bulb	Use far less electricity than old incandescent bulbs and last much longer
Programmable or smart thermostat	Roughly $25-$250, sometimes free or discounted through utilities	Helps avoid heating or cooling an empty house
Attic insulation or air sealing	Varies widely; often hundreds to a few thousand dollars	Often among the biggest payoffs in leaky or under-insulated homes
Duct sealing	Varies by home	Helps if ducts run through unheated attics or crawlspaces
Water heater blanket and lower temperature setting	Low cost to free	Small, easy savings for many homes

For a bigger picture of where your money goes each month, see How to Lower Your Electric Bill: The Complete Guide. If your audit flags a heating or cooling system near the end of its life, our upcoming guide on heat pump savings and when the switch pays off will help you judge whether a new system makes sense.

Fix the leaks first, then shop for new equipment. The order of upgrades matters.

Do a quick DIY audit while you wait

Waiting weeks for an appointment? You can spot plenty of problems yourself in an afternoon. This will not replace a professional audit, but it can start the savings right away.

1. Do a draft check. On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick or a piece of tissue near window and door edges, outlets and the attic hatch. Moving smoke or a fluttering tissue means air is getting through. (Keep any flame away from curtains and anything flammable.)
2. Look at your attic. If you can see the floor joists, you probably need more insulation. Check with your utility or a local pro about recommended levels for your region.
3. Check your filters and vents. A clogged furnace or AC filter makes the system work harder. Make sure furniture is not blocking vents.
4. Lower your water heater setting. Many are set higher than needed. Check the manufacturer’s guidance and your household’s needs before changing it.
5. Swap in LEDs. Start with the lights you use most.
6. Unplug or power-strip the idle stuff. Old game consoles, spare TVs and chargers add up.

Then look at your thermostat habits. Our upcoming guide on the best thermostat setting to save money year-round goes deeper on this one.

Watch out for audit scams and pushy sales

Most utility audits are legitimate, but “free” can sometimes be a sales hook. A few precautions keep you safe.

• Confirm the program is real. Find the audit offer on your utility’s official website or bill, or call the number printed on your bill. Be wary of unsolicited door knockers or cold calls claiming to be “from your utility.”
• Ask for ID and company details. Legitimate auditors can tell you who they work for.
• Never sign a contract on the spot. Take the report home, get at least two or three quotes for any major work and compare.
• Be skeptical of “limited-time” pressure, big upfront payments or promises of guaranteed savings. Nobody can honestly guarantee your exact savings.
• Do not give out account numbers or payment details to anyone who contacts you first.

If something feels off, contact your utility or your state utility commission. For bigger negotiation moments, like pushing back on a contractor quote, our scripts, timing and tactics for negotiating bills apply.

Free and low-cost help for tighter budgets

If money is tight, an audit can be especially valuable, because the fixes lower your bill for years. Several programs exist for lower-income households, and eligibility and amounts vary by state, so confirm details with the official source.

• Weatherization Assistance Program: A federal program run through states and local agencies that helps eligible households with insulation, air sealing and efficiency repairs. Contact your state weatherization office or local community action agency to see if you qualify.
• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program): Helps eligible households with heating and cooling bills and, in some places, energy-related repairs. Apply through your state or local LIHEAP office.
• Utility hardship funds and payment plans: Many utilities run their own assistance or can set up a manageable plan. Ask directly.
• Benefits.gov and 211: Both can point you to programs in your area. Dial 211 or visit Benefits.gov to search.

Our guide to budget billing and who it helps can also smooth out seasonal spikes while you work on the fixes.

After the audit: turn the report into savings

A report sitting in a drawer saves nothing. Here is how to act on it.

1. Do the free and cheap items this week. Weatherstripping, bulbs, thermostat settings and filters.
2. Price the bigger items. Get multiple written quotes and ask each contractor what rebates they know about.
3. Check for rebates and incentives. Start with your utility and your state energy office. See our upcoming guide on home energy rebates and tax credits for what to check before you buy.
4. Track your results. Compare your next few bills to the same months last year. Weather changes things, so look at usage as well as dollars.
5. Review your rate, too. Cutting usage is half the battle; your rate structure is the other half. Time-based pricing may matter, so see our upcoming explainer on time-of-use electricity rates.

Curious how your bill stacks up? Check average electric bills by state and home size, and for everything in one place, see our Utilities & Energy section. You can also run your numbers through our free Bill Savings Finder.

Bill Reduction Institute is an independent publication and is not a utility, auditor or contractor. We may earn referral fees from partners, which never affects the advice we give. Program rules, rebates and prices change, so confirm current details with your utility, state energy office or the official program.

Frequently asked questions

Is a home energy audit really free?

Often, yes. Many utilities and state energy programs offer audits at no charge or for a small fee, and some low-income weatherization programs cover both the audit and the fixes. Availability varies widely by utility and state, so call yours and ask what is currently offered.

How long does a home energy audit take?

A basic walkthrough audit often takes about one to three hours, depending on the size of your home. A more detailed audit with testing equipment can take longer. Your utility or auditor can give you an estimate when you book.

Will an energy audit tell me to buy expensive upgrades?

A good audit ranks fixes by cost and payoff, and many of the top items are cheap, like sealing air leaks or adding insulation. You are never obligated to buy anything. Be cautious if an auditor also sells products and pressures you to sign a contract on the spot.

Can renters get a free home energy audit?

Often they can, since many utility programs are tied to the account holder rather than the property owner. Some programs ask for landlord permission before any work is done. Ask your utility about renter eligibility when you call.

What if my utility does not offer free audits?

Check your state energy office, your local community action agency and the weatherization program in your state. You can also ask your utility for a do-it-yourself audit kit or online audit tool. Benefits.gov and 211 can help you find local programs.