Energy Inspections and Audits

Home Energy Tune-Up inspection is an affordable comprehensive energy evaluation designed for the existing home. When the recommended improvements and changes are made by either you and/or your contractor, the average utility bill savings are typically 20% or more.

A certified Energy Tune-up inspector collects approximately 400 data points on the structural components, mechanical systems, key appliances and lighting in your home. Your information is analyzed to determine the savings on a variety of energy improvements. The pay off on improvements is also calculated based on the local utility costs. Tax credits for qualified improvements and Energy Improvement loans are available through this service. The evaluation usually takes about 3 hours at your home. A report is either mailed or e-mailed the next business day and includes a follow up telephone consult. Additional testing and services can be added if so desired. The education and added comfort is often considered the most valuable part of the service by our customers.

Whole House Energy Audits is without a doubt the first step for the homeowner who is passionate about saving resources and wants to achieve their maximum energy $$savings. Our whole house energy assessments follows the “Home Performance (pdf) with Energy Star” format. We use state-of-the-art blower door and infrared testing along with inspection, data collection and computer analysis to identify energy inefficiencies in your home. This assessment provides you with independent, third party information that assist you in prioritizing energy improvement projects, equipment and appliance purchases. Like our other assessment services a informative report and telephone follow-up is included. Our customers are reporting 20-30% savings on their utility bills as a result of this service.

Energy Star Conformity and rating service As Energy Star Partners Residential Energy Solutions is certified to provide 3rd party implementation and verification of the Energy Star new homes Program to builders. It includes blower door, duct testing, and software services as listed below. It typically begins at pre-construction, follows with consults and testing during construction, and provides for final testing and energy star certification upon completion. Special Energy Star tax incentives and Energy Efficient Mortgages are available through this program.

Testing

Blower Door and Duct Testing The most practical and acceptable way to determining air infiltration or air leakage through the building shell is by means of a pressure diagnostic test known as a “blower door” test. The diagnostic equipment consists of: an adjustable frame that is fitted to one of your exterior door openings, a specialized calibrated fan, pressure hoses, and sophisticated gauges with fan controls. This fan is used to depressurize the home and measure the rate of air-infiltration within the structure. The blower door test is an efficient way to locate the most costly leaks in the home. A leaky house uses more energy for both heating & cooling and will often have a negative effect on the air quality (pdf). The test is also used to determine if there is an adequate supply of fresh air in the home. The source of your homes make-up air and need for mechanical ventilation can also be determined. Blower door tests are often repeated after you or your contractor has completed the recommended work to confirm the success of the improvements. A Duct Blaster test is similar to a blower door test using smaller equipment to measure the leakage of your ducts. Leaky ducts (pdf) can account for up to 40% of your heating and cooling cost and can also contribute to poor air quality (pdf) in the home.

Thermal Imaging Services Infrared scanning is exciting new cutting edge technology being used in building science, manufacturing and also medicine. It enables us to see wave lengths 10-20 times that of the human eye. This special equipment produces images that resemble x-rays of your home. From an energy standpoint we can determine the exact locations where your home is losing it’s conditioned (both heated and cooled) air. Infrared scans of the walls and ceilings reveal areas of missing or poorly installed insulation (pdf), as well as any leaks or holes in the buildings envelope. When used in combination with our blower door test, air leaks can be identified and addressed with confidence. Infrared is an effective non-destructive diagnostic tool for pinpointing water leaks. Whether it is from the roof, walls, foundation, an inside plumbing problem or persisting moisture (pdf) problem from an unknown source we can usually find it. This eliminates costly guess work repairs. Other uses include locating building and framing flaws and even insect and rodent infestations. Residential and commercial infrared preventative maintenance inspections are available for added safety of your building, roofs, electrical panels and other equipment.

Infrared defeats Murphy’s law, by getting you out of the run to failure mode and prevents catastrophes by mitigating a loss before it occurs. Call to arrange for a cost effective infrared scan of your building today.

Other Services

Software Services are designed to serve the builders and existing homeowners. We can assess an existing home or rate one to be built. A home energy rating (HERS) simulates the energy consumption of the complete house design or individual components. All aspects involving energy use are analyzed including; mechanical equipment, windows, wall and attic insulation, duct work, and building envelope, etc. We provide calculated heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, and appliance loads. In addition to energy performance, heating and cooling equipment is sized and the building’s compliance with national and local energy codes is confirmed. We will even calculate an estimated energy bill for the house as well, applying local utility rates. The house plan evaluation/rating allows us to better assist clients with decisions about which energy efficient components deliver the most savings for the least cost. Our licensed software programs are recognized by all major mortgage companies (financial institutes) and endorsed by state and federal tax rebate programs including the EPA “Energy Star” program.

Alternative Energy Feasibility Many people are asking or are excited about the possibility of installing alternative energy equipment at their home. With rising energy cost some are deciding to take the plunge. The ones we hear most about are solar electric, solar hot water, wind and geothermal. However, there are many others as well. The starting place for making an educated decision is knowing what the energy demands are of the building and its occupants. A complete energy assessment and computer modeling is where we begin. Armed with that knowledge we can input the proposed new energy equipment to see the cost to benefit value of the proposed alternative energy sources.

Building Science Consulting services are designed to help you meet energy code compliance, implement building performance (pdf) techniques, or verify workmanship. We provide onsite training for staff, employees, and sub contractors, using the “Energy Star for new homes” building standards. Both Pre and Post Construction assistance are available. Call to discuss how you can customize our services to fit individual and/or company needs. 800-789-5131