Comprehensive air sealing, properly installed insulation, and high-performance windows work together to enhance comfort, improve durability, reduce maintenance costs, and lower monthly utility bills.
Air Sealing
High-Performance and ENERGY STAR certified homes are verified to ensure the home's envelope has been constructed tightly. An average home contains a half-mile of cracks and gaps around windows and doors along with hundreds of holes for pipes, ventilation ducts, lighting and wiring. During the home building process, contractors make holes for electrical outlets, pipes, and wiring. Sealing these cracks and holes helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, pests, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility bills. HERS Raters identify any holes that have not been properly sealed and check for proper sealing around windows and doors.
| Benefits of Tight Construction: Eliminates drafts, moisture, dust, pests, pollen, and contributes to healthier indoor air and a more comfortable home. |
Download an EPA fact sheet that explains more about why Tight Construction is so important.
Properly Installed Insulation
It is not the amount of insulation; it's the quality of installation that makes all the difference. Proper installation includes careful placement to eliminate gaps, voids, and compressions; complete air barriers that prevent air from bypassing the insulation; and building techniques that minimize heat flow through framing. This ensures consistent temperatures throughout the house, reducing energy use, and increasing comfort.
Heating and cooling costs account for approximately 50 to 70 percent of the energy used in a house. In an ENERGY STAR certified home, insulation is inspected for proper installation and maximum performance.
| Benefits of Properly Installed Insulation: In addition to the money-saving benefits, properly installed insulation muffles outside noise, blanketing the home in comfort and quiet. |
Download an EPA fact sheet to learn why properly installed insulation is critical to home performance and comfort.
High-Performance Windows
Windows can be one of the most beautiful features of a home. ENERGY STAR certified homes feature high-performance windows that allow you to enjoy the view without the worry of high utility bills. Advanced technologies such as low-E glass and improved frames improve the energy efficiency of your home by keeping the heat in during cold winter months and out during the summer. HERS Raters verify that your windows are installed properly.
| Benefits of High-Performance Windows: High-Performance Windows help you save money on your utility bills, protect your carpet and furniture fabrics from fading, and keep your home more comfortable. |
Download an EPA fact sheet on ENERGY STAR qualified windows.