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Beyond the Walls- Energy Audits

Many homeowners are looking at energy audits to find ways to conserve energy and cut utility costs. So what is an energy audit?  An energy audit is a service where the energy efficiency of a house is evaluated by a person using professional equipment  such as blower doors, infrared cameras, duct blasters and more. Hiring a professional Home Energy Auditor is recommended if you are looking for specific recommendations for improving the efficiency and the health of your home. After the inspection, the auditor  provides a detailed report that prioritizes the energy uses from the greatest to least cost effective opportunities for energy savings.

The audit process should cover these main issues: 

  • The analysis of building and utility data, including the study of installed equipment (HVAC) and analysis of energy bills.
  • The survey of real operating conditions.
  • The understanding of the building behavior and of the interactions with weather, occupancy and operating schedules
  • The selection and evaluation of energy conservation measures
  • The estimation of energy saving potential
  • The identification of customer concerns and needs
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When making recommendations to the home owner consideration is given to the following: 

  • Payback Period
  • Annual Return
  • Savings-to-Investment Ratio
  • Life-Cycle Cost
  • Compare the life cycle cost of taking action versus the the life-cycle cost of not taking action.
  • If the cost  of taking action is less than inaction, a home energy auditor will recommend that action is taken.

The Home Energy Auditor is versed in incentives, rebates and tax benefits and can assist  the homeowner in taking advantage of these. The return on these benefits usually offsets the expense of any upgrades significantly. After the audit, the homeowner is provided with a performance report and is educated on how best to use energy more efficiently and more importantly, HOW TO SAVE MONEY! 

Beyond The Walls- Why Insulate with Spray Foam

In earlier blogs I mentioned the superiority of spray foam insulation.  Although many think that Spray Foam Insulation is a new product in the insulation industry, it has actually been in use since the 1940s in the aviation field then later introduced to the construction industry in the  1970s. In recent years it has become a popular alternative to more traditional insulation products as energy costs continue to rise and energy conservation is on everyones mind.  Why Spray foam? The three main reasons that our customers choose foam insulation is because it is efficient, healthy and it's a quality product. 

What makes spray foam a healthy choice? Because spray foam seals tight, allergens and outdoor elements that irritate asthma are held at bay, improving the quality of the air in your living space.  The living space becomes draft free improving the overall comfort of your home. Another important comfort benefit that  spray foam provides is enhanced sound control, sealing the building envelope from a myriad of invasive  outdoor noises.

The biggest point that I would make about efficiency is that the use of spray foam in a structure has proven results when it comes to energy savings. Although all structures perform differently, energy savings of up to 50% can be achieved through the use of spray foam.  There is some degree of difficulty to properly applying spray foam insulation but once properly applied, spray foam can save you a lot of money on your utilities. Spray foam is applied as a liquid, in a very thin coat, which then expands to fill the entire cavity creating a very tight seal. There is no stapling, cutting, or stuffing required around electrical boxes or wall penetrations that allow air to pass through. Spray foam seals all gaps and crevices that compromise airtightness. When you have an airtight building envelope, your HVAC works more efficiently and fewer utilities are consumed.

All spray foam products are not created equal so  it pays to your homework. Our Company only uses  the Icynene Spray Foam system. Icynene is considered to be the best because it has been at the forefront of the evolution of the foam industry for the last 25 years. It is the only foam on the market today that offers a warranty for the lifetime of the home, that transfers from one owner to the next.