Weatherization

Westring Construction is proud to deliver Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®.

Listen to James Westring on Home Improvement Madison radio show and click on "Westring Construction."

Here's how it works:

We recommend that you initiate a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® evaluation through the program. A Qualified Consultant with the program will schedule a time with you to thoroughly evaluate your home. Upon completion, you will receive a detailed report which will include a Request for Proposal (RFP) that you can share with an Allied Contractor.

Who is a Qualified Consultant?
A qualified consultant with the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program performs an energy evaluation for you and based on their recommendations provide suggested program qualified contractors to do the work (known as Allied Contractors). After the work is done, the consultant returns to independently verify that the work was done correctly and to program standards.

We recommend the following evaluators:
Artisan Energy
2065 CTH "T"
Marshall, WI 53559
608.852.7742
mark@artisanenergy.com

Trinity Environmental LLC
5001 Wallace Ave.
Monona, WI 53716
608-332-5609

Home Performance Testing
1294 Hobby Horse Road
Oregon, WI 53575
608.241.5425

Who is an Allied Contractor?
An Allied Contractor signs an agreement with the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program that they will perform their services to meet the program's standards.

Westring Construction is an Allied Contractor. We have the training and the diagnostic equipment to professionally air seal, insulate, and ventilate your home. We test our work before we depart ensuring that the evaluator’s requirements and recommendations have been met.

How do I get started?

Contact a Qualified Consultant and schedule an evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete and you have the report, schedule a visit with an Allied Contractor. Westring Construction, LLC will typically obtain the report and review it prior to meeting with you. We then come to your home to look at the job and review the report and scope of work with you. We will then deliver a formal itemized proposal.

After you accept the proposal, a start date is determined. Depending on the scope, the work may take more than a day to complete.

After the work is completed, we perform a post-test to ensure that the goals and objectives have been achieved.

It is then the responsibility of the owner to schedule a post-test by the Qualified Consultant (we will also remind you too). The post test is part of their service so there are no additional costs for completing the service. The consultant verifies that the air sealing, insulating, and ventilation requirements were met. The consultant completes a form outlining the rebates due you, and within a month or so, a check is sent to you!

Is an energy audit required for energy conservation work?
No, but we recommend a professional audit to gather the data describing the current condition of your home before investing in energy conservation work. We prefer to know how your home’s current condition and then compare it to how much better your home performs after the work is completed.

Can I get a rebate from the state?
Yes, provided that you get an evaluation and that the improvements made meet the goals documented in the energy audit report.

Can you just add insulation to my attic or walls?
We don't just insulate attics or walls. Indoor air quality and comfort depends on other factors such as air infiltration and ventilation. Although you may have inadequate insulation, drafts and big energy bills are more commonly due to heat loss by air infiltration. We go beyond just adding insulation. We seal all accessible top plates and all accessible electrical, mechanical, and plumbing penetrations.

What is air sealing and why is it important?
Sealing air leaks is not easy to do, but is usually the most cost-effective enhancement you can make to increase a home's efficiency. Start at the top of home. Properly done, attic air sealing not only saves energy and money, but it can reduce or eliminate ice dams and help control moisture that can contribute to mold and structural damage. Other important areas for air sealing are basements and crawl spaces.

Once the holes have been sealed off, insulation can be added. Insulation saves energy by slowing heat transfer. Heat has a tendency to travel towards cooler areas. In winter, for instance, heat will move toward an attic or unheated attached garage. The process also works in reverse. During the hot summer months, hot air trapped inside an attic can warm cooler air in the rooms below. Insulation slows the movement of heat and helps keep heat where you want it-inside in the winter and outside in the summer.

Why is venting important?
Fresh air is essential to the health and well-being of our homes, new and old, and of the people who occupy them. Properly-installed and operated ventilation systems give home owners the ability to enhance indoor air quality by diluting indoor pollutants and odors, controlling winter moisture levels, and providing air exchange as needed.

Do I need mechanical ventilation if I tighten up my house?
Houses need to "breath" to prevent moisture accumulation. Mold, mildew, and condensation forming on the windows are the result of a well sealed and insulated home. Exhaust fans in the bath and kitchen are a good start, but sometimes additional ventilation may be necessary. We recommend installing Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) that let your house "breathe" while conserving energy.

Can I do some of the work?
Yes. You may do as much or as little as you want or are able to do.

Can I get a rebate if I do the work myself?
Yes, if you meet the minimum requirements outlined in the energy audit report. This will be verified by the Qualified Consultant at the post-test phase.

For more information and helpful tips, visit http://www.focusonenergy.com/Residential