Energy audits identify places in a home where energy is being wasted and prioritize the projects needed to fix them. End results are intended to reduce the amount of energy homes need to operate and keep occupants comfortable. Home energy audits are first step to lower energy bills by making a home more efficient. Audits range from walk-throughs you do yourself, to more elaborate services performed by trained professionals. 

For homeowners, there is a clearly defined benefit for your efforts. If renting or leasing it's a good idea to check with your landlord early on. Landlords who pay utility bills are more likely to invest in the process knowing that there will be savings through lower utility bills down the road. If you pay the utility bills yourself, you'll benefit immediately from no-cost and low-cost measures uncovered by an energy audit. Improvements requiring an investment in the building or its systems should be carefully evaluated.

The Internet has brought consumers many conveniences and tools, including help evaluating your home's energy use. Online energy calculators let you enter information about your home and appliances and compute your energy costs. Such calculators like WFEC's Home Energy Calculator can be helpful as part of an overall energy plan.