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What to Expect During a Home Energy Audit in 2026

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A home energy audit, also called a home energy assessment or home performance assessment, examines how your house uses energy, where energy may be lost, and which improvements deserve attention first. A professional assessment usually looks at the house as a connected system rather than assuming that one window, appliance, or HVAC component is responsible for a comfort or energy problem. Table of Contents What Happens During a Home Energy Audit? Before the Audit: What to Prepare Homeowner Interview and Energy-Use Review Visual Inspection: What the Assessor Looks At How a Blower Door Test Works What an Infrared or Thermographic Scan Shows Duct Leakage, HVAC, and Ventilation Checks Combustion Safety and Other Health Concerns What You Should Receive After the Audit How to Choose an Energy Auditor How Much Does a Home Energy Audit Cost in 2026? How Long Does a Home Energy Audit Take? 2026 Federal Tax Credit Update Common Home Energy Audit Mistakes to Avoid What to Do Af...
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Why Your Home Has Cold Spots and How to Fix Them

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A cold room does not automatically mean your furnace or heat pump is failing. Uneven temperatures can come from air leaks, insulation gaps, leaking or restricted ducts, blocked registers, reduced HVAC airflow, or several problems at once. The most useful strategy is to start with simple airflow and draft checks, then investigate insulation and ducts before considering major equipment replacement. Table of Contents Why One Room Can Be Colder Than the Rest of the House Start With the Simplest Airflow Checks Check for Air Leaks Without Assuming the Window Is Bad Inspect the Attic, Basement, and Crawlspace Leaky or Restricted Ducts Can Create Cold Rooms Why More Insulation Alone May Not Solve a Cold Spot Do Not Jump Straight to a Bigger Furnace or Heat Pump Use a Cheap-Fix-to-Diagnosis Troubleshooting Order Professional Energy Assessments Can Find Hidden Problems Air Sealing and Insulation Can Save Energy, but Do Not Treat the Estimates as Guarantees Air Sealing Has Ventila...
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Roof Repair vs Replacement: Signs Homeowners Should Know

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A leaking roof does not automatically need to be replaced. For a typical steep-slope asphalt shingle roof, the better decision starts with the cause, location, and extent of the damage and the condition of the overall roof system—not a leak or roof age alone. Table of Contents Roof Repair vs Replacement: Start With the Damage A Roof Leak Does Not Automatically Mean a New Roof What Asphalt Shingle Damage Can Be Repaired? When Replacement Deserves a Broader Evaluation Roof Age Is Context, Not an Expiration Date Exterior Signs Homeowners Can Observe Safely Granules in the Gutter Need Context Interior Warning Signs Can Help Trace the Problem Storm Damage Can Change the Repair Decision Temporary Roof Repairs Are Not Permanent Repairs Be Cautious With Roof Coatings and Rejuvenators A Safe Roof Inspection Checklist for Homeowners What to Ask During a Professional Roof Inspection Roof Insurance: Damage and Wear Are Different Do Not Count on a 2026 Federal Roof Tax Credit C...
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