As an Energy Auditor, you are a Conservationist, and your specific area of concern is energy. Not only do your efforts reduce the strain on natural resources, but you also save the customer money. Whether in a home or a business, Energy Auditors look for air leaks, faulty equipment, and inefficient appliances, then find ways to reduce energy usage.

On a typical inspection, you interview the customer first to evaluate concerns. Has the heating bill doubled? Is there a draft in a back bedroom? Does the bathroom have condensation on the window? As an Energy Auditor, you also gather information about how many people live in the home, how many hours in a day the house sits empty, and where the thermostat is generally set.

Once you’ve talked with the customer, you walk around the outside of the building, taking note of its size and other features. Next, you investigate the interior of each room. You crawl into the attic to measure insulation depth, slither under the house to assess ventilation, evaluate air flow through windows and doors, and in general make an inspection of light fixtures, outlets, and light switches. You also appraise the type and condition of major appliances such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, water heaters, furnaces, and air conditioning units.

With this truckload of information, you then advise the customer on ways they can reduce energy consumption and save money. This might be through additional insulation, replacing windows, or simply turning down the thermostat when no one is at home.