A Home Performance Test is the best way to gauge the current state of a home as it relates to energy, health, and comfort. Many homeowners are faced with high energy costs and a wide assortment of comfort issues related to heating, cooling, indoor air quality, electrical usage and water heating. Home Performance Contractors address these issues by applying the latest building science to first test and quantitavely measure your whole home's performance and then determine which areas could use improvement. In doing so, Home Performance Contractor's look at the house as a whole rather than focusing on a single component, such as an old furnace or single paned windows. Using results from the test, a specialized and cost effective contracting plan is then designed for the home owner.

A Home Performance Test can be useful for any of the following reasons:

• High electric and gas bills
• Problems staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer
• One room is too hot while another room is too cold
• Furnace or air conditioner seems to run all the time
• Indoor air quality issues, including problems with dust, mold, drafts, or asthma
• Interest in renewable energy sources
• Curiosity

In addition, testing your home is the first step in reducing the environmental impact of your home's energy expenditure. The average American home has a carbon footprint equal to 2 or 3 cars. Most homeowners can reduce their footprint by 20-50%, and the home performance test is the best way to find out how.

A Home Performance Test involves a 2-3 hour on-site inspection performed by 2 of Building Solutions's technicians. The inspection includes a suite of tests using the latest diagnostic testing equipment and Energy Star techniques. To learn more about the specific areas covered in a test, please see our testing checklist.

All pertinent data is collected on a portable tablet PC and analyzed using a custom software application built by Building Solutions. The software uses certified Energy Star techniques and building load calculations algorithms as outlined by ACCA. To learn more about Building Solution's propietary software, please visit Home Performance Pro.

Following the test, the home owner will be given a home performance test that outlines the findings of the test as well as as a step by step plan that addresses existing areas of concern. The technicians who performed the test will be available to go over the report and answer any questions. For an example, please see our sample report.

The complete test costs $595 for any house less than 4000 square feet in area and with one heating and cooling system. For each additional 1000 square feet after 4000 square feet, the test costs an additional $50. For each additional heating and cooling system, the test costs an additional $75. If you choose to have any repairs done, the entire cost of the report will be applied against your final invoice, making the test essentially free.