Measuring Energy Efficiency
How energy efficient is my home? Finding a quick answer to this question can be a great starting place for homeowners wanting to improve their home's energy performance. Two web-based home-energy calculators can be used to gauge a home's energy efficiency.
The ENERGY STAR® Home Energy Yardstick provides a quick measure of a home's energy efficiency. It requires basic information: the homeowner's zip code, the size of the house, the year it was built, and utility bill information. Once this information is entered, the energy calculator shows how a home performs energy-wise relative to comparable homes in the same location. Then, based on the home's performance, a set of recommendations are provided for improving the home's energy efficiency and lowering utility costs.
A second tool, the Home Energy Saver, offers a more detailed approach and allows the homeowner to estimate the energy- and money-saving impact of implementing various energy-saving improvements. Homeowners can begin the process by simply entering their zip code and receive instant initial estimates. The homeowner can receive increasingly customized results and energy-saving recommendations by providing additional information about the home.