If you’ve attended any of our presentations, you’ve probably seen our “DIY Home Energy Assessment” brochure: a simple checklist that many people can breeze through in no time. It covers just the basics but will tell you a lot about how you’re using or losing energy. Look it over and then check out the items that catch your eye.
Simple DIY Checklist
A simple, do-it-yourself home energy assessment can teach you a lot about your home. Get a flashlight, camera, the assessment checklist, and maybe a friend or family member to help. What you learn will guide your next steps.
Insulation and Air Leaks
- Attic insulation: loose-fill at least 12”; batting 11”; or spray foam 6-10”
- Attic access door is insulated
- Check attic ventilation
- Basement joists on perimeter of building are insulated
- Exterior walls are insulated
- Insulation around interior vents (heat registers in floor, etc.)
- Exterior penetrations through sidewalls caulked
Heating and Cooling
- Furnace: Energy Star or efficiency rating (AFUE or % heat produced/$) above 80% (search serial number online)
- Furnace: Estimate 15-25 years furnace lifespan, lower AFUE over time. Tips: www.energy.gov/energysaver/furnaces-and-boilers
- Air conditioner: High efficiency (SEER rating 14 or higher)
- Air conditioner: Estimate 10-15 year lifespan Tips: www.energy.gov/energysaver/air-conditioning
Windows and Doors
- Check for air leaks around doors and windows
- Glass and framing intact
- Framing is caulked
- Trim and siding is caulked
- Double or triple-paned windows or storm windows
- Storm doors
- Be aware of historic district guidelines on window replacements
Major Appliances
- Water Heater: Energy Star or EnergyGuide label for ratings above .65
- Water Heater: 10 years old or less
- Water heater: Pipes insulated
- Refrigerator: Energy Star or EnergyGuide label; E and F ratings and above are efficient models
- Washer/Dryer: Energy Star or efficiency ratings A-D
If you’d like a bit more detail in your self-assessment, below is a list of 31 characteristics of an energy efficient home. You can use it to assess your own residence, determine what improvements your home needs, establish a priority for each improvement you identify and document which improvements you make over time.
Detailed DIY Checklist
This tool lists 31 characteristics of an energy efficient home. You can use it to assess your own residence, determine what improvements your home needs, establish a priority for each improvement you identify and document which improvements you make over time.
For questions about this tool and information on JCED’s professional energy audits, contact us at info@johnsoncleanenergydistrict.org
| EXTERIOR | YES/NO |
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED/PLANNED |
PRIORITY 1=most important |
DATE COMPLETED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siding is intact, without holes or gaps; seams are sealed* | ||||
| Siding is sealed around windows and doors | ||||
| Entry points for pipes and wires are sealed | ||||
| The sidewalls have an air sealing insulation wrap under the siding (e.g., Tyvek) | ||||
| Sidewall insulation exists between the sidewall studs and/or foam sheets under the siding** |
*Holes, gaps, and seams can be filled with caulk and/or spray foam
**Pre-1945 seldom has wall insulation unless new siding or exterior plugs for blown-in insulation (1” holes every 16” on exterior
| ATTIC | YES/NO |
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED/PLANNED |
PRIORITY 1=most important |
DATE COMPLETED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attic has at least 10 inches of insulation | ||||
| Access door to the attic has weatherstripping on the edges and is insulated on the attic side | ||||
| Holes in the attic floor for wires, pipes and ducts are sealed | ||||
| Check attic ventilation*** |
***Look on roof for (1) four to six 1-sq ft “hotboxes”, (2) ridge vents running full length of roof ridge, and/or (3) screened soffit vents under the eaves. If present, you can generally assume adequate ventilation but speak to contractor if you are increasing insulation
| BASEMENT | YES/NO |
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED/PLANNED |
PRIORITY 1=most important |
DATE COMPLETED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The space where the wall and the foundation meet is sealed | ||||
| Insulation is present at the top of the basement wall + | ||||
| Holes in the basement ceiling for pipes, drains and electrical wiring are sealed | ||||
| Metal ducts are sealed where they meet the ceiling, floor, or walls | ||||
| Healing and cooling duct seams and joints are taped | ||||
| Cracks and service entry holes in the foundation are sealed on both the inside and the outside ++ | ||||
| Cracks around basement windows are filled with masonry caulk or spray foam | ||||
| If the basement or basement garage is not heated, the ceiling is insulated |
+Expandable foam and/or foam board are good choices for top of the basement wall
++Look for all entry holes, such as gas lines, electricity, AC, water supply, internet, cable, etc
| WINDOWS | YES/NO |
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED/PLANNED |
PRIORITY 1=most important |
DATE COMPLETED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows have double or triple paned glass | ||||
| Single paned windows are covered by storm windows in cold months | ||||
| Seams between window glass and wood parts are sealed |
| DOORS | YES/NO |
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED/PLANNED |
PRIORITY 1=most important |
DATE COMPLETED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior doors are insulated and weather-stripped | ||||
| Storm doors are installed over uninsulated exterior doors | ||||
| Door thresholds are intact and do not leak air |
| HEATING & COOLING SYSTEMS | YES/NO |
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED/PLANNED |
PRIORITY 1=most important |
DATE COMPLETED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating system is ENERGY STAR certified & less than 10 yrs old | ||||
| Heating system has 95% or greater annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) – see the label | ||||
| The furnace is electric | ||||
| The home uses a heat pump (geothermal, ducted or mini-split) for heating & cooling | ||||
| A smart or programmable thermostat adjusts settings automatically | ||||
| Photovoltaic solar panels generate electricity | ||||
| The air conditioner is ENERGY STAR certified and less than 10 years old | ||||
| The water heater is ENERGY STAR certified and less than 10 years old |
| MAJOR APPLIANCES | YES/NO |
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED/PLANNED |
PRIORITY 1=most important |
DATE COMPLETED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oven is electric and ENERGY STAR certified | ||||
| Cooktop is induction electric | ||||
| Refrigerator and dishwasher are ENERGY STAR certified | ||||
| Dishwasher is ENERGY STAR certified | ||||
| Clothes washer and dryer are electric and ENERGY STAR certified |
| LIGHTING | YES/NO |
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED/PLANNED |
PRIORITY 1=most important |
DATE COMPLETED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior and exterior light fixtures have LED bulbs | ||||
| Lights in unused rooms are routinely turned off |