Audit Specifics

Inside the Home Energy Audit

Applying Building Science to your Home

We thoroughly evaluate your home and use building science to analyze where it is losing energy and wasting your money.  We believe anyone selling you a product without this analysis may be doing just that, selling you a product, not an improvement.

Heating & Cooling Systems Evaluation	Health & Safety Tests	Whole House Performance Testing	Energy Analysis
Carbon Monoxide testing	Mold & Moisture Sources	Blower Door Test	Lighting Energy Assessment
Drafting Tests	Indoor Air Pollution Tests	Duct Leakage Assessment	Pump Sizing & Timing
Flue Inspection	Insulation Efficiency	Pressure Mapping	Appliance Efficiency
HVAC Inspection	Attic Inspection	Exhaust Fan Flow
Duct Air Flow Efficiency		Envelope Integrity

Tests Performed in a Home Energy Performance Audit

Before making improvements, it is best to thoroughly inspect the entire home, examining power use, how well your heating and other systems function, the integrity of the building envelope, and indoor-air quality.  We do this with series of tests that apply modern building science:

Blower-Door Test.  This diagnostic tool detects air leakage. With a calibrated fan and a device to track air flow and building pressure, a blower door changes the air pressure inside your home to measure the quantity and speed of outside air rushing in.

Infrared Photography. Using thermographic photography, we get a picture of the various temperatures inside your home and on its exterior. Based on the amount of infrared radiation (heat) visible in the image, we can identify insulation deficiencies, points of air infiltration, and moisture problems.

Duct Inspection and Testing. An average home leaks 30% of its conditioned air into the attic and crawl spaces through the ducts. We inspect ducts for leakage visually and with the blower door.  We also inspect ducts for proper insulation coverage.  

Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) Test. We inspect furnaces, water heaters, ovens, and other combustion appliances. A CAZ test detects dangerous byproducts of combustion that may not be properly vented from your living area.  We also perform a Carbon Monoxide Test on the furnace to determine if there are cracks in the heat exchanger that could lead to CO infiltration into your home. 

The Home Performance Report

Once we perform the tests above, we give you a Home Energy Performance Report. This is your roadmap to a more energy-efficient home.

If we find ways to reduce your energy bills or enhance your comfort and indoor-air quality, we put our skills to work to solve the problems detected by the audit.  Should you choose to take the next step, a portion audit cost will be deducted from any energy efficiency upgrades completed by Quality Renovation and Carpentry. We can also advise about helpful financing options, utility rebates,  and tax credits.

Video View of what is it like Inside a Typical Home Energy Audit?