What are the Checklist for Energy Efficiency Audit?

An energy efficiency audit is only as helpful as the process behind it. A real audit doesn’t rely on “best guesses”—it uses a repeatable checklist and diagnostic testing to pinpoint where energy is being wasted and what improvements will make the biggest difference.

For homeowners and builders in the Kansas City, MO metro, Central Energy Audits describes a clear, performance-based approach: consultation, advanced testing (including blower door testing, duct leakage testing, and thermal imaging), a custom report with a prioritized action plan and estimated savings, and rebate navigation support.

Below is a practical, easy-to-follow energy efficiency audit checklist you can use to understand what a complete audit should include—and what to expect from a professional service.

Checklist 1: Pre-Audit Prep (Before the Auditor Arrives)

These steps help the audit run smoothly and make the results more accurate:

• Write down comfort issues by room

  • Hot/cold rooms, drafts, humidity problems, musty smells, or rooms that never match the thermostat.

• Collect a few months of utility bills (if available)

  • Central Energy Audits notes reviewing utility bills as part of the consultation step.

• Clear access to key areas

  • Attic hatch/pull-down stairs, crawlspace entry, mechanical closet, main return grille, and electrical panel area.

• Make a quick list of recent changes

  • New windows, remodels, insulation work, HVAC replacement, roof work, etc.

• Confirm pets and interior doors

  • Many diagnostic tests work best with interior doors open and pets safely secured.

Checklist 2: Consultation & Walkthrough (The “What Are We Solving?” Step)

A good audit starts with context. Central Energy Audits’ process begins with consultation—reviewing utility bills and discussing comfort issues.

During the walkthrough, the auditor should check:

• Thermostat habits and comfort patterns

• Number of occupants and typical schedules

• Rooms with common symptoms

  • Drafts near baseboards/windows

  • “Cold floors / hot ceilings”

  • Stuffy bedrooms or back rooms with weak airflow

• Moisture clues

  • Stains near ceiling corners, attic odors, condensation on windows

Checklist 3: Building Envelope Checklist (Where Homes Lose the Most Energy)

“Building envelope” means the parts of the home that separate indoor air from outdoor air: attic, walls, floors, and openings.

Air leakage inspection points

• Around windows and doors (weatherstripping, gaps)

• Attic penetrations (recessed lights, bath fans, can lights, wiring/plumbing penetrations)

• Crawlspace and rim joist transitions

• Fireplace and flue areas

• Garage-to-house connecting walls/doors (often overlooked)

Insulation checks

• Attic insulation coverage (uniform vs. thin spots)

• Insulation condition (compressed, disturbed, missing)

• Edge areas (eaves, knee walls, attic hatches)

• Crawlspace/basement insulation alignment (if applicable)

This part matters because insulation without proper air sealing can underperform—air moves around it and carries heat with it.

Checklist 4: Blower Door Testing Checklist (Measures Airtightness)

A blower door test is one of the most important parts of an energy efficiency audit. The U.S. Department of Energy explains that professionals use a blower door to determine how much air is entering or escaping from a home.

Central Energy Audits includes blower door testing within its testing-based approach.

What the blower door checklist should include:

• Confirm exterior doors/windows closed (normal setup)

• Set up and calibrate blower door equipment

• Measure overall leakage rate (quantitative airtightness)

• Identify leakage locations (common areas: attic hatches, recessed lights, penetrations, windows/doors)

• Document findings clearly so sealing work is targeted—not random

What you should receive: an airtightness measurement plus specific “leak map” guidance for where air sealing will have the most impact.

Checklist 5: Thermal Imaging Checklist (Finds Hidden Gaps)

Central Energy Audits lists thermal imaging as part of the advanced testing phase in their audit process.

Thermal imaging checklist items:

• Scan exterior walls and ceilings for insulation voids

• Scan attic areas (where accessible) for temperature anomalies

• Check around windows/doors for leakage patterns

• Review “problem rooms” first (the ones that feel uncomfortable)

• Document images or clearly note findings (so contractors can act on them)

Thermal imaging is valuable because it shows patterns you can’t see—like missing insulation in a wall cavity or hidden air paths around attic framing.

Checklist 6: Ductwork & HVAC Distribution Checklist (Big Comfort Driver)

If your home uses forced air, ductwork can be a major source of wasted heating and cooling.

Central Energy Audits includes duct leakage testing in its advanced testing phase.

HVAC/duct checklist items:

• Check visible duct condition (disconnections, crushed flex, loose joints)

• Identify airflow complaints (weak bedrooms, back rooms, second-floor issues)

• Look for return-air problems (undersized or blocked returns)

• Measure duct leakage (when applicable) and note priority fixes

• Confirm supply/return balance and obvious distribution problems

Even a high-efficiency HVAC system can feel “bad” if ducts are leaking or airflow is unbalanced.

Checklist 7: HVAC Load Calculations Checklist (Manual J / S / D)

For HVAC replacements, major remodels, or ongoing comfort issues, load calculations help prevent oversizing or undersizing.

Central Energy Audits offers Manual J, S, and D calculations using ACCA standards to size HVAC systems appropriately.

Load calculation checklist items:

• Manual J: heating/cooling load based on home characteristics

• Manual S: equipment selection aligned with the load

• Manual D: duct design guidance (especially if ducts are being corrected or redesigned)

Checklist 8: Custom Report Checklist (Your “Do This First” Roadmap)

Central Energy Audits’ process includes a custom report with a clear, prioritized action plan and estimated savings.

Your report checklist should include:

• Top energy-loss issues (ranked)

• Recommendations in the right order (example: air seal → insulate → HVAC optimization)

• Documentation of test results (blower door, duct leakage, thermal imaging)

• Notes tied to comfort concerns (room-by-room priorities)

• Any rebate navigation guidance if applicable

Quick “One-Page” Energy Efficiency Audit Checklist

If you want a fast summary, here’s the full checklist at a glance:

• ✅ Pre-audit prep + comfort notes + utility bill review

• ✅ Building envelope inspection (air leaks + insulation)

• ✅ Blower door test (airtightness measurement + leak locations)

• ✅ Thermal imaging scan (hidden gaps and leakage paths)

• ✅ Duct leakage testing / HVAC distribution review (as applicable)

• ✅ Manual J/S/D load calculations (if sizing/design is needed)

• ✅ Custom report with prioritized action plan + estimated savings + rebate navigation support

CTA

If you’re in the Kansas City metro and want to stop guessing about drafts, insulation gaps, duct leakage, or HVAC performance, Central Energy Audits’ testing-based process is built to identify where energy loss is happening and outline what to fix first—backed by blower door testing, duct leakage testing, thermal imaging, and a clear action plan.