The Mystery of the Ballooning Power Bill
You open your Avista statement, notice the total, and wonder if your kids have installed a secret sauna in the attic. Relax—you’re not alone. The Inland Northwest experiences extreme winter conditions along with hot summers alongside old homes combined with mid-century houses to produce an ideal environment for power loss. An energy audit represents the diagnostic evaluation your house requires. An audit identifies concealed energy leaks and performance weaknesses to create a structured plan that will reduce utility expenses by 5–30 percent per year. The largest energy-wasting problem involves leaky walls for which Northwest RetroFoam offers an appropriate solution.
1. What Is a Home Energy Audit—and Why Start Here?
A home energy audit functions as an exhaustive evaluation of your residence’s entire energy consumption process and energy distribution patterns. Certified auditors based in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene use blower-door fans, infrared cameras, moisture meters, gas-leak sniffers and traditional expertise to detect drafts and insulation gaps and inefficient appliances in homes. The final report ranks improvements by cost, payback, and comfort impact.
When homeowners seal leaks and install insulation after conducting an audit the U.S. Department of Energy reports they can expect savings of up to one-third on their heating and cooling expenses. Not conducting an audit equals weight-loss efforts without using a scale because you will never identify your starting point or determine your maximum potential.
2. Why Spokane & Coeur d’Alene Homes Need Audits Even More
- Extreme weather conditions between -0°F and 100°F throughout a year in Spokane cause small inefficiencies to become larger issues.
- Older houses throughout South Hill Craftsman districts and Browne’s Addition Victorians and Post Falls ranchers retain century-old insulation that may literally include newspapers.
- Free or low-cost professional energy audits together with income-qualified insulation upgrades are available through Avista while Spokane County offers 2024 HEAR rebates after you document your energy needs with an audit.
- The regional electricity rates increased by 12 percent between 2021 and 2024 so each wasted kilowatt will now cost more.
3. The Step-by-Step Audit Process: What to Expect
- Interview & Utility Review
- The auditor reviews problem areas and drafts as well as previous home improvements and examines Avista statements from the previous year to twenty-four months to detect seasonal energy usage patterns.
- The auditor reviews problem areas and drafts as well as previous home improvements and examines Avista statements from the previous year to twenty-four months to detect seasonal energy usage patterns.
- Exterior Walk-Around
- The auditor checks for gaps in siding and attic vents as well as foundation cracks and window seals because these elements can cause heat and moisture loss.
- Blower-Door Test
- A strong fan system creates house depressurization while measurement tools track your ACH 50 score (air changes per hour at 50 Pa). Lower numbers = tighter homes.
- Infrared Camera Scan
- The thermal imaging system reveals temperature abnormalities in walls and ceilings and floors which demonstrate both insulation deficiencies and air leakage paths.
- Health & Safety Screening
- CO detectors, moisture meters, and combustion-safety tests ensure upgrades won’t create back-drafting or ventilation hazards.
- Custom Report & Action Plan
- You obtain a prioritized list of necessary fixes along with predicted savings and costs and available rebates which enables you to begin with the most promising projects.
- You obtain a prioritized list of necessary fixes along with predicted savings and costs and available rebates which enables you to begin with the most promising projects.
4. Common Inland Northwest Audit Findings & Fixes
Uninsulated/Hollow Walls
Impact: Up to 25 percent heat loss; chilly radiant “draft” off exterior walls.
Fix: Injection-foam insulation (RetroFoam) fills cavities without demolition.
Leaky Attic Hatches & Kneewalls
Impact: 10–15 percent wasted energy; winter ice dams.
Fix: Air-seal gaps, add R-49+ attic insulation, and weather-strip hatches.
Disconnected or Crushed Ductwork
Impact: Up to 20 percent of conditioned air never reaches living spaces.
Fix: Duct sealing, re-strapping, and rerouting to deliver full airflow.
Single-Pane or Loose Windows
Impact: Drafts, condensation, lost comfort.
Fix: Air-seal frames, add interior storm panels, or upgrade to low-e replacements.
Phantom Loads (“Always-On” Electronics)
Impact: 5–10 percent of annual kWh usage.
