Does Your Home Give You the Chills?
With temperatures dipping downward, you may have felt a chill in certain areas of your home. Efficiency Vermont shares three steps to get you started on your home weatherization project. There may be some upfront costs, but the benefits, including savings on utility bills and a cozy home, will be worth it. In addition, some Vermonters will be eligible for incentives and low or no-interest financing.
Step 1. Find a Building Performance Institute (BPI) trailed and certified contractor. This certification means your contractor will be knowledgeable about building science and will take a whole-building approach to weatherization. They will look at how to maximize energy savings, boost your comfort, and keep your home safe and healthy. In addition to adding air sealing and insulation to tighten up your home, they’ll make sure to avoid moisture problems and keep indoor air healthy. Only BPI-certified contractors can be part of the Efficiency Excellence Network (EEN), and only EEN members have access to rebates through Efficiency Vermont.
Step 2. Prioritize which energy improvements make the most sense for you. The contractor will perform a home energy assessment, showing them the areas most in need of energy performance improvements. After the assessment, they will provide you with a list of actions you can take. Once you decide on which pieces of the project to move forward with, your EEN contractor can help you apply for available incentives and financing through Efficiency Vermont.
Step 3. Budgeting for weatherization. While weatherization can save you money on your energy bills for years to come, you’ll still need to consider how the upfront cost of the project can fit in with other expenses. You can break the cost into monthly payments rather than covering the entire cost up front. Looking at the costs, benefits, and incentives will help you make an informed decision about what is best for your household.
For those who are interested in a more hands-on approach, there may be some weatherization work you can do. Efficiency Vermont offers a list of simple, but impactful DIY projects and a rebate to help you cover the cost of materials. While these projects may not generate any noticeable energy savings, they can help you feel more comfortable in your home. Find out more about DIY projects like air sealing around common leaky spots, insulating your attic and attic hatch, installing storm windows, and more.
To read the full article with links to more information, go to https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/blog/how-to/three-easy-steps-to-get-started-on-your-home-weatherization-project
