The BPI Energy Audit

The BPI Energy Audit

TL;DR

A BPI (Building Performance Institute) audit is a 2-3 hour diagnostic that tests your home's air tightness, identifies efficiency issues with photos and measurements, and produces a prioritized scope of work that's eligible for Whole Home rebates. The audit is covered by the program — no out-of-pocket cost when you proceed with at least the minimum scope.

The full story

The BPI audit is what makes the Whole Home rebate possible. Utilities are willing to pay $7,500 for a project because the audit ensures the project is engineered to actually save energy. Without it, you'd just be hoping the upgrades work. With it, the savings are measured and predicted before any equipment goes in.

Here's what the auditor actually does on site. First, the blower door test: a calibrated fan mounts in your front door and depressurizes the house. The pressure differential reveals exactly how leaky your envelope is, and walking through the house with the door running lets the auditor feel and see the leaks (often using a smoke pencil or thermal imaging to make air movement visible). Second, thermal imaging: an infrared camera scans walls and ceilings to find missing or compressed insulation, hidden gaps, and thermal bridges. Third, a combustion safety test on any existing fossil-fuel appliances — furnaces, water heaters, gas ranges — to make sure they're venting properly. Fourth, a room-by-room walkthrough to inventory equipment ages, model numbers, and conditions.

What you get back is a written report — typically delivered within 48 hours — that includes photos of the issues found, recommended improvements ranked by return on investment, and an estimated savings projection. That report is what your contractor uses to write the project scope, and that scope is what gets submitted to the utility for rebate approval.

The audit-led approach is also why Whole Home projects feel different from a typical equipment swap. You're not picking equipment off a brochure and hoping it works. You're getting a diagnosis of your specific house, then having work scoped to address what was actually found.

Common questions

"How much does the audit cost?" Nothing out of pocket if you proceed with at least the minimum 5% savings package — the program covers it. If you choose not to move forward at all, fee policies vary — we confirm exact terms during your free consultation.

"How long does it take?" 2-3 hours on site for the audit itself. The written report comes back within about 48 hours.

"Do I need to be home?" Yes for the walkthrough portion — the auditor needs access to attic, basement, mechanical rooms, and every conditioned space. Plan on being available for the full visit.

"Is it invasive — will they cut into walls or pull equipment?" No. The audit is non-invasive. No holes, no equipment removal, no demolition. The blower door mounts in your front door with a temporary frame; the thermal camera is handheld; everything else is visual inspection.