Myth: Energy efficiency means switching lightbulbs.
Fact: Energy efficiency improvements are any measures that can do the same job, like heating or lighting a home, with less energy. Replacing light bulbs is one effective way to increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce waste. Other upgrades include insulating and air sealing, tuning up or replacing inefficient heating and cooling equipment, and switching to Energy Star certified home appliances.
Typical home energy loss
Myth: Weatherization means replacing windows.
Fact: Windows are only responsible for 5 to10 percent of home's energy loss and often do not yield the same energy savings as weatherization improvements, like air sealing and added insulation. Lower cost air sealing often has a shorter payback period than replacing windows.Myth: Renewable solar or geothermal systems are necessary to be green.
Fact: Renewable systems like solar or geothermal can cost $15,000 to $80,000 to install. A $4,000 to $6,000 weatherization investment can yield similar energy and utility bill savings. Prioritizing energy upgrades means money invested in renewables will not escape through a drafty house.
Attics and attic hatches are common areas for budget-friendly energy improvements.
Myth: Well insulated homes do not need to weatherize.
Fact: Air travels through most insulation, decreasing its effectiveness. Only proper air sealing prevents cold winter and warm summer air from entering your home. Air sealing is similar to layering clothing on a winter day; most people wear a sweater (insulation) and an outer layer (air sealing) to keep warm.
Myth: Weatherization will cost too much if a home is leaky.
Fact: A home's poor performance does not equate to an expensive weatherization. In fact, homes with the highest energy bills have the greatest opportunity to save money through weatherization.
Myth: Home renovation is not a good time to weatherize.
Fact: Renovations are the perfect time to weatherize. Recommendations from a pre-renovation energy assessment ensure 
Adding blown insulation to an attic delivers large savings at a low cost.home improvements are energy efficient.
Adding blown insulation to an attic delivers large savings at a low cost.home improvements are energy efficient. Myth: An energy audit is not necessary to weatherize.
Fact: An energy audit is the essential first step in weatherizing. An audit evaluates your home's energy consumption and identifies prioritized efficiency improvements. It also assesses your home's overall health and safety. For example, contractors need to make sure that there are no carbon monoxide or gas leaks in your home before performing air sealing work.
Myth: All contractors can perform weatherization work.
Fact: Effective weatherization is completed only by contractors who take a whole house approach informed by building science.
Myth: Effective weatherization can be accomplished by residents themselves.
Fact: It is true that with some skill, Do-It-Yourselfers can perform some weatherization improvements on their own. However, efficiency upgrades are accomplished most effectively by trained, certified, and experienced building performance specialists. That is why it's important to seek out energy auditors and contractors certified by the Building Performance Institute.
Myth: Home renovation is not a good time to weatherize.
Fact: Renovations are often the perfect time to weatherize. Some efficiency improvements, like wall insulation, are best accomplished during painting or siding replacement projects when wall cavities are more accessible. Recommendations from a pre-renovation energy audit ensure home improvements are energy efficient.
Myth: Home renovation is not a good time to weatherize.
Fact: Maryland offers very inticing rebates for many kinds of energy efficiency upgrades, from audits to insulation, from light bulbs to heat pumps. Maryland homeowners can get up to $2000 back for investing in efficiency through local utility programs. The federal government has also reactivated a tax credit work up to $500 for energy efficiency measures. Check out the independent website, DSIRE, to learn more.
