FAQ   

FAQ

  • The NYS Home Energy Audit is free for New York Homeowners and is covered by New York State.

    Some people ask about the Blower Door Test. However, this service is not covered by NYS. It can be added to your audit for a cost which can be discussed over the phone when scheduling your appointment.

    For NJ Homeowners, their is an associated cost with the audit. This amount starts at $350 for a normal sized home and increases from that amount. During our phone call we can confirm what the amount will be for your home.

  • The Energy Audit is typically scheduled on Monday - Friday at either 9a or 1p. However, there is sometimes wiggle room and we would be more than willing to discuss any options over the phone.

  • The Home Energy Audit will take about 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours to complete. This depends on many factors such as size of the house, complexity, ease of access to areas, and other factors like this.

  • The homeowner will be there through all the steps of the process. Any problem areas that you have noticed in your home can be discussed with your assessor at the time of the audit.

  • Our team of BPI certified building specialists use many tools during their audit. The main tool would be the thermal imagery camera to view any and all air leaks as well as the thermal boundaries within the home. The assessor will also visually and physically check for any air leaks or cold spots. The Blower Door Test can be utilized as well to apply mathematical values to your pre and post install to supply you with an estimated reduction in energy loss. Additionally, an energy model will be made using your home’s energy bills and certain equations which will supply you with the information in regards to potential cost savings.

    During the EMPOWER Audit, you can also expect to see CAZ Testing performed. Read below in the Glossary for what a CAZ test is.

  • Because every home is different and provides different hurdles and needs its own personalized plan, there is no average cost. The cost provided after your FREE audit will be your personalized quote. This proposal is obligation free and can be coupled with any applicable rebates that can reduce your cost by thousands of dollars.

  • Cellulose insulation is a sustainable and highly effective insulation material made from recycled paper fibers, primarily derived from newsprint. It is a popular choice for both residential and commercial buildings due to its eco-friendly nature and ability to create a robust thermal boundary. Cellulose insulation is treated with fire-retardant chemicals to enhance its resistance to flames, mold, and pests, making it a safe and durable option for insulating attics, walls, and crawl spaces. This type of insulation can significantly improve energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and minimize environmental impact, making it a smart choice for those seeking both comfort and sustainability in their buildings.

  • Made from a blend of polyurethane and isocyanate, spray foam is applied as a liquid that expands into a foam, creating a seamless barrier. This insulation method effectively seals gaps and cracks, preventing air leakage and minimizing heat transfer. As a result, buildings experience superior temperature control, reduced energy consumption, and lower utility bills. Spray foam insulation also offers long-term benefits, such as improved indoor air quality. Its versatility allows it to be applied to various surfaces, making it an ideal choice for both residential and commercial properties. Embracing spray foam insulation means embracing a sustainable and cost-effective solution for achieving optimal comfort and energy management.

  • A common myth is that Spray Foam Insulation is not safe for your Health.

    Spray foam insulation can be safe when properly installed and cured. However, off-gassing can occur during and immediately after the application process. It's essential to ensure adequate ventilation during installation and curing to minimize the exposure to any off-gassing chemicals. It's crucial to work with a professional and certified installer who follows the recommended safety guidelines during the application process. When installed correctly, spray foam insulation can provide energy efficiency and long-term cost savings while posing minimal risk to the occupants' health.

  • Simply put, the rim joist is the wood which surrounds the perimeter of your house in the basement. This sits on the foundation of the home and is most noticeable in unfinished basements.

    Proper insulation and air sealing of the rim joist are vital for improving energy efficiency and preventing air leakage in a building.

    Understanding the role and importance of the rim joist is essential for effective building construction and energy management.

  • EMPOWER NY is a state initiative in New York that aims to help residents and businesses use energy more efficiently and reduce their energy costs. It offers various programs and incentives to support the adoption of clean energy technologies, such as solar panels and energy-efficient appliances. The goal is to make energy more affordable and sustainable for everyone, while also reducing the overall environmental impact of energy usage across the state.

    EMPOWER has strong rebates for qualified customers which can help them save up to $10,000 in work being done in their home.

  • Every rebate opportunity ranges in its requirements however homeowners will typically be approved for at least one rebate type. The most common rebate type issued is the Comfort Home Rebate. If you are interested in finding out which options might work for you, give us a call to discuss.

Glossary of Common Terms

LEARN SOME OF THE BASICS OF HOME PERFORMANCE. 

Air Sealing:  The practice of installing appropriate materials, such as caulk or foam, to stop airflow in certain areas of a home.

