Nexus Energy Center Announces Home Performance with Energy Star Partnership

Nexus Energy Center is now a certified Home Performance with Energy Star partner. This means AlabamaWISE and participating home performance contractors meet all requirements of this nationally recognized program to ensure quality home improvements that save energy and lower utility bills for Alabama households.

Participating AlabamaWISE contractors work with homeowners from the initial whole-house assessment and deliver measured results that ensure home improvements will reduce energy waste and improve comfort. Nexus Energy Center provides third-party quality assurance and verifies contractor certifications so homeowners can be confident the contractor they work with is fully qualified.

Key Components of the Home Performance with Energy Star program

Quality Contractor Network

AlabamaWISE contractors are a select group of contractors certified by the Building Performance Institute in addition to industry specific qualifications. They are committed to customer service and the highest industry standards in heating and cooling, duct systems, windows, insulation and air sealing.

Whole-house energy assessment

Participating contractors are trained and certified in building science principles, so they understand how all components of the home’s mechanical systems and building enclosure interact. For instance, heating, cooling contractors know the insulation, air leakage and duct leakage have a big impact on the equipment they install, so they offer comprehensive solutions to address related building components. This is true for window and insulation contractors, too.

Verification Inspection

Homes are performance tested with the latest diagnostic equipment such as blower door, duct blaster and thermal camera. Diagnostic testing ensures home improvements are both safe and effective.

Independent Review of Contractor Work

Nexus Energy Center provides random, third-party inspections to verify contractor work quality meets program standards using a quality plan with the following features and benefits:

• Reporting process that requires participating contractors to report jobs that are promoted to homeowners and performed under the HPwES logo.
• Job report review process that ensures program compliance and provides for follow-up with the contractor when necessary.
• Customer feedback mechanism which allows customers to provide feedback directly to the Program Sponsor.
• On-site inspection protocols including a sampling rate set at a minimum of 5% (1 in every 20 jobs) for all participating contractors.
• Conflict resolution mechanism for responding to and resolving customer complaints.
• Record keeping and tracking of results from on-site inspections, customer surveys, and corrective actions. Records must be available for review upon request from the National HPwES Program.