Energy Auditors

Want help with your hiring? It's easy. Enter your information below, and we'll quickly reach out to discuss your hiring needs.

Recruiter.com helps professionals in energy auditor careers find better opportunities across all specialties and locations. Sign up in our career community today!

Also known as:
Architectural Inspector, Bridge Inspector, Building Code Inspector, Building Inspector, Construction Inspector, Electrical Inspector, Elevator Inspector, Highway Inspector, Home Inspector, Plumbing Inspector

See all Business, Management and Administration Careers.

ABOUT ENERGY AUDITOR CAREERS

Video transcript

Using energy costs money, and can contribute to pollution. Energy auditors and weatherization workers help customers use less energy, lowering their bills and reducing their impact on the environment. Energy auditors often begin by inspecting homes or commercial buildings to measure heat, cooling, electrical, and gas usage. They use thermal infrared cameras to find energy leaks, and blower-door tests to measure how airtight a structure is. The next step is often to meet with building managers or homeowners to determine how to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs. This requires extensive knowledge of efficient practices, and excellent communication skills. Weatherization technicians improve the efficiency of heating and cooling system ductwork. They repair windows and insulate attics, basements, walls, and other areas. They also prepare bids and contracts for weatherization work. Physical fitness is important for these careers, since energy auditors and weatherization technicians spend much of the day on their feet. They may find themselves anywhere from rooftops to tight crawl spaces when looking for the weaknesses in a building's insulation. Positions are typically available in utility companies, or construction and engineering firms. Many experienced energy auditors choose self-employment to work on their own schedule. Some states require energy auditors to become certified; many auditors learn through up to three years of on-the-job training. Most weatherization technicians need a high school diploma or equivalent.

SNAPSHOT

Conduct energy audits of buildings, building systems, or process systems. May also conduct investment grade audits of buildings or systems.

Leadership	MED
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	HIGH
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	HIGH
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	MED
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Perform tests such as blower-door tests to locate air leaks.

Prepare job specification sheets for home energy improvements, such as attic insulation, window retrofits, or heating system upgrades.

Identify any health or safety issues related to planned weatherization projects.

Compare existing energy consumption levels to normative data.

Prepare audit reports containing energy analysis results or recommendations for energy cost savings.

Quantify energy consumption to establish baselines for energy use or need.

Educate customers on energy efficiency or answer questions on topics such as the costs of running household appliances or the selection of energy-efficient appliances.

Identify opportunities to improve the operation, maintenance, or energy efficiency of building or process systems.

Oversee installation of equipment such as water heater wraps, pipe insulation, weatherstripping, door sweeps, or low-flow showerheads to improve energy efficiency.

Analyze energy bills, including utility rates or tariffs, to gather historical energy usage data.

Determine patterns of building use to show annual or monthly needs for heating, cooling, lighting, or other energy needs.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Interacting With Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Performing General Physical Activities	Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

Building and Construction	Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Customer and Personal Service	Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Mathematics	Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Engineering and Technology	Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Physics	Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Mechanical	Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Clerical	Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

TOP SKILLS

Active Listening	Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Mathematics	Using mathematics to solve problems.

Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.