If you've heard about home energy audits but aren't sure what's involved, you're not alone. Many homeowners in St. George and Southern Utah are curious about energy testing but hesitant because they don't know what to expect.
Before the Audit
The auditor will ask you to gather recent utility bills, make sure all exterior doors and windows are closed, turn off exhaust fans and fireplaces, and ensure access to the attic, basement, and garage. The whole process takes 2–4 hours.
Step 1: Visual Inspection
The audit begins with a thorough visual inspection. The auditor examines insulation levels in the attic and walls, window and door seals, ductwork condition, caulking and weatherstripping, the garage door seal and insulation, and HVAC equipment age and condition.
Step 2: Blower Door Test
A powerful fan is mounted in your front door frame. The fan depressurizes your home by pulling air out, which causes outside air to rush in through every gap and leak. Using a calibrated pressure gauge, the auditor measures exactly how much air leakage your home has.
Step 3: Duct Blaster Test
Similar to the blower door test, but focused on your HVAC ductwork. A smaller fan is connected to your duct system to pressurize it and measure leakage. This reveals disconnected ducts, gaps at register connections, and damaged flexible duct.
Step 4: Thermal Imaging
Many audits include infrared thermal imaging, which uses a special camera to visualize temperature differences in walls, ceilings, and floors. This reveals missing insulation, moisture problems, and air leak paths through the building envelope.
Step 5: The Report
After testing, you'll receive a detailed report including your home's air leakage rate, specific leak locations with severity ratings, duct leakage measurements, insulation assessment, and prioritized recommendations ranked by cost-effectiveness. Most homeowners find that air sealing and duct repair—often costing $500–$1,500—can save $300–$600 annually.
What It Costs
A comprehensive energy audit in Southern Utah typically costs $200–$400. Considering the average homeowner saves $300–$600 per year after implementing recommendations, the audit pays for itself within the first year.
When to Get an Audit
An energy audit is especially valuable when your energy bills seem high, your home has rooms that are hard to heat or cool, you're planning an HVAC upgrade, you're buying or selling a home, or your home was built before current energy codes.
Ready to find out where your home is wasting energy? Schedule your energy audit with High Desert Garage Door & More. Call (435) 680-2859.
Need help with garage door repair, HVAC, or energy testing in Southern Utah? Call (435) 680-2859 — same-day service available.
