FAQs
Homeowner FAQs
What is Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®?
How do I know if I can participate?
How do I find a participating contractor?
Do I get anything for FREE for participating?
How will the contractor evaluate my home?
Should I accompany the contractor during the evaluation?
What if the contractor visits my home, but I decide not to move forward with any improvements?
How long will it take for the improvements to be made to my home?
What will it cost to participate?
Are there any special promotions or incentives available from the program?
I’ve heard that homes can become too tight, which causes indoor air quality problems. What if this happens?
Why are health and safety testing important when conducting home energy improvements?
What are some cost-effective improvements that a contractor can make to a home?
Why should I consider upgrading my home’s energy efficiency over other types of home improvements?
Contractor FAQs
What is Home Performance with ENERGY STAR?
Why participate in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program?
What is a home performance evaluation?
What are the equipment costs?
How do I sign up?
How will I get quality leads?
What are typical cost-effective improvements that a contractor will make to a home?
What are the training requirements for the program?
What is the cost for training?
Why is health and safety testing important when conducting home energy improvements?
Homeowner FAQs
What is Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®?
The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program, a program created by the federal government, uses a whole-house approach to making a home more energy efficient, thus lowering its energy consumption. Each participating contractor has staff certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Only contractors with BPI certified staff can participate in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program. These contractors use advanced diagnostic equipment to test the home and identify energy efficiency improvements.
How do I know if I can participate?
Only homeowners located in Oncor’s service area and served by an Oncor electric meter are eligible.
Oncor customers may be identified by the Electric Service Identifier number (ESI ID) printed on their electric bill or meter as shown below. Oncor ESI IDs include both of the two company codes below:
How do I find a participating contractor?
Oncor has created a network of independent certified contractors who have been specially trained to use the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment and their knowledge of building science to evaluate your home and recommend energy efficiency improvements. The program has two types of participating contractors. Some participating contractors provide the initial evaluation only and, if you proceed with work, the required post-installation testing and inspections. These contractors focus on providing you with an independent consulting and verification service. The other type of contractor provides “one-stop shopping” for installation services in addition to the evaluation and post-installation testing. Click here to find a participating contractor near you.
Do I get anything for FREE for participating?
Yes. Participating homeowners will receive some improvements at no cost. During the evaluation, your home performance contractor should offer you no-cost improvement measures, including water heater pipe insulation and a water heater tank-wrap. Participating contractors are not required to offer these no-cost improvements, so you should ask about availability when scheduling your appointment.
How will the contractor evaluate my home?
A comprehensive, whole-house evaluation is the first step in improving a home’s efficiency and reducing energy consumption. During the evaluation, a participating contractor will test and assess your home, including, but not limited to, the heating and cooling equipment, insulation levels, and air infiltration. They will use advanced diagnostic equipment and building science principles to determine what areas of your home would benefit from energy efficiency improvements. The contractor will test for air leakage by using a blower door and will look for opportunities to improve your home’s insulation, heating and cooling system, windows, appliances, and lighting. The contractor will then explain to you what improvements can be made, as well as the estimated cost of the improvements. Contractors have access to powerful energy modeling software that helps them make customized cost-effective recommendations. Get started.
Should I accompany the contractor during the evaluation?
Yes, you should accompany your contractor during the evaluation and ask questions. Your participation will help you when discussing the evaluation findings and your contractor’s recommendations.
What if the contractor visits my home, but I decide not to move forward with any improvements?
Once your evaluation is complete and you receive your contractor’s recommendations, it is your choice whether to move forward with the improvements and sign a contract. But remember, these improvements can improve the energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and comfort of your home, while reducing your energy usage. Therefore, you and your family will greatly benefit from moving forward with the recommended improvements.
How long will it take for the improvements to be made to my home?
To complete the contracted improvements to your home, your contractor(s) may have to visit your home on multiple days. It is strongly recommended that, at a minimum, you meet with the contractor at the beginning of each day before work begins, and at the end of the day to review progress and to help you better understand the impact the work will have on your home. Be aware that the normal routine of your household may be disrupted while the contractor(s) perform the improvements.
What will it cost to participate?
The participating contractor will generally charge a fee for the home performance evaluation, which can vary by contractor and location. You will also pay for the improvements you agree to as part of the contract. Those costs depend on your home (including size, age, etc.), the recommended improvements, and the improvements you choose to install. Homeowners receive cash incentivesto help offset the cost.
Are there any special promotions or incentives available from the Program?
Yes. Eligible homeowners receive cash incentives. Residential customers located in Oncor’s service area and served by an Oncor electric meter may receive:
- Cash incentives for eligible measures up to $1,500 based on the home’s size, type of improvement, and whether or not the home has electric heat.
Please note that these incentives are subject to change any time, without notice.
I’ve heard that homes can become too tight, which causes indoor air quality problems. What if this happens?
It is likely that the energy efficiency improvements performed on your home will result in your home becoming more airtight. To ensure that the increased air tightness does not cause air quality or combustion safety problems and to ensure that the contractor has completed all work properly, the contractor is required to repeat the tests performed during the initial home performance evaluation. The contractor will also inspect the work performed and review it with you to make sure you are satisfied.
On rare occasions, this final test will reveal conditions that do not meet the program’s health, safety, and technical requirements. If this is the case, the contractor will recommend modifications or additional measures to bring the home into compliance, which will be finished before the job is considered complete.
Why are health and safety testing important when conducting home energy improvements?
