Are your home energy costs high? Consider joining Home Performance with Energy Star if your answer is “Yes”. This national program offers homeowners incentives and loans at low interest rates to reduce energy consumption and costs.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, (NYSERDA) says that homes who participate in the program save on average 20% on their energy consumption. Additionally, these homes are easier to live and more comfortable.
Joe Morabito, a New York State homeowner, was the 50,000th to be eligible for NYSERDA’s Home Performance with Energy Star program. After six years of living in Rochester’s 1940s two-story home, the family wanted to reduce their energy bills and fix the heat and cold in various rooms.
To identify energy improvements that the Morabitos needed to make, a contractor did a whole-house assessment. This included air sealing, insulation, and a thermostat program. Morabito reports that the family has reduced their energy costs by 23 percent since having the work done. “the house holds the heat in a lot better than it used to.”
To take advantage of this program, follow these steps:
Step 1: Locate a participating Home Performance with Energy Star contractor in your area. Next, apply online or download an Application for a Home Performance with Energy Star Contractor. comprehensive home energy assessmentThis is free to most New York residents. New York residents can access a list of contractors by zip code and get the application at nyserda.ny.gov/comfortable.
Step 2 – Use the assessment results to create a plan together with your contractor that addresses your unique home needs. Next, discuss financing options. New Yorkers are able to access low-cost financing. They can also pay their utility bills with their energy savings.
Step 3: After the contractor finishes the work, sign off and your contractor gets paid.
Step 4: Redeem 10% cash back on eligible energy efficiency measures
To see how one couple followed the process, watch Irreconcilable Temperatures at nyserda.ny.gov/comfortable. This webisode shows how Wendy & Russell used the program not only to save energy and money but also their marriage. New Yorkers can view the results of a comprehensive home energy audit on this site. You may also apply to NYSERDA’s program Home Performance with Energy Star.