Doing a DIY energy audit is one of the best ways for homeowners to check and improve their home’s energy efficiency. An energy audit, or home energy check, helps find places where energy is being wasted and gives suggestions on how to lower energy bills and help the environment. If you want to take control of your home’s energy use, doing a DIY energy audit is a smart place to start.
In this guide, we will look at the best tools for a DIY energy audit. These tools range from simple energy-saving devices to high-tech gadgets that can find where energy is being wasted. Whether you want to improve your home’s insulation, check for air leaks, or track how much electricity you are using, these tools will help make your home more energy-efficient.
Key Takeaways
- A DIY energy audit helps find and fix energy-wasting issues, saving you money and improving your home’s efficiency.
- Tools like infrared thermometers, smoke pencils, and energy monitors make it easier to spot problems like air leaks and high energy use.
- Completing an energy audit helps create a plan for ongoing improvements, leading to long-term savings and a more sustainable home.
Why Perform a DIY Energy Audit?
Before jumping into the tools, it’s important to understand why a DIY energy audit matters. A home energy audit can help:
- Find where energy is being wasted: An energy audit can help you spot issues like air leaks, old insulation, or appliances that use too much energy.
- Make your home more energy-efficient: A full audit shows where you can improve to use less energy and make your home more comfortable.
- Save money on energy bills: By finding ways to save energy, you can lower your energy use and cut costs over time.
- Increase your home’s value: Homes that are energy-efficient are more appealing to buyers, so making your home more efficient can raise its value.
Must-Have Tools for a DIY Energy Audit
1. Infrared Thermometers and Thermal Imaging
Infrared Thermometer ($30-$60)
An infrared thermometer is one of the most affordable temperature-sensing tools for your DIY energy audit that can detect heat loss in your home. This handheld device works by measuring the surface temperature of various areas in your home, including walls, windows, doors, and ducts. You can use it to find cold spots or areas where heat leakage is occurring.
How to Use:
- Point the thermometer at walls, windows, doors, and ceilings
- Compare readings between similar areas
- Look for unusual temperature differences (often indicating insulation gaps or air leaks)
For example, if your living room wall reads 68°F but a section near the window frame shows 60°F, you’ve likely found an area with poor insulation or air leakage.
Benefits:
- Quick and easy to use
- Affordable and widely available
- Helps locate potential areas for weather stripping or insulation improvements
Thermal Imaging Cameras ($200-$1,000 or rentals for $50-$100/day)
While more expensive than infrared thermometers, thermal cameras provide a full visual representation of heat loss in your home.
Unlike the infrared thermometer, which only gives a numerical reading, a thermal camera shows you temperature differences in color, helping you spot energy inefficiencies more easily.
- Red/orange/yellow areas indicate heat (either escaping in winter or entering in summer)
- Blue/purple areas show cooler temperatures
- Sharp color contrasts often reveal problem areas
Many local libraries and utilities now offer thermal camera lending programs, making this premium tool accessible for weekend warriors.
How to Use:
- Use the thermal camera to scan walls, ceilings, windows, doors, and ducts.
- Look for color variations (usually blue or red) that indicate areas of heat loss.
Benefits:
- Provides a full view of your home’s energy efficiency.
- Can detect hidden issues such as leaks behind walls or ceilings.
2. Air Leak Detection Tools
Smoke Pencils ($10-$30)
These simple devices emit a visible stream of smoke that moves with the slightest air current. Hold a smoke pencil near windows, doors, electrical outlets, and other potential leak points to visualize air movement.
DIY Alternatives: A stick of incense or a dampened hand can also detect drafts, though with less precision.
Digital Draft Detectors ($30-$80)
These electronic devices measure air movement and temperature differences to identify drafts more precisely than smoke tests. Many models include data logging capabilities to track problems over time.
Blower Door Kits (Rentals $150-$300/day)
A blower door test is one of the most effective ways to test for air leaks in your home. The blower door kit works by blowing air into your home while measuring how much air is escaping. This test helps you pinpoint drafty areas and areas that need better sealing or insulation.
