Same price. Same look. Very different home.
Two homes can have the same size, the same style and the same asking price, yet be built in very different ways behind the walls. Those differences show up every month on the utility bill, for as long as you own the home.
A tale of two homes
An illustrative example: two similar Maine homes listed at about the same price.
Home A
Built with spray foam
- Insulates and air seals in one step, closing gaps as it goes
- A tighter building envelope that holds heat in more consistently
- Typically more comfortable rooms and lower energy bills
Home B
Built with fiberglass
- Insulates but does not seal air on its own, so performance depends on separate air sealing and careful installation
- Gaps, voids and leaks can let conditioned air escape
- Often more drafts, uneven rooms and higher energy bills
Same listing price. Very different cost to live there.
Listings show bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage. They don't show what's inside the walls, and the asking price often doesn't reflect it. The owner of the higher-performing home may spend less to heat and cool it every year they live there, while the other owner keeps paying more than they needed to.
Illustrative comparison only. Actual performance varies with design, installation quality, air sealing, climate and how the home is used. A fiberglass home that was well installed and well air sealed can perform well, which is exactly what an audit helps determine.
What the listing doesn't tell you
What you can see
- Bedrooms and bathrooms
- Square footage and lot size
- Kitchen, flooring and finishes
- Curb appeal
What decides your bills
- How the walls, attic and basement are insulated
- How airtight the home really is
- The condition of the heating equipment
- Moisture and ventilation behind the scenes
What an audit looks at
Insulation type and installation
Spray foam, cellulose, fiberglass, mineral wool or nothing at all? And was it installed well? Both the material and the workmanship matter.
Air leakage
Gaps around rim joists, attic penetrations, chimneys and wiring let conditioned air escape. Some materials seal air as they insulate; others rely on separate air sealing.
Attic, wall and basement coverage
Insulation can be thin, missing, compressed or settled in places you can't see from a walkthrough.
Heating equipment
The age and condition of a boiler, furnace or heat pump affect comfort and operating cost for years.
Moisture
Damp basements and crawlspaces can hurt comfort, air quality and insulation performance.
Ventilation
A tighter home needs fresh air on purpose. Many homes have fans that don't actually vent outdoors.
A bill that lasts as long as the house
A purchase price is paid once. Utility bills arrive every month for as long as you own the home. If the house uses more energy than it needs to, that extra cost repeats year after year.
Having an audit done helps you spot the problem before it becomes your problem. It can help you avoid paying larger-than-needed utility bills over the life of the home, by showing what to fix, what to prioritize and what to budget for.
- Know about problems before closing, not after your first winter
- Plan and prioritize upgrades with a clear, written report
- Negotiate and budget with better information
- Avoid surprises like ice dams, drafty rooms and damp basements
What you get
- 1A whole-house auditAttic, walls, basement or crawlspace, ventilation and heating equipment.
- 2A detailed written reportWhat your home needs, prioritized for comfort and savings.
- 3Clear next stepsSet-price scopes for the work you choose, with options priced by type and brand.
- 4One team to see it throughWe can handle the upgrades and keep you informed along the way.
How we help
Home buyers
Know what you're really buying before closing. An audit helps you plan upgrades, budget for them, and understand what the home may cost to heat and cool.
Home sellers
Understand your home's strengths and weak spots before buyers do. Knowing what's behind the walls lets you answer questions with confidence.
Realtors
Give your clients a clear picture beyond bedrooms and square footage, and a trusted local resource when an inspection raises questions.
Home inspectors
When your report flags cold rooms, moisture, ice dams or aging equipment, send clients to a team that can explain the findings and the next steps.
Timing matters in real estate. Reach out as early as you can and we'll work to fit your timeline. We'll explain what we find in plain language, with no pressure.
Know the home before you own the bills
Send us a note about the property or the inspection report and we'll follow up with one clear next step. Free estimate, zero pressure.