Home Energy Improvements
Assessments - Programs - Implementation
Does your home have one or more of the following problems?
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Drafty, uncomfortable areas
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High energy bills
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Cold or hot rooms
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High or low humidity
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Rodents or insect infestation
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Mold and mildew
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Bothersome outside noises
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Unexplained dust
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Frozen pipes
Building Science
Temperature differences between the inside and outside of your home during the winter accelerate air leakage and create "stack effect." It is estimated that the average home leaks 5 times its volume - enough conditioned air to fill a blimp every day of the winter!
What we can do for you
Call us for a Home Energy Assessment to evaluate dozens of ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. There are several different types of energy audits and financing programs available. Please check our Energy Audit page for the program that is right for you.
Almost all of the audits provide a report that includes costs and “returns on investment” for numerous items that can be addressed in your home including:
Air sealing- Duct sealing
- Upgraded attic insulation
- Lighting and appliances
- Window and door evaluation
- HVAC evaluation
- Foam sealing
- Weather-stripping
- Proper ventilation
Diagnosing the problem
Rather than focusing on a single component, such as single-paned windows, an old air conditioning system, or leaky ductwork, we assess how improvements to all of these components can work together to provide:
- Fewer drafts and consistent temperatures across rooms, improving your comfort
- Improved indoor air quality with better ventilation and humidity control
- Lowered utility bills
Depending on the type of audit conducted, Green Star energy consultants may use a variety of diagnostic tools to pinpoint and analyze these issues. These tests may include:
Duct Blower Test
A duct blower is a variable speed fan that is attached to a duct system to measure duct air leakage.
Blower Door Test
This test helps measure how much and where air is leaking from your home. Proper air tightness aids in energy savings, reduces drafts and moisture condensation and improves indoor air quality.
Common Recommendations
Sealing air leaks
Many air leaks in homes are fairly obvious, such as around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. But others, like those in attics, around chimneys and through thermal bypasses, are often the more significant sources of energy loss in a home. Sealing air leaks is critical to improving the overall efficiency of your home and will make your heating and cooling system perform better, provide improved comfort and lower operating costs.
Sealing ductwork
Many homes have leaky ductwork and poor air flow, resulting in uncomfortable rooms and high energy losses — regardless of the thermostat setting. We check your ductwork to determine their leakage of conditioned air to the outdoors. Air sealing and insulating ductwork in areas outside of the building envelope like attics, crawlspaces and some basements will ensure your home is more comfortable and efficient.
Adding Insulation
The Energy Star Home Sealing program prescribes first sealing leaks, then adding to insulation. For example, in our climate zone, the U.S. DOE now recommends R-49 insulation levels in attics. Many homes are not well-insulated and some have improperly installed insulation. Properly installed insulation in walls, floors, basements and attics provides for more even temperatures throughout the house and results in a quieter, more comfortable living environment that is easier to heat and cool.
Green Star specializes in installing environmentally friendly, green, cellulose insulation. Cellulose insulation is largely made from recycled newspaper, takes less energy to make than other insulation products, is safe and highly energy efficient.
Increase the value of your home
Upgrading energy obsolete homes also increases resale value. According to the National Association of Realtors, savvy home buyers ask for both tax and energy bills when comparing prospective homes. And on average, every dollar spent on energy improvements brings an additional $25 at resale time!
Green Star can help you cost effectively improve your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, durability and value. We are specially-trained, BPI contractors that evaluate your home using state-of-the-art equipment and recommend comprehensive improvements that will yield the best results.
