5907 Arbor Road, Ontario, NY

A home built in the 1990s in Ontario was constructed under meaningfully better energy codes than anything before it, but it still predates the tighter requirements that came in the 2000s and 2010s. Nineties construction typically means R-13 walls, R-30 to R-38 attic insulation, and double-pane windows - a solid baseline, but with real room for improvement especially around air sealing, which codes of that era didn't address rigorously.

Two-story colonials have more exterior wall surface relative to their footprint than single-story homes, which means wall insulation matters more here than in a comparable ranch. Older colonials built before modern sheathing standards often have minimal or no wall cavity insulation.

Based on confirmed building data, EcoAudit estimates annual energy costs for this home at $1,950 to $3,250, assuming natural gas heating and typical usage patterns for Central New York. A targeted set of improvements - usually starting with attic insulation, air sealing, and possibly equipment upgrades - could reduce that by $400 to $950 per year. New York State and National Grid offer rebates that cover a meaningful share of weatherization costs for homeowners in Onondaga County. A free EcoAudit assessment identifies exactly where this home is losing energy and which programs apply.