Energy and Water Efficiency Quiz

Prioritizing energy and water efficiency can be a win-win for the environment and your bank account.

Start by educating yourself about water and energy efficiency, including tips for homeowners and renters. You can also review the resources in our toolkit “Making Your Home More Efficient and Resilient.”

1

How much does the average family spend on energy bills each year?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical family spends at least $2,200 per year on energy bills — but energy-efficient upgrades could reduce that cost by up to 30%.

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2

What is the purpose of a home energy audit?

A home energy audit is an assessment conducted by professionals who measure a home’s energy consumption. By using energy assessment tools and referencing historical billing information, energy assessors can discover where in the home energy is used inefficiently and how that affects your monthly utility bills.

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3

True or false: Energy and water efficiency upgrades are nice to have while you live in the home but will not affect your home’s resale value.

False. Studies have shown that green homes sell faster and for more money than homes without energy-efficient designations. In fact, Freddie Mac research found that homes with high energy-efficiency ratings sold for 2.7% more on average compared to homes that did not.

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4

Which of the following certifications should you look for in a rental property?

Certifications like the National Green Building Standard (NGBS), the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) indicate that the building is verified and meets established standards of efficiency.

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5

True or false: If you aren’t able to find a home that is already energy and water efficient, there are financing options available to help you make changes that increase efficiency after you’ve purchased the property.

True. Energy efficient mortgages are designed to help you finance improvements to the energy and water efficiency. For example, Freddie Mac GreenCHOICE Mortgages® can be applied to a new home purchase to cover basic energy efficiency improvements.

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Great job! It looks like you have a solid understanding of the options to make your home more energy and water efficient.

You’re off to a good start, but consider learning more about how you can improve the energy and water efficiency of your home. Learn more.

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