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While your Home Performance contractor will develop a specific
plan for your home, commonly recommended improvements for an energy-efficient
home include:
Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Insulation
Would you walk outside on a cold day with your jacket unzipped? Air sealing your home is like zipping up your jacket.
Sealing air leaks will make your home more comfortable and significantly reduce your energy bills.
Many air leaks in homes are fairly obvious:
- Windows
- Doors
- Electrical outlets
But other areas are even MORE significant sources of energy loss:
- Attics
- Basements
- Recessed light fixtures
Along with air sealing, your contractor may recommend that you
add insulation to improve home energy efficiency. Many older homes are not well-insulated, and some
have no insulation at all. Even new homes frequently have improperly installed or missing insulation.
Properly installed insulation in walls, floors, and attics:
- Evens out temperatures throughout the house
- Results in a quieter, more comfortable living environment that
is easier to heat and cool
- Yields signficant cost savings as compared to improperly or non-insulated areas
Air sealing must always be done before insulating.
Improving Ductwork
Many homes have leaky ductwork and poor air flow, resulting in
stuffy and uncomfortable rooms—regardless of the thermostat setting.
Sealing and insulating ductwork can help solve this problem.
The Home Performance contractor may recommend the following energy-efficient
home improvements:
- Sealing ducts with mastic, durable foil-backed tape, or aerosol-based
sealant
- Insulating ductwork in attics, crawlspaces and unconditioned
basements
- Balancing the duct system to optimize air flow to all rooms
Improving Home Heating and Cooling Systems
If your furnace or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, your
contractor may recommend that you replace it with a unit that has
earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency
units can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.
When it comes to heating and cooling equipment, bigger is not always
better. A properly-sized unit will make your home more comfortable
by providing more consistent temperatures and better humidity control.
Upgrading to Energy-Efficient Lighting and Appliances
Energy used for lighting and appliances can account for half of
your home's total utility bill. As a result, a Home Performance
contractor may recommend ENERGY STAR qualified products, such as
energy-efficient:
- Refrigerators
- Dishwashers
- Clothes washers
- Light fixtures
- Compact fluorescent bulbs
An energy and water-efficient hot water heating system may also
be recommended.
Adding Renewable Energy Solutions
To further reduce your utility bills, your contractor may also
recommend adding renewable energy systems such as:
- Solar electric (photovoltaic)
- Solar hot water
- Ground source heat pump
- Small wind turbine
 Typical
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