In our last blog post, How a Home Energy Audit Can Help Your Home This Winter, Part 1, we took a look at what a home energy audit is and the different kinds of actions our Boehmer Heating & Cooling pros take to assess how much energy you have been using, and what kind of shape your appliances and home systems are in. Now we are going to give an overview of the kinds of tests that are performed during a home energy audit appointment so that you can get an even clearer picture of how in-depth this service is:
- Blower door test – this test is used to pinpoint any areas of air leakage in your home. The blower is actually a large fan that is fitted into a casing that fits into your home’s front door. A number of calibration tools are a part of the casing so that readings can be taken. Your home will be made air-tight and then the fan will suck the air from inside your home. This lowers the air pressure throughout your home. There are gauges on the blower fan that measure the pressures inside and outside, as well as the indoor airflow. Your technician will use a smoke pencil to pinpoint the exact areas of leakage.
- Infrared scan – another test that your home energy audit specialist will conduct is an infrared scan. Infrared scanning tools map areas out by temperature. The reason we like to use an infrared tool during a home energy audit is that the scanner makes it very easy to detect areas of moisture that can contribute to ongoing energy issues.
These tests, combined with our analysis of your energy spending, etc., combine to create a complete picture of your energy usage, and more importantly, where you may be losing energy. We also offer recommendations for remedying any problems that are found so you can make your home in Upper St. Clair as energy efficient as possible!