Blower Door Test

Air leakage through the building envelope can increase heating and cooling costs over 30%. In addition to high energy costs, air infiltration contributes to drafty conditions, comfort issues, temperature variances, moisture intrusion, mold, structural material degradation, poor indoor air quality, and health and safety problems. Finding hidden air leakage sites, called bypasses, can be difficult without the use of a blower door. This diagnostic test uses a fan to pressurize (force air into) or de-pressurize (force air out of) a building. This pressure test makes it is easy to identify and feel the effects of infiltration – air leaking through cracks in the building envelope. During this test, we document these sites for future air sealing upgrade improvements. The blower door fan is attached to pressure gauges which measure air flow and the relative leakiness of a building. Air Changes per Hour (ACH) is a measurement of how many times the volume of air in a building leaves, or enters the building in one hour. We determine this by the fan pressure measurement and calculate cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow through the fan. Leakier houses have higher ACH’s, therefore higher heating and cooling costs, and greater potential for moisture intrusion, comfort issues, indoor air quality and health problems.



Duct Blaster

This diagnostic test combines a small fan and a pressure gauge to pressurize the HVAC duct system and accurately measure air leakage of the ductwork. This test is similar to a pressure test of a plumbing system. Duct leakage can increase heating and cooling costs over 30% and contribute to comfort, health and safety problems. The focus on duct leakage is to test HVAC ducts that are outside of the building envelope. Leaky ducts in attics and crawlspaces have a more profound effect on energy loss, comfort issues & poor indoor air quality.

Combustion Safety

This is an essential series of safety tests that we perform in all combustion appliance zones (CAZ) prior to performing blower door and duct blaster tests. These tests include: gas leak detection, combustion draft pressure measurements, carbon monoxide (CO) production & spillage evaluations at each atmospherically vented appliance.  These tests are conducted under worst-case conditions. Combustion safety test results must be acted upon according to the Combustion Safety Action Level table. A preliminary and post-installation safety inspection of all combustion appliances must be completed whenever changes to the building envelope and/or heating system are part of the work scope.

Building Envelope Evaluation

This observation determines how the thermal and air barriers are designed - The building envelope comprises the floor, exterior walls and ceiling that separate the inside conditioned space from the outside or unconditioned space. The building envelope should form a continuous insulated barrier and a continuous air barrier. The two barriers are usually formed by different materials. For a building envelope to be effective, both air and thermal barriers need to be in direct contact with one another. Traditional insulation products, such as batts or loose fill products, even when properly installed, do not seal against air leakage. With traditional construction, the sheet goods that form the decking, sheathing, and finish materials are the primary air barrier. Our goal is to locate and report on all of the inadequate thermal sites including air bypasses along the thermal barrier. This information provides vital contractor upgrade directives.

HVAC Inspections

Prior to performing any diagnostic testing we visually examine the condition of the equipment. These checks include: condition of electrical, mechanical & fuel connections, maintenance status, filter condition, blower fan – if accessible, condensate drainage, duct connections, duct configuration with respect to equipment size. Data taken from the serial # plates are included in the report. This provides us with vital information to determine what the maintenance needs are, system deficiencies, equipment capability & efficiency upgrade recommendations.

Post Assessment Consultation

This is typically a visit or phone call a day or two after the evaluation. There are times when improving the overall performance of a building can be complex. In cases such as these, we prefer to discuss the issues, one-on-one with our clients. It’s important that you understand the improvement priorities. We will attempt to offer alternative upgrade recommendations, given that there are benefits to the alternatives. There are many new products and technologies on the market today that we will also bring to the table for you to consider.

