What I Look for During a Free Attic Energy Audit

I climb into attics almost every week and I can usually tell within the first 30 seconds whether a house is wasting energy. Most homeowners have no idea what is going on up there because they never look. But your attic tells the story of where your money is going every month. Here is exactly what I check during a free energy audit at GLME.

Insulation Depth and Coverage

The first thing I measure is how much insulation is actually up there. Current code for LA County is R-38, which means about 12 to 14 inches of blown-in material. Most older homes I inspect have 4 to 6 inches, which is R-11 to R-19. That is a massive gap. I also look for bare spots, especially around the attic hatch, recessed light cans, and where walls meet the ceiling. These gaps are thermal highways for heat.

Air Sealing and Penetrations

Insulation only works if air is not bypassing it. I check for gaps around plumbing pipes, electrical wires, recessed lights, bathroom exhaust fans, and the HVAC plenum. Every unsealed penetration is a hole where hot attic air leaks into your living space. On our Studio City project, the attic had decent insulation coverage but it was full of unsealed penetrations. Sealing those gaps before adding more insulation made a huge difference.

Ductwork Condition

If your HVAC ducts run through the attic, I check for disconnected joints, crushed sections, and deteriorated insulation wrap. Leaky ducts in a hot attic mean you are paying to cool the attic instead of your house. I have seen homes where 30 percent of the conditioned air was escaping through duct leaks before it ever reached a room.

Ventilation

A properly ventilated attic has intake vents at the soffits and exhaust vents at the ridge or near the peak. This creates airflow that carries heat out. A lot of older homes have their soffit vents blocked by insulation or were never built with ridge vents. Poor ventilation traps heat, which damages shingles from below and makes the insulation work harder.

What the Thermal Camera Shows

I bring a thermal camera to every audit. It makes heat flow visible in a way that is impossible to argue with. I can show you exactly where hot air is coming in, where your ductwork is leaking, and where insulation gaps exist. Clients tell me the thermal images are what convinced them to move forward because the problem goes from abstract to obvious in one photo.

What Happens After the Audit

I put together a prioritized list of recommendations based on what will save you the most money. For most homes, air sealing and insulation are the first steps, often followed by duct repair or HVAC replacement. I include estimated costs, expected savings, and any available rebates. There is no obligation and no pressure. The audit gives you the information you need to make a smart decision on your timeline.