Top 5 Questions to Ask Contractors at the Home and Garden Show

Are you  headed out to the home and garden show at the Von Braun Center today? Here are the top five questions to ask if you’re shopping for home improvements that can save energy and improve comfort. This list includes window and siding contractors, fiberglass, cellulose or spray foam insulation, heating, air conditioning, ventilation, crawl space or attic encapsulation.

Number 5) Do they take a “Whole House” approach to home improvements? Most contractors sell products related to their core trade such as heating and cooling OR insulation and air sealing, OR windows and siding. The problem with this approach is your home is a “system” of components working together. A contractor should be able to identify how well all the components are working together. The building enclosure, including windows insulation and air barrier have a huge impact on the heating, cooling, ventilation and duct system sizing and design. Your contractor should be knowledgeable about “Building Science” so they can identify and prioritize home improvements that will offer the biggest bang for the buck in home comfort, indoor air quality, and energy savings.

Number 4) Ask about certifications.  Contractors who understand building science and the systems approach to home improvement are certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) or RESNET in addition to trade specific certifications and licenses. Ask if they have a Building Analyst certification from BPI or Energy Rater certification from RESNET. Heating and cooling contractors should also have trade specific certificates from Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) and/or North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certifications.

Number 3) Diagnostic Testing. Does the contractor own a “Blower Door” for measuring air leakage through the home’s walls, ceiling, floors? Every contractor, including windows, plumbers, electricians, HVAC,  kitchen and bath remodelers cut holes through walls floors and ceiling when installing or repairing your home. Are they properly sealing existing holes in addition to the new ones they have created? Heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors should use a “duct blaster” to measure duct system leakage.

Number 2) Performance Modeling  and Design Software. Does the contractor use design software to evaluate the whole-house performance of proposed home improvements. For HVAC contractors, Manual J software will insure heating and cooling systems are properly sized for the specific home conditions. Manual D software will ensure the duct system is properly designed to ensure comfort and energy efficiency. Home energy software will generate an Energy Performance Score (EPS) or Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) to give you a mileage per gallon type of rating that includes insulation, windows, air leakage, duct leakage, and heating and cooling efficiency.

Number 1) Are they an AlabamaWISE participating contractor? Home improvement contractors participating in the AlabamaWISE program are committed to answering YES to all of the above questions to deliver home improvements that save 20% or more in annual energy costs. In addition, they also have access to AlabamaWISE rebates up to $750 or low interest financing up to $15,000. Nexus Energy Center also performs random Quality Assurance inspections to verify participating contractors are delivering quality home improvements and customer service. Rebates and loans are only available for a limited time.

Synergy Airflow & Ventilation was the only participating AlabamaWISE contractor at the Home Show, but you can access the entire list of AlabamaWISE home performance contractors by clicking this link: START.

The only contractor at the home show to answer YES to all of the above is Synergy Airflow & Ventilation. Josh Cooper. a BPI certified Building Analyst seated next to his blower door and duct blaster home diagnostic tools. Synergy is a leading home performance contractor in the AlabamaWISE program.