Making Sense of Energy Retrofits


How does saving 40-70% on your home energy bill every month sound to you? Good, doesn't it? But where do you start? A Home Performance Energy Audit with Energy Star conducted by a BPI (Building Performance Institute) certified contractor is a great place.


Home Performance Energy Audits use building science to determine where the deficiencies in your home are. A "test in" procedure begins the process by testing air infiltration, moisture in your home, mechanical performance of heating, cooling and water heating systems, bathroom fans, hood vents, cooling duct leakage, and indoor air quality. A blower door test and infrared cameras are used to determine how much energy your home is leaking. These tests determine the problem areas in your home and delivered quantified results with cost breakdown of specific changes to the homeowner. The homeowner can then choose what changes to make and then calculate the subsequent savings in their heating and cooling costs.


With both Federal and State stimulus money becoming available, the cost of energy retrofitting your home with a certified BPI contractor makes sense. Home Performance Audits run between $800 and $2,000 for a basic home, depending on the complexity of the residence. Prescriptive work can run between $3,000 to $75.000, depending on the amount of work the homeowner wants to perform. The good news is that the majority of heat loss can be repaired with a minimum amount of cost, unusually under $10,000. The savings the homeowner reaps are about 45-70% savings on their monthly heating bill.


Mt. Lincoln Construction is certified as an Energy Star Home Performance Contractor and can help you incorporate an energy retrofit to your home efficiency plans and save you money on your home energy bills.



New Mountain Home Construction Specialists


Mt. Lincoln Construction, Inc. for almost 20 years have been a leader in construction around the Lake Tahoe Truckee Region. We specialize in high end new construction for residential and commercial projects. Mt. Lincoln Construction, Inc. has its own in-house custom millwork department with master craftsmen that bring much care and a discerning eye to every project.


Mt. Lincoln Construction, Inc. also has the experience, expertise, and knowledge in building in the high-country environment where it can be a challenge for some that have not lived or built in or around the Sierras. From the foundation to the final inspection we are committed to providing our clients with professionalism and the best value for their money. When you choose Mt. Lincoln Construction, Inc., your home will be constructed with quality craftsmanship that has been lauded by architectural review magazines. We also have built strong relationships with our suppliers and subcontractors and can draw on their knowledge to help provide our clients with competitive pricing and innovative products.


We at Mt. Lincoln look forward to working with you to build your “home” not just your house.


Paul Zarubin