Energy audits include a series of tests used to figure out what areas of your home need a boost in energy efficiency. Adding insulation is a common recommendation that auditors have for homeowners, but there are a ton of other areas that might need upgrades as well.

One of the most common energy audit tests is a blower door test, which finds all the leaky areas in your house by depressurizing it so air seeps in through the cracks around your windows and doors. By air sealing up these leaky areas, you can save a lot of energy because all the air you pay to heat and cool doesn’t leak out of your home.

Some other possible energy efficiency retrofits include HVAC upgrades, replacing appliances with ENERGY STAR models, switching to a tankless water heater, sealing and insulating your ductwork and switching to compact florescent lightbulbs. Another great thing about having an audit done is that it will help you understand which measures will be most cost effective, meaning some will have a faster return on your investment than others, and you should do the ones with the fastest return first.

If you’d like an estimate of how much you can save as well as a few upgrade suggestions, you can try out our quick and easy online energy audit tool. The average savings for homeowners who follows through with the recommended energy upgrades is $2,700 over the course of three years. Energy auditors in the Indianapolis area typically charge $300 to $450, depending on the number and types of tests you would like performed in your home, but you can see how the audit would easily pay itself off.

Updated July 19, 2010