Misconceptions of the causes of energy loss in buildings abound. It is usually not primarily through windows and doors, but flaws in the building envelope, often inadequate insulation and air leaks. These flaws and their remedies can be determined by an energy audit, which is why it is the foundation of all long running and successful energy efficiency programs in states such as Minnesota, Colorado and California. And don’t think that because your home was built to code in the last twenty years there aren’t serious flaws. Many of the newer homes are the worst offenders.

We follow the Efficiency Maine protocol in all of the audits we perform. It is comprehensive and detailed, while emphasizing a “ house as a system” approach. Areas of investigation include owner/occupant observations, air infiltration rates, insulation types and levels, window and door characteristics, appliance and mechanical systems performance including combustion safety, and moisture issues.

Diagnostic equipment used includes blower doors, infrared cameras, combustible gas detectors, and combustion efficiency and safety testing devices. The blower door is a temporary framework that fits in to an exterior door opening and has a
large fan with instrumentation, and is used to determine air infiltration rates and their location. It is also used when improvements are being made to determine their effectiveness. Infrared cameras produce images that indicate temperature differences and can be very valuable in determining the characteristics of a building, particularly the effectiveness of insulation.

(Conducting a blower door test, which determines extent of, and helps locate, air infiltration.)

(An infrared image indicating missing insulation above a window)

 

 

 

 

 

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(Apparently a two flue chimney was originally planned for this fairly new home, hence the huge cavity alongside the single flue chimney, with its’ termination in the attic. It had been covered with fiberglass insulation which did very little to stop air movement, but hid it from view. The problem was detected with an infrared camera, as the walls below heated dramatically as the blower door pulled warm attic air down the shaft. So we knew exactly where to look. This represents not only a huge energy loss but also an extreme fire hazard.)

(The cavity was sealed with sheetrock and fire rated foam, then insulation installed.)

Clients should provide at least 12 months of records for all energy consumed, including electricity and firewood.

All of this information is then used to develop a reasonably accurate mathematical model of the characteristics of the building. This model can then be used to determine the most cost effective means of improvement.

The audit usually requires at least three to four hours on location and another three to four hours entering data into the modeling software and writing the report. We charge $350.00 – $500.00 per audit, depending on the size and architectural complexity of the home.

Energy audits can also be very useful to people interested in selling or purchasing a home. A seller who has made improvements and can document reasonable operating costs would have an advantage in the marketplace. A buyer who insisted on an energy audit would gain knowledge of operating costs, shortcomings, and the cost of improvements. This information could then be used in price negotiations. We have completed several audits on homes that had been recently purchased, only to find deficiencies that didn’t even meet code. These deficiencies had been overlooked by housing “inspectors,” cost several thousand dollars to remedy, and should have been fixed by the previous owner.