Copyright 2012 Shamrock Heating And Air Conditioning, Inc. | All Rights Reserved
What is a blower door test?
The blower door is a door insert with a large fan. After closing all windows in the home, the fan is used to create pressure in the home that is about equal to 20 mph wind. During the test, you can actually feel with your hand where your home is losing heat. With the home under pressure, the technician can determine the leakage rate of your home and compare this rate to industry standards. Typically, older homes have very high leakage rates, but occasionally a home may have a leakage rate that is considered to be too low, and the home may require the assistance of mechanical ventilation to maintain acceptable moisture levels. If you have asbestos present in your home, you should not have a blower door test performed as it may cause asbestos particles to disperse throughout your home. Your contractor should be able to advise you on the proper procedure.
When should the blower door test be done?
The blower door must be performed before and after any air sealing or building cavity insulation work.
Is the blower door test included in the home assessment/audit?
Not always. A basic audit may be performed without a blower door test. For a more thorough assessment of the energy efficiency of your home, however, a blower door test is recommended. When requesting assessment pricing from contractors, you should ask if a blower door test is included.
How are total energy savings (TES) calculated?
The savings is based on software calculations of the amount of energy that will be saved for the upgrades being proposed (as a percentage of the total electric) and any fossil fuel energy you use over a 12 month period.
For example, if your house has electricity and natural gas for heat and water heating, your utility billing information is entered into the program software and is converted to BTUs of energy; the total is your annual household energy consumption. Your contractor then proposes energy savings upgrades, for which the software calculates the natural gas and electricity energy savings as a percentage of your annual consumption. This savings percentage is included on the printed Proposed Measures report from your contractor. If the percentage of savings achieved is 25% or higher, the project qualifies for $4,000 cash back and a 0% interest loan.
What measures impact TES?
All eligible measures that save energy, such as air sealing, insulation, and improved heating, cooling, and water heating may be included in a package of upgrades to achieve the 25% total energy savings.
What are health and safety issues?
The Building Performance Institute has identified several issues that are required to be addressed prior to the contractor implementing energy saving measures. These issues are related to presence of potentially hazardous insulation materials, excess moisture, and combustion by-products.
Why do I have to fix health and safety issues before air sealing or other work is performed?
Health and safety issues have negative impacts on the indoor air quality or your home. They also can pose a risk to the durability of your home and/or the health of the occupants.
Why is health and safety testing important when conducting home energy improvements?
BPI accredited contractors have been trained to inspect and test combustion appliances, such as heating equipment, ovens, and water heaters for proper performance to help ensure safe operation. This evaluation includes measurement of carbon monoxide produced by the appliance and testing to ensure that potentially dangerous combustion gases are not introduced into the home. BPI accredited contractors test for combustion safety problems before and after performing any energy improvements to your home.
What is air sealing and why is it important?
Insulation alone is not always enough to make sure your home is energy efficient. Stopping air leaks, combined with proper insulation and ventilation, are three major components required to ensure a home is tight while providing a sufficient supply of fresh air.
Why do ice dams form on the roof?
Ice dams form when the snow on the roof melts and re-freezes, causing the ice to back its way under the roof shingles. Further melting can occur at this point, causing water leaks and damage. A major reason for ice melting on the roof is warm air from the home leaking into the attic, moving past the insulation and warming the underside of the roof. This can happen even when there are thick amounts of insulation in the attic, if the warm air is allowed to by-pass the insulation via air gaps and leaks between the attic and heated living spaces below. This means insulation alone is not always enough to correct the problem. Stopping air leaks combined with proper insulation and ventilation are typically required to remedy this problem.
What indicates that a heating system is running inefficiently and unsafely?
The telltale signs of an improperly functioning heating system include varying temperatures from room to room, the house feeling too hot or too cold, and the heating unit cycling on and off excessively. Homes with forced air heating systems use a duct system to distribute air. Most ducts, whether old or new, have cracks, gaps and holes that waste about 25 percent of the treated air. In addition, it is important to have fuel-burning equipment like fireplaces, water heaters, dryers, and furnaces checked for proper venting to avoid harmful gases, including carbon monoxide, from entering the home.
