This article is the third in a series that highlights steps you can take to improve the efficiency of your home. The first article focused on completing a Home Energy Audit. The second article talked about how to implement home improvements to increase efficiency, reduce costs and make your home a more comfortable place to live. This article will guide the homeowner through the process of finding a contractor to complete more complex upgrades.
The first step in becoming energy efficient is to complete a Home Energy Audit, which can be done through Thurston Energy’s HomePLUS Energy Evaluation. Thurston Energy will connect you with a trained energy expert to evaluate your home’s energy performance, using high-tech diagnostics such as blower door tests and infrared photos that identify air leaks and heat loss. Once the audit is complete the homeowner is given a numerical Energy Performance Score (EPS) as well as a detailed report that will outline ways to improve their home’s efficiency.
Once you know how your home is losing energy, you can focus on making upgrades to improve the efficiency of your home. Very often there are projects that people can do themselves, but for projects that homeowners are not able to do themselves, it is important to find the right contractor to complete weatherization, heating system upgrades, or other projects that will improve efficiency in the home.
Recently, Thurston Energy announced a package of rebates for homeowners that can result in savings up to $1000. With three packages to choose from, including Evaluation, Weatherization, and HVAC Improvement, homeowners are able to make critical improvements with an additional financial incentive. Read more here.
Thurston Energy has created a network of local contracting companies that provide energy efficiency upgrade work, high efficiency equipment installation, and renewable energy systems.
Thurston Energy pre-screens each contractor through an extensive interview process to determine if they are a good fit for the program. They also make sure that their licensing is up-to-date. Once a contractor is accepted into the network, they are accepted for a trial period to determine if the services they provide to customers meet Thurston Energy’s standards. They also have checks and balances in place to make sure the contractors are providing the best possible service to the community.
There are many people who prefer to find their own contractors, and in that case there are some things to keep in mind when deciding who to hire. Thurston Energy recommends the following:
- Ask a lot of questions.
- A good contractor should be able to provide you with a list of references.
- Ask them how long they have been doing energy efficiency upgrade work.
- Will the upgrades qualify for tax incentives? Promotional programs? Quality Assurance programs?
- Is there a warranty on their work?
- Make sure there is a difference between the baseline proposal and any additional work. Also ask how they itemize those additional items.
- Make sure tax is included in the original bill.
Once you choose a contractor they will work with you to determine which upgrades to complete and the order in which to complete them. Most will work to provide the highest return on your investment first, and then work up to more expensive upgrades as time and money permit.
Insulation and Air Sealing
Adding insulation and air sealing is a two-step process, and one of the most cost effective ways to retain heat, lower your energy bills, and make your home more comfortable.
The contractor will begin by sealing the “envelope” or outer building shell of your home. From the interior, they will seal attic hatches and other areas such as plumbing pipes in the floor. Then, add insulation in the attic and floor to current Washington State energy code levels. The walls are the most expensive to upgrade and should be done after the less-expensive upgrades are complete.
Duct Sealing
If you’re thinking of upgrading your furnace this year to a more efficient model or want to make your current system more efficient, consider this statistic: up to 30% of the heat you pay for will be lost through leaky ductwork. Sealing your ductwork can reduce these losses significantly and ensure that the heat produced at one end of your home actually makes it to the other.
High Efficiency Heat Pumps and Other HVAC
A ductless heat pump (DHP) heats a home without using ductwork. This means that you are only paying for the heat you use and not heat that gets lost in the crawlspace or the attic due to duct losses. If you already have ductwork in place or want to consider a “duel fuel” option of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), air source ducted heat pumps are also an efficient way to heat your home and save energy. A ductless heat pump can provide additional heating back up in extreme cold temperatures.
For more information on completing a Home Energy Audit, implementing home improvements to increase efficiency, and finding a contractor to complete more complex upgrades visit www.thurstonenergy.com.
