What is an Energy Assessment?

What is an energy audit?

 

An energy audit is the first step in making your home more efficient. It is an inspection of your home’s energy efficiency by a trained professional. After gathering information about your home, your auditor will give you a list of recommendations to enhance comfort and safety and for cost effective energy improvements. You can also request a calculation of the return on your investment in improvements and suggestions for high-efficiency appliances. You can always rely on a BPI-certified energy auditor for quality assurance!

 

 

 

 

 

The tests and procedures that will be performed during a BPI-certified energy audit:

 

Interior/Exterior Visual Inspection 

Inspect exterior for any weather damage, building decay, and potential infiltration issues.
Gas leak and carbon monoxide monitoring.
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Inspect interior, continue gas leak and carbon monoxide monitoring, and prepare house for energy audit. 
Blower Door Test

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The blower door is a diagnostic tool to assess air leakage in the home or building.
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The blower door will be set up in a doorway.
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When the blower door is turned on, it will depressurize the house and the auditor will be able to determine/measure air leakage.
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This test is important to determine where the air is leaking from so that improvements can be made to increase efficiency, comfort, and in many cases, indoor air quality.

 

Infrared Camera

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An infrared camera can be used simultaneously with the blower door test.
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Infrared cameras create thermal images that measure surface temperatures and provide visual images of air leakage.
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The infrared camera can also help tell you where insulation and sealing is deficient.

Combustion Safety Test

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This is a test that is performed on all combustion appliances such as boilers, stoves, gas fired furnaces, and water heaters.
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The test is specific to determining if appliances are combusting, operating, and drafting properly and safely.
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The appliances are tested for levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide as well as non-combusted gases and fumes.
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The combustion safety test is performed in conjunction with the blower door operating, creating a worst-case depressurization scenario.    
This is a critical test to assure the health and safety of indoor air quality.

Duct Pressure Test

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HVAC systems and duct work deliver conditioned air throughout the home. Leaks in this system greatly decrease the efficiency and add undue stress to an HVAC system.
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A duct pressure test will determine the location of leaks in the duct system similar to the blower door test for the whole home.
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Properly sealed duct work and operating HVAC systems will operate more efficiently, consume less energy, and create greater comfort.

combustion safety test   Duct Test