Energy audit was actually the first thing I did before demo. It flagged a bunch of missing insulation in weird spots and a leaky attic hatch I’d never have noticed. Cost a couple hundred, but saved me from redoing drywall twice. Worth it, honestly.
I get the appeal of an energy audit, but honestly, I skipped it and just budgeted for a bit of extra insulation and caulk. Ended up being cheaper for me, since my house is pretty straightforward. Sometimes those audits feel like overkill unless you’ve got a real mystery on your hands.
I get where you’re coming from—if your house is pretty basic, sometimes just adding insulation and sealing gaps does the trick. But I’ve run into situations where skipping the audit meant missing less obvious issues, like hidden air leaks in the attic or ductwork problems behind walls. Those can add up over time, both in costs and comfort. The audit isn’t always necessary, but in older homes or ones with weird layouts, it’s saved me from some expensive surprises down the line. Just depends how much risk you’re willing to take on, I guess.
I hear you on the audit catching hidden stuff, but honestly, I’ve found that sometimes those audits just lead to a laundry list of “urgent” fixes that aren’t really critical. I’d rather put that money into upgrades I can actually see and feel. Not saying skip it every time, but sometimes it feels like overkill, especially if you’re already planning to open up the walls anyway.
