ASSESSMENT & TESTING

PROCEDURES

Detailed Explanation of Evaluation, Inspection and Testing Procedures

• Our objective when analyzing utility bills is to set a benchmark of where your energy use is currently. This benchmark is a standardized comparable metric of the home's energy performance. This benchmark can be used to track, verify, and recognize achievements in future energy reduction. Our software analyzes 12 months of electricity and natural gas utility bills to establish the baseline energy benchmark.

The blower door test utilizes a combination of pressure and airflow measurements to determine a home's air leakage. We locate the source of drafts, air sealing and weatherization opportunities during the air infiltration test. A high-tech calibrated fan system is mounted into an exterior door frame and pulls air out of the house. This lowers the air pressure inside and creates "negative pressure" inside the home.. This is called depressurization. Under depressurization small breaches in the building's envelope become very obvious as air rushes into the home through cracks and gaps around window, recessed lighting, and exterior doors. We document each specific location where air moves into the home under depressurization. These breaches in the building's envelope affect indoor air quality, efficiency of heating and cooling systems, indoor humidity and the overall comfort of the building's occupants.

Gas leaks are the greatest indoor pollutant threat and can sicken or even cause death. Our BPI certified technicians use a number of diagnostic tools during the combustion safety test including a natural gas leak detector and a carbon monoxide (CO) analyzer, which are important health and safety tools. The combustion safety assessment is an essential series of safety tests required by The Building Performance Institute "BPI". We test each combustion appliance to include the water heater, furnace, stove and oven. The safety tests include; natural gas leak detection, carbon monoxide production, carbon monoxide leaks, combustion appliance draft pressure measurements and combustible gas spillage evaluations for each gas burning appliance. These tests are conducted under worst case conditions to ensure combustion appliances are properly venting to the outdoors. We ensure combustion gasses are not pulled into the home's living space by exhaust fans and other household appliances. It is vital that preliminary and post-installation safety assessments of all combustible appliances be completed whenever changes to the building envelope and / or heating systems are included in any work scope or home improvement project.