While professional-grade blower door tests are typically part of paid energy audits, DIY kits have emerged for dedicated homeowners:
- The device lowers the pressure in your home, making air leaks easier to see.
- When used with smoke pencils, it can show even the smallest air leaks.
- The measurements help you focus on fixing the biggest leaks first.
According to research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, air leaks can account for 25-40% of heating and cooling energy loss in a typical home, making their detection a high-priority task.
How to Use:
- Set up the blower door kit in a doorway.
- Turn on the fan and measure how much air is leaking out of the house.
- Use the data to identify weak spots in your home’s air sealing.
Benefits:
- Provides an accurate measurement of air leakage.
- Helps find leaks you can’t see, such as around windows, doors, or attic spaces.
3. Electricity Usage Monitoring Tools
Kill-A-Watt Meter ($20-$40)
A Kill-A-Watt meter is an easy-to-use device that measures how much electricity individual appliances are consuming. It helps you identify phantom loads, or energy consumption by electronics that are turned off but still use power when plugged in. Devices such as phone chargers, televisions, and other electronics continue to draw power even when not in active use, contributing to higher electricity bills.
Studies have shown that up to 10% of the electricity your home uses is from these phantom loads. Kill-A-Watt meters plug between any appliance and your wall outlet to measure actual electricity consumption, helping identify these hidden energy vampires. After gathering data, you can calculate costs using your local electricity rates.
How to Use:
- Plug the meter into an outlet and connect your appliance to it.
- Check the reading to see how much power the appliance uses.
Benefits:
- Can be used to test multiple appliances and identify wasteful energy usage.
- Great for tracking standby power consumption.
Usage Tips:
- Monitor major appliances for 24-48 hours to get accurate usage data
- Check older appliances against their modern counterparts’ specifications
- Identify devices with high standby power consumption
Smart Home Energy Monitors ($100-$300)
A smart energy monitor is an excellent tool for tracking your home’s electricity usage. It provides real-time data on your energy consumption and points out high electricity usage appliances. These whole-house systems connect to your electrical panel and provide real-time data about electricity usage throughout your home via smartphone apps:
- Sense Energy Monitor tracks individual appliance signatures
- Emporia Vue monitors individual circuits (we use this energy monitor and love it!)
- Eyedro EYEFI tracks usage patterns over time
How to Use:
- Install the smart energy monitor at your breaker panel or plug it into individual appliances.
- Use the connected app to track your energy usage patterns and identify energy hogs.
Benefits:
- Helps monitor energy usage at the appliance level.
- Provides data on energy-saving improvements you can make.
Smart Plugs with Energy Monitoring ($15-$40 each)
These Wi-Fi connected outlets monitor individual devices while allowing remote control and automation:
- Schedule high-consumption devices to run during off-peak hours
- Create usage reports for specific appliances
- Automatically power down devices when not needed
4. HVAC and Ventilation Assessment Tools
HVAC Efficiency Measurement Kit ($50-$150)
These kits typically include:
- Supply/return temperature thermometers
- Airflow measurement tools
- Filter inspection guides
By measuring the temperature difference between the supply and return vents, you can check how well your system is working. For cooling systems, a 14-20°F difference is ideal, while heating systems should show a 40-70°F difference.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors ($20-$80)
Although carbon monoxide detectors are mainly for safety, they are important during your energy audit. If your furnace, water heater, or gas stove isn’t working properly, it can waste energy and produce harmful carbon monoxide.
Humidity Meters ($10-$50)
The right humidity levels (usually 30-50%) can affect both how much energy you use and how comfortable you feel. High humidity in the summer makes your cooling system work harder, while dry air in the winter can make you feel colder, causing you to turn up the heat.
5. Home Insulation Check Tools
Ensuring that your home is properly insulated is an important part of a DIY home energy audit. Insulation testers help you assess whether your home’s insulation is up to standard or if there are areas where it is lacking.
Insulation Thickness Ruler ($5-$15)
This easy-to-use tool measures how thick the insulation is in attics and walls. You can compare your measurements to the Department of Energy’s recommendations for your area.