Water Management

There are two components to this evaluation; usage of potable water and disposal of natural water conditions. This evaluation is mainly determined by observations of various systems and fixtures throughout the building. These observations include the efficient use of potable water and how your structure discards storm and ground water away from the roof, walls & foundation. Water supply systems and fixtures of older homes can typically be upgraded to reduce usage. Water intrusion issues have proven to be the most destructive element, if left uncorrected. Risk factor assessments include plumbing leaks, inadequate flashing and caulking details, roof leaks, wood rot, inadequate grading around the foundation, failing gutters and downspouts. Inadequate storm water disposal can also contribute to poor indoor air quality and additional repair expense. Any water intrusion issues noted during the assessment are typically placed on top of and prioritized in the improvement recommendations.

Automated Reporting Systems

The report we generate for you details all aspects of assessment discovery. Some of the photos taken during the assessment are included in the report. Demographical information about the structure and equipment are recorded. The summary section of the report includes a prioritized list of improvement recommendations along with results from diagnostic testing. All of this data is designed to educate and inform you in addition to providing the contractors of your choice, with vital information about your situation. These reports are electronically filed in .pdf format. They can be downloaded from our website via access codes that you can forward to your contractor(s). View Sample Report

Power Consumption Analysis

The energy guide stickers are a good indication of the power consumption on a new appliance however; power consumption claims listed on an appliance that has been in use for some time can be un-reliable. Variables with how the appliance is electrically connected, undiscovered defects that can and do occur, internal settings that can drift out of adjustment in addition to lack of maintenance can all lead to the wrong conclusion, based on an appliance sicker. Instead of relying on what’s stated by the manufacturer, we choose to utilize power monitoring equipment that measures actual power usage. This process separates usage between all of the electrical systems and appliances in your home or business. With this data and price per kWhr, we can determine what the cost is for each system and how it affects your electric bills. Our automated reports are typically available upon completion of the analysis.

FLIR – Thermal Imaging

This is an interesting video that describes one of our processes on how we utilize this technology. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t1C6T9LNCY&feature=related

Indoor Air Quality Testing

We are certified and equipped to take samples for the testing of mold, radon and allergens.  Pro-Lab, the laboratory we use to analyze these samples is AIHA accredited. Quality assurance and confidence in the accuracy of the results is very important to us. Pro-Lab’s turn-around time is typically 24 hours after receiving the samples.

HVAC flow capture

This is a diagnostic process that measures the CFM(cubic feet/minute) air flow at each supply and return register. There are a number of commercially available flow hoods that perform this procedure. These devices utilize various methodologies. The equipment that we have chosen to use as our diagnostic tool is the active flow hood.  According to the Lawrence Berkeley National laboratory, the active flow hood is considered to be the reference method and significantly more accurate than all of the passive flow hoods on the market, that were tested for measuring individual supply flows of less than 100 CFM.  The superior accuracy of the active flow hood is especially important when balancing HVAC systems and diagnosing temperature variance problems within the living space.

Home Energy Rating System (HERS)

We are developing the software process and will be adding this service soon. Here is a good website that explains the process:  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bldrs_lenders_raters.nh_HERS

Post Improvement Testing

We encourage this independent diagnostic testing for our clients who are concerned with how effective their contractors did their jobs. If all of the air sealing work was performed correctly, the testing results will show a marked reduction in air leakage from the assessment test results. In addition, Southface offers an Energy Star improvement certificate for your home that describes the improvement processes. This is issued after reviewing the reports and determining that the air leakage reductions have met their guidelines. Along with the comparison of your past and future utility bills, this certificate will add value to your home, if and when you decide to sell it.

Information library for do-it-yourselfers – DIY

From time to time, we run across clients that have limited budgets and want to save some of their cash reserves on the big ticket upgrades. We have amassed a library of information on various topics for those that want to learn the principals of building science. If you are handy with tools and fixing things like weather seals and sealing openings, and are willing to take on some of the labor work yourselves, we can provide with some literature to guide you. Keep in mind that there are professional contractors out there that know these upgrade processes very well.

Manual J Calculations

We have developed a software process to correctly size a system. Here is a good website that explains the process:  http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12340

EarthCraft House Technical Advisor

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