7 Things to Look for in an Energy Audit Company

Home energy audits are increasingly popular in Colorado, and the companies claiming to provide them are increasingly common. So how do you know which company to trust? You aren’t the only one asking that question. We find that a lot of people know why they want a home energy audit. But understanding who to call for the audit? That’s a different story.

Make the Right Choice to Save Money Every Month

Every dollar you save on energy costs is a dollar you can invest in your children, your loved ones, your future, and even the simple pleasures of life. All of those things matter, and we are here to help you keep those dollars in your wallet. In Denver’s unique climate, where homes face both frigid winters and increasingly hot summers, choosing the right energy audit company becomes even more crucial.

Through improvements identified in a professional energy audit, the typical Colorado home can reduce energy consumption by 20-30%. These savings add up over time, creating both immediate comfort and long-term financial benefits.

Here are the seven things to look for in a Colorado Energy Audit company:

1. Seek Out Comprehensive Knowledge and Communication
2. Choose a Full-Service Provider for Both Audit and Improvements
3. Prioritize Privacy and Professionalism
4. Verify Local Expertise for Denver, Fort Collins and Homes across the Front Range.
5. Check for Essential Industry Credentials
6. Evaluate Their Audit Process
7. Consider Rebate Eligibility

Let’s dive into each of these in a little more detail.

1. Seek Out Comprehensive Knowledge and Communication

We tell our clients, “Don’t be afraid to ask us questions.” We want to answer them. It’s important to us that you understand what we’re doing and how it will help.

A qualified energy audit company should clearly explain:

• How a blower door test measures energy leaking from your house (it’s money flying out the window — almost literally!)
• How they assess insulation behind your walls and its performance
• How they evaluate your building envelope’s current performance

Often, the best way to assess a company’s competence is simply to call them and ask what they do and why.

Whether it’s assessing the ductwork in your home, weatherizing, installing new wall and attic insulation, putting in energy-efficient furnaces, or even just changing you over to high-performance light bulbs, a good company should be ready to tell you who they are, what they do, and why they do it!

The most reputable companies will explain how specific improvements might perform differently in summer versus winter conditions. This seasonal understanding is particularly valuable in Denver’s climate, where your home faces dramatically different challenges throughout the year.

2. Choose a Full-Service Provider

As Denver homeowners already know, “middlemen” make things messy. There is a tremendous benefit in using the same company for both the audit and the improvements you make as a result of that audit. REenergizeCO does not outsource any of their contract work – we are a local company that does everything in-house.

Look for a company that offers:

• Experienced diagnostic services
• Installation capabilities for recommended improvements
• Onsite crew leaders supervising all installations and repairs
• Expertise in various insulation types and proper installation techniques

REenergizeCO is an experienced provider of both diagnostic and installation services, meaning you can count on our company as a one-stop, full-service solution for all your home energy improvement needs.

This integrated approach simplifies the process and ensures that the team recommending improvements truly understands your home’s specific efficiency challenges. When diagnostics and implementation come from the same trusted source, you gain consistency, accountability, and often more cost-effective solutions.

3. Prioritize Privacy and Professionalism

A quality energy audit requires home visits and access to certain information. Ensure the company:

• Has vetted, trained team members who respect your home
• Maintains confidentiality when analyzing your utility bills
• Uses secure software for data analysis
• Provides customized recommendations specific to your home

With your permission, a good audit company will strategically analyze your last 12 monthly utility bills (if available). This data helps produce an extremely insightful recommendations report, customized specifically to your home.

Look for professionals who arrive on time, communicate clearly about their work, and take the time to answer your questions—not just during the audit but throughout the entire process. The best audit companies understand that they’re not just assessing your home; they’re building a relationship based on trust and expertise.

4. Verify Local Expertise for Colorado Homes

Let’s face it — life in Colorado isn’t the same as life in Texas, California, Missouri, or anywhere else in the country. The Centennial State faces unique home energy challenges, including:

• Specific climate conditions
• Elevation considerations
• Local building practices
• State regulatory requirements

Be sure you choose a company that is not only local but also well-versed in the particularities of Colorado home energy.

