Energy Efficiency Evaluations (Audit)

Audits are not just for homes any more:

• Commercial Buildings
• Government Buildings
• City Municipal Buildings
• Residential
• Historic Buildings
• Commercial Office
• Schools
• Service/ Maintenance Buildings
• Recreational Buildings
• Churches

Energy Audit Services

An energy auditor is a building science professional who has been trained and certified by a recognized body such as RESNET to conduct home diagnostic work. The services provided through an energy audit should be similar to those presented below, which represent an overview of the homeowner services provided by Steven Rinehart.

An effective energy audit should with a conversation between the auditor and the homeowner about the homeowner’s motivation for the audit. High utility bills and comfort issues are two common areas of discussion, though indoor air quality concerns and moisture issues are also fair game. The auditor should let the homeowner’s particular concerns and objectives guide the entire testing and reporting process.

Standard Audit

Analyzes your existing energy-efficiency status, and provides advice on measures you can take to improve the overall efficiency of your home. This includes a visual inspection of the insulation, windows, doors, and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Services also include infrared thermographic assessments of insulation.

Expanded Audit

Includes the Standard Audit, plus a cost analysis of the major electric appliances in your home. This would include: washer, dryer, range, dishwasher, water heater, and (1) Heat Pump or (1) A/C unit.Calibrated air‐pressure gauges are used to monitor pressure differences between rooms when the mechanical systems are running. Too much or too little airflow in living spaces throughout the home means compromised comfort levels and can also present serious air quality issues when negative air pressures come into contact with combustion appliances like furnaces and water heaters. A device called a blower‐door is used to de‐pressurize the entire home, which enables the auditor to pin‐point air leaks and, when combined with an infra‐red camera, to identify areas in the building envelope that are thermally deficient, either from a lack of insulation, air leakage, or improper construction detailing. Duct systems are inspected for tightness and effectiveness of design.

Advanced Audit

Includes all the services of the Standard & Expanded Audits , plus a blower door test. US government energy labs estimate that air leakage wastes up to 40% of every home’s heating and cooling dollar. This translates into billions of dollars being wasted on heating and cooling every month. The Expanded Audit would be beneficial if you are looking to reduce the expense of heating and cooling, upgrading an HVAC system, or making energy efficient improvements. Calibrated air‐pressure gauges are used to monitor pressure differences between rooms when the mechanical systems are running. Too much or too little airflow in living spaces throughout the home means compromised comfort levels and can also present serious air quality issues when negative air pressures come into contact with combustion appliances like furnaces and water heaters. A device called a blower‐door is used to de‐pressurize the entire home, which enables the auditor to pin‐point air leaks and, when combined with an infra‐red camera, to identify areas in the building envelope that are thermally deficient, either from a lack of insulation, air leakage, or improper construction detailing. Duct systems are inspected for tightness and effectiveness of design.