Comprehensive Home Audit

With all the information available on the Internet, many homeowners are confused on what steps to take to make their homes more energy efficient. Not all home energy audits are created equal. An accurate, comprehensive energy audit performed by one of LIPA's BPI certified contractors uses a variety of testing measures to look at your home’s unique features and provides a more in-depth audit, including a cost and energy savings estimate. It is also important to know if the individual or company you are considering hiring to conduct an energy audit in your home has the proper licenses and credentials.

What is a Comprehensive Home Audit?

A Comprehensive Home Audit is the first step towards improving a home’s efficiency and reducing your home’s energy bills. The Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited contractor will use a number of tests to evaluate heating and cooling equipment, insulation levels, and air infiltration and will explain what improvements can be made. Specifically, the contractor will look for opportunities to improve your home’s insulation, heating and cooling system, windows, appliances and lighting.

Audit Highlights

As an eligible participant in Home Performance Direct, you will receive services (if applicable) at no cost to you. You will also be provided with a list of other recommended, cost-effective improvements, some of which may be eligible for financial incentives from either LIPA or other sources.

The Comprehensive Home Audit, which may last from one to four hours, will provide you with valuable information about:

Carbon monoxide levels and/or moisture problems
Insulation levels, air leaks, and drafts
Heating and hot water system efficiency
Central air conditioning efficiency - if applicable
Distribution system (ductwork) - if applicable

What can I expect during a Home Performance DIRECT visit?
An initial visit can last up to four hours depending on site specific circumstances. Two energy advisors will perform a Comprehensive Home Audit that will include:

Duct sealing services and air sealing services (in attics and other areas), if applicable.
Diagnostic testing to uncover carbon monoxide and/or moisture problems.
Installation of appropriate energy saving measures to reduce water heating costs (if electric hot water).
Replacement of incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) models at no cost to you.
A final report with findings and recommendations for additional energy efficient measures.
For more information, please download LIPA’s What to Expect during your Comprehensive Home Audit form.

When scheduling your audit

Do your homework – before hiring a professional auditor, check with your
local Better Business Bureau to make sure they have the proper credentials.
Visit the Building Performance Institute at www.bpi.org to verify that the
contractor or company is BPI accredited.
In Suffolk County, companies performing or advertising home energy audits
must be certified with BPI, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating
and Air-Conditioning Engineers, or the equivalent.
A full 2 phase Comprehensive Home Audit (CHA) includes: Health & Safety
Tests, Air Leakage Tests, Cooling and Heating Systems, Efficiency Testing
A CHA performed by a BPI accredited contractor is required in order to qualify
for LIPA rebates and incentives.

Aren’t all energy audits the same?
A true, comprehensive energy audit uses a variety of testing measures to look at your home’s unique features and provide an in-depth audit, including a cost and energy savings estimate. The individual or company conducting a comprehensive energy audit should have the proper licenses and credentials. LIPA has developed a network of independent home improvement contractors who are accredited by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). These contractors take a “whole-house” approach when testing homes and identifying necessary energy efficiency improvements. From air leaks in the attic to your heating system in the basement, your home will be thoroughly reviewed to maximize energy-saving opportunities.

Why is BPI certification for contractors important?
The Building Performance Institute (BPI) is a national resource for building science technology that sets standards for auditing and improving the energy performance, as well as the health and safety of homes. Home Performance DIRECT participating contractors are BPI accredited and certified. A Comprehensive Home Audit performed by a Home Performance DIRECT participating contractor is required in order to qualify for LIPA rebates and incentives. For more information about BPI, please visit the Building Performance Institute Web site: www.bpi.org.

Home Performance Direct