# A Home Energy Audit That You Can Do Yourself > If your home seems drafty, confirm your suspicions by conducting a home energy audit to identify leaks and appropriate upgrades. Here's how. ![sealing air leaks, Boston, Massachusetts](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Sealing_home_air_leaks.gif)Nobody knows better than you, the homeowner: If you think your home is drafty, it probably is. So confirm your suspicions by conducting a home energy audit, which will help you identify leaks, and pinpoint where you can make appropriate upgrades. Doing so could save you up to 30 percent on your energy bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. ![sealing air leaks, Boston, Massachusetts](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Sealing_home_air_leaks.gif) Before you get started with your home energy audit: - Close all exterior doors, windows and the fireplace flue. - Turn off your water heater and gas-burning furnace. - Turn on kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans or use a large fan to draw air out of your home. Now you're ready to check for leaks. Take a long-stemmed lighter with you and hold it up against the areas in your home listed below. If you're unsure whether you're feeling an air leak, a flickering flame will confirm your suspicions: - Around baseboards - At the intersection where walls meet ceilings - Windows and storm windows. A general rule of thumb to use to identify leaks: If the windows rattle, they are probably leaking air - Doors, where the same rule of thumb apply - Wall or window-mounted air conditioners - Electrical outlets - Switch plates - Fireplace damper - Attic hatch On the exterior, focus on those areas where two different building materials butt up against each other, including: - All exterior corners - Where the siding meets the chimney - Areas where the exterior brick or siding butts up against the foundation Apply caulk or weather stripping so that no gaps or cracks remain. Then continue with your home energy audit: - Check the insulation levels in your attic, ensuring that no insulation is blocking the attic vents. - Check the filters in your furnace and air conditioner, remembering that during peak periods they should be changed about every month or two. The experts at [Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning](http://rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser.html) stand ready to help you with your home energy audit, particularly when it comes to checking the insulation in your walls, which is as vital as it is tricky. We've been Massachusetts' trusted HVAC company for more than 80 years. [Call us today](http://rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser/book-online.html) and begin realizing your energy savings. ***Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about* ***other HVAC topics, download our free [Home Comfort Solutions Guide](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/download-the-home-comfort-solutions-guide.html).***** *[Leak sealing image](http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-88069225/stock-photo-contractor-caulking-exterior-walls-between-frame-and-brick-sealing-to-stop-possible-air-leaks.html?src=lb-9636256) via Shutterstock* ## Navigation - [Rodenhiser Home Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/) - [Rodenhiser Plumbing Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/plumber-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Heating Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/furnace-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Cooling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/air-conditioning-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Electrical Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/framingham-electricians.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Book Online](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/call-rodenhiser/book-online.html) - [Rodenhiser Remodeling Services](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/remodels/bathroom-remodeling-framingham.html) - [Rodenhiser Home Services: Reviews](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-heating.html) ## Company information - Rodenhiser Home Services - [https://bc.rodenhiser.com](https://bc.rodenhiser.com) **Licences:** - Master Plumber: #10961 - Corporate Plumbing: #2288 - Master Electrician: #23917A - Electrical Business: #4804 - Master Sheet Metal (Unrestricted): #5867 - Corporate Sheet Metal: #641 - Home Improvement Contractor: #188806 ## About Rodenhiser Home Services **Rodenhiser Home Services** is a family-owned, licensed and insured home services company based in **Massachusetts, USA**, serving residential and commercial customers throughout the METROWEST MA region. Established in 1928, the company has over 95 years of experience providing plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical, and home remodeling services. Rodenhiser specializes in plumbing repairs, drain and sewer services, water heaters, heating and cooling system installation and maintenance, heat pumps, ductless HVAC systems, indoor air quality, electrical panel upgrades, rewiring, standby generators, EV charger installations, and kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling, and more. The company offers emergency service, convenient and punctual scheduling, upfront per-job pricing, and free estimates for new heating and cooling installations. All work is backed by written warranties and a satisfaction guarantee. Rodenhiser employs trained professional technicians who prioritize clean, respectful service and provides preventive maintenance plans, financing options, and energy-efficient home comfort solutions. Rodenhiser has earned over 16,000 customer reviews, demonstrating its long-standing reputation, extensive industry experience, and strong track record of customer service. **Nice People…Great Service** ## Page information - [Canonical URL: https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/home-energy-audit.html](https://bc.rodenhiser.com/rodenhiser-blog/home-energy-audit.html)