Homeowners
Why use a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR assessment?
A contractor trained by Southface through Home Performance with ENERGY STAR takes what's called a "systems-approach" to analyzing a home's problems. Using diagnostic testing, the contractor gives the homeowner unbiased recommendations for improving a home's energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
The four biggest advantages to a Home Performance with Energy Star Assessment are whole-house solutions, use of diagnostic testing, unbiased priorities for improvement and third-party verification.
Whole-House Solutions
When a house is uncomfortable or the energy bills are high, many factors can be involved. While the duct system may be leaky or poorly designed, fixing it may not solve other problems caused by gaps in the insulation or faulty combustion appliances.
Contractors offering Home Performance with ENERGY STAR take all the factors into account when making their recommendations to the homeowner. Addressing the entire house rather than just one small piece when trying to solve the problems of high energy bills, comfort or indoor air quality issues results in a solution that gets to the root of the problem and makes the house more energy efficient, more comfortable, and healthier to live in.
Use of Diagnostic Testing
Each Home Performance with ENERGY STAR assessment includes diagnostic tests of your house. A blower door test determines air leakage and assists in finding the largest air paths, which are one of the largest energy losses in homes. A test on the duct system determines how effectively the heating and cooling system is delivering air to the house versus how much is lost to, or gained from, unconditioned spaces like the crawlspce. After work is completed, the contractor verifies the improvement made by conducting another test for comparison.
Unbiased priorities for improvement
The contractor provides recommendations for improvement based on the results of the assessment and diagnostic testing. The recommendations are prioritized by cost effectiveness based on a protocol developed by Southface, and can be part of a proposal to make the improvements. Many contractors can offer financing. The final step of a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR assessment is completing the improvements the home needs. Contractors use a protocol developed by Southface to guide their recommendations to the homeowner.
Third-party verification
Southface provides quality control on the work of all participating contractors on their Home Performance with ENERGY STAR projects. Southface performs spot-checking of contractors' assessments and completed work to ensure they are following program protocols. Contractors are trained and mentored by Southface.
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Home Performance with Energy Star brochure (pdf)
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Atlanta, GA 30308
Tel: 404.872.3549
Fax: 404-872-5009
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