Dominion East Ohio, an Energy Star partner since 2010, has been honored for its work to increase market share of Energy Star-qualified products through comprehensive outreach, education, and marketing programs such as Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES). Administered by GoodCents, this program improves the energy performance and healthiness of existing residential homes in the Dominion East Ohio service territory through home energy assessments.

For a small fee of $50, a GoodCents Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified auditor works with a Dominion East Ohio residential customer and performs a three- to four-hour comprehensive home performance assessment. The auditor performs an array of tests which include a furnace inspection, combustion analysis on appliances, and a blower door test which indicates whether there are air leaks in the home. The auditor then uses an infrared camera to determine insulation levels and identify the specific locations of any air leaks. The home energy assessment may also include the installation of free home improvements such as foam insulation, water heater pipe wrapping, kitchen and bathroom aerators, HVAC filters, weather stripping, door sweeps, and a carbon monoxide detector. At the end of the assessment a detailed report is presented to the homeowner, which includes a list of recommendations as well as the projected energy savings for making the recommended improvements. The homeowner can then contact a participating contractor to complete the desired work, and can earn up to $1,250 in rebates for making their home more energy efficient.

Dominion East Ohio launched its HPwES program in mid-October of 2010, and in 2012 the program completed over 3,800 assessments and paid out nearly $1.5 million in rebates to 2,800 Dominion East Ohio customers. The program has built a large network of active contractors that have supported the program resulting in $17.8 million being invested back into the local economy.

“GoodCents is proud to partner with Dominion East Ohio in the delivery of the HPwES program,” said Bill Rodgers, GoodCents CEO and president. “The success of this program reflects the desire of customers to learn more about making their homes more energy efficient through Energy Star products and programs.”

“Dominion East Ohio sets the bar for promoting energy-efficient products and services that help Americans learn how to save money and energy while protecting the environment,” said Bob Perciasepe, acting administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “Dominion East Ohio’s program delivery methods demonstrate how communities across the nation can protect the climate through greater energy efficiency and provide a road map for future program implementers.”

Publication date: 4/15/2013