What is Home Energy Tune-Up?

Home Energy Tune-Up  is a program that makes home energy efficiency improvements available and affordable to ALL homeowners. It will help you put your home in top operating condition and

• Make your home more comfortable: warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer
• Reduce your energy costs by an average of 25%
• Increase your home's value
• Improve the environment

The three easy steps to the Tune-Up:

• The information gathered during the energy audit is analyzed using specialized software to produce a comprehensive Home Energy Tune-uP^® Report. The Report shows which energy-efficiency improvements would reduce energy costs and make the home more comfortable. The analysis takes into account regional variables such as local weather, implementation costs, and fuel prices.
• The Report contains estimates of the savings, costs and payback for each energy-efficiency recommendation. It identifies the group of improvements that, if financed, will save more on energy bills than it costs. These are the improvements that everyone can make since they require no out-of-pocket cost when financed.
• The detailed Recommendations section enables contractors to provide preliminary cost estimates without a visit to your home. It also explains how to get the best energy savings from these improvements by listing related no-cost low-cost measures that you can take.

Step 3: IMPLEMENTATION

Contractors.com By entering your zip code and the type of service you are interested in, you will be able to access contractors in your area. You also have the option of submitting a bid to Contractors.com. Up to four local contractors will contact you to provide estimates for your project. Find a Contractor The Contractors.com service will provide: A list of contractors in your area Access to review contractor profiles Reviews of service ratings and testimonials provided by past clients Links to contractor web sites Ability to submit projects to obtain free estimates from contractors Building Performance Institute BPI has certified contractors who take a whole-house approach. Visit www.bpi.org NATE Approved HVAC contractors. Visit www.natex.org Angie’s List An online, fee-based membership database containing contractors who have been recommended by homeowners. Not available for all areas, but the coverage is growing. Visit www.angieslist.com CMC Energy Services Provides a technical expert to advise you and answer your questions about the Home Energy Tune-uP® energy inspection performed on your home. Call Our Expert (866) 843-5500.

 Energy Terms Explained

A Home Energy Tune-uP^® or a HERS Rating?

Rating the energy efficiency of homes has been used primarily by home builders who want to market their new homes as being energy efficient. This rating system has not been readily adopted by owners of existing homes and their REALTORS® because older homes are less energy efficient than new ones, and therefore get lower grades. The majority of older homes would score somewhere between 40 and 70, depending on their age, whereas a home built today should score at least 80. If the home scores 86 or higher, it is considered an Energy Star rated home.

Tune-uP was designed specifically for owners of older homes who want to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes, rather than grade them. With a more detailed Report, quick access to low-cost financing, a low price tag, and more inspectors to do the energy audits, Tune-uP is an excellent choice for owners or buyers of older homes, whereas rating remains the choice for builders of new homes.

A Tune-uP costs less than a HERS rating when done as part of a regular home inspection.