The Basics of Home Energy Audits

The Basics of Home Energy Audits for Arizona Homeowners

One of the biggest steps you can take to ensure your Arizona home and family are safe is by evaluating your home’s energy performance with a home energy audit. Our Chandler office performs home energy audits for Phoenix-area homeowners. Read more to learn about this service and how our Chandler team can help you save energy and money.

A  home energy audit (also called a home energy assessment), checks and identifies problem areas where energy is being wasted in your home. It includes a room-by-room examination, visual inspections, and diagnostic tests to locate air leaks, insulation problems, and inefficiencies.

And in our desert climate, where extreme heat leads to high energy bills and skyrocketing heat and cooling costs, we all need one. A home energy audit can help you and other fellow homeowners reduce expenses, improve home comfort, and lower your carbon footprint.

Why Home Energy Audits Are Important

1. Cost Savings

Did you know, in Arizona, where air conditioning accounts for over 40% of home energy usage, your peak summer bills can exceed $235 per month? Ouch! Addressing energy inefficiencies found in a home energy audit and completing energy efficiency upgrades can reduce your home’s energy consumption and cut your energy bills by 5% to 30%. Yay!

2. Comfort and Safety Improvements

A home energy assessment is ideal for helping to detect drafts, hot spots, and problem areas with inadequate insulation. They also detect ventilation issues or combustion appliance leaks that can impact your home’s indoor air quality and safety.

3. Environmental Benefits

Efficiency improvements reduce the strain on the electric grid and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Since more than 90% of Arizona homes have air conditioning, even small efficiency improvements can make a big sustainability impact.

The Home Energy Audit Process

Let’s look at how an energy audit works and what to expect.  

1. Initial Consultation

You will start by sitting down with a professional auditor to review your utility bills and discuss any concerns you have, such as hot and cold spots or drafty rooms.

2. Visual Inspection

The auditor will visually check for air leaks around windows and doors, gaps in weatherstripping, inadequate insulation, and inefficient appliances.

3. Blower Door Test (Air Leakage Check)

During the blower door test, a powerful fan is used to depressurize your home to measure its airtightness and identify hidden air leaks around windows, doors, and vents.

4. Thermal Imaging Scan

Infrared cameras are used to reveal any problem areas, such as temperature discrepancies that can indicate insulation gaps and air leaks.

5. HVAC & Appliance Evaluation

The auditor will examine your heat and cooling systems, ductwork, thermostat settings, and major appliances to assess their efficiency.

6. Report & Recommendations

The auditor will compile all the data and results and report back with a detailed summary of their findings.

This will include a prioritized list of energy efficiency upgrades.

Arizona-Specific Energy Programs & Incentives (2024–2025)

Arizona strives to provide a variety of programs and incentives for local homeowners to improve energy efficiency with less money out of your pocket.

DIY vs. Professional Home Energy Audits

1. DIY Home Energy Check

You may choose the route of a DIY home energy check. If so, take the time to inspect your windows and doors, check insulation, locate air leaks, inspect ducts and vents, and evaluate lighting and appliances. Utilize the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick to benchmark efficiency.

2. Professional Home Energy Audits

Or you may choose to leave things to a professional for a more thorough job, especially if you’re dealing with high energy bills or continuous comfort issues. A professional home energy audit, performed by an experienced insulation contractor, uses advanced tools like blower door tests, infrared scans, and furnace efficiency meters to pinpoint inefficiencies.  

Professional energy audits can vary in cost, but rebates and tax credits, such as a 30% IRS tax credit (up to $150) can help reduce and offset costs significantly.  

Updated 2025 Data & Statistics on Arizona Home Energy Use 

We mentioned it earlier, but it bears repeating: Arizona’s a hot place to live. For a clearer picture, here’s a quick recap of some of the stats. 

1. Extreme Cooling Needs 

• 90% of Arizona homes use air conditioning, with 86% relying on central AC. 
• Heat and cooling accounts for over 40% of household energy usage. 

2. High Summer Energy Bills 

• Peak summer bills average ~$234/month. 
• Some homes exceed $300+ per month. 

3. Savings Potential 

• Following audit recommendations can cut energy bills by 5% to 30%. 
• Even a 5–10% reduction on your electric bill translates to significant savings over time. 

4. Payback Period for Upgrades 

• Insulation and air sealing can reduce cooling costs up to 20%. 
• Many energy efficiency upgrades pay for themselves through rebates and energy savings within a few years. 

Next Steps 

You’ve got a lot of helpful information in your head right now that may seem overwhelming. Take these next steps to ensure you maximize your home’s energy efficiency.  

1. Schedule a Professional Home Energy Audit 

If energy bills are high or home comfort issues persist, a subsidized audit is a smart investment. 

2. Implement DIY Fixes First 

Start with air sealing, insulation checks, thermostat upgrades, and appliance evaluations. 

3. Take Advantage of Arizona’s Energy Programs 

Apply for rebates, tax credits, and utility incentives to maximize energy savings. 

4. Plan for Energy Efficiency Upgrades 

Use your audit report to prioritize cost-effective improvements. Strive to maximize your savings by stacking rebates, credits, and financing options.  

5. Work with Experts Like Banker Insulation 

A trusted provider of insulation, air sealing, and energy efficiency upgrades, Banker Insulation stays up to date on energy audits in Phoenix and Chandler and 2025 rebate and tax credit programs. 

Upgrade Your Home’s Energy Efficiency 

At Banker Insulation, we know a home energy audit is a cost-effective way to lower your energy bills, enhance home comfort, and reduce environmental impact. With expanded rebates in 2025, as an Arizona homeowner, you have a prime opportunity to make energy efficient home improvements at minimal cost. Our Chandler/Phoenix location is proud to offer professional home energy audits for your convenience.  

Contact us today to schedule your audit and start saving!