Your Home Energy Score report is a starting point for understanding your home’s energy performance and planning improvements. Use its recommendations to guide questions, not as a substitute for project-specific advice or contractor estimates.
Start with your report
Review the home facts and recommended improvements. If something looks incorrect or is unclear, contact your assessor. The report uses standardized assumptions; actual utility bills also depend on weather and how the home is used.
Plan insulation, air sealing, and equipment upgrades together
Discuss the report’s recommendations with qualified contractors. Insulation, air sealing, heating, cooling, and water heating can affect one another, so plan improvements as a whole rather than selecting equipment in isolation.
Have a qualified professional assess ventilation, moisture, and combustion-safety needs before major air-sealing or equipment work. Compare written scopes and estimates before proceeding.
Distinguish everyday savings from score improvements
Efficient lighting, appliances, and sensible thermostat use can help manage household energy use. They are not the same as changes to the building envelope or major systems reflected in the Home Energy Score’s improvement recommendations. Do not assume every energy-saving purchase will increase the score.
Check incentives before starting work
Eligibility and timing vary by program. Confirm the current rules, approved contractors, and any pre-approval requirements directly with the program before buying equipment or starting a project. A Home Energy Score alone does not establish rebate eligibility.
Keep your records
Save your report, invoices, and equipment details. If you make improvements and need an updated Home Energy Score, contact Get My HES about a new assessment.
For more information, see the Department of Energy’s guide to the Home Energy Score and homeowner energy resources. To book a Bend assessment, view pricing and choose an appointment.
