Home Energy Assessments and Energy Efficiency Upgrades Dane

Home Energy Assessments and Energy Efficiency Upgrades Dane George

Home Energy Assessments Energy Advisors Service Organizations Program Authority Maintain Computer Modeling Software Administers Rebate Program

Elements of a Home Energy Assessment Visit #1: - Establish Existing Insulation Levels - Survey Heating, Cooling, Hot Water & Ventilation - Blower Door Air Leakage Test - Discuss Upgrade Potential with Homeowner - Energuide Rating - House Report Visit #2: - Inspection of Energy Upgrades - Rebate Potential

Home Energy Assessments Primarily concerned with: - Air Tightness - Insulation Levels - Heating Systems http: //arrowelec. files. wordpress. com/2010/05/ 2010 -conservation-pyramidsm. jpg

Where does the heat go? Heat travels by: - convection (air movement) - conduction (through materials) - radiation (from objects) Keeping the Heat In, 2013 travels in all directions - conducts through all surfaces - insulation only slows it down

Insulation Information - R-Value is the measurement of thermal resistance - Proper installation is very important R-value decreases when insulation is compressed - - Convection can occur around insulation Keeping the Heat In, 2013 www. clydeanderson. com. au

Basements Crawlspaces Wall types - Concrete - Stone/mortar Concrete block/mortar Insulation Options: - - Framing + Fiberglass Batts + Drywall - XTPS Rigid Insulation - Polyurethane Sprayfoam

Basements and Crawlspaces Look out for signs of: - Structural Damage: Cracks, Shifting - Moisture: Dampness, Effluorescence - Freeze Thaw Cycle (4 ft frost line in Nova Scotia)

Basement and Crawlspace Ceilings May or may not be a good option - careful about freezing pipes - no rebates available if the basement contains a heating systems or water pipes - be sure to fasten insulation properly http: //www. energyvanguard. com

Basement Headers Major Source of heat loss and air leakage. Insulation Options - XTPS rigid insulation (cover with drywall or other fire barrier) - fiberglass batts (don’t forget, don’t compress!) - sprayfoam concrete/wood connection

Exposed Floors Any floor overhanging an unheated space - over garages - under bay windows - porches converted into living spaces Insulation Options: - fiberglass Batts + XTPS rigid insulation - polyurethane sprayfoam (careful if there is vinyl flooring)

Main Walls Insulation Options: - exterior added insulation: rigid EPS insulation - blown insulation: cellulose, mineral or glass fiber, may have trouble thoroughly insulating - interior added insulation: fiberglass or denim batts, easy install during interior renovations

Main Walls Blown Insulation Considerations - condition of wall finish: may result in a “blow out” - plaster may contain asbestos - wood stove flue, avoid due to fire hazard

Windows Considerations - air leakage around windows is usually the biggest culprit - “storm” windows increase Rvalue and reduce air leakage - window installation is very important: caulking, sprayfoam, vapour barrier www. inspectapedia. com

Replacing Windows Considerations - only Energy Star windows qualify for rebates - low E coating prevents radiation from passing through - multiple panes - 2, 3 or even 4 - argon gas or similar heavy gas to prevent convection between panes - insulating spacers between components www. fsec. ucf. edu

Ceilings Types - sloped: scissor truss or cathedral - flat roof - attic Insulation Options: - Fiberglass Batts - Blown Insulation www. inspectapedia. com

Ceilings Insulation Options: - fiberglass batts - blown insulation (cheaper, but messy) Considerations: - furnace/chimney flue fire hazard - attic ventilation - air leakage into attic from house - vermiculite (may contain asbestos)

Ceilings Upgrades cautions: - compressed insulation - may result in ice damming - water leaks - damage to roof deck material - condensation and mould growth on ceiling

Blower Door Test Air Leakage Testing - depressurizes the house - use your senses to discover drafts - measures air changes per hour (ACH) - estimates equivalent leakage area (ela) - energyconservatory. com avoid making the house too ‘tight’ without proper ventilation equipment www. energyvanguard. com

Considerations Air Leakage Testing - avoid making the house too ‘tight’ without proper ventilation equipment - exhaust fans such as dryers, bathfans and range hoods can cause backdrafting - may result in carbon monoxide poisoning - install a carbon monoxide detectors - Home energy assessment will provide a warning if house is too tight http: //www. epa. gov/iaq/homes/hip-backdrafting. html

Air Leakage Testing http: //www. nps. gov/

Heating systems Common existing heating systems: - oil furnaces/oil boilers - electric baseboards - wood/pellet stoves Upgrade options: - ductless “mini-split” heat pumps - water-to-air, air-to-water, air-to-air heat pumps - new furnace or boiler with higher efficiency - natural gas – available only in some neighbourhoods

Resources Efficiency Nova Scotia Programs for Home Owners Product Installation (light bulbs, tank wrap, pipe insulation, etc. ) - Home Energy Assessment - Canada Mortgage and Housing - Home Energy Report Corporation (CMHC) - Keeping the Heat In - Home Energy Assessments - Greenbuildingadvisor. com - Appliance Retirement (do you have an old fridge or freezer? ) - Home Heating Solutions (Green Heat) -