Improper functioning combustion appliances—water heaters, furnaces, ovens, and stoves—can produce carbon monoxide and other indoor air pollutants. Under certain circumstances, these byproducts can cause minor health effects or deadly situations. Inspecting and testing combustion appliances helps to ensure safe operation and peace of mind in knowing that potentially dangerous combustion gases are not being introduced into the home. Participating contractors test appliances before and after performing any energy improvements to the home.
What are some cost-effective improvements that a contractor can make to a home?
Depending on the home, improvements may include sealing gaps, cracks, and other leaks that let outside air into a home, adding insulation, and sealing, insulating, or replacing air ducts that run through attics or crawlspaces. They may also include repairing or replacing old or poorly functioning heating and cooling systems and appliances. Installing ENERGY STAR qualified lighting is another common, cost-effective improvement.
Why should I consider upgrading my home’s energy efficiency over other types of home improvements?
Energy efficiency upgrades will improve the comfort of your home while making sure the occupants in your home are living in a safe environment, thereby protecting your most important investment, your home, and its treasured occupants, your family. As a result of the improvements, you will reduce your energy usage every month.
Contractor FAQs
What is Home Performance with ENERGY STAR?
The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program uses a whole-house approach to make any size or style of home more energy efficient, lowering energy usage by up to 30 percent. Each participating contractor is certified through the Building Performance Institute (BPI), a national resource for building science technology that sets standards for assessing and improving home energy efficiency. BPI certified contractors who participate in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program use advanced diagnostic equipment to test the home and identify energy efficiency improvements.
Why participate in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program?
Participating in Oncor’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program expands your service offerings to customers. Through the program, you can become a BPI certified contractor, a recognized home energy and comfort expert. You will be able to develop new opportunities for your business by using building science technology to solve problems and provide your customers with a more comfortable, safe, and durable home, while reducing their energy consumption. It’s a great way to build and expand your business as the market increasingly demands energy efficiency services! Learn more about the benefits of participating.
As a certified contractor, you will be added to the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Find a Contractor Web site. Program advertising will drive customers to the Web site to create leads for home performance evaluations.
What is a Home Performance Evaluation?
The home performance evaluation is the start of improving a home’s energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption. During the evaluation, the BPI certified contractor tests and evaluates the home, including, but not limited to, the heating and cooling equipment, insulation levels, infiltration, appliances, and lighting. They use advanced diagnostic equipment and building science principles to determine what areas of the home would benefit from energy efficiency and health- and safety-related improvements. Specifically, the contractor tests for air leakage using a blower door, conducts a series of combustion-related tests, and looks for opportunities to improve the home’s insulation, heating and cooling system, windows, appliances, and lighting. The contractor then explains to the homeowner what improvements can be made, as well as the cost of improvements. The home performance evaluation and the comprehensive presentation of recommendations to the homeowner is a very impressive process that separates the home performance contractor from other home improvement contractors, and drives sales!
What are the equipment costs?
You may need to purchase some diagnostic equipment to complement the equipment you already use (estimated cost for all needed equipment is $5,000–$8,000). For information on the required equipment, costs, and locations for purchasing, visit the manufacturers’ Web sites at www.energyconservatory.com, www.retrotec.com, and www.infiltec.com.
How do I sign up?
Fill out and submit the Interest Form. If you have specific questions, please e-mail us.
How will I get quality leads?
Potential customers who visit the Texas Saves Energy Web site can find contact information for certified contractors near their homes. In addition, Oncor plans to promote the program through advertising and outreach.
What are typical cost-effective improvements that a contractor will make to a home?
Of course it depends on the home, but usually improvements include sealing gaps, cracks, and other leaks that let outside air into the home; adding insulation; sealing, repairing, and insulating air ducts that run through attics or crawlspaces; and repairing or replacing old or poorly functioning heating and cooling systems and appliances. Installing ENERGY STAR qualified lighting in the home is also a cost-effective improvement. No lighting incentives are available through this program.
What are the training requirements for the Program?
In order to participate in the program, a contractor must have a full-time employee who is certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) as a Building Analyst. The BPI Building Analyst training consists of in-class lecture and discussion as well as in-home field training on delivering home performance evaluations and using diagnostic equipment. Training sessions usually last for five days and are offered at regular intervals throughout the year. Upon completion, attendees will be able to:
- Understand the fundamentals of building science
- Identify and understand building performance problems, mold, mildew, hot/cold rooms, and indoor air quality issues
- Analyze buildings using blower door technology, duct leakage testing equipment, and combustion analyzers
- Assess building tightness, mechanical and distribution systems, and combustion safety for a comprehensive, whole-house approach
- Learn diagnostics for assessing air leakage and efficiency in homes
- Understand how to make recommendations to homeowners based on visual and diagnostic tests
What is the cost for training?
BPI training is provided by several companies in the Oncor service area and typically costs about $1,000–$1,500; certifications fees are usually $500–$600. Shorter courses are available for individuals who have already been certified as a RESNET Home Energy Rater.
Why is health and safety testing important when conducting home energy improvements?
BPI certified contractors perform critical combustion safety-related tests before and after performing energy improvements to the home. Inspecting and testing combustion appliances, such as heating equipment, ovens, and water heaters, for proper performance and carbon monoxide emissions helps to ensure safe and efficient operation and prevent dangerous combustion gases from being introduced into the home. Such tests are critical when tightening up the home to make it more energy efficient and comfortable. Contractors who DO NOT follow such testing procedures have a higher exposure to liability. BPI’s credo, upon which it bases its technical standards, is “Do No Harm.”