Expectations & Results

When it comes to saving money on energy bills throughout the year, concerned home owners have the best intentions. There are countless advertisements for replacement windows, energy efficient appliances, heating and cooling equipment to complete home renovations. Establishing realistic expectations for home improvements can help you determine the most cost effective solution for your home.

Heating and Cooling Equipment Service and Replacement
Home Energy Solutions evaluates the operating condition of all heating and cooling equipment in the home. Our auditor can make recommendations if a replacement system is warranted and suggest qualified HVAC contractors who use the correct methods for sizing and installing systems. Often, because of the overall improvements to the efficiency of the home’s thermal envelope, any new equipment installed is smaller, saving even more money on annual heating and cooling bills. Additionally, a smaller, properly sized system cycles on and off less often, which improves comfort and efficiency.


Indoor Air Quality — Airsealing can help reduce outdoor air pollutants from being carried into the home through basements, wall cavities and attics. However, there are many pollutants that trigger asthma and allergy symptoms that are generated indoors. After reducing the sources of pollutants through HPC [Home Performance Contracting], the next step is to properly manage the ventilation in the indoor space to ensure adequate fresh air exchange. Home Energy Solutions will suggest ventilation and other indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions according to the needs and goals of each customer.

Upgrading Lighting and Appliances —Home Energy Solutions always recommends replacing the lighting in high use areas with low energy consuming lights, namely CFLs, and often recommends upgrading old and inefficient home appliances to new ENERGY STAR-rated appliances.

What we can do

Air Sealing
Most homes are poorly sealed and have air infiltration and exfiltration problems. Home Energy’s performance division, Zerodraft Central PA, thoroughly seals cracks, crevices and holes in the interior and exterior of the home with high-grade foam. For one example, a common problem we address is recessed lights that allow conditioned air to escape into the attic during the heating season and hot, unconditioned air to infiltrate in from the attic during the cooling season. Homeowners are often surprised to learn how much loss occurs at a variety of these locations.

Insulation
Many homes are poorly insulated or missing insulation entirely. Zerodraft adds high quality, dense-packed cellulose insulation in walls and loose-fill in attic spaces to ensure the home has a strong thermal envelope. (Click here for Energy Star’s fact sheet on insulation products.)

Replacement Windows and Doors
Zerodraft can replace your old, leaky windows, HOWEVER window replacement should be considered with care. Our auditors support window replacement when the homeowners primary reasons are comfort, functionality, aesthetics and home resale. The simple payback on window replacement is 3-5x longer than air sealing and insulation measures due to the cost of material and installation. Window replacement would only make the top of the list for energy saving measures if no other inefficiencies exist. That being clarified, replacing your home's windows and patio doors with new ENERGY STAR®-qualified models can reduce your heating and cooling load, improve comfort, reduce noise, protect your furniture and carpets from fading, and add curb appeal.

Weatherstripping — As a Zerodraft licensed applicator, we purchase large quantities of high grade weatherstripping components that consumers will not find at the Big Box stores. Zerodraft weatherstripping is manufactured by Zerodraft in Mississauga, Canada to the highest standards. We have installed this weatherstripping on commercial buildings and housing authority projects with great success. Our technicians can install it for you or you may purchase it directly from us to self-install.