Our energy specialist offers in-home energy audits to help make your home more energy efficient and save money. A completed report with photos is provided to the homeowner with recommendations for making the home more energy efficient.
Level I Energy Audit $175
Consists of walk through
Level II Energy Audit $250
Consists of Walk Through and Full Home Pressure Test with blower door
Rebates for home improvements following an audit may be available for Central Electric members
Blower Door and Infrared Camera Testing
Central Electric's home energy auditor uses blower door tests to help homeowners find areas of their homes that leak air to outside areas.
Completing a blower door test can 1) reduce energy consumption due to air leakage, 2) avoid moisture condensation problems, and 3) avoid uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air leaking in from the outdoors.
A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. Outside air then flows in through all unsealed cracks and openings. An infrared camera is then used to detect areas which turn cold from the outside air. These cold areas indicate low or poor insulation and air leaks.
Preparing for a Blower Door Test
1. If you heat with wood, be sure all fires are completely out - not even coals burning - before the auditor arrives. Wood burning stoves or fireplaces should not be used for 24 hours prior to testing. Remove any ashes from open fireplaces.
2. Plan to do a walk-through of your home with the auditor. Be prepared to point out areas that you know are drafty or difficult to condition comfortably.
3. Expect the auditor to request access to all areas of your home including closets, built-in cabinets, attics, crawl spaces, and any unused rooms.
4. The auditor will need to close all exterior doors and windows, open all interior doors, and close any fireplace dampers, doors, and wood stove air inlets.
5. Expect the auditor to set controls on all atmospheric fossil fuel appliances (gas fired appliances, fireplace, etc.) to ensure that they do not fire during the test. The auditor should return them to the original position after the test.
6. Expect the test to take up to two hours or more, depending on the complexity of your home.