Myth #1: All contractors can do weatherization

Weatherization is completed only by home performance businesses that take a whole house approach informed by building science. Traditionally, contractors have specialized in only one of the many systems in a home: plumbers work on plumbing and window companies focus on windows. However, home performance businesses assess the entire home as a system and prioritize actions that will yield the greatest improvement in home health and energy efficiency at the highest return on investment.

Myth #2: Weatherization means replacing my windows

Despite common belief, windows are only responsible for 5-10% of your home's energy loss. There are low-cost air sealing measures that will improve existing windows, but new windows are expensive and will not yield nearly the same energy savings.

Myth #3: I need renewable systems like solar or geothermal to be green

While renewable systems like solar or geothermal can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000, an investment in weatherization of around $2,000 to $4,000 can yield similar energy savings and emission reductions. If you're set on renewable sources of energy to power your home, the first step is home energy efficiency to prevent those renewable sources from pumping into a leaky building.

Myth #4: I have good insulation already so I do not need to weatherize

Air travels through most insulation and it is only with contiguous air sealing that you can prevent cold winter air from entering your living room. To further understand the relationship between insulation and air sealing, think of it as layers on a winter day. You wear a knit sweater for "insulating", but that does not do much to keep the wind from getting to you, so you wear an outer layer for "air sealing".

Myth #5: If my house is very leaky, weatherization will cost too much

A home's poor performance does not equate to an expensive weatherization. In fact, the opposite is true. Homes with the highest energy bills have the greatest opportunity to save money through weatherization.

Myth #6: I am renovating so now is not a good time to weatherize

Renovations are the perfect time to weatherize. A pre-renovation energy audit will provide a list of recommendations detailing the various opportunities to take advantage of the work already being done.

Myth #7: I do not need an energy audit to weatherize

An energy audit is the essential first step in weatherizing. It is the audit that will show you how to receive the greatest energy reductions in your home while spending the least amount on your efficiency upgrades.

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