Moisture Meters ($30-$100)
Wet insulation doesn’t work as well. Moisture meters help find areas where insulation might be damaged by leaks, condensation, or problems with the vapor barrier.
6. Energy-Saving Lighting Tools
Switching to energy-efficient lighting is an easy and cost-effective way to reduce your home’s energy consumption. Tools like LED vs. incandescent comparison guides and energy-saving light bulbs can help you choose the right lighting for your home.
Tips for Energy-Efficient Lighting:
- LED bulbs use less energy than incandescent bulbs and last longer.
- Use dimmers and motion sensors to control lighting when it is not needed.
Benefits:
- Save on lighting costs by switching to more efficient options.
- Reduce energy consumption with smart controls for lighting.
Creating Your DIY Energy Audit Kit: Budget Options
Not everyone can purchase all these tools at once. Here are three budget-based approaches:
Starter Kit ($50-$100)
- Infrared thermometer
- Smoke pencils or incense sticks
- Kill-A-Watt meter
- Basic humidity/temperature monitor
Mid-Range Kit ($200-$300)
- Everything in the starter kit
- Digital draft detector
- Whole-home energy monitor
- Moisture meter
- HVAC efficiency measurement tools
Comprehensive Kit ($500+)
- Thermal imaging camera (or rental)
- Smart home energy monitoring system
- Blower door rental
- Complete HVAC assessment kit
- Professional-grade moisture and humidity tools
Step-by-Step DIY Home Energy Audit Process
Once you have all your tools, follow these simple steps:
- Baseline Assessment
Look at your utility bills from the past year to understand your energy use. Notice any changes during different seasons and see which utility (electricity, gas, etc.) could offer the most savings. - Exterior Inspection
Use your thermal camera or infrared thermometer to check the outside of your home early in the morning or in the evening, when temperature differences are easiest to see. Focus on:- Wall and roof connections
- Foundation and wall joints
- Window and door frames
- Areas where different materials meet
- Air Leak Detection
On a windy day, use your smoke pencil or draft detector to check for air leaks around:- Window and door frames
- Door thresholds
- Electrical outlets and switches
- Plumbing areas
- Attic hatches
- Recessed lighting fixtures
- Fireplace dampers
- Insulation Assessment
Check the insulation levels in your:- Attic (measure depth and type)
- Accessible wall cavities
- Basement and crawl spaces
- Around ducts and pipes
Use a moisture meter to make sure the insulation is dry and working properly.
- HVAC System Evaluation
Use your HVAC tools to:- Measure temperature differences between supply and return vents
- Check the filter and airflow
- Inspect ductwork for leaks, especially in unconditioned spaces
- Test the thermostat with a separate thermometer
- Appliance and Electronics Analysis
With your Kill-A-Watt meter or whole-house monitor, you can:- Measure energy use of major appliances
- Find out how much power is used when appliances are on standby
- Calculate operating costs based on your utility rates
- Lighting Assessment
Take note of the types of bulbs in your home and check:- Wattage
- How many hours they are used each day
- Possible LED replacements to save energy
From Audit to Action: Using Your Findings
After completing your audit, prioritize improvements based on:
- Safety issues (address immediately)
- Low-cost, high-impact improvements
- Moderate investments with rapid payback
- Long-term, more expensive improvements
Benefits Beyond Energy Savings
A complete DIY energy audit offers more than just lower utility bills:
- More comfort in your home with fewer drafts and temperature changes
- Better indoor air quality with proper ventilation
- Longer life for your HVAC system when it runs efficiently
- Possible rebates and tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades
- A smaller environmental impact by using fewer resources
Wrapping Up
A DIY home energy audit is not just a one-time project—it is the start of a long-term process to improve your home’s energy use. By getting good audit tools and learning how to use them, you can find ways to save money now and make your home more efficient in the future.
Energy efficiency is a long-term goal. As you make improvements, use your tools to check your results and find new areas to work on. Over time, you will turn your home into a more efficient space while building a toolkit that saves you money.
Whether you start with a simple infrared thermometer or a full energy monitoring system, every step you take to understand your home’s energy use helps lower your bills and live more sustainably.