Alpine Heating and Cooling in Fayetteville – What Is a Home Audit?

A home audit, or energy audit, is a whole house inspection that can usually reveal where and how energy is being lost. Normally, an auditor's job is to inspect the energy efficiency of the home, identify inefficient operating systems, and suggest improvements that should lower utility costs. Basically, there are three types of audits: a simple walk-through survey, a comprehensive air leak test, and a diagnostic screening using specialized equipment.

Mini Split Heating and Cooling in Fayetteville – Home Audit.

Normally performed outdoors, a walk-through check is a thorough assessment generally including an inspection of all exterior doors, storm doors, windows, skylights, roof, and siding. Most auditors watch for gaps, poor caulking, and other signs of inadequate weather stripping. Usually, the auditor will take into consideration the building's orientation to the sun and any plants that provide shade or windbreak as well.

Split System Heating and Cooling in Fayetteville – Energy Audit Test.

There is a new energy audit test that is not as common called the PerFluorocarbon tracer gas test (PFT). The Brookhaven National Laboratory invented the test, which uses a perfluorocarbon gas emitter and a gas receiver to measure air changes. As the emitter gives off the gas, the receiver collects it. In this test, the concentration of gas that the receiver picks up indicates the home's efficiency. 

Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems in Fayetteville – Gas.

More gas in the receiver equals a tighter home. The homeowner sends the receiver back to the laboratory for analysis. This test, like the airflow manometer test, does not pinpoint where the air leaks are, but rather gives an overall diagnosis of the building's tightness.