High Electric Bills? Expensive Heating Oil? Your Home Could Be Wasting Thousands of Dollars Every Year!

Discover How Energize Delaware’s Home Energy Audit Program Can Help You Lower Energy Costs, Improve Comfort, and Make Smarter Home Improvements.

Every month, homeowners across Delaware open their electric or heating oil bills and ask the same question:

“Why does it cost so much to heat and cool my home?”

With expensive heating oil, rising electricity costs, and unpredictable weather, keeping your home comfortable can put serious pressure on your household budget.

But what if the problem isn’t simply the cost of energy?

What if your home is wasting the energy you’re already paying for?

At Peak Windows & Doors, LLC, we believe homeowners deserve answers before spending thousands of dollars on improvements.

That’s why we’re highlighting a valuable program that Delaware homeowners should know about: Energize Delaware’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program.

What Is the Energize Delaware Home Energy Audit Program?

Energize Delaware helps homeowners identify opportunities to improve their home’s energy efficiency, reduce unnecessary energy consumption, and improve year-round comfort.

Through its Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, homeowners can schedule a professional home energy assessment to better understand where their home may be losing energy.

During an assessment, a qualified energy professional may evaluate:

Air leaks around windows and exterior doors
Attic, basement, and other insulation levels
Heating and cooling system performance
Ductwork leakage
Water heating equipment
Overall home energy consumption
Opportunities for energy-saving improvements

The assessment helps homeowners develop a plan based on their home’s actual condition rather than guessing which improvements might help.

The goal is simple: Stop wasting energy and start making informed decisions about your home.

How Much Does a Home Energy Audit Cost?

One of the biggest advantages of this program is its affordable assessment cost.

According to Energize Delaware’s published program information:

$50 standard assessment: Eligible Delaware homeowners can receive a professional home energy assessment for a $50 co-pay.
Larger homes: Homes over 3,000 square feet may require a $100 co-pay.
$25 reduced assessment: Certain income-qualified homeowners, military members, and first responders may qualify for a reduced assessment fee.

Eligibility requirements and program pricing are subject to change, so homeowners should confirm current costs before scheduling.

For many homeowners, this is an affordable first step toward understanding why their utility bills are so high.

Explore Energize Delaware’s Home Performance Program

A Real Delaware Home Energy Audit: What the Numbers Revealed

We recently reviewed an actual Delaware home energy audit, and the findings show just how expensive home energy consumption can become.

The assessment estimated the following annual utility expenses:

Energy Source	Estimated Annual Cost
Electricity	$3,063
Heating Oil	$3,442
Total Annual Energy Costs	$6,505

That’s approximately $542 per month, averaged across the year, just to power, heat, and cool the home.

The audit identified several opportunities for improvement, including air sealing, attic insulation, basement insulation, ductwork, and heating equipment.

The report projected that its recommended package of energy improvements could save approximately $3,526 annually.

That’s nearly $294 per month in potential savings.

These are estimated savings for this specific home and its proposed combination of improvements—not guaranteed results or savings attributable to windows and doors alone.

But the findings make one thing clear:

Understanding how your home uses energy can uncover opportunities to reduce unnecessary expenses.

Why Are Heating Oil Bills So Expensive?

If your home uses heating oil, you know how quickly those deliveries can add up during Delaware’s colder months.

But expensive oil isn’t always the only issue.

When warm air escapes through gaps, poorly insulated areas, and other openings, your heating system must work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.

That can lead to increased fuel consumption and higher heating costs.

Common problem areas include:

Insufficient attic insulation
Drafts around exterior windows and doors
Air leakage around attic openings
Poorly sealed ductwork
Uninsulated basement areas
Aging or inefficient heating equipment

Before investing in a new heating system, consider whether your home is properly retaining the heat you’re already paying for.

A home energy audit can help identify where improvements may have the greatest impact.

Drafty Windows and Doors Could Be Part of the Problem

At Peak Windows & Doors, we frequently hear homeowners say:

“My living room is freezing in the winter.”

“I can feel cold air coming through my windows.”

“My front door is always drafty.”

