Can a Home Performance Test Save Me Money?

You know that it’s important to save money wherever you can in your Ocean City, Maryland, home. One important thing you can do to improve your energy efficiency and save on your utility bills is to get a home performance test. By having a professional test your home’s performance, you’ll be doing more to make your home as efficient as possible.

Benefits of a Home Performance Test

While you may think your home is well-sealed and insulated, providing the optimum in heating and cooling comfort, that may not be the case. An expert in auditing energy usage will use a home performance test to provide you with a report of what is and what isn’t working in keeping your home energy-efficient. With this information in hand, you’ll be able to take the proper steps to have problem areas fixed, which will save money on future energy bills.

Making your home as energy-efficient as possible not only provides a comfortable interior atmosphere, it also means you’ll use less energy, which is good for the environment.

A system that runs efficiently, versus working overtime to compensate for air leaks around doors and windows, will put less wear and tear on your home’s HVAC system. Less strain on the system will extend the system’s life and help you avoid unnecessary repairs or replacement.

Home Performance Assessment

When you schedule a home performance test, several things are taken into account so you’ll receive the most accurate test results. First, you’ll meet with the home energy expert to discuss any issues with the comfort level in your home. This discussion is important as it alerts the auditor to existing issues.

Home Evaluation

The home evaluation is critical in order to find the areas that are negatively affecting your home’s efficiency. The evaluation includes a visual inspection of all aspects of the home, which means a thorough check of the interior room by room.

The evaluator will check the exterior, the heating and cooling system, and any areas — like windows and doors — where air may be seeping in or out. They will also evaluate your insulation and conduct a blower door test to gauge the movement of air within the home.

Energy Bills

Energy bill history is another important area that is part of the home performance test. Having this information available allows the auditor to do two things. First, you’ll be able to compare your usage to others in your area. Second, it will allow the auditor to project the amount you should save on your energy bills once the inspection is completed and the necessary steps have been taken to fix any problems.

Safety Check

Your inspector will run tests to determine the overall energy performance of the home. They’ll also run tests to seek out any moisture and ventilation problems.

Test Results

Once the home performance test is complete, you’ll receive a list of recommendations to improve your home’s energy efficiency. These recommendations are based on achieving the proper comfort level in your home, addressing any safety or health issues, and the benefits you’ll receive. There’s also the opportunity to discuss a maintenance plan to ensure that your home remains energy-efficient by addressing any potential issues before they become a problem.

Rebates

You may be eligible for state, government, or local utility company rebates or tax credits for specific upgrades made to your home. This could include the purchase of new energy-efficient doors, windows, HVAC systems, appliances, and materials, such as insulation.

Energy Savings

Unless your home performance test results indicate that all areas are functioning properly and there are no issues to take care of, be prepared to make a few home improvements.

The cost of a home performance test, plus the expense of replacement items like new doors or windows and supplies such as insulation and caulk, is an investment in your home’s future. Over time, your energy-efficient home will pay back your initial investment through lower monthly utility bills. After the investment is recouped, you’ll continue to save money every month.

At Custom Mechanical, our team has experience doing home performance tests. If you want your home to be as energy- efficient as possible, give us a call at 877-696-0808.

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