Energy Audits

* BLOWER DOOR TESTING * THERMAL IMAGING * COMMERCIAL * SUB-METERING *

What is a Comprehensive Energy Audit?

Sample Energy Audit Report * Sample Thermal Imaging Report * Sample Blower Door Test Report

At Energetechs we perform very extensive energy audits that look at a LOT more than just the potential for energy savings. We look at a building as a complete system in which we can’t change one thing without affecting other things. As the image to the left demonstrates, we consider health, safety, comfort, durability, and responsibility (financial, social, and environmental) as well as energy efficiency. And we consider how everything affects and interacts with everything else. What the customer ends up with is an extensive list of steps that can be taken to improve the building. This list starts with any health, safety, and durability issues that we uncover during the audit. These might include a furnace or water heater that is backdrafting (flue gases getting sucked back into the building), or mold in the attic, or leaks in the gas lines, or a bath fan that is vented into the attic (potential condensation and mold hazard). Once these issues are addressed we usually turn to ventilation before recommending any air sealing work. In order to make a building energy efficient it has to be air-tight. And an air-tight building requires proper ventilation. And the only way to achieve good ventilation in an energy efficient manner is with Heat Recovery Ventilation or Energy Recovery Ventilation.

Once we have taken care of the health, safety, and indoor air quality concerns we can proceed to the comfort, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility issues. Using equipment such as blower doors, which measure the extent of leaks in the building envelope, and infrared cameras, which reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation we can determine how much air leakage there is in the building envelope, where the air leaks are, and what the best strategy is to improve the insulation and air sealing. We also assess the efficiency, physical condition, and programming of mechanical systems (such as the heating, ventilation, air conditioning equipment, and thermostats), lights, appliances, and other equipment in the building. Armed with this array of knowledge we can prioritize the energy improvements to the building. And the priorities are different in every case. Sometimes the thing that makes the most sense to do first is to replace the windows, other times it is to air seal and insulate the attic, or to seal up the crawl space. Regardless of what needs to be done first you will have a complete list that can help you to plan and prioritize the improvements you make to the home for years to come.

The great thing about having this list is that it will help to ensure that you do things in the right order and don’t “shoot yourself in the foot”.  For example, we have seen cases where people have replaced their roof before they had an energy audit done only to find that the only way to fix their attic problems was to take the roof off. Or they have completely finished their basement only to learn that they should have sealed and insulated the rim joists and ductwork first. These people have been pretty disappointed to learn that they did all that work and made it impossible to fix some of the energy issues.

Our Comprehensive Energy Audit Reports include at least the following (click on the links to view an example or each):

1. Energy Audit Report

2. Thermal Imaging Report

3. Blower Door Test Report

How long does an Energy Audit take?

A home energy audit typically takes between two and three hours and includes a variety of tests designed to understand how your home is performing. We start with several standard reference tests to determine if further testing needs to be administered. During the home energy audit we find that the information is most valuable when the customer is able to follow our technician to see the trouble areas first hand. This allows us to explain what is exactly happening during the performance testing procedure and why the building operates the way that it does.

Energy Audit Report

After the home energy audit is complete, we will send you a full report on our findings and make recommendations for improving the comfort and livability of your home. Additionally, Energetechs offers remediation services for many items relating to home performance. We may offer to bid on the project as well as give names of reputable contractors. Energetechs also offers project management services to ensure that any remedial work that is completed achieves the goals set forth in our report.

Energy Audit Tests

Listed Below are some of the tests that may be administered during a Home Energy Audit:

• Blower Door Test for Air Tightness of Structure
• Infrared Imaging to determine integrity of insulation and where air leakage areas are occurring
• HVAC Inspection
• Duct tightness testing
• Pressure testing for health and safety
• Exhaust fan testing
• Utility bill analysis
• Home Energy Rating

FAQs

How much does a home energy audit cost?
A typical home energy audit costs between $300-$600, depending on the size and complexity of the building. The larger the building and the more mechanical systems the need testing, the greater the testing fees, however we also have a greater opportunity to save our customer’s money.
What other valuable services do you provide?
In addition to the home energy audit services Energetechs offers the following:

• Heating and cooling system sizing and design- we can determine the proper size of heating and cooling equipment as well as how much heat is needed to properly condition a room.
• Datalogging  long term data logging is sometimes necessary to validate suspicions found during the home energy audit process. Often times we like to see what temperature, humidity, CO and CO2 levels are doing in the home over an extended period of time.
• Setting goals and long term plan development – we are here to help you develop a roadmap to reducing energy use and increasing comfort, safety, and indoor air quality. No matter where you currently sit, we can help you set and meet your goals.
• Acoustics testing and consulting we can also help with managing sound levels within the building and from the indoors to the outdoors.

CLICK HERE to read a good article on Energy Audits from the Grand Junction Free Press.

CONTACT US – Energetechs, Inc., – ph.