A home energy audit is simply a formal examination of how your home uses energy, followed by recommended steps you can take to improve your energy efficiency. Professional energy auditors are trained to determine a home's energy efficiency based on its construction residents' use. They typically begin by asking questions about your home and family, and then use special equipment such as infrared cameras to identify potential problems such as air leaks or inadequate insulation. They may even use a blower door to reduce the air pressure in your home, making it easier to identify leaks. Once the energy auditor gathers that information, the next step is explaining what it means to you - with a focus on practical, useful advice that will improve your home's efficiency and comfort.

A Certified Home Energy Rater is a professional who can evaluate a home's energy efficiency and assign a standard measurement used by the mortgage lending industry when determining whether a home qualifies for special financing incentives or the federal Energy Star® program. Energy ratings provide an objective, verifiable measure of a home's performance. Certified raters have completed training and meet standards for technical proficiency and ethical practices. Increasingly, home buyers want to know about the energy efficiency of homes they are considering. Homeowners are looking for specific ways to improve their homes' efficiency. Home energy ratings benefit both groups.