Myth: All contractors can perform weatherization work.
Fact: Effective weatherization is completed only by businesses that take a whole house approach informed by building
Typical home energy lossscience, i.e. they assess the entire home as a system. Myth: Weatherization means replacing windows.
Fact: Windows are only responsible for five to 10 percent of home's energy loss and do not yield the same energy savings as weatherization work. Lower cost air sealing can improve the energy efficiency and lifetime of current windows.Myth: Renewable solar or geothermal systems are necessary to be green.
Fact: Renewable systems like solar or geothermal can cost $15,000 to $80,000 to install. A $4,000 to $6,000 weatherization investment can yield similar savings. Prioritizing energy upgrades means money invested in renewables will not escape through a drafty house.
Attics and attic hatches are common areas for budget-friendly energy improvements.
Myth: Homes with insulation do not need to weatherize.
Fact: Air travels through most insulation. Only contiguous air sealing prevents cold winter and
warm summer air from entering your living room. Air sealing is similar to layering clothing on a winter day; most people wear a sweater (insulation) and an outer layer (air sealing) to keep warm.
Adding blown insulation to an attic delivers large savings at a low cost.home improvements are energy efficient.
warm summer air from entering your living room. Air sealing is similar to layering clothing on a winter day; most people wear a sweater (insulation) and an outer layer (air sealing) to keep warm.
Myth: Weatherization will cost too much if a home is leaky.
Fact: A home's poor performance does not equate to an expensive weatherization. In fact, homes with the highest energy bills have the greatest opportunity to save money through weatherization.Myth: Home renovation is not a good time to weatherize.
Fact: Renovations are the perfect time to weatherize. Recommendations from a pre-renovation energy assessment ensureAdding blown insulation to an attic delivers large savings at a low cost.home improvements are energy efficient.
