How It Works
How it Works
Rather than focusing on a single component such as windows or an old air conditioning system, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® offers a whole-house approach that assesses how energy efficiency improvements to all of your home’s systems can work together to deliver energy and cost savings for your household.
It begins with a top-to-bottom visual and diagnostic home performance evaluation by a specially trained, certified contractor using state-of-the-art equipment. Expect your contractor to inspect:
- Typical big problem areas, such as your attic
- Your home’s heating, cooling, and water heating systems
The contractor also will perform a series of diagnostic tests, including:
- Air infiltration testing to test the air leakage of your home’s building shell
- Combustion safety testing to ensure your combustion appliances are operating and venting properly, ensuring the safety of your family
The contractor will review and analyze at least 12 months of your home’s energy consumption to understand the seasonal trends and patterns. You can see more of this process by viewing the What to Expect Video.
After the home performance evaluation, your contractor will recommend improvements that present the best investments for your family. Your contractor can help you take advantage of up to $1,500 in cash incentives or third-party financing for qualified energy-saving home improvements.
Once you select the improvements that fit your needs and budget, and determine which improvements would be eligible for incentives, your contractor will make the specified improvements to your home.
No-Cost Installation of Energy Efficiency Improvements
During the evaluation, your contractor should offer you some energy efficiency improvements at no cost. This may include the installation of a water heater tank-wrap (if your tank has less than an R-12 tank insulation) and hot water pipe insulation. Participating contractors are not required to offer these no-cost improvements so you should ask about availability when scheduling your appointment.
Ensuring Quality of Work
Participating contractors are independent home improvement contractors. Participating contractors will provide you with a written warranty on labor and materials for a minimum of one year from the date the service is completed. Equipment installed will carry the manufacturer’s warranty and any optional extended-warranty coverage you select.
Neither Oncor, nor the Program Implementer, ICF International, warrants the products and/or services of participating contractors, nor are they responsible or liable for any work performed by participating contractors or their suppliers. Participating contractors are responsible for dealing directly with any customer concerns about quality and workmanship.