Homeowner Frequently Asked Questions
Homes that perform with ENERGY STAR® can save their owners money, improve comfort, and contribute to better family health and safety — all while providing durability and maximum energy efficiency to the home. Below you’ll find Frequently Asked Questions from homeowners about the BGE Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program.
1. What is Home Performance with ENERGY STAR?
2. What is a Comprehensive Home Energy Audit?
3. Why should I consider upgrading my home’s energy efficiency over other types of home improvements?
4. How do I know if I can participate?
5. How do I find a participating contractor?
6. What is the best way to select a contractor?
7. Should I accompany the contractor during the Home Energy Audit?
8. What if the contractor visits my home but I decide not to move forward with any improvements?
9. How long will it take for the improvements to be made to my home?
10. What will it cost to participate?
11. Why are health and safety testing important when conducting home energy improvements?
12. What are some cost-effective improvements that a contractor can make to a home?
1. What is Home Performance with ENERGY STAR?
Created by the federal government, the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program uses a whole-house approach to make a home more energy-efficient, thus lowering its energy consumption. Each participating contractor has staff certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Only contractors with BPI-certified staff can participate in the Program. These specially trained professionals use advanced diagnostic equipment to test the home and identify optimal energy efficiency improvements.
2. What is a Comprehensive Home Energy Audit?
The Home Energy Audit is the first step toward improving your home’s energy efficiency and reducing energy bills. During the Energy Audit, the BPI-certified contractor tests and evaluates the home (including but not limited to the heating and cooling equipment, insulation levels, air infiltration, appliances, and lighting) using advanced diagnostic equipment and building science principles to determine which areas would benefit from energy efficiency and health and safety-related improvements.
Specifically, the contractor tests for air-leakage using a blower door and infrared scan, conducts a series of combustion-related tests, and looks for opportunities to improve the home’s insulation, heating and cooling system, windows, appliances, and lighting. The contractor will then explain to you what improvements can be made, and what they will cost.
3. Why should I consider upgrading my home’s energy efficiency over other types of home improvements?
Energy efficiency upgrades will improve the comfort of your home while making sure the occupants are living in a safe environment — thereby protecting your most important investment, your home, and its treasured occupants, your family. As a result of the improvements, you will reduce your energy usage every month.
4. How do I know whether I can participate?
Only BGE electric or gas distribution customers are eligible to participate. (You can however use any gas and/or electric supplier.)
5. How do I find a participating contractor?
To evaluate your home and recommend energy efficiency improvements, there is a network of independent certified contractors who have been specially trained to use the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment and their knowledge of building science.
The contractor also will test for air leakage by using a blower door and will look for opportunities to improve your home’s insulation, heating and cooling system, windows, appliances, and lighting. The contractor will then explain to you what improvements can be made, as well as the estimated cost of the improvements. Contractors have access to powerful energy modeling software that helps them make customized cost-effective recommendations.
6. What’s the best way to select a contractor?
Contractors participating in this program have earned certification through the Building Performance Institute (BPI), a national resource for building science technology that sets standards for assessing and improving home energy efficiency. A BPI-certified contractor is trained and skilled in building science technology. To qualify to participate in BGE’s program, contractors must also have applied to BGE’s program participation rules. Find a contractor.
7. Should I accompany the contractor during the Energy Audit?
The Program strongly encourages you to accompany your contractor during the energy audit and to ask questions. Your participation will help you when discussing the audit findings, your contractor’s recommendations and how you can reduce energy use.
8. What if the contractor visits my home but I choose not to move forward with any improvements?
Once your energy audit is complete and you receive the contractor’s recommendations, it is your decision whether to move forward with the improvements and sign a contract. But remember, these improvements can improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort of your home, while reducing your energy usage. Therefore, you and your family can greatly benefit from moving forward with the recommended improvements at the time the contractor makes them.
9. How long will it take for the improvements to be made to my home?
The improvements and the time to complete them will vary by participant. To complete the contracted improvements to your home, your contractor may have to visit your home on multiple days. At a minimum, BGE strongly recommends that you meet with the contractor at the beginning of each day before work begins, and at the end of the day to review progress and to help you better understand the impact the work will have on your home. Be aware that the normal routine of your household may be disrupted while the contractor performs the improvements.
10. What does it cost to participate?
The participating contractor will usually charge a fee for the home energy audit, which can vary by contractor and location. You will also pay for the improvements you agree to as part of the contract. Those costs depend on your home (including size, age, etc.), the recommended improvements, and those you choose to install. Homeowners can receive cash incentives that BGE makes available to help eligible customers offset some of the costs of improvements
11. Why are health and safety testing important when conducting home energy improvements?
BPI-certified contractors perform critical combustion safety-related tests before and after performing energy improvements to the home. Inspecting and testing combustion appliances — such as heating equipment, ovens, and water heaters for proper performance and carbon monoxide emissions — helps ensure safe, efficient operation and prevent dangerous combustion gases from being introduced into the home. Such tests are critical when tightening up the home to make it more energy-efficient and comfortable.
12. What are some cost-effective improvements that a contractor can make to my home?
Depending on the home, improvements may include sealing gaps, cracks, and other leaks that let outside air into a home; adding insulation; and sealing, insulating, or replacing air ducts that run through attics or crawlspaces. Improvements may also include repairing or replacing old or poorly functioning heating and cooling systems and appliances. Installing ENERGY STAR® qualified lighting is another commonly performed, cost-effective improvement.
