The answer is yes, you probably do. But more importantly, an energy audit isn’t just a box to check. It’s the key that unlocks thousands in rebate dollars through programs like Home Efficiency Rebates (HER), the HOMES program, and many state-run energy incentive programs.
Let’s break down what an energy audit is, why it matters, what tools are used, and how MyNewHeatPump helps make the process painless and payout-friendly.
What Is a Home Energy Audit?
An energy audit is like a wellness checkup for your house. It’s a professional assessment that identifies where your home is wasting energy, how much, and what you can do to fix it.
A certified energy auditor uses specialized tools to evaluate your home’s efficiency and recommend upgrades that improve comfort and lower energy bills. More importantly, if you want to qualify for IRA rebate programs like HER, an audit is required.
In short: no audit, no rebate.
Why Energy Audits Are Required for HER Rebates
Let’s talk logistics. Under the HER program, your rebate amount is based on the modeled percentage of energy saved, not just what products you buy.
That means you can’t simply swap out your old heat pump and call it a day. To access rebates of up to $8,000 or more, the government needs a before-and-after snapshot of your home’s efficiency.
Here’s the catch: the “before” snapshot must be documented in a pre-upgrade energy audit. And the “after” snapshot comes from a verified scope of work and utility bill modeling once upgrades are complete.
It sounds complicated, and it is, which is why MyNewHeatPump handles it all for you. But more on that in a minute.
What Happens During an Energy Audit?
A professional auditor (someone certified through BPI or RESNET) will evaluate several aspects of your home’s energy use. To start, homeowners must provide the most recent 12 months of utility data—including electric utility bills and, if applicable, records from any gas supplier.
This information establishes a baseline for your current energy usage, which is crucial for calculating future savings and rebate eligibility.
After that, common steps include:
🔍 Visual Inspection
The audit starts with a walkthrough of your home to inspect insulation, air sealing, HVAC systems, windows, lighting, and more.
💨 Blower Door Test
This is the iconic fan-in-the-door test that depressurizes your house. It reveals where air is leaking in or out—think drafty windows, attic hatches, and leaky ducts.
🔦 Infrared Thermography
Thermal imaging cameras show hot and cold spots in your home, helping identify insulation gaps or air leaks that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
📊 Energy Modeling Software
The auditor inputs all the collected data into modeling software that estimates your home’s current energy use and simulates how proposed upgrades will improve efficiency.
It typically takes 2–3 hours and gives you a comprehensive energy report that you can’t get from a Google search.
How MyNewHeatPump Makes It Easy
Scheduling, coordinating, modeling, submitting paperwork; it’s a lot. That’s why we’ve built our platform to handle it for you.
Here’s how it works:
✅ We schedule your energy audit with a licensed third-party auditor in your area.
✅ We review the results and develop a scope of work that qualifies for federal, state, and utility rebates.
✅ We coordinate with contractors to get the work done right and meet all program requirements.
✅ We manage your rebate applications (and yes, we read the fine print so you don’t have to).
The entire process usually takes 1–2 weeks, depending on your location and contractor availability. And in some cases, we’ve completed audits and submitted applications in less than a week.
Pro Tip: Energy Audits Save You More Than Just Money
Yes, the rebate programs are a huge win. But here’s the hidden benefit: an audit helps prioritize upgrades that make the biggest impact on your comfort, safety, and utility bills.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that air sealing and insulation improvements often deliver bigger savings than replacing an HVAC unit alone. Without an audit, you’re left in the dark.
Frequently Asked Questions About Energy Audits & Rebates
What is a home energy audit, and what does it include?
A home energy audit is a professional assessment of your home’s current energy use. It includes a visual inspection, a blower door test to detect air leaks, thermal imaging, and a full evaluation of insulation, HVAC performance, and more.
The auditor then uses this data to create a detailed report showing where you’re losing energy and what upgrades would make the biggest impact. This report is essential for qualifying for rebate programs like HER and HOMES.
Do I need an energy audit to get IRA rebates for a heat pump?
It depends on which rebate program you’re applying for. If you’re using the HER (Home Efficiency Rebates) program, a pre-upgrade energy audit is required to model your expected energy savings.
For the HEAR program (focused on income-eligible homeowners), energy audits may still be part of the process to verify eligibility and improvements. Either way, starting with an audit helps unlock more rebate options and ensures you get the biggest payout possible.
How much does a home energy audit cost, and is it covered by rebates?
The cost of a professional energy audit typically ranges from $250 to $600, depending on your location and home size. In many cases, the cost is either partially reimbursed through rebate programs or baked into the overall upgrade project costs.
When you work with MyNewHeatPump, we coordinate the audit as part of your project and help apply any available funds to offset that expense. You’ll never be left footing a surprise bill.
How long does the energy audit and rebate process take?
The audit itself usually takes 2–3 hours on-site, with a final report ready within a few days. From there, MyNewHeatPump uses the report to develop a qualified scope of work and submit rebate applications on your behalf.
Most homeowners complete the full process—from audit to rebate submission—in 1–2 weeks, depending on contractor scheduling and paperwork timelines. In some cases, we’ve helped clients fast-track everything in as little as 7 days.
Can I do my own energy audit, or does it have to be done by a professional?
For federal and state rebate programs like HOMES and HER, only audits performed by certified professionals (e.g., BPI or RESNET certified auditors) are accepted. DIY audits or online calculators don’t meet the verification requirements needed for rebate eligibility.
MyNewHeatPump partners with trusted third-party auditors who understand the program criteria and deliver compliant reports. We handle the scheduling so you don’t have to lift a finger.
Don’t Stress the Paperwork—We’ve Got It Covered
We know these programs can feel overwhelming. Between the numerous acronyms like HOMES, HER, HEAR, 25C, and state-by-state rules, it’s no wonder most contractors and homeowners give up before they start.
But this is what we do every day. MyNewHeatPump connects homeowners with qualified contractors, coordinates every moving part of your upgrade, and makes sure your audit, application, and payout all line up.
You get comfort. You get savings. And you get peace of mind. It all starts with a free eligibility quiz.
