Now is the Best Time to Have an Energy Audit Done
By Magen Howard
When you have an Access Energy Cooperative Electrification Advisor come to your home to perform a free energy audit, you may be surprised by the big red screen he or she sets up in the open frame of your home’s front door. It’s called a blower door test and is very helpful you find ways to save energy and money.
Blower door tests are commonplace in energy audits because they uncover how much air leaks from your home. The “door” comes with a built-in fan and multiple gauges that measure air pressure. The fan sucks air out of your house, lowering the pressure inside. In turn, higher pressure outdoor air will work its way through cracks and unsealed openings.
While it’s important for your residence to remain well-ventilated, too much air exchange can be unhealthy, uncomfortable, and expensive―in the form of higher electric bills.
Our blower door tests are also used in conjunction with infrared scans. Infrared scanning, which is usually done in the winter, allows an auditor to find where insulation may be needed.
These special cameras produce images that, in varying shades from white to black, show where air or heat is leaking out. For example, cool air flowing around a leaky outlet would show up very dark, whereas a tightly sealed window would be closer to white. Other infrared cameras use color to show where heat is leaking from a home—red and white are the hottest areas, and blue and purple are coolest. A leaky window would glow red and white, while a well-insulated attic would be blue.
When you schedule an energy audit with Access Energy Cooperative, be sure to perform these prepatory measures to ensure the most accurate test.
• Close windows and open interior doors
• turn down thermostats on your heat pump or furnace and water heater
• cover ashes in a wood stoves or fireplace with damp newspapers
• shut fireplace dampers and wood stove air intakes
• to conduct a proper infrared scan, move furniture away from walls and take down drapes.
Call us today to schedule your free energy audit. Or send us an email.