Denver homes face distinct challenges from dramatic temperature swings, intense solar exposure at our elevation, and snowmelt considerations. A company with true local expertise will understand how these factors affect your home differently from season to season and will recommend solutions that provide year-round benefits, not just seasonal fixes.

5. Check for Essential Industry Credentials

We hope we’ve helped you understand what to look for in an energy audit company. But beyond anything else, the most important thing you can consider is credentialed experience. There’s simply no substitute for it.

Knowledge of building sciences is key to understanding the issues that affect home energy efficiency. The Building Performance Institute, or BPI, is a leader in training professionals to understand and analyze home energy consumption.

When you work with a BPI-certified contractor, you can rest assured that the auditor will have the training and scientific knowledge to identify multiple issues that can affect home energy consumption. This is especially important if you have an older home built before the establishment of modern building codes.

Key Credentials to Look For:

• Utility Recognition: Approval from local utilities like Xcel Energy.  REenergizeCO has been an approved contractor for over 10 years. 
• BPI Certification: Ensures knowledge of building sciences and systemic approach
• ENERGY STAR Partner/Certification
• Green Certifications: LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP)
• Positive Reviews: Check HomeAdvisor, Angie’s List, Yelp, Google, etc.

These credentials represent more than just letters after someone’s name—they demonstrate a commitment to ongoing education and evidence-based approaches to home performance. For data-driven homeowners seeking measurable results, these certifications provide assurance that recommendations are based on science, not sales pitches.

REenergizeCO is an approved contractor for Xcel. We have been a top producer for the last 13 years.

6. Evaluate Their Audit Process

A thorough energy audit involves multiple steps, which is especially important in Colorado’s unique climate. Ensure your auditor will perform:

• Indoor and outdoor inspection of walls
• Inspection of doors and windows
• Inspection of specific areas (attic, basement, crawlspace, seal air leakage)
• Testing of combustion appliances (furnace, water heater)
• Thermal imaging
• Blower door test to measure air leakage
• Energy bill analysis to understand usage trends
• List of rebates that could qualify for.

Throughout this process, your auditor should be courteous, respectful of your home, and take time to answer your questions.

The most thorough audits will also consider how your home performs in different seasons. Ask your auditor if they’ll evaluate both heating and cooling considerations, as both impact your year-round comfort and energy expenses. A comprehensive audit might take 3-4 hours to complete, but this investment of time delivers the detailed insights necessary for truly effective improvements.

7. Consider Rebate Eligibility

More and more utilities in Colorado are offering customers rebates and incentives on home energy audits. To take advantage of these savings:

• Check if your local utility recognizes the company
• Verify they’re “approved,” “preferred,” “verified,” or “registered”
• Confirm they meet standards for credentialing and training

For example, Xcel Energy, which serves Denver and other Front Range communities, requires customers to “use a registered audit contractor from the Xcel Energy Home Energy Audit preferred contractor list” to qualify for partial refunds.

These rebate programs can significantly reduce your upfront costs, with some homeowners recovering 60-80% of their audit expenses. When combined with potential utility bill savings, these incentives can make professional energy audits one of the most cost-effective home investments available in Colorado today.

Start Saving on Energy Today

Whether you are tired of feeling uncomfortable in your home or you want to start saving money on your monthly energy bill, a home energy audit can help you identify areas for improvement and determine what updates you need to make your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.

REenergizeCO is an Xcel Energy registered contractor and an approved Efficiency Works service provider, serving Denver, Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, and Estes Park. Our team includes experienced BPI-certified home energy auditors who provide comprehensive diagnosis and friendly service.

Although we offer a range of energy solutions, we will never try to “hard-sell” you on our services. Our goal with the home energy audit is to evaluate your home, make recommendations, and help you with your rebate.

Contact REenergizeCO today to schedule your home energy audit and take the first step toward a more comfortable, energy-efficient home.