Your home is one of the largest investments you'll make.

Whether it's your starter home or dream home, you should get the most out of your investment with energy efficiency, comfort and the cleanest air possible for your family. You may have locks and security systems to protect your belongings, but what have you done to protect your energy dollars? If you've experienced high energy bills, less than comfortable room temperatures or noticed excessive dust, now's the time to take action and expose those energy bandits that could be affecting your wallet and family's health.

Using Home Performance Testing with Energy Star®, the audit identifies comfort and efficiency issues in your home. You'll experience the full benefits of the audit once an approved Right Choice contractor makes the energy upgrades. Once your home passes a series of tests, it will be listed as a Right Choice Improved Home — the closest an existing home can come to being a Right Choice new home. Jackson EMC members with electric heat also qualify for our lowest electric rate —  the Right Choice rate. We've teamed with the energy efficiency experts at Southface Energy Institute to offer a savings and comfort program to members who don't have a Right Choice new home.

Step 1: 

You have high energy bills, rooms that are too hot or cold, moisture problems, or excessive dust, call on Jackson EMC and ask to speak with a residential marketing representative about a comprehensive home performance test. The residential marketing representative will provide you with a list of approved Right Choice contractors from which you choose.

Step 2:

A Right Choice contractor comes to your home to conduct the high tech audit. Your audit begins with a thorough consultation and discussion about the details of the tests.

Step 3:

Several areas are checked during your assessment. Items checked include:

• Insulation levels for all building components

• Window efficiency

• Air leakage pathways using the blower door test

• Efficiencies in heating, cooling, and water heating equipment

• Duct system efficiencies with flow hoods and/or a duct blaster test

Step 4:

After the assessment, you receive a prioritized list of recommendations along with a list of participating contractors that can do the work to improve your home's energy efficiency.

Some of the improvements may be do-it-yourself projects, like caulking or weather stripping; however, major upgrades with duct systems or heat pump replacement can be costly. Always consider the length of time you will be in the home and the payback period of the improvements. Talk to your residential marketing representative about financing options once you make your decision.

Select an approved contractor to make heating and air, insulation, or other recommended improvements. After the work is completed, your home will undergo follow-up diagnostic tests to compare results to the original tests. If your home passes the testing process, it will be listed as a Right Choice Improved Home.

If there is damage to your home's service entrance, you are responsible for repair. Call a licensed electrician for all service entrance repairs.

Step 6

Members with electric heat qualify for the special Right Choice rate once a home is listed as a Right Choice Improved Home.

Common Improvements a Home May Need Installing additional Insulation:

• Air sealing

• Sealing or replacing the duct system

• Replacing the heating and cooling equipment

To schedule a Right Choice High Tech Audit, call 1-800-462-3691. Ask to be transferred to the Jackson EMC office nearest you. Then ask to speak to a residential marketing representative. Next to purchasing your home, this may be one of the most important investments you'll make.