DIY Home Energy Audit Checklist: Find EUR 1,000+ Savings

A professional home energy audit costs EUR 200–500 and reveals 5–10 cost-saving improvements. This guide teaches you to do a DIY energy audit yourself, room by room, to identify where your energy money is leaking away. You'll find EUR 500–1,500 in annual savings without paying for a professional.

What You'll Need

• Pen and paper (or EnergyVision app) to log findings
• A flashlight (for dark corners and attic)
• A thermometer (optional, but helpful)
• Your last 12 months of energy bills (to see patterns)
• 30 minutes to 1 hour per room

Section 1: Heating System (Usually the Biggest Waste)

1. Q1: How old is your boiler/heating? If > 25 years old, it's likely 80% efficient. Modern boilers are 92%+. Potential savings: EUR 200–400/year.
2. Q2: Is there a thermostat? Is it smart? Manual thermostats cost EUR 300–500/year. Smart thermostats save 10–30%. Potential savings: EUR 150–300/year.
3. Q3: Can you see heating pipes/radiators leaking? Leaks = wasted heat. Check radiators for water drops or stains. Potential savings: EUR 50–200/year.
4. Q4: Are radiators blocked by furniture or curtains? Blocked radiators don't distribute heat. Move furniture. Free savings: EUR 30–80/year.
5. Q5: Do radiators have thermostatic valves (TRVs)? Old radiators have simple on/off valves. TRVs let you reduce heat in unused rooms. Potential savings: EUR 100–200/year.

Section 2: Windows & Doors (Heat Escape Routes)

1. Q6: Are windows single, double, or triple-glazed? Single-pane windows lose 30–40% of heat. Upgrading to double saves EUR 200–400/year (long payback). Check window labels or feel the temperature gradient (single-pane windows are much colder).
2. Q7: Can you see daylight around door or window frames? Gaps = cold air leaking in. Caulk costs EUR 20–50, saves EUR 50–150/year.
3. Q8: Are there weatherstripping seals around doors? Cracked or peeling seals let cold air in. Replace for EUR 30–50, saves EUR 50–100/year.
4. Q9: Do exterior doors have gaps underneath? Door sweeps (EUR 15–30) reduce drafts, save EUR 30–80/year.
5. Q10: Are windows or doors operable, or permanently sealed? Sealed windows trap moisture and reduce light. Check for condensation (sign of moisture = poor ventilation).

Section 3: Insulation (Roof, Walls, Basement)

1. Q11: Can you access your attic/roof cavity? Look for insulation depth. If it's < 150 mm thick, it's inadequate. Modern standard is 300 mm. Adding insulation costs EUR 1,500–3,000, saves EUR 300–600/year. Payback: 5–10 years.
2. Q12: Is there visible insulation material? If attic is bare (no visible insulation), heat loss is 25–30% through the roof. This is a big opportunity.
3. Q13: Is basement/foundation insulated? Uninsulated basements lose EUR 100–200/year through walls and floor. Insulation investment: EUR 2,000–5,000.
4. Q14: Are there visible gaps or holes in insulation? Torn insulation loses effectiveness. Any holes > 5 cm reduce performance by 10–20%.
5. Q15: Is there moisture or mold visible? Damp insulation loses 50% effectiveness. May need new insulation and moisture control (EUR 3,000–8,000 investment).

Section 4: Lighting (Quick Wins)

1. Q16: What type of bulbs are in use? Count: incandescent, halogen, CFL, LED. LED is 75% cheaper to run. Switching 40 bulbs costs EUR 80, saves EUR 400–600/year.
2. Q17: Are lights on during the day? Unnecessary daytime lighting = EUR 50–100/year waste. Install motion sensors or timers (EUR 30–50, saves EUR 30–80/year).
3. Q18: Are there multiple ceiling lights in one room? Old homes often have 2–3 lights in one room, all on. Using one light at a time saves EUR 50–100/year.

Section 5: Appliances & Water Heating

1. Q19: How old is the refrigerator? Fridges > 15 years old use 2x as much electricity as modern ones. Replacement cost: EUR 500–1,200, saves EUR 150–250/year.
2. Q20: How old is the washing machine? Old machines (pre-2015) use 80 liters/cycle. Modern use 40 liters. Savings: EUR 80–150/year. Replacement: EUR 400–800.
3. Q21: Is the water heater older than 15 years? Aging heaters lose 20–30% to standby heat loss. At replacement: switch to heat pump (saves EUR 500–700/year vs electric).
4. Q22: Is there a dishwasher? Modern dishwashers use less water/energy than hand washing. If you hand-wash, switch to dishwasher saves EUR 50–100/year.
5. Q23: Are there water leaks? One dripping faucet = EUR 100–150/year waste. Fix immediately (usually < EUR 50).

Section 6: Ventilation & Air Leakage

1. Q24: Is there a kitchen extractor fan? If yes, does it have a backdraft damper? Without one, cold air leaks in when not in use. EUR 30 damper saves EUR 20–50/year.
2. Q25: Are bathroom fans vented to the outside? Fans vented into attics cause moisture problems. Proper venting costs EUR 200–400.
3. Q26: Can you feel drafts around electrical outlets or switch plates? Air leaks around outlets. Outlet gaskets (EUR 20–30) reduce leaks, save EUR 30–80/year.

Section 7: Behavioral Audit (Free Savings)

1. Q27: What temperature is your home set to? If > 22°C, reduce by 1–2°C (EUR 60–150/year savings, no cost).
2. Q28: Do you close curtains/blinds at night? Heavy curtains reduce night heat loss by 10–15%. If you don't use them, start using them (EUR 20–50/year savings).
3. Q29: Do you leave electronics on standby? TVs, chargers, computer monitors on standby use EUR 50–150/year. Use power strips to fully disconnect.
4. Q30: Do you have unnecessary subscriptions or services? Not energy, but check water usage (long showers = EUR 100–200/year waste).

Energy Audit Summary Sheet

Prioritization: Which Upgrades First?

1. Month 1 (Free): Fix behavioral issues (temperature, curtains, standby power). EUR 0 investment, EUR 100–300 savings.
2. Month 2 (EUR 100–200): LED bulbs, weatherstripping, caulk. EUR 0–200 investment, EUR 200–400 savings.
3. Month 3 (EUR 30–50): Thermostat (if not smart). EUR 200–300 investment, EUR 150–200 savings.
4. Months 4–12 (EUR 1,500+): Attic insulation, window replacement, boiler upgrade (based on ROI).