Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^®

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® FAQs

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• What is Home Performance with ENERGY STAR?

  Efficiency Vermont supports a network of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors serving Vermont homeowners. These independent contractors are certified by the Building Performance Institute to perform energy audits, diagnose building problems such as moisture, and ice dams, and install the recommended energy efficiency improvements. Efficiency Vermont provides contractor training, quality assurance, and customer incentives.

  If you are a low-income Vermonter, you may be able to access free weatherization services through the Vermont Weatherization Program. Learn More.

  If you are a customer of Vermont Gas and have relatively high gas usage, you may qualify for incentives toward cost-effective upgrades and reduced-interest rate financing. Find out more about eligibility services, or call 1-802-863-4511 ext. 321.

  
  

• What does a typical Home Performance with ENERGY STAR project involve?

  A typical project begins with an energy audit by a certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor.

  A typical energy audit includes the following services:

  • An evaluation of the amount of air leakage in your home, the effectiveness of your insulation, heating system, lighting, appliances, and windows. (Note: There is a fee for this service.)
  • Professional advice on ways to improve the comfort and durability, of your home, solve problems, and lower your energy bills.
  • Assistance in prioritizing energy efficiency improvements.
  • Installation of energy-saving products such as efficient light bulbs and water conservation products (free of charge).

  Your contractor will complete the recommended improvements and assist you in accessing available incentives and financing options. Typical energy efficiency home improvements include:

  • Reducing drafts with whole-house air sealing and duct sealing.
  • Adding and improving insulation in the attic, walls, kneewalls, and basement.
  • Upgrading heating systems.
  • Improving indoor air quality through ventilation.
  • Installing carbon monoxide detectors and other health and safety measures.

• How much does the energy audit cost?

  The cost of an energy audit typically ranges from $250 to $500, and may cost more depending on the size of the home and the complexity of diagnostic testing required. Some contractors may rebate some or the entire 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.

• How much do the energy efficiency home improvements cost?

  A typical Home Performance with ENERGY STAR project is in the $5,000 to $8,000 range. This is a substantial financial investment, but can reduce heating costs by as much as 30%. If your household is spending $3,000 on energy each year, energy efficiency improvements may reduce that cost by $1,000 a year. These projects also generate average returns on investment of 10 to 30%.

• Are incentives or tax credits available?

  Yes. Efficiency Vermont offers up to $2,500 in incentives per household to help Vermonters pay for energy efficiency home improvements completed by a certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor. Efficiency Vermont incentives are paid upon successful completion of a qualifying project. Federal tax credits may also be available.

• What is the average incentive amount, and how likely am I to qualify?

  Efficiency Vermont requires that certain minimum requirements be met in order to receive incentives: achieve a minimum 10% air leakage reduction and address all essential health and safety issues. In 2010, more than 90% of Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects met the minimum requirements to receive incentives. Furthermore, the average air leakage reduction was 33%, significantly above the 10% minimum requirement. Most Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects will be eligible for additional incentives up to $2,500. After performing an energy audit on your home, your contractor will be able to provide an estimate of the total incentive your project would receive if installed as recommended. The actual incentive you receive will be based on the energy-saving home improvements completed by your Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor. Efficiency Vermont anticipates that, on average, the incentive will cover 20 to 30% of the cost of the project. For example, a $6,000 project might expect to receive an incentive around $1,500.

• Does Efficiency Vermont provide energy audits?

  No. Efficiency Vermont supports a network of independent, certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors who perform energy audits and install the recommended improvements. Efficiency Vermont Customer Support Specialists, trained in home energy evaluation, are available to assist you in determining if your home is a good candidate for Home Performance with ENERGY STAR. Reach an Efficiency Vermont Customer Support Specialist at 888-921-5990.

   Learn more about energy audits.

• Why do I have to use a participating Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor?

  Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors are certified by the Building Performance Institute to conduct diagnostic and combustion safety testing, detect carbon monoxide, and protect indoor air quality. Your contractor will test your home at the time of the audit and again when the improvements are completed to assure that the project results in real energy savings and is installed safely. Efficiency Vermont reviews the recommendations made by participating contractors and performs quality assurance site inspections on a percentage of projects.

• Why do I need an audit when I know I just need new windows?

  Your home works as a system of interdependent parts. A certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor will take an integrated, whole-house approach to identify the improvements that will solve your home's problems and save you the most energy and money. While many homeowners assume that they need to replace windows, sealing air leaks and adding insulation often saves more energy at lower cost.

• Is this the kind of work I could do myself?

  While some of these improvements could be completed by a handy do-it-yourselfer, Efficiency Vermont recommends using a certified Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor to ensure that root causes, not just symptoms, are addressed. These contractors are certified by the Building Performance Institute to use appropriate diagnostic equipment and techniques to optimize the energy efficiency of your home. They are also trained to identify and remedy potentially hazardous and unhealthy situations by providing adequate ventilation and ensuring that combustion appliance by-products aren't being released into the living space.

• What is a blower door?

  A blower door is a diagnostic tool designed to measure the airtightness of buildings and to help locate air leakage sites. The blower door test is conducted during the energy audit and again after the home improvements are completed.

• What is R-value?

  Insulation with a large R-value has a larger, better resistance to heat, meaning less heat is able to penetrate through it and escape. Therefore, the higher the R-value, the more energy-efficient your home. Visit our Insulation & Air Sealing pages for more information on insulation.