Q: Is an energy evaluation of my home worth my time?

A: Depending on where you live, the age of your home, and how you use and receive energy, knowing how efficient your energy use is can potentially save you money on cooling and heating bills. Features like poorly performing windows and doors, lighting, and electronics can make a big impact on energy efficiency.

Most of us have been spending more time at home as a result of COVID-19, giving us the opportunity to reflect, clean, evaluate budgets, and consider home improvement projects. One oft-forgotten item on the list is checking your home’s energy efficiency.

DIY or go with a pro?

Home energy evaluations can be done on your own, using guidelines from sources such as your utility service company, or you can hire a professional to perform one. Either way, home energy assessments evaluate your home’s current energy consumption and then identify energy efficiency measures.

Poorly performing windows and doors are one of the main reasons for energy loss—sometimes as much as 30%—so an energy evaluation will often start there. Not taking proactive energy efficiency measures can feel as if you’re throwing money right out the window!

Out with the old, in with the new

Depending on a variety of factors, replacing poorly performing windows and doors may be recommended. Besides cutting your utility bills and reducing energy loss, new windows and doors can help control moisture in your home, improve your home’s curb appeal, and increase the value of your home. And if you install new windows and doors this year, you may even be able to take advantage of tax credits to bring down the cost of your project—federal tax credits for these and other home improvement projects have been extended until December 31, 2020.

If you go the installation route, be sure to consider energy performance ratings as you shop around. Look for Energy Star labels or visit energy.gov for information on performance ratings. Choose the most efficient windows and doors you can afford and those that work best in your climate.

Always work with an experienced installation team; windows and doors need to be installed according to manufacturer’s instructions, other¬wise your warranty may be void. Using recommended flashing and caulking methods also provides maximum energy efficiency and prevents uncomfortable drafts.

Reduce, Reuse, Repair

If your existing windows and doors are in good condition, an energy evaluation may instead give you guidance on how to reduce energy loss and improve the overall performance of your windows and doors.

Saving energy may be as simple as adding shade protection to the interior or exterior of your home. Guidance may also include checking each window for air leaks and operation issues. Look for moisture, condensation, or other signs of mold on and around your windows and windowsills. Regularly check caulking, as well, as failed seals between glass panes can fog window surfaces. Failing windows don’t just lead to costly utility bills—a lack of moisture control can negatively impact your family’s health.

Aside from suggestions for maintaining windows and doors, an energy evaluation can identify energy efficiency issues with other items, such as insulation, ventilation, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and appliances. Many of these suggestions are simple and don’t have to be costly.

In short, yes, it’s worth the time to do an energy evaluation to keep your bills low, your home safe, and your family healthy.

Erin Ennis is the owner of Energy Exteriors NW, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Note: In a recent LinkedIn post, MBAKS Executive Director Jerry Hall shares his views on Microsoft’s proposed initiatives and strategies to address the housing shortage in Washington. Below is a modified version of his original post.

Microsoft recently published Closing Washington’s Housing Gap, a report that lays out a clear-eyed assessment of Washington’s housing supply and affordability challenges. In doing so, the report reinforces what builders and housing advocates have been saying for years: we cannot solve the housing crisis without addressing the policies and constraints that limit supply and drive up costs.

Microsoft gets several fundamental points right:

“Housing at all income levels benefits everyone and is essential to economic growth, workforce stability, equity and environmental responsibility.”

“We are not building enough housing, fast enough, at all income levels.”

“…regulations that govern development have not kept pace with realities…”

“Large portions of our state remain off-limits to housing development… inflating land prices.”

“For decades, housing has been treated as a sector that can ‘absorb’ escalating fees, taxes and regulation.”

“Well-intentioned policies… have layered new costs and complexities onto every project.”

“Every added cost ultimately shows up in rent…”

“We cannot increase supply without addressing regulatory and cost barriers.”

Much of this analysis aligns squarely with what the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) has long advocated for. In particular, Microsoft’s report reinforces three priorities that are essential to meaningfully reducing Washington’s housing shortage:

Unlock more buildable land.
Restrictions such as urban growth boundaries, setback requirements, historic preservation rules, and environmental protections have steadily reduced the amount of land available for housing. When large portions of the state are effectively off-limits to development, land scarcity drives up prices and limits housing production across all price points.

Reduce the cost to build.
Homebuilding costs continue to rise due to code requirements, system development charges, impact fees, excise taxes, and land prices inflated by scarcity. Unlocking more land is necessary, but it is not sufficient on its own. Without addressing these underlying cost drivers, housing affordability will remain out of reach for many Washington residents.

Eliminate unnecessary complexity.
Lengthy and unpredictable permitting timelines, expanded public process requirements, constantly changing codes, and inconsistent interpretation of regulations all increase the time, risk, and expertise required to build a home. The more complex the process becomes, the fewer builders are able to participate—particularly when it comes to delivering entry-level and workforce housing.

Progress will require tradeoffs. There is no path forward that satisfies every stakeholder on every issue, but nothing will move forward without compromise. In his original post, MBAKS Executive Director Jerry Hall put it plainly: “If we truly want to prioritize alleviating our housing shortage, we’ll have to respect and accept some tradeoffs.”

Microsoft is right: we cannot address Washington’s housing shortage without tackling regulatory and cost barriers head-on. Many of these policies were adopted with good intentions, but they have produced unintended consequences that now limit supply and worsen affordability. If we want to ensure that everyone has a place to call home, we must be willing to revisit—and unwind—the policies that contributed to today’s shortage. That means unlocking more buildable land, implementing real cost-reduction strategies, and eliminating unnecessary regulatory complexity.

On October 24, 2025, more than 80 volunteers braved the rain to plant 64 new trees at Paramount School Park in Shoreline for Planting a Better Tomorrow. In partnership with the City of Shoreline, MBAKS members joined residents and city staff to make a meaningful and lasting environmental impact.

Sowing the Seeds of Change

Despite the downpour, the park was filled with energy, laughter, and teamwork as volunteers dug, planted, and transformed a gray morning into a day of purpose. Their efforts directly support the City of Shoreline’s goal of growing tree canopy coverage to 40% by 2050.

Before the event, Paramount School Park had just 9% canopy coverage, making it one of the most underserved green spaces in the city. Every tree planted improves air quality, increases shade, supports stormwater management, and contributes to a healthier, more resilient community.

Shoreline City Councilmember Betsy Robertson, who joined the effort, shared her enthusiasm:

“I live in this neighborhood and I'm thrilled. This is increasing our tree canopy. It's creating shade in a very, very popular park. It's going to help with water runoff and so many environmental benefits. We just love having partnerships and opportunities like this in our town.”

A Growing Legacy

Since launching Planting a Better Tomorrow in 2024, MBAKS and our partners have planted 139 trees with the help of more than 130 volunteers—essentially one tree for every person who has pitched in. The program was created to help members and community partners make measurable environmental contributions while deepening connections across the region.

MBAKS Executive Director Jerry Hall captured the heart of the program:

“This is about more than planting trees. It’s about planting hope. We believe everybody deserves a place to call home, and no home can be a great home without a great environment.”

Media Spotlight

We’re grateful to KING 5 for joining us onsite to cover the day’s work and highlight the collective effort to grow greener, healthier spaces across our region.

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Looking Ahead

Next up, MBAKS members and volunteers will trade their shovels for paintbrushes at Painting a Better Tomorrow on Saturday, November 15, 2025. This year’s project will support Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County, where volunteers will refresh the facility with a much-needed coat of paint and a renewed sense of hope.

Together, we’re proving that when communities unite—whether to plant, paint, or build—we can create lasting, positive change.