What does a home energy audit check, and how much does it cost?
Short answer: A home energy audit (also called a utility cost and energy efficiency audit) checks your bill and tariff, the wattage and running hours of each major appliance, standby and hidden loads, cooling and water-heating habits, and which upgrades will pay back fastest. This online audit is free and gives an appliance-wise estimate in about 5 minutes. A professional on-site audit adds meter readings and thermal inspection; in the US a home energy assessment commonly costs about $200–$600, and in India residential site visits are quoted per property by energy auditors and consultants.
| Free online audit (this tool) | Professional on-site audit | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid, quoted per site |
| Time | About 5 minutes | Site visit + report |
| Method | Your bill + appliance details, rule-based kWh maths | Measured load, logging, thermal/insulation checks |
| Best for | Finding the big bill drivers and quick savings | Large homes, businesses, certification or subsidies |
Tip: Start with the free audit: if your AC, geyser or pump explains most of the bill, fix those first before paying for a site visit.