A few years back, Selina Tobaccowala’s daughter began leaving post-it notes around their home, urging everyone to conserve energy by “turning off the lights” and more. This simple act sparked a new venture for Tobaccowala, who had recently sold her startup, Gixo, to OpenFit and was seeking a fresh challenge. In an interview with TechCrunch, she shared, “I saw the kids and thought, ‘Let me see if there’s something there on the sustainability and climate side.’ There had to be something more than just turning our lights off.”

Despite lacking a background in climate science or hardware engineering, Tobaccowala turned to her expertise in surveys, having previously served as the president and CTO of SurveyMonkey. She conducted extensive surveys and discovered that people were struggling to reduce their utility bills. Many received notifications stating they were spending more than their neighbors, yet were unsure how to address this issue.

This revelation led Tobaccowala to co-found HomeBoost, a company dedicated to empowering individuals to conduct their own home energy assessments. HomeBoost participated in TechCrunch Disrupt 2025’s Startup Battlefield 200, showcasing its innovative approach to energy efficiency.

HomeBoost simplifies the home energy assessment process by sending customers a BoostBox kit containing an infrared camera, a blacklight, and an app guide. Users can identify areas of heat or cold air leakage in their homes using the infrared camera and determine which lights need upgrading with the blacklight. The app then generates a comprehensive report based on the scan data, recommending cost-effective upgrades and available rebates based on the user’s location.

While many utilities offer similar services to reduce energy consumption, Tobaccowala noted that the quality of these assessments can vary significantly. HomeBoost distinguishes itself by providing a more affordable and efficient alternative to traditional in-person audits. The app empowers users to take control of their energy efficiency journey.

Customers can avail of HomeBoost’s services for $99, a fraction of the cost of traditional assessments. The company also partners with utilities to cover part or all of the assessment fees for customers. Collaborations with Central Hudson, Omaha Public Power District, and Avista have enabled more individuals to access HomeBoost’s innovative solutions.

Recognizing that some homeowners prefer professional assistance, HomeBoost has developed a version of its app for auditors. This tool enables auditors to serve a larger clientele efficiently, offering detailed insights and recommendations for energy-saving upgrades.

Furthermore, HomeBoost is exploring a feature that connects homeowners with contractors to implement the upgrades recommended in the assessment report. This initiative benefits contractors by generating new business opportunities and streamlining project information before visiting the client’s home.

By uniting consumers, utilities, and contractors, Tobaccowala envisions HomeBoost as a catalyst for environmental progress. She emphasized, “It’s a unique scenario where everyone is aligned to reduce utility bills, ultimately leading to climate improvement.”