Blower Door Test: A test used to measure a home's airtightness and locate air leakage paths. A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door. The fan moves air in or out of the house, changing the air pressure inside to exaggerate air leaks through unsealed cracks and openings. Technicians use these tests to determine the air infiltration rate of a building, identify locations to be sealed, and measure results of air sealing work.

Building Envelope: The assembly of elements comprising the exterior enclosure of a building, including walls, roof, foundation, windows, and doors.

Combustion Safety Test / CAZ Test: Combustion safety is the general term for evaluating fuel-burning equipment in the home. In general, these procedures include checks for fuel leaks, carbon monoxide, and to ensure that waste gases exit the home through the chimney or venting system. Also known as CAZ Test.

Diagnostic Tests: Procedures used to measure and assess the performance of components of the home using specialized testing equipment, including blower door testing and combustion safety testing. Diagnostic tests are often conducted before and after the installation of home upgrades to measure the net improvement and to ensure that safety standards have been met.

Ductwork: A network of metal, fiberboard, or flexible tubes throughout a space which delivers air from an HVAC unit to the respective zones of a home or office.

Energy Audit: An “energy assessment” or “energy study” to determine where, when, why, and how energy is used in a home, and to identify opportunities to improve efficiency. It includes an evaluation of a home based on data from inspections, diagnostics, data collection, analyses, and reporting, which identifies opportunities for the homeowner to improve energy efficiency. See also "home performance assessment.”

Energy Efficiency: The concept of using less energy to provide the same service.

Home Energy Assessment / Audit: An evaluation of a home based on data from inspections, diagnostics, data collection, analyses, and reporting, which identifies opportunities for the homeowner to improve energy efficiency. See also "energy audit.”

Home Energy Upgrade: Individual home improvement measures or packages of measures completed to reduce energy consumption in the home.

Home Performance: The systematic approach to improving the comfort, health, safety, energy efficiency, and durability of a home. (BPI Reference Guide, 1st Ed.)

Home Performance Assessment:  An evaluation of a home’s condition and energy performance conducted by an expert in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR.

Home Performance Contractor or Home Performance Professional: A company or individual who installs or supervises the installation of home energy upgrades. This company or person may specialize in energy assessments, home inspections, or improvements related to air or duct sealing, insulation, HVAC, or other related services.

Home Performance Measure: The installation or modification of equipment or other building components, in order to improve a building’s performance and energy efficiency (e.g., insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, appliance replacement).  See also “Energy Efficiency Measure.”

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Sponsor: Organizations that take on the responsibility of administering home performance programs in local markets. Sponsors are instrumental in developing and supporting markets for home performance services following the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR approach. Sponsors are responsible for fostering the market for home performance services by managing and monitoring the performance of their implementation vendors and participating contractors to ensure that quality standards are met.

HVAC: The equipment, distribution system and terminals that provide, either collectively or individually, the processes of heating, ventilating or air conditioning to a building or portion of a building.

Indoor Air Quality: Attributes of the air inside a building (indoor climate), including gaseous composition, humidity, temperature and contaminants.

Insulation: Insulation materials run the gamut from bulky fiber materials such as fiberglass, rock and slag wool, cellulose and natural fibers to rigid foam boards and sleek foils. Bulky materials resist conductive and, to a lesser degree, convective heat flow in a building cavity. Rigid foam boards trap air or another gas to resist conductive and convective heat flow. Highly reflective foils in radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems reflect radiant heat away from living spaces, making them particularly useful in cooling climates. Other less common materials such as cementitious and phenolic foams and vermiculite and perlite are also available.

Renewable Energy Technologies: Technologies that produce sustainable, clean energy from sources such as the sun, the wind, plants, and water.  These include biomass, geothermal, hydrogen, hydropower, ocean, solar energy, and wind.

Thermal Boundary: The thermal boundary is an invisible layer which exists between two areas of differing temperatures. The strength of this layer is what dictates how much energy is transferred between these two areas. Higher levels of insulation are proven to increase the layers effectiveness to prevent energy transfer. This means you can experience greater comfort for longer without needing to run your heating or cooling systems as often. Furthermore, your energy usage will go down translating into more money into your pocket. Win-Win.

Weatherization: A category of home energy upgrades which includes sealing and insulating the building envelope. Also a term used to refer to DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides home energy upgrades to low income populations.

Weatherstripping: An energy efficiency measure that involves installing a material to seal air leaks around components that open, close and generally move (exterior doors and windows).

Whole House: A holistic view of and approach to home performance which treats the house as a system, with components including building, mechanical, environmental and occupational.