Energy Efficiency & Summer Heat.
A comfortable, efficient home comes down to insulation, air sealing, and keeping the sun’s heat out — and at altitude the sun is intense. Here’s what we note, where homes lose energy, and what you can improve.
What we note during an inspection
A home inspection isn’t a formal energy audit, but we note the conditions that most affect comfort and efficiency.
✓ Attic insulation
We note insulation type, approximate depth, and coverage where the attic is accessible.
✓ Air leakage points
We look for obvious gaps around penetrations and at the attic hatch.
✓ Windows & doors
We note type and condition, weatherstripping, and failed (fogged) double-pane seals.
✓ Duct insulation
We check visible ducts in unconditioned spaces for insulation and leakage.
✓ Ventilation & moisture
We look for signs of poor ventilation that hurt comfort and air quality.
✓ Solar exposure
We note south- and west-facing exposures most affected by intense high-altitude sun.
Common problems we find
✓ Under-insulated attics
A top source of both energy loss and ice dams in our climate.
✓ Air leaks
Gaps at can lights, plumbing and wiring penetrations, and the attic hatch.
✓ Tired windows & seals
Worn weatherstripping and fogged double panes that have lost their seal.
✓ Uninsulated ducts
Ducts running through hot attics or cold crawlspaces without insulation.
✓ Solar overheating
Rooms on the sun-exposed sides that overheat in summer at altitude.
✓ Old single-pane windows
A significant comfort and efficiency drag in older homes.
What you can improve yourself
✓ Air-seal, then insulate
Seal attic air leaks before adding insulation, and top up the attic to recommended levels.
✓ Refresh weatherstripping
Re-caulk and re-strip around windows and doors each year.
✓ Block the summer sun
Use shades or coverings on south/west windows, and consider exterior shading or awnings.
✓ Move air
Run ceiling fans and ventilate in the evening when mountain air cools.
✓ Keep HVAC efficient
Fresh filters and annual service keep the system from overworking.
✓ Consider an energy audit
A blower-door test gives the full picture if comfort or bills are a concern.
This guide is for general education. It reflects what we look for during a home inspection, not a substitute for a licensed professional. If you have a specific concern, please contact a qualified energy auditor or HVAC professional — and of course, we’re always happy to take a look during an inspection.
More from our guides
Home Maintenance, Season by Season
A spring-through-winter checklist tuned for Front Range homes.
Read →Plumbing
Plumbing issues are some of the most common — and most expensive — problems we find. Here’s what we actually look at during an inspection, what tends to go wrong, and what you can stay ahead of yourself.
Read →Electrical
Electrical problems are among the most safety-critical things we find — and often the least visible. Here’s what we check, the red flags we look for, and what you can safely keep an eye on yourself.
Read →Concerned about your energy efficiency & summer heat?
We’ll give your home a thorough, plain-English inspection and flag anything worth a closer look.