If you want a more comfortable, energy-efficient home -- and lower energy bills, home performance is something you can't ignore.
Many homeowners focus on quick fixes, but real efficiency looks at how your entire home works as a system. That's where the Home Performance with Energy Star program comes in.
Before we get into what the Home Performance with Energy Star program is, we’d like to talk a little about ourselves. In June 2019, RetroFoam of Michigan became part of the Home Performance with Energy Star 2019 Century Club. This means we completed more than 100 home performance projects for homeowners throughout 2018. This means we not only understand what the program is, but we are now a part of it.
Backed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA, this program helps homeowners understand where energy is being wasted and how upgrades actually make a difference.
Key Points: Home Performance with Energy Star
• Whole-home approach: Evaluates comfort, efficiency, and health issues together.
• Certified contractors: Use data-driven testing and diagnostics.
• Energy Star Score: A national metric that shows how your home's energy use compares to similar homes.
• Common upgrades: Air sealing, insulation, ventilation, high-efficiency appliances.
• Results homeowners notice: Lower bills, fewer drafts, more consistent indoor temps.
What is the Home Performance with Energy Star Program?
Home Performance with Energy Star connects homeowners with trained contractors who evaluate the home's energy use and comfort levels using scientific testing, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Instead of guessing where problems are, these professionals use tools like blower door tests and diagnostic equipment to identify:
- Air leakage points
- Insulation gaps
- Ventilation and moisture issues
- Under-performing systems
The goal? A plan of targeted improvements that address the root causes, not just the surface symptoms.
How Energy Star Scores Work (and Why They Matter)
One way homeowners and professionals measure energy efficiency is through an Energy Star score.
This score exists on a 1 to 100 scale and shows how a home (or building) performs compared to similar properties nationwide.
- A score of 50 means your home performs better than half of comparable homes nationwide.
- A score of 75 or higher means you're outperforming at least 75 percent of similar properties.
Unlike a simple tally of utility bills, the Energy Star score uses a statistical model based on national energy use data and adjusts for things like:
- Climate and weather
- Size and occupancy
- How the home is used
This makes it a fair comparison tool that shows you where your home stands among peers.
What Home Performance Testing Looks Like
Here's what you can expect during Home Performance testing.
Blower Door Testing
A blower door test measures uncontrolled air leakage in your home.
Excess air leakage can cause:
- Drafty rooms
- Uneven temperatures
- High utility bills
When upgrades like air sealing or insulation are done, follow-up tests show measurable improvement.
Whole-Home Audit
A full evaluation looks at how different systems interact, which provides:
- Clear data inefficiencies
- Prioritized recommendations
- Proof of improvement after work is done
Why Home Performance Matters Beyond the Score
While Energy Star scores are more commonly associated with building benchmarking, the principle behind them applies to homeowners, too.
When your home performs better on a national comparison scale:
- You save money on energy
- You increase comfort
- You reduce indoor air quality risks
- You protect your investment
On average, Home Performance with Energy Star projects have helped homeowners save around $500 per year, and millions of homeowners nationwide have participated, according to Energy Star.
Common Home Performance Improvements
Based on testing, a contractor may recommend:
- Air sealing: Stops uncontrolled air leaks that waste energy
- Insulation upgrades: Foam insulation helps both insulate and air seal
- Appliance or system updates: Improves performance and lowers energy use
Making Your Home More Energy Efficient
If you want a home that's more comfortable, healthier, and more energy efficient, Home Performance with Energy Star gives you a structured, data-backed way to get there.
Instead of guessing where problems are, this program helps you understand your home's performance and what upgrades matter most.
For more on energy efficiency, comfort, and home performance upgrades, check out our Learning Center.
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