Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will Home Energy Solutions perform a no-cost audit? 
2. What is the difference between the Weatherization Assistance Program, the Assisted Home Performance Program, and the Home Performance Program? 
3. I want to replace my windows, does HES provide this service? 
4. What are other benefits of having my home weatherized?
5. What if I need help with my heating costs and cannot afford weatherization services? 
6. Where do I begin making my home energy efficient? 
7. What can I do to make my home operate more energy efficient? 
8. Does it really save you money to lower and raise the temperature of the thermostat? 
9. Where can I learn more about Weatherization?

 
Will Home Energy Solutions perform a no-cost audit?

If you are eligible for the low income Weatherization Assistance Program your audit will be for free. If you are not eligible for the program, HES will provide a free visual energy assesment of your home. 

A full audit can take several hours to properly conduct. Our audits are time intensive and consist of a comprehensive report that provides health and safety, insulation, air sealing, mechanical, electrical, and owner management control results and suggestions. Our Home Performance with Energy Star Audit fees can be discounted if you decide to install our recomended findings. Audit fees range depending on the service provided. 
 

What is the difference between the Weatherization Assistance Program, the Assisted Home Performance Program, and the Home Performance Program?

New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal and The Department of Energy are the funding sources for the Weatherization Assistance Program. This program provides full grants to provide energy improvements at no cost for income eligible persons so they have a chance at saving money that would be spent on energy bills in order to build personal assets.

 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is the funding source for the Assisted Home Performance Program. This program helps income-eligible families and individuals by reducing their heating/cooling costs and improving the safety of their homes through energy efficiency measures. The program provides a 50% grant up to $5,000 for single family homes and $10,000 for 2-4 unit buildings. The building owner will be responsible for the other 50% of the cost.

 The Home Performance with Energy Star program provides educational information. Cost-effective energy efficient upgrades are available for your home regardless of your income. Home Energy Solutions provides this service for PathStone and offers a 10% discount to qualified customers.
 

I want to replace my windows, does HES provide this service?

HES can and will replace windows that are justifiable. Unless the windows are diagnosed as beyond repair or a specific energy efficient issue, Home Energy Solutions does not recommend replacing your windows. The windows must have justifiable reasoning for replacement. This is diagnosed through vigorous testing measures such as a return on investment analysis.

In addition to saving money in the long-term future from lowering energy bills, weatherizing a home makes the home more comfortable for its residents, improves the safety and efficiency of heating systems, improves property value, and has a broader impact in terms of the environmental benefits that come from reducing energy usage such as lowering energy emissions. Weatherization also reduces dependence on foreign oil and it creates many direct and indirect jobs in local economies.

If you pay in full for home weatherization you can claim tax form 5695 which allows residence to claim tax credits for house efficient improvements to your owned property in the United States during 2009 or 2010, you may be eligible for reductions in your federal taxes. The following products may be eligible:

• Windows and doors
• Insulation and roofs
• Central AC and heat pumps
• Furnaces and boilers
• Water heaters
• Biomass stoves 

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps to fund the State Emergency Relief program that is operated through local DSS offices. HEAP helps with the cost of your heating bill. If you are a HEAP priority referral to the PathStone Corporation Weatherization Assistance Program, you will be given priority on the waitlist. 

Please visit HEAP for contact information.

Where do I begin making my home energy efficient?

We recommend starting with analyzing your fuel and energy bills to know where your money is going. This will tell you where your usage is and may tell you where you might need to cut back.

After reviewing your energy bills, begin thinking about what areas of your house needs the most improvement. For example if your heating bill is high, you might want to consider where your house needs to be tightened up. On the other hand, if your electric bill is high, you should start thinking about turning the light switch off more often, unplugging unused electronics, switching to energy star light bulbs, and shopping for an appropriate thermostat that matches your home heating system. When you are ready to make the next investment, shop for Energy Star appliances!  

What can I do to make my home operate more energy efficient?

Before you think about buying energy efficient appliances like dishwashers, washer and dryer for laundry, furnaces, etc. start with reviewing your energy bills, then we suggest some basic do-it-yourself improvements and lifestyle changes such as caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows, using door draft guards on exterior doors, opening your blinds during the day to let the sun in and closing them at night to keep the cold air out, using energy efficient light bulbs, lowering your thermostat for at least 8 hours per day, using plastic film to cover your windows during the winter season, and turning off lights.

If you do not see drastic improvements in your energy bills consider a home energy audit with a company that has BPI certified auditors. Be cautious about free home energy assessments from contractors and other for-profit companies because these sometimes do not give the best advice for your individual needs. Remember, a sales person’s job is to make a sale and what they recommend could not always be in your best interest. For example, windows are not an energy efficient improvement; it’s recommended that you address energy saving improvements before aesthetics.

 Small changes like door draft protectors, insulation, window caulking, outlet insulators, turning off lights, compact fluorescent light bulb replacements are all cheap and easy ways to see an improvement in your bills. Only after making these changes should you consider large purchases like dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, water heaters, and furnaces to see a return on investment.

Do it at home audits found at : EnergyStar

Does it really save you money to lower and raise the temperature of the thermostat?

Your heating system always runs at the same rate when it is on. The main variables are how long it remains on and off. Studies have proven that turning the thermostat back 10 degrees for an eight-hour period will save you 30% on your heating bill, on average. If you can't turn your thermostat down 10 degrees, try 5 degrees for at least 8 hours - every degree for 8 hours is roughly 3% of your heating bill saved. The longer your home remains at the lower temperature, the more it will provide savings. For example set your thermostat to a lower temperature after you fall asleep and while you're at work and then set it to a comfortable temperature for when you get home from work. Never lower your thermostat below 55 degrees or shut it off during the winter season otherwise you will run the risk of bursting your pipes.

As the season change and you decide to open your windows to let the Spring air in, remember to turn off your heat if the outside temperature is cooler than the inside temperature of your home or rental property. For example if your thermostat is set at 65 degrees and it is 58 degrees outside, your furnace will work harder to offset the temperature difference coming from the outside.

Where can I learn more about Weatherization?  

Department of Energy

EnergyStar

Get Energy Smart

New York State Homes & Community Renewal