“My heating system never seems to shut off.”

Older windows and exterior doors may contribute to energy loss through deteriorating weatherstripping, damaged seals, poorly insulated glass, or gaps around the frames.

Modern energy-efficient windows and professionally installed exterior doors can help improve comfort and reduce unwanted air infiltration.

However, not every draft means your windows need to be replaced.

Sometimes the solution involves weatherstripping, air sealing, or insulation improvements.

That’s why we encourage homeowners to understand the problem before investing in the solution.

New Energy-Saving Incentives: A 25% Bonus Opportunity

Here’s another reason Delaware homeowners should explore the program.

Energize Delaware announced a limited-time 25% bonus incentive on qualifying energy-efficiency upgrades beginning July 1, 2026, subject to program requirements and available funding.

This incentive may provide additional financial assistance for eligible home improvements.

Qualifying measures, incentive amounts, contractor requirements, and program availability must be confirmed directly with Energize Delaware.

Important: Complete the Required Steps Before Starting Work

Homeowners interested in program rebates should follow the required process:

Schedule and complete an eligible home energy assessment.
Review the findings and recommended improvements.
Work with an approved participating contractor for eligible measures.
Obtain the required rebate reservation approval before qualifying installation work begins.
Complete the approved improvements according to program requirements.

Starting qualifying work before receiving the necessary approval may affect rebate eligibility.

Don’t miss a potential incentive because you started a project before completing the required paperwork.

Review Program Details and Get Started with Energize Delaware

Which Home Improvements Should You Prioritize?

One of the biggest benefits of a professional energy audit is that it can help homeowners decide where to invest their money first.

Depending on the findings, recommended improvements may include:

Air Sealing: Closing unwanted openings and gaps that allow conditioned air to escape.

Attic and Basement Insulation: Helping the home retain heat in winter and reduce unwanted heat gain in summer.

Ductwork Improvements: Sealing leaks that can waste heated or cooled air before it reaches living spaces.

Heating and Cooling Equipment: Evaluating whether older equipment is operating efficiently and whether replacement makes financial sense.

Energy-Efficient Windows and Exterior Doors: Addressing aging, damaged, drafty, or inefficient products when replacement is appropriate.

Every home is different, and the most effective improvements depend on the findings of its energy assessment.

Why Peak Windows & Doors Supports Homeowner Education

At Peak Windows & Doors, LLC, our mission goes beyond installing quality windows and doors.

We want homeowners to feel confident about the improvements they make and understand how those improvements contribute to their home’s comfort, performance, and long-term value.

An energy audit provides information that can help homeowners make smarter decisions.

If the assessment identifies aging windows or exterior doors that should be replaced, our team can help you explore energy-efficient options designed for your home.

We proudly serve homeowners throughout Delaware, including Wilmington, Newark, Hockessin, Bear, Middletown, Dover, Lewes, and Rehoboth Beach, as well as surrounding communities in Southern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.

Please note that Energize Delaware’s program is specific to Delaware. Homeowners in neighboring states should explore the energy-efficiency programs available in their own communities.

Take Control of Your Energy Bills Before Another Expensive Winter

If you’re tired of watching your heating oil and electric bills climb, don’t wait until the next cold snap to investigate the problem.

A professional home energy assessment could help you identify energy waste, prioritize improvements, and explore available incentives.

Here’s where to start:

Step 1: Visit Energize Delaware to review program eligibility and schedule your home energy assessment.

Step 2: Review your assessment results and identify the improvements that make the most sense for your home.

Step 3: If your windows or exterior doors need replacement, contact Peak Windows & Doors to discuss your options.

Ready to Make Your Home More Comfortable and Energy Efficient?

Peak Windows & Doors, LLC

Windows • Doors • Roofing • Siding

Call Today: 302-500-9511

Visit: www.PeakWindowsAndDoor.com

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Your Home. Our Focus.

Program pricing, eligibility, bonus incentives, and rebate requirements are subject to change. Homeowners should verify all current details directly with Energize Delaware. Peak Windows & Doors does not guarantee energy savings or program rebate eligibility.