Burbank Water and Power's Solar Support Program requires homeowners to get an in-home energy audit in order to make the homes as efficient as possible before installing solar.

An energy auditor will analyze your Los Angeles home to figure out how to maximize its energy efficiency. By following through with the recommended measures from your auditor, not only will you save money on your utility bills, but also you’ll be able to purchase a smaller solar panel system. This will save you a lot of money on the upfront cost of a renewable energy system, and if your home is really efficient, you may be able to sell excess power back to your utility company.

Energy auditors in the L.A. area typically charge around $500, but the average savings from the energy upgrades is $2,700 in the first three years after the improvements are made. If you’d like to get an idea of what upgrades an auditor may suggest in your home, check out our online energy audit too.

For more information about how an energy audit works, check out our Energy Audit topic page. This page has more information about the tests that an energy auditor performs and how they determine what upgrades you will need.