Energy Audits, Home Performance, Blower Door, Thermal Imaging
Home energy audits are used to assess the energy efficiency of homes and the heating and cooling systems of the home. Energy Audits are often used to identify cost effective ways to improve the comfort and efficiency of homes.
An Energy Audit may involve recording various characteristics of the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows and other parts of the building envelope. The leakage rate is then measured for each area of the home; primary concerns are windows and weatherstripping on doors. This exercise can assess the general efficiency of a home and submit some ideas for improvements to the home.
There are several types of energy audits: preliminary, general, and investment-grade. Preliminary audits is the simplest and only involves a walk through of the home, and a brief discussion of past energy use. This type of audit can provide a rough estimate of where problems may lie and several suggestions of fixes to these problems. General audits expands on the preliminary audit and provide much more detailed information about home efficiency. This audit will test various areas of the home for energy loss and recommend the fixes that will save the most energy and money. Investment-grade audits are the most complex of audits and are also the most detailed. They take an in-depth look into past energy use and thoroughly test the home to make the best suggestions for saving energy and money.
There are several types of tests that can be used to identify problem areas:
Blower Door Test
This standard test is very effective in determining the integrity of the building envelope. Most people do not realize that when a house environment isn’t sufficiently balanced, it can lead to:
- Higher energy consumption
- Moisture condensation problems
- Uncomfortable drafts
- Air quality issues
How It Works
A Blower Door Test involves fitting a special fan and flexible panel frame into an exterior door. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering inside air pressure. The higher outside air pressure will then force air through any unsealed cracks and openings, such as windows, door jams and even recessed lighting fixtures. Gauges determine how ‘tight’ the home is – even the slightest leak can be pinpointed.
Thermographic Inspections
Thermography – or infrared scanning – determines variations in surface temperature, and is therefore very effective in identifying areas needing repair without having to dismantle or uncover walls or other structural elements. Thermographic inspections detect:
- Thermal defects and air leaks in building envelopes.
- Electrical system defects.
- Excessive friction in mechanical systems.
- Inadequate wall or ceiling insulation.
How It Works
Thermography measures surface temperatures using special infrared images. The images show temperature variations for the area being tested (cold air leaking into a warmer room, electrical and/or mechanical systems generating heat).
Home energy audits are a great first step to improve energy efficiency, reduce your carbon footprint, make your home more comfortable, and save money! Many tax credits and discounts from utility companies are available for people who have an energy audit performed. Check out Energy Star for information on tax credits and call your utility company for information on rebates.
If you want to get started right away, you can perform a “do-it-yourself energy audit” online at The Home Energy Saver.
