Homeowner FAQs
Homes that perform with ENERGY STAR® can save you money, improve comfort, and contribute to better family health and safety, all while providing durability and energy efficiency to your home. Below you will find homeowner’s Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program. You can view a printable version (pdf) of this content.
What is the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program?
What is the Home Performance Assessment?
Why is health and safety testing important when conducting home energy improvements?
What are some cost-effective improvements that I can make to my home?
What is the best way to select a contractor?
Why do I have to have a contract?
How will I know whether I qualify for any Program-related rebates?
How can I qualify for an ENERGY STAR® appliance rebate?
What is the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program?
The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program uses a whole-house approach to make any size or style of home more energy efficient, thus lowering energy consumption. Each participating contractor is certified through the Building Performance Institute (BPI), a national resource for building science technology that sets standards for assessing and
improving home energy efficiency. BPI Certified Contractors participating in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® use advanced diagnostic equipment to test your home and identify energy efficiency improvements.
What is the Home Performance Assessment?
This is the first step in improving a home’s efficiency and reducing energy consumption. During the assessment, the BPI Certified Contractor will test and evaluate your home (including but not limited to the heating and cooling equipment, insulation levels, and air infiltration) using advanced diagnostic equipment and building science principles to determine what areas of your home would benefit from energy efficiency improvements.
Specifically, the contractor will test for air leakage by using a blower door and will look for opportunities to improve the home’s insulation, heating and cooling system, windows, appliances, and lighting. The contractor will then explain what improvements can be made, as well as the cost of the improvements.
Why is health and safety testing important when conducting home energy improvements?
Inspecting and testing combustion appliances such as heating equipment, ovens, and water heaters for proper performance and carbon monoxide helps to ensure safe operation and prevents potentially dangerous combustion gases from circulating in your home. BPI Certified Contractors perform these inspections and tests before and after performing any energy improvements to your home.
What are some cost-effective improvements that I can make to my home?
Depending on the home, improvements may include sealing gaps, cracks, and other leaks that let outside air into your home, adding insulation and sealing and insulating air ducts that run through attics or crawlspaces. Improvements may also include repairing or replacing old or poorly functioning heating and cooling systems and appliances. Installing ENERGY STAR® qualified lighting in your home is another cost-effective improvement. View more information on typical home improvements.
What is the best way to select a contractor?
Contractors participating in this initiative have earned BPI certification. A BPI Certified Contractor is trained and skilled in building science technology. For a list of certified contractors in your area, click Find a Contractor below.
Why do I have to have a contract?
A written contract is the best way to explain the cost, work scope (specific tasks within the project), and what is expected of you and the contractor.
IMPORTANT! Do not sign a contract with a contractor who does not perform a home performance assessment. In addition, never sign a contract before the contractor has presented you with a work scope that includes details of the work to be performed and the cost of the work.
How will I know whether I qualify for any Program-related rebates?
As part of the home performance assessment, the contractor will provide you with information about possible incentives you may receive if you choose to have certain energy-efficient home improvements implemented by the contractor. View more information on rebates.
How can I qualify for an ENERGY STAR® appliance rebate?
To qualify for a rebate, you must have a home performance assessment completed by a certified contractor of the Program. If you also are having work installed by a participating home performance contractor, you can ask them to forward your ENERGY STAR-rated appliance purchase information to the Program Administrator, along with information about the work they are performing.
(03/20/08)
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