Can programmable thermostats help lower costs?
Properly controlling a thermostat can help reduce your heating and cooling costs. Programmable thermostats can be set to adjust the temperature at pre-determined times while the homeowner is away from the house or asleep. Residents enjoy greater comfort conveniently, without wasting time or energy. However, only a whole house approach can result in maximum energy savings.
Why is insulation important?
Whether a home is old or new, inadequate or improperly installed insulation can lead to high energy costs, uncomfortable rooms and structural problems. Heat moves from a warmer area to a cooler one. Proper insulation levels slow the movement of heat through the walls, floors and ceilings, keeping heat inside in the winter and outside in the summer. A BPI accredited contractor will check insulation levels and make sure it is installed properly, and ensure that all the holes, cracks and gaps in the home are sealed for air leakage.
Why is ventilation important?
Ventilation is a vital component to every house. Ventilation systems are important for healthy, safe and comfortable living space. These systems help remove moisture from the air to help avoid mold, mildew and condensation problems. Ventilation also helps eliminate potential indoor air pollutants, cooking odors or stale, stuffy air. A house has to “breathe” and proper ventilation can help ensure your home has a steady, healthy amount of fresh air.
Why do homes develop mildew and mold?
Mold and mildew can occur when warm, moist air condenses on a cold surface. Many building products will support mold growth, especially wood-based products. Mold in a home can often go undetected since it tends to occur on the coldest surfaces, such as closets on outside walls (especially when the walls are improperly insulated), behind furniture and in attics and basements. The presence of mold in homes is typically a sign of insufficient ventilation, uncontrolled air movement or excessive humidity levels. A BPI accredited contractor can perform diagnostic testing that indicates air leakage paths and insulation conditions to determine the home’s particular needs. Since molds are usually caused by a combination of problems, a home performance assessment is recommended to effectively develop a plan of action to help remedy the problem.
Is the condition of the doors and windows important?
It’s important to have well-insulated, high-performance windows and doors. Homeowners will see and feel the difference through improved comfort, reduced condensation and lower utility costs. Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol to identify the most efficient windows, skylights, and sliding glass doors.
When buying new windows, consider U-value and Low-E coatings. U-value is the measure of the window’s ability to insulate. Lower U-value means less heat flows through the windows. Low-E (low emissivity) window coatings are thin and transparent, permitting visible light to pass through, while effectively reflecting radiation - keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Note: Windows and doors are not eligible measures for Home Performance incentives.
How can a homeowner improve the efficiency of a water heater?
Typical recommendations for water heaters include insulating an existing tank, replacing the existing tank with a more efficient model using the same fuel, or replacing the existing tank with another fuel source, usually natural gas or a heat pump water heater. If the hot water pipes are not insulated in a cold basement, insulating the first six feet of pipe may be a recommended resolution.
What should consumers look for when buying new appliances?
When it’s time to buy or replace home appliances, be sure to look for models with the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard models, saving you money on utility bills while reducing air pollution. For example, an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer uses 30 to 40 percent less energy and saves about 7,000 gallons of water each year. Many dishwashers with the ENERGY STAR are built with innovative technology to clean better while using less energy and water. Today’s ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators use half the energy of a 10-year old conventional refrigerator.
Note: Appliances are not eligible measures for Home Performance incentives, but rebates may be available through other Clean Energy Programs.
How can consumers improve the lighting in their homes?
When replacing light bulbs or installing new light fixtures, consumers will save time and money when they choose ENERGY STAR qualified models. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), today’s ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) equal or surpasses the quality of light found in conventional incandescent bulbs. Plus, CFLs use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer. ENERGY STAR qualified lighting and fixtures are widely available in a variety of styles and sizes.
Note: Lighting is not an eligible measure for Home Performance incentives.
Copyright 2012 Shamrock Heating And Air Conditioning, Inc. | All Rights Reserved
