How to request a home energy efficiency audit

A home energy efficiency audit gives you a practical picture of where your household uses energy and which improvements could reduce bills, heat loss and unnecessary emissions. The assessment may cover insulation, draughts, appliances, lighting, hot water, heating, cooling and solar power.

In Australia, the process usually begins with an accredited private assessor rather than a local council. Some councils provide sustainability advice, rebates or referral services, while energy retailers and independent building specialists may offer assessment packages. Check what is included before booking, because a short walk-through is less detailed than a whole-home energy rating or thermal performance investigation.

The terminology varies between states and territories. You may hear “home energy assessment”, “energy audit”, “thermal assessment” or “energy efficiency inspection”. If you are renting, speak with the property manager before arranging invasive checks, and review the rental standards that apply in your state, such as Victoria’s minimum standards for heating, insulation and energy-efficient lighting.

Start with a clear request

Contact your council sustainability team, an accredited energy assessor or a qualified building consultant. Explain the property type, approximate age, location and the main concern, such as high winter bills in Canberra, overheating in western Sydney or heavy air-conditioner use in Brisbane. A clear brief helps the assessor bring suitable equipment and estimate the time required.

Ask whether the service includes a written report, priority recommendations, estimated savings and indicative costs. Confirm whether the assessor will inspect the roof cavity, subfloor, switchboard, hot-water system and rooftop solar. For information about municipal infrastructure contacts and public services in Susanville, the public works website provides an example of how a city department organises utility and engineering information, although Australian homes require locally relevant advice.

Before accepting a quote, check qualifications, insurance and independence. An assessor who receives commissions for particular products may recommend solutions that are not the best fit for your home. Request a sample report or a description of the testing method, especially if the audit includes blower-door testing or infrared thermal imaging.

Choose the right assessment

A basic energy consultation can identify obvious actions, such as replacing inefficient globes, sealing gaps or adjusting thermostat settings. A more detailed audit measures the building envelope and equipment performance. For a house with rising electricity consumption, persistent condensation or rooms that are much hotter or colder than others, the detailed option may provide better value.

Some Australian properties also need a formal energy rating for renovations, additions or new construction under the National Construction Code. NatHERS ratings are different from a general household audit: they assess predicted thermal performance using a standardised model. Ask the professional which service you need so you do not pay for an unsuitable report.

Useful details to provide when booking

• Your address, dwelling type and approximate construction date
• Recent electricity or gas bills covering different seasons
• Existing solar, battery, heat pump or controlled-load details
• Rooms with draughts, dampness, glare or uncomfortable temperatures

Energy use patterns differ across the country. A Melbourne home may need winter heating and insulation advice, while a Darwin property may benefit from shade, ventilation and efficient cooling. In Adelaide, hot-water settings and reverse-cycle air conditioning can have a noticeable effect on bills, and in regional areas travel charges may apply.

Prepare your home and records

Collect twelve months of electricity and gas bills if possible, along with solar generation data and appliance warranties. Note when major equipment was installed, including the air conditioner, refrigerator, pool pump, hot-water unit and ceiling fans. Recording household routines also helps: a family working from home will have a different load profile from a home that is empty during weekdays.

Keep access clear to the meter, switchboard, roof hatch, hot-water system and mechanical equipment. Do not move insulation, open electrical panels or climb onto the roof yourself. Tell the assessor about asbestos concerns, recent renovations, heritage restrictions or known mould and moisture problems before the appointment.

Make the visit easier

• Open internal doors so airflow and temperature differences can be observed
• Keep curtains and blinds in their normal position unless instructed otherwise
• Have a recent floor plan or renovation documents available
• List comfort problems by room and time of day

An audit is more useful when it reflects ordinary living conditions. Avoid running unusual appliances or changing normal heating and cooling habits solely for the appointment. In many Australian households, clothes dryers, electric hot-water systems and reverse-cycle air conditioners create substantial peaks, so the assessor should understand when and how these are used.

Know what the auditor checks

The inspection may examine ceiling, wall and floor insulation, window glazing, seals around doors, ventilation and shading. It can also review thermostat settings, ductwork, refrigeration, lighting and standby loads. Thermal imaging may reveal missing insulation or air leakage, but it must be interpreted alongside weather conditions and construction details.

Safety should remain separate from energy savings. A gas appliance or flue requires assessment by an appropriately licensed professional, and electrical repairs must be completed by a licensed electrician. A general auditor should identify concerns and refer them rather than attempt regulated work.

The final report should distinguish low-cost actions from larger projects. It may recommend draught sealing, LED lighting, curtains, external shading, insulation upgrades, heat-pump hot water, solar optimisation or replacement of an ageing appliance. Look for explanations of expected benefits, limitations, maintenance requirements and interactions between measures.

Turn findings into practical upgrades

Start with actions that improve comfort and reduce waste without creating new risks. Sealing obvious gaps, cleaning air-conditioner filters, using efficient lighting and setting hot-water temperatures correctly can often be completed before major renovations. In a rental, obtain written approval before installing fixtures, modifying insulation or changing equipment.

Prioritise the building envelope before automatically buying a larger heater or air conditioner. Better insulation and shading can reduce the required capacity of mechanical systems. For Australian summers, external blinds, awnings, trees and cross-ventilation may reduce cooling demand; in cooler regions, ceiling insulation and controlled draught reduction can make winter heating more effective.

Compare quotes using the same specifications. For insulation, ask about the proposed R-value, product type, installation coverage and clearance around downlights. For solar or batteries, compare system size, warranties, export assumptions and electricity tariffs rather than relying on headline savings alone.

Follow up safely and affordably

Ask the assessor to rank recommendations by urgency, cost and likely impact. A staged plan might begin with sealing and insulation, continue with efficient appliances, and reserve solar, batteries or hot-water replacement for a later budget cycle. Rebates change frequently, so verify current state, territory, council and retailer offers before signing a contract.

Keep the report, invoices and product documentation. Recheck bills after each major change, allowing for weather and changes in household routines. If you arrange removal of an old appliance or other bulky material, use the relevant council or contractor process; Susanville residents can review bulk waste guidance as an example of how municipal collection information may be presented.

A follow-up review after one heating and one cooling season can show whether the work delivered the expected result. It can also identify smaller issues, such as incorrect timer settings, blocked filters or rooms that still need better shading. The audit becomes most valuable when its recommendations are recorded, prioritised and checked against real household performance.