What to expect from a free Home Energy Evaluation.

A professional home energy audit — like our Home Energy Evaluation — is a great first step in assessing how much energy your home uses and figuring out what to do about it. 

Maybe you’re surprised by how much energy your home uses, perhaps you’re mystified by a draft in the hallway. Or, maybe you’re just curious about energy efficiency and discovering new ways to make your home more energy efficient. Get started today by clicking this “Get an evaluation” link!

Most homes are quietly losing energy — and money — in ways that aren’t always obvious. The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Our DIY Home Energy Assessment can be a great place to start learning about how your home consumes energy. However, if you’re looking for a more complete audit and advice from pros, then our free Home Energy Evaluation is the way to go. Our in-person evaluations are led by certified TVA Energy Advisors, and these professionals will help you take your learning and your energy savings to a whole new level. 

You can expect a thorough, guided walk-through of your home with a certified expert who knows exactly what to look for. No confusing technical jargon. No pressure. Just real answers tailored to your home—and a clear path to comfort and savings.

After the evaluation, you’ll receive a detailed report with personalized recommendations and an energy efficiency scorecard that helps you prioritize the areas of your home where you can make the biggest efficiency gains. From there, you can move forward at your own pace — whether that means tackling a few quick fixes right away or saving for larger upgrades down the road. You’ll also receive a free energy-saving kit that includes items such as:

• Advanced power strip with USB-A and USB-C charging ports
• Water conservation devices
• Door Sweep
• LED nightlight
• And more!

What is a Home Energy Evaluation?

Think of it like a wellness checkup for your home. Just as you’d visit a doctor to understand what’s going on with your body and its systems, a Home Energy Evaluation helps you understand your home and its systems. They’ll make sure you truly understand  how your home uses and loses energy.

A TVA-certified Home Energy Advisor will arrange a time to visit your home. When they arrive, they’ll introduce themselves and then get to work taking a closer look at the areas that affect your comfort and your energy bills. You’re welcome to join them or sit back and wait for the customized results.

They’re not there to sell you anything or overwhelm you with a massive to-do list. They’re there to help you see what’s really happening in your home and give you practical, personalized recommendations that make sense for your situation.

You might be surprised by what they find. Sometimes it’s the small things — a leaky duct in the attic, an old refrigerator working overtime or gaps around windows that you never noticed. All these discoveries can add up to big energy losses. 

They’ll also inspect the “biggies,” such as insulation levels or the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. Either way, you’ll walk away knowing exactly where your energy-saving priorities are and what you can do about them.

Why a professional evaluation beats guesswork.

We know there’s no shortage of DIY energy-saving tips online. And some of them are great, like our DIY Home Energy Assessment! But trying to piece together an energy-saving strategy can leave you wondering: Is this actually the biggest issue for my home? Will this fix really work for me?

That’s where the value of a professional evaluation comes in. Your Home Energy Advisor isn’t guessing. They have the tools and training to spot issues that impact your home’s individual performance. The advice is specific and tailored to your home.

Our evaluations are customized to you. Your advisor will take the time to understand your home, your concerns and your goals. If you’re worried about a specific room, they’ll focus there. If your biggest concern is high energy bills, they’ll prioritize the upgrades that will give you the most savings.

And here’s the part that really matters: you’re not alone in this. You have someone who knows what they’re doing, walking you through it step by step.

What does your Home Energy Advisor evaluate?

During your evaluation, your advisor will examine 10 key areas of your home. Each one plays a role in how efficiently your home uses energy — and how comfortable you feel inside.

#1 — Air sealing

Air leaks around windows, doors, outlets and other hidden spots can let your heated or cooled air escape. Your advisor identifies where these leaks are happening and recommends solutions to seal them up.

#2 — HVAC system

Your heating and cooling system is one of the biggest energy users in your home. Your advisor checks to make sure it’s running efficiently and lets you know if upgrades could save you money. They’ll also walk you through our rebate process so you’ll know what to expect.

#3 — Duct sealing

If your ducts have leaks, you could be losing a significant amount of conditioned air before it even reaches the rooms in your home. Your advisor assesses your ductwork and recommends sealing where needed.

#4 — Windows and doors

Old or poorly sealed windows and doors can be major sources of energy loss. Your advisor evaluates their condition and suggests improvements that make sense for your budget.

#5 — Water heater

Water heating accounts for a substantial portion of your energy use. Your advisor looks at your current system and explores whether an upgrade — like a high efficiency heat pump water heater — could cut costs.

#6 — Wall insulation

Insulation in your walls helps keep your home at a comfortable temperature year-round. If it’s missing (a lot of older homes in our region are not insulated) or insufficient, your advisor will let you know.

#7 — Appliances and electronics

Everything from your refrigerator to your stove, and your TV to your microwave, contributes to your energy use. Your advisor identifies opportunities to save by upgrading to more efficient models.

#8 — Lighting

Switching to energy-efficient LED bulbs — indoors and outside — is one of the easiest ways to save. Your advisor can recommend upgrades that brighten your home and garden while lowering your bills.

#9 — Refrigerator

If your refrigerator is more than 10 years old, it’s likely using far more energy than newer models. Your advisor assesses whether it’s time for a replacement.

#10 — Attic insulation

Heat rises—and if your attic isn’t properly insulated, that heat escapes right through your roof in winter. In summer, poor attic insulation lets heat pour in. Your advisor checks your insulation levels and recommends improvements if needed.

Each of these areas gets individual attention during your evaluation. And at the end of the visit, you’ll receive a customized report with specific recommendations for your home.

What homeowners from around the region are saying about their Home Energy Evaluation:

We know that inviting someone into your home to assess its efficiency feels like a big step. Will it really help? Is it worth the time? Here’s what some of your neighbors in our seven-state Tennessee Valley region have experienced:

Saving money on energy costs is a great reason to schedule a Home Energy Evaluation. But there’s more to it than that.

When your home is more energy efficient, it’s also more comfortable. No more cold drafts in winter. No more sticky rooms in summer. No more wondering why one part of the house feels completely different from another.

You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that your home is working the way it should. You won’t have to guess whether your HVAC system is working as it should or if you’re wasting money on an outdated water heater. You’ll have clear, expert answers — and a plan for what to do next.

And if you’re thinking about upgrades, your evaluation helps you prioritize. Not everything needs to be done at once. Your advisor will help you understand which improvements will have the biggest impact, so you can tackle them in a way that works for your timeline and budget.

How to get started:

Scheduling your Home Energy Evaluation is easy. Just click this “Get an evaluation” link and we’ll get started.

Once you’re scheduled, your TVA-certified Home Energy Advisor will come to your home at a time that’s convenient for you. The evaluation typically takes about an hour, and you’re welcome to follow along and ask questions as they go.

We understand that thinking about home energy improvements can feel overwhelming. There are so many options, and so much information that it’s hard to know where to start.

That’s why we’re here. A Home Energy Evaluation gives you a clear starting point, guided by someone who knows what they’re doing.