STEP: 1

Inspection

Drafty homes and inefficient appliances, heating, or air conditioning equipment wastes energy and causes high utility bills. To lower your bills, the first step is to find out where you are wasting energy.

• To do this, you need a home energy audit—which should be done by a certified energy auditor who has no financial interest in the improvements recommended.

• The auditor will examine, measure, and evaluate the factors that affect energy use in your home, e.g., size of the home, efficiency of appliances, insulation, draftiness of walls, windows and doors, and efficiency of heating and cooling systems (HVAC).

STEP: 2

Get a Detailed Analysis

The information gathered during the energy audit is analyzed using specialized software to produce a comprehensive Home Tune-uP™ Report. The report shows which energy-efficiency improvements would reduce costs and make the home more comfortable. The analysis takes into account local variables such as weather, labor and equipment costs, and fuel prices.

• The Report contains estimates of the savings, costs and payback for all energy-efficiency recommendations. It also identifies the pay-from-your-savings group of improvements that will save more on energy bills than they cost, when financed. These are the improvements that everyone can afford since they require no out-of-pocket down payment.

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 or low-cost measures that you can do yourself.

See a sample Tune-uP Report

STEP: 3

Find Help with Implementation

Building Performance Institute (BPI)
BPI’s website lists certified contractors who take a whole-house approach to energy savings. Visit www.bpi.org

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.

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 contractor

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 coverage is growing. Visit www.angieslist.com

CMC Energy Services
Provides a technical expert to advise you and answer your questions about the Home Tune-uP™ energy audit performed on your home. Call Our Expert at (866) 843-5500.

STEP: 4

Find Ways To Pay For Improvements

The improvements listed in the Home Tune-uP Report’s Improvements that Save More than they Cost section will easily qualify for financing, as they increase the value of the house without reducing disposable income.  See the financing resources below to get started.

Energy Loans & Incentives By State

• The following website State Incentives for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy contains a database of financing and incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy by state.

• Energy Finance Solutions (EFS) is an authorized underwriter and originator of Fannie Mae's Energy Efficiency Loan Program.  EFS works with utilities, contractors, and other agencies to offer residential customers a simple, affordable way to finance energy efficiency improvements. Click on the link above and then click on Homeowners.

•  Many electric or gas utilities offer financing for energy efficiency improvements as well as rebates for energy efficient appliances and heating and cooling systems. Check your local gas and electric utilities’ websites for more information about financing and rebates that may be available to you. Also see the Energy Star Rebate Locator 

Nationally Available Energy Loans & Incentives

The FHA Streamlined 203(k) Limited Repair Program
permits homebuyers to finance energy efficiency improvements up to $35,000 over a 30 year mortgage. This loan requires no rating or architectural drawing. The program covers the following energy-efficiency improvements:

• Upgrade of heating/cooling systems and water heaters;
• Weatherization, including insulation, seal-up and window replacement;
• Purchase and installation of appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, and washers/dryers.
• It has no minimum repair cost threshold.
• It can be issued by any FHA lender.
• It does not require a rating.
• HUD has a searchable list of approved lenders. Enter your state, county and zip code into the fields provided, and click the 203(k) box.