Is Your Home Wasting Energy? Get a Free Audit from the City of Falls Church
Most of us know our homes could be more efficient. What most of us don't know is where the problems are. A home energy audit answers that question, and now Falls Church residents can get one for free.
What is a home energy audit?
A home energy audit is an evaluation of how your home uses energy, and it's typically used to identify areas where a home is operating inefficiently or losing energy. An auditor looks at how your house performs as a system, including insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling equipment, ventilation, water heating, lighting, and appliances. You get a report that says what's wrong and which fixes are worth doing first.
Why is an energy audit worth your time?
Energy bills are increasing. Dominion Energy monthly bills for a typical residential customer increased by $11.24 in 2026 and are approved to rise by another $2.36 in 2027. These increases are due to several factors including development of new data centers. Natural gas rates are also rising, with a monthly increase for an average residential customer of $7.87 a month tentatively approved for 2026. Rates are likely to continue to rise in the year ahead. More efficient use of energy will help manage costs.
Lower your energy bills. The City notes that efficiency improvements can lead to a decrease of up to 30% on energy bills for both gas and electricity. Results vary by home, but older houses with original insulation and aging equipment often have the most to gain. Savings mount over the many years that audit-recommended changes are in place.
Identify options to reduce fossil fuel emissions and help save the planet. An audit can help reduce gas and electricity use and thus reduce power plants’ emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. But audits can also identify options to switch from fossil fuel use (e.g., gas furnaces and gas hot water heaters) to electric alternatives (e.g., heat pump versions). Electric systems result in much lower amounts of greenhouse gases than gas systems.
Make your home more comfortable. Efficiency is about more than saving money or the planet. Cold rooms in winter, hot rooms in summer, big temperature swings between floors, and stubborn humidity are all signs that your house is leaking conditioned air or isn't balanced properly. Fixing those problems makes a home feel better to live in.
Flag health and safety issues. A thorough audit looks at ventilation and combustion appliances, too, which can contribute to asthma, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other risks.
How the Falls Church Program Works
The City has partnered with Home Energy Medics to provide energy audits of homes in the City at no cost to residents. You receive a report you can use to decide what, if anything, to do next. The program is funded by Biden-era federal funding through the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Here are some key points:
It’s free. Normally about a $500 value, the audit costs City residents nothing; but any improvements you decide to make afterward are your own expense.
There's no obligation. You can cancel your energy audit at any time by contacting the City's environmental planner, and you aren't required to follow through on any recommendations.
No permit is needed for the audit. The audit itself doesn't require a permit, though follow-up work may require one. The City's Permits page has the details.
Spots are limited. City residents are awarded audits on a first come, first served basis, so don't wait.
How to Sign Up
Go to the City's residential energy-audit program page: https://www.fallschurchva.gov/EnergyAudit.
Complete the sign-up form. This is how City of Falls Church residents interested in a free residential energy audit start the process.
Watch for follow-up. Keep an eye out for follow-up from the City and Home Energy Medics about scheduling.
Review your report. Look over recommendations and decide what to tackle first.
After the Audit, Make the Most of Your Report
An audit is only valuable if you use it. Here's a simple way to approach the results.
Start with the low-cost wins. Air sealing and attic insulation often deliver the best return per dollar.
Get more than one quote. For larger jobs like insulation, duct sealing, or HVAC replacement, get multiple estimates. When considering HVAC or hot water heating replacement, be sure to make the switch from gas to electric.
Understand your options. Reach out for free, independent advice from local organizations like FCCAN.net and GoElectricDMV.org.
Look for incentives. The City points residents to Virginia Energy Connect, a state-run hub with an Incentives Browser that lists clean energy programs and incentives you’re likely eligible for. The City also highlights rebates offered by Dominion Energy through its Home Energy Evaluation program, and no-cost upgrades from Community Housing Partners for age- and income-qualifying customers.
Check on permits. Before starting any work that might require a permit, check with the City.