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Energy Audit Tool Box

Home Energy Consultants, Inc.
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The following is a brief description of a few Building Science Tools of the Trade.
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Blower Door Testing:
Airflow in a house is what blood pressure is to the human body.
  • Just as there is a ‘normal range’ for blood pressure, there is an airflow standard—or ‘normal range’—for homes.  
A blower door test is one of the building science tools used to measure airflow for comparison to what is called the building airflow standard (BAS) or ‘normal range’ for a particular house.
  • The blower door depressurizes the building envelope. When air exists a building through the blower door fan, outside air finds its way back in through holes, gaps and voids in the thermal and pressure boundaries (the outside walls, windows, doors, ceilings and floors). This airflow is measured in air changes per hour (ACH).  
The higher the airflow—ACH—above the BAS, the more it costs to heat or cool a home.  
  • In almost every instance—with the exception of homes built to ENERGY STAR® standards—all buildings have more airflow than needed to meet ASHRAE 62-89 the benchmark for safe and healthy indoor air quality.
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Thermographic (infrared) Imaging: 

Thermographic cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum to produce images called thermograms.

Since all objects emit infrared radiation thermography is a way to see variations in temperatures—in other words temperature differences between hot and cold surfaces. 

Thermal imaging works best when there is a greater than 20 degree temperature differential between warm and cold surfaces. 
Surface temperature differences are caused by:
·         Inconsistencies in the thermal (insulation) boundary
·         Air leakage
·         The presence of moisture
Thermal images reveal inconsistencies ONLY which can be useful in determining the seriousness or need to verify an existing condition by other means.

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Combustion Appliance Analysis: 

Making your home more energy efficient means reducing indoor airflow.  

Combustion analyzers are used to measure the combustion efficiency of heating systems, domestic hot water heaters, kitchen ranges and ovens. 

Combustion appliance analysis identifies any potential health & safety concerns.

  Home Energy Consultants, Inc.      845-635-8302 (phone) ◊ 845-635-8304 (fax) ◊ 845-518-5192 (cell) ◊ HEC@SaveEnergyNY.com