Types of Energy Audits: Choosing the Right Path to a More Efficient Home
Think of your home as a living, breathing system almost like a person with habits, routines, strengths, and hidden weaknesses. Just as doctors use different tests to understand what’s happening inside the body, energy auditors use different types of audits to diagnose how efficiently a home uses energy.
And here in Massachusetts where winters feel like nature’s version of a stress test and summers can swing hot and muggy energy efficiency isn’t just nice to have. It’s a shield. A relief. A cost-saving strategy that can turn unpredictable utility bills into something that finally feels manageable.
An energy audit acts like a roadmap, showing homeowners where their energy is sneaking away, where comfort is leaking out, and where their dollars are being quietly wasted. But not all audits are the same. Some skim the surface, others dig deep, and some uncover things even homeowners didn’t realize were affecting comfort and cost.
Walkthrough Energy Audits: A Friendly First Look Into Your Home’s Energy Behavior
A Walkthrough Energy Audit is the simplest, fastest, and most accessible type of audit. Think of it like taking your car for a basic inspection—no fancy equipment, no deep dives, just a trained eye and a checklist backed by experience.
During this audit, an energy professional walks through your home, identifies visible issues, and notes opportunities for improvement. Maybe they notice drafty windows, insufficient insulation in key areas, or outdated lighting that’s quietly adding strain to your utility bill.
One homeowner in Plymouth shared that during a walkthrough audit, the inspector lightly touched the interior of an exterior wall and said, “Feel that? That cold spot means your insulation is as thin as a New England pancake.” That simple observation turned into a whole-home insulation upgrade and a dramatic drop in energy usage the following winter.
This type of audit is perfect for homeowners who want a quick overview without going too deep—but need somewhere to start.
Basic Energy Audits: Going Beyond the Surface
A Basic Energy Audit provides more detail than a walkthrough. It includes a combination of visual inspection, utility bill analysis, and interviews about energy-use patterns.
Think of it like looking at your home’s “bank statements” for energy. Suddenly the confusing spikes on your winter bills start to make sense. That aging furnace, that drafty attic door, or that old dehumidifier in the basement might be working harder than they should.
Homeowners often tell us that just seeing the breakdown helps them realize energy efficiency isn’t about guesswork—it’s about patterns.
For example, a family in Falmouth discovered through their basic audit that their energy use at night nearly doubled in winter. The culprit? An old space heater tucked under a desk that had been running nonstop for years. A simple switch to proper insulation and air sealing made the heater unnecessary.
Detailed Energy Audits: The MRI Scan of Home Performance
If the walkthrough is a checkup and the basic audit is a physical exam, the Detailed Energy Audit is a full diagnostic scan. It’s the most comprehensive type of audit, combining advanced tools, deep testing, and data-driven analysis.
This audit typically includes:
- Blower door testing
- Infrared thermal imaging
- Duct leakage testing
- Airflow measurements
- Appliance and HVAC efficiency analysis
- Moisture, comfort, and indoor air quality assessments
During a blower door test, your home is temporarily depressurized so leaks reveal themselves. It’s almost like listening to your house sigh and whisper, “Here’s where the cold gets in,” as the auditor maps out those hidden pathways.
One Massachusetts homeowner described seeing the infrared image results as “watching a secret world appear.” Walls that looked perfectly insulated were glowing icy blue, showing missing insulation and air leaks that had gone unnoticed for years.
A detailed energy audit is essential for homeowners who want long-term savings, greater comfort, and a science-backed plan for upgrades.
ASHRAE Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Audits: The Commercial and Large-Building Standard
While homeowners often stick with the first three audit types, businesses and larger buildings—especially across Boston, Cape Cod, and surrounding Massachusetts communities—follow ASHRAE standards. These audits are more structured, more technical, and specifically designed for buildings with complex mechanical systems.
ASHRAE Level 1 Audit: The Energy Snapshot
This level is similar to a walkthrough audit but tailored for commercial spaces. It identifies major energy consumers, operational issues, and obvious efficiency opportunities.
It’s like meeting someone for the first time—you get a general sense of their habits and personality.
ASHRAE Level 2 Audit: The Deep Dive
Level 2 involves more extensive measurements and cost-benefit analysis. Auditors uncover inefficiencies in systems such as HVAC, lighting, industrial equipment, and operations.
Imagine opening the hood of a car and checking how every part contributes to performance. That’s Level 2.
ASHRAE Level 3 Audit: The Investment-Grade Audit
This is the gold standard—detailed engineering analysis with precise ROI calculations. It allows building owners to confidently invest in upgrades knowing exactly how much they’ll save long-term.
If Level 2 is checking all the engine components, Level 3 is test-driving, dyno testing, and fine-tuning the entire system.
Infrared Thermography Audits: Seeing the Invisible
Infrared energy audits help auditors see temperature differences behind surfaces. Imagine being able to see through walls not in a sci-fi way, but in a way that shows where insulation is missing or failing.
Thermal cameras make energy waste visible through color. Reds and yellows often show heat loss; blues and purples show cold infiltration.
One homeowner in Dennis was shocked to see that her newly renovated kitchen had insulation gaps that contractors had left unfilled. Those gaps were stealing comfort and money every winter. A quick fix brought immediate relief.
Infrared audits are crucial when visual inspection alone can’t reveal what’s happening behind drywall or above ceilings.
Blower Door Audits: Measuring Your Home’s Tightness
A blower door audit is one of the most powerful diagnostic tools in the industry. The test reveals how “tight” or “leaky” a home is by measuring airflow.
Picture your home as a balloon. A well-sealed balloon holds air effortlessly; a leaky one collapses no matter how much you blow into it. Blower door tests show exactly how leaky your home is—and where the leaks are hiding.
Most Massachusetts homes built before the 1990s have air leakage levels that are two to five times higher than modern efficiency standards. Fixing these leaks can save 20–40% on heating and cooling bills.
Duct Leakage Audits: A Hidden Source of Energy Loss
Leaking ducts are like trying to heat a room with the windows open. Up to 30% of conditioned air escapes through cracks, holes, and loose connections in the ductwork.
A duct leakage audit uses pressure testing to detect and quantify those losses. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that “healthy-looking ducts” can still leak enough air to heat a whole extra room.
One family in Hyannis discovered through a duct audit that their attic ducts were leaking so much air that they were essentially heating the outdoors.
Which Energy Audit Do You Need?
Choosing the right audit depends on your goals:
Lower bills? Choose a basic or detailed audit.
Comfort improvements? Go for blower door testing or infrared imaging.
Major renovations? A detailed or ASHRAE Level 2 audit is essential.
Commercial buildings? ASHRAE Level 1–3 is the way to go.
The good news is that you don’t have to choose alone. At High Efficiency Energy Solutions, we assess your home, your concerns, and your goals to recommend the right audit—one that gives you the clearest picture and the biggest impact.
Why High Efficiency Energy Solutions Is Massachusetts’ Trusted Energy Audit Partner
Massachusetts is known for some of the nation’s strongest efficiency standards—and we’re proud to help homeowners meet them. With years of experience, cutting-edge diagnostic tools, and a commitment to making homes healthier and more efficient, we ensure every audit leads to actionable, cost-saving improvements.
A good energy audit doesn’t just expose problems—it opens doors to better comfort, healthier air, lower bills, and long-term savings.