Fix: Smart power strips, scheduled device shut-offs, and unplugging chargers.
5. The Payoff: Comfort, Cash, and Carbon Savings
Homeowners who follow audit recommendations can reduce their utility expenses by 5-30 percent. Spokane residents who spend $1,800 on electricity annually can save between $90 and $540 every year by implementing these suggestions.
People no longer need to suffer from temperature extremes which cause them to switch between wearing jackets and shorts during different months.
- Health & Safety: Catch carbon monoxide leaks and moisture issues before they become emergencies.
- Resale Value: Energy-efficient homes sell faster and fetch higher prices.
- Environmental Impact: The reduction of household energy consumption by 20 percent produces approximately one metric ton of CO₂ annually which is equivalent to driving 2,500 miles.
6. Local Incentives & How to Claim Them
Qualifying electric customers can receive free home energy audits from Avista through their Free Home Energy Audit service which requires a two to three month waiting period.
Income-qualified households who apply for Avista Energy-Saving Home Upgrades receive complimentary insulation services together with air-sealing and safety improvement work.
The HEAR Rebates program of Spokane County (2024) has $1.7 million available for both electric equipment efficiency upgrades and weatherization projects while requiring audit documentation.
The IRS Form 5695 allows homeowners to claim 30% of insulation material costs up to $1,200 annually through the Federal 25C Tax Credit.
Northwest RetroFoam provides their clients with detailed guidance through every form which maintains their financial savings together with their mental health.
7. The process of utilizing audit outcomes to achieve results with Northwest RetroFoam
- No Drywall Demolition: A one-day procedure involves drilling small holes between studs for foam injection followed by hole sealing through patchwork.
- Air-Seal + Insulate in One Step: RetroFoam expands across all areas after injection to seal all identified blower-door test leaks.
- Big R-Value Boost: The insulation process transforms an empty 2×4 wall from R-3 to R-14+.
- Works Year-Round: Home insulation services at Northwest RetroFoam operate during winter sub-zero temperatures and hot summer days.
- Lifetime Warranty: The number of Inland Northwest installations with our warranty now reaches into the thousands, while our foam and reputation endure forever.
8. Case Study: South Hill Bungalow Saves 38 Percent
The Martin family experienced $400 winter power bills as well as cold bedroom walls and endless drafts at their 1912 Craftsman house located on Spokane’s South Hill. The blower-door test measured 18 ACH 50, which is three times higher than the recommended value for older homes.
The Audit Findings—Infrared imaging lit up every exterior wall and knee wall. The assessment revealed that wall insulation combined with attic air-sealing and LED lighting upgrades were necessary fixes.
A single-day RetroFoam installation by Northwest RetroFoam involved wall exterior foam injection and attic bypass sealing. The second blower-door test measured 7 ACH 50, which resulted in a 61 percent decrease in leakage.
The Results—
- The January electric bill fell from $396 to $245—a 38 percent savings.
- Indoor temps now stay within 2 °F of the thermostat.
- The Avista rebate covered 25 percent of the project cost.
9. FAQs About Home Energy Audits in Spokane
- Does a professional audit require payment from customers who do not receive free services through Avista’s program?
The price range of independent home energy audits runs from $300 to $500 based on house dimensions and testing procedures. - Will my house get cold during the blower-door test?
Auditors will close interior doors to minimize discomfort while the blower-door test lasts only 15–20 minutes. Audits should be performed before you replace windows or purchase a new furnace.
An energy audit provides the best solution for Spokane homeowners before they start spending money on efficiency upgrades. The process combines scientific analysis with guaranteed rebate opportunities and transforms cold living rooms into welcoming spaces. Northwest RetroFoam stands prepared to deliver a sealed deal after your audit reveals extensive wall leaks because it will protect your home’s heating for decades.
Ready to start?
- Schedule your home energy audit (ask us—we’ll coordinate).
- Our insulation professionals will assist you in understanding the report.
- Watch your utility bills—and your home comfort—improve.
Visit Energy-Savings Benefits of RetroFoam and explore What Is RetroFoam?, or learn why to insulate with RetroFoam. The following step is to click Get My Free Quote so we can eliminate energy waste from your future.