Auditor

The Industry

Homes and buildings account for around 40% of all energy used in the U.S. and they generate a similar proportion of greenhouse gas emissions.[1]  In the race to drive down energy use and reduce emissions, the home performance industry deploys a wide range of strategies: applying highly-efficient building and home designs; advanced construction and retrofitting techniques; and using energy efficient technology and systems to reduce energy consumption and decrease costs to home owners and renters.

In the U.S. more than 2.3 million people work some or all of their time on building energy efficiency technologies and services.[2] In Washington, there are around 65 thousand efficiency jobs, and the sector is slated to grow by 2,300 jobs in 2022 (4.1%).[3]  More than half of all energy efficiency jobs are in construction, where one in every five jobs deal with products and services proven to save energy.

Home performance and efficiency also addresses the need for greater social and economic justice. Providing direct services to improve livability and reduce energy burden for low-income occupants, communities of color and other underserved populations helps reduce the costs to these individuals and families, who typically spend a disproportionate amount of their incomes on home energy. By reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality, home performance projects can also enhance occupant health and safety, and contribute to overall comfort.

The Job

A home performance Auditor acts as a consultant who helps assess and improve the energy efficiency of residential buildings. Auditors function as a building inspector who focuses specifically on identifying energy efficiency improvements. They provide homeowners with specific and actionable recommendations to improve the home’s level of energy efficiency, increase occupant comfort, support health and safety, and reduce utility costs. Residential energy auditors also assess a site for additional health and safety concerns including, but not limited to, moisture, mold, and asbestos.[4] Responsibilities include using visual inspection techniques, doing data analysis, and using tools such as auditing software programs, blower door testing, thermal imaging, and duct blasters to look for signs of energy waste, leakage, and safety issues. Auditors usually inspect the entire building, including internal and external features, to collect data and determine what changes might best improve residential performance. Auditors then provide recommendations to remedy the problems that are found, starting with those that are of greatest concern and can be resolved using options that are cost-effective for the occupant.

The work of a skilled Auditor is diverse and multi-faceted. In addition to requiring solid technical skills, the work typically includes interacting with others individually and in teams, collaborating on projects with colleagues, energy efficiency contractors, and interfacing directly with building and home-owners and occupants. That means having good social, listening and problem-solving skills are also important. The position tends to involve a lot of field work and some travel, since auditors typically conduct on-site residential building inspections as well as collecting and analyzing energy use data from utility bills and other records. Energy auditors need to exercise tact and people skills when introducing and explaining the auditing process, and in sharing details about the audit findings and recommendations.