Energy Improvements

Your Energy Audit will determine which Energy Improvements make the most sense for your home and save you the most gallons of heating fuel, cords of wood, tons of pellets, or electricity.

Typically, Energy Improvements include:

  • Air sealing (to stop drafts) especially around windows and doors, and where the house sits on the foundation
  • Upgrading insulation with dense-pack cellulose or spray foam ( which keeps warm air IN during winter and warm OUT during summer).

Addressing air leaks and adding insulation in the attic and basement are generally a priority and nearly always give you the biggest bang for your buck. Your Energy Adviser can help you choose the Energy Improvements that make the most sense for your home and your budget.

Building Science 101

Air enters a home from the basement through the rim-joints (where the house sits on the foundation). This air pushes up through the house, creating convection that magnifies drafts and other air leaks. Ultimately the warm air is pushed out the roof. This is also the cause of ice dams.

Energy Improvements are also eligible for up to $2,000 in incentives from Efficiency Vermont

Homeowners can receive incentives from Efficiency Vermont after Energy Improvements are complete and “tested-out”. A “test-out” is a second blower door test that measures your energy savings. Your incentives from Efficiency Vermont, up to $2,000, are based on the test-out results.

Are You a Do-It-Yourselfer?

Homeowners who are especially handy can do some or all of the work themselves. We will pair you with an Energy Auditor who likes to work with DIY’ers. Once energy improvements are completed; your auditor will perform a second blower door and CAZ (Combustion Appliance Zone) test for $150 to measure your energy savings. Your incentives from Efficiency Vermont, up to $2,000, are based on the results from the second blower door test.

Additional Repairs

If a home is in need of additional repairs– such as a new roof, replacement of knob and tube wiring, or foundation repairs– then homeowners should consider our Home Rehab Program in conjunction with Energy Improvements.