Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® is designed to improve home comfort, durability, health & safety and to reduce homeowners' energy costs.
- Reduced Energy Costs - up to 30% decrease in annual energy costs
- Comfort -more evenly-heated and cooled rooms, less dry air and reduced cold drafts in winter
- Durability -reduced risk of damage from mold, moisture and ice dams
- Health & Safety -improved air quality due to proper ventilation, reduced excess moisture and related mold. Reduced chance of the release of hazardous gasses from combustion appliances
| How does a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR energy audit work? |
| A certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor will come to your house to identify ways to improve its energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and the safety of your combustion appliances. Read a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR case study |
During the audit the contractor will:
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Find a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Contractor
| What services will I receive as part of my Home Performance energy audit? |
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| What does the Home Performance energy audit cost? |
| The charge can be from no-cost to more than $500, depending on the complexity of the diagnostic processes required. Some contractors may rebate the fee if you hire them to perform recommended home improvements. Different contractors handle it in different ways, so it may be worth taking the time to talk with several contractors to find the approach that's best for you. Tips for Hiring a Contractor |
| What home improvements will the Home Performance contractor suggest? |
Typical energy efficiency home improvements include:
- Reducing drafts with air-sealing
- Adding and improving insulation
- Improving indoor air quality
- Installing carbon monoxide detectors
- Eliminating ice dams and mold
- Improving heating and cooling system performance
| What is the typical cost for these energy-efficient home improvements? |
The cost depends on the work being done, but can range from a thousand dollars to five to ten thousand dollars or more. This is a financial investment that can reduce heating costs by as much as 30%. If you're spending $3,000 on energy each year, energy-efficienct improvements could reduce that cost by $1,000, resulting in a short payback period.
| What if I can't afford it? Can I have the work done piece meal? |
We strongly encourage completing all the work at the same time, as the project will produce greater energy-saving benefits if done all at once, and will generally cost less too. Reduced interest rate financing is available, from participating Vermont lenders, to enable you to take advantage of the benefits of having the job done all at once. Your contractor or Efficiency Vermont can help you determine if your project qualifies.
Learn more about Financing Home Improvements with ENERGY STAR
| Is this the kind of work I could do myself? |
While some of these improvements could be completed by a do-it-yourselfer, it is recommended that a certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor be used to ensure that root causes, not just the symptoms, are addressed and to ensure that combustion appliances byproducts aren't being released into the living space. The required certification from the Building Performance Institute provides assurance that appropriate diagnostic equipment and techniques are used to identify and remedy potentially hazardous and unhealthy situations, as well as to optimize the energy efficiency of your home.
Learn more about how to make your home energy efficient on your own.
