Am I ready for the audit?

The following is a list of things to do in order to prepare for a Home Performance Energy Audit (for the printable PDF version, click here):

• Have available one year of energy usage (this information should be listed on your current utility bills)
• Take note of any broken or defective windows and doors
• Take note of any drafty areas or rooms that are always too hot or too cold
• Remove clutter and obstructions around water heater, AC units, and furnaces
• Close all windows and outside doors
• Shut fireplace dampers, fireplace doors, and wood stove air intakes
• Remove all ashes from fireplaces
• Remove anything you do not want your Green Step to see. We will need to go into every room and closet in your house as well as the basement and crawlspace.

Why should I get my home audited and upgraded with this program?

The Maryland Home Performance program is the best way for you to:

1. Hire highly trained, qualified contractors to do the energy audit on your home
2. Hire those same trained and certified contractors to do the necessary upgrades on your home

Who sponsors the Maryland Home Performance program? And, what is the background on the program?

Sponsored by the Maryland Energy Administration, the Maryland Home Performance program is an energy efficiency program geared toward Maryland homeowners inspired by Governor Martin O'Malley’s initiative, EmPOWER Maryland. The Governor has set a goal for the state to reduce electricity consumption by 15% per person by 2015. The program is modeled after the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency’s national Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program.

What does the certificate get me?  Is my house then an “ENERGY STAR home”?

After your home improvements have been completed, the program will mail you a Maryland Home Performance Certificate. The certificate will tell you the amount of energy saved and the annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

This certificate does not label your home as ENERGY STAR qualified. That label only applies to new homes that meet strict ENERGY STAR for New Homes guidelines.

How much does a Home Performance Energy Audit cost?

Homeowners are responsible for payment of the Home Performance Energy Audit and all renovation costs.

• The cost of the energy audit depends on many variables, including the contractor, size of your house, the age of your house, and the location of your house.
• We typically charge a fee between roughly $250 and $600 which will be deducted from the contracted work if you hire Green Step to make your improvements.  

What is the typical cost of renovations?

The national average for whole-house improvements costs is between $8,000- $10,000. Some houses are in better shape and do not require such extensive work while other homes require more work. Comfort and energy upgrades can cost anywhere between $500 and $25,000, and the cost depends partially on the size, age, condition, and complexity of the house. But remember, energy efficiency renovations are the only home improvement that actually pays you back. The average energy savings for a home that undergoes home performance improvements is over 20%, with many homeowners saving 40% or more.

Before any work is performed you will sign a contract that lists a fixed price. The only way this price should change is if you sign a “Change Orders” request.

Financing for your home improvements can be arranged through loans and lines of credit.

What are some if the issues that the audit can diagnose and contracted work can fix?

For descriptions of these issues, please click on the term.
High Energy Bills
Mold, Mildew or Musty Odors
Cold Floors in Winter
Drafty Rooms
Dust
Moisture on Windows
Ice Dams
Peeling Paint
Hot or Cold Rooms
Dry Indoor Air in Winter

Would my home benefit from an audit?

If your home has any of the issues above, you could benefit from a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR energy audit. If you are paying more than $1 per square foot a year for your utility bills, you are literally throwing money away because your home is inefficient.

How do I know that the renovation and upgrade work will be done well?

We’ve been specially trained to improve your home in the best way possible and have been certified by the Building Performance Institute. Additionally, the Maryland Home Performance program has a rigorous quality assurance protocol to ensure high levels of professionalism and workmanship.
If you have any questions about our qualifications, you can contact the Maryland Home Performance program at info@mdhomeperformance.org.

What health and safety tests will be done to my house?

Combustion safety tests will be performed, which look at three main issues:

1. carbon monoxide levels
2. backdrafting of all vented appliances
3. safety hazards

To learn more about these issues and how we will verify that your house is safe and healthy, click here.

What if I have asbestos in my attic or insulation?

Please make sure you do not have asbestos which can can be found in vermiculite insulation. Vermiculite insulation looks like kitty litter (photos and more information).  If you have asbestos or vermiculite insulation, do not disturb or touch it.  Please call a remediation specialist before getting an energy audit. Click here to find asbestos abatement contractors.

What is a blower door and why does a contractor perform this test?

A blower door measures the airtightness of a home and is used to locate air leaks. This special fan can ensure that air sealing work is effective. To find out more about blower doors, click here.

How long will it take to do the work?

• The energy audit itself usually lasts two to three hours, but may last longer depending on the size of the house.
• The actual contracted work performed depends on the many variables of what improvements are to be made on your home. Before any work is performed you will sign a written contract that details the length of time suggested, as well as a fixed price.
• The length of time for the contracted work is subject to change during the course of a job depending on new problems that may be encountered, or an opportunity for additional improvements that come up. These changes to the contract will only occur after a “Change Orders” request is signed and dated.

I rent an apartment. How can I reduce my energy bill and use less energy?

Check out ENERGY STAR’s top 10 tips for renters.

I live in a condo. Can I still participate in this program?

Currently, the program is only for Maryland homeowners who live in single-family homes or row homes. It would be up to your Condo Association/Board to decide to do a full building energy audit.

Can I use energy efficiency improvements as a selling point?

Energy efficiency improvements can be one of the selling points you can explain to prospective homebuyers. The more details you can provide to the prospective buyers about the efficiency improvements, the more value they will have to the prospective buyer. You may wish to write a descriptive summary of the energy efficiency improvements that have been made on your home, which you can give to prospective buyers. Providing details on the energy savings you have experienced from these improvements can be very helpful, and the Maryland Home Performance Certificate you receive through this program will convey the amount of energy saved and the annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The increased comfort you experience from these improvements can also be an excellent selling point. The affect of these improvements on your home selling success will be subject to a number of factors, including your local homebuying market and the extent to which each prospective buyer values indoor comfort and low energy bills.

I would like recommendations on energy savings before a Green Step comes to my home. What can I do to get suggestions on energy efficiency especially tailored for my house?

You can use the ENERGY STAR Home Energy Yardstick to compare your home’s energy efficiency to similar homes across the country and get recommendations for energy-saving home improvements from ENERGY STAR. All you need is five minutes and your last 12 months of utility usage (which is usually noted on your most recent bill).