C is for Combustion Analyzer

C is for Combustion Analyzer. This is the foremost tool in determining heating systems safe operation and to extent the level of efficiency in the system. It is also a shield to save lives. This type of meter reads the carbon monoxide level in real time and can detect as low as 1 ppm.

WARNING!
It is important to get professional help with your heating system. A combustion appliance can be affected by the air leakage in the house, the condition of the chimney and even other appliances. Tightening up the house can cause dangerous, even fatal levels of CARBON MONOXIDE to build up in the house. Professional auditors are trained to test for proper air flow, combustion safety and assess the ventilation needs of the building. Your house has to breathe, but needlessly wasting energy is letting the heat leak out. Tightening the house can result in poor indoor air quality and adversely affect the health of the occupants.

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B is for Blower Door

This is the way to test for air leaks, to find them, to verify they have been sealed and to determine how much air sealing to do. The average home owner is not going to pick one of these up at the local hardware store.
How tight should the house be? Most energy programs and standards look to see .3 air changes per hour or less. The standards are tightened up every few years as the research is improved.

You can air seal a house up, but please consult with a professional auditor who has the equipment and knowledge to test and direct your efforts. A professional auditor can use Infrared imaging and smoke to locate and diagnose leaks and areas to insulate in the house with a blower door.

WARNING!
It is important to get professional help if you do extensive air sealing. Tightening up the house can cause dangerous, even fatal levels of CARBON MONOXIDE to build up in the house. Professional auditors are trained to test for proper air flow, combustion safety and assess the ventilation needs of the building. Your house has to breathe, but needlessly wasting energy is letting the heat leak out. Tightening the house can result in poor