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FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION
Contact us to arrange for an in-home consultation from one of our experienced building science specialists.
EnergySmart utilizes a scientific approach to evaluating the energy performance of your home. We are a building science diagnostics consulting and contracting firm, utilizing the latest building science knowledge and tools to diagnose energy performance and recommend unique solutions based on the diagnosis.
Often, energy efficiency measures are handled by contractors, which are too often focused on selling a particular product with a one-size-fits-all approach to windows, insulation, siding, and heating and air conditioning. EnergySmarts' scientific, whole-house approach, is solution based, not product based. We provide unbiased guidance to improve your home's energy efficiency by using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and a don't-fix-what-isn't-broke philosophy.
Let us show you how you can save as much as 50% on energy costs, increase the comfort of your home dramatically, and resolve indoor air quality issues at an affordable cost.
Our Energy Performance Evaluation consists of the following diagnostic tests:
Blower Door Test: The blower door test allows us to quantify the air infiltration rate of your home. When you condition the air in your home, that air immediately begins to escape out through leaks in the envelope of the building. It's important to know how frequently the entire volume of air in your home is exchanged or leaked to the outside. The more frequently the air is exchanged, the more frequently that volume of air needs to be reconditioned. Studies have shown that leaks in the envelope of your home can allow the entire volume of air to escape as often as every half hour (PG&E Home Weatherization Factsheet, Page 2). The Blower Door Test, by pressurizing or depressurizing the house, tells us the exact air exchange rate of your home, and also pinpoints the locations of the leaks, allowing us to make precise recommendations on sealing the envelope. Stopping air infiltration can lower your heating and cooling bill by up to 40% by containing conditioned air in your home for a longer period (PG&E Home Weatherization Factsheet, Page 7).
Duct Blaster Test: A Duct Blaster Test allows us to quantify the percentage of leakage in your duct system. When you heat or cool air, that air is distributed in your home by a system of ducts. "If your ducts are leaking, expensive conditioned air is spilling into your attic, crawl space, and other unoccupied areas. In fact, as much as 50% of the energy you spend on heating and cooling can be wasted this way" (PG&E Home Weatherization Factsheet, Page 4). EnergySmart frequently tests homes with duct leak percentage ranges of 25-50%. A Duct Blaster Test, by pressurizing or depressurizing your duct system, tells us the exact percentage of duct leakage. Through the use of theatrical smoke blown into the ducts by the Duct Blaster, we can pinpoint the leaks and make recommendations on sealing those leaks.
Duct leakage and envelope infiltration negatively affect the air quality in your home by introducing unfiltered air from sources such as your attic and crawl space. These sources are a haven for pollutants such as fiberglass particles from insulation, mold, mildew, and radon gas, just to name a few. According to the EPA, "scientific evidence indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities" (The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality, EPA). Sealing the envelope and duct system in your home not only can help save money on utility bills, it can have very positive health and comfort benefits. That is why At EnergySmart we believe that the diagnostic based solutions we recommend constitute the best home improvement project you can undertake. It's also one of the most affordable ones.
Infrared Thermography: Infrared imaging equipment allows us to see what our eyes cannot. Infrared radiation is emitted by all objects based on their temperatures. The amount of radiation emitted by an object increases with temperature. Thermographic cameras detect radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum and produce images of that radiation, allowing us to "see" and measure the amount of "heat" emitted by objects. By performing a thorough thermal scan of your home, EnergySmart will detect the intrusion of either warm or cold entering your home in areas that the insulation is either missing or damaged by moisture. We can then discuss the options to remedy this situation with you, and make your environment more energy efficient and economical.
If you are interested in a Home Energy Assessment, or if you are thinking about windows, siding or insulation, we can help you by providing objective, honest information so that you can make an informed decision. Please fill out the Free In-Home Consultation Form, and we will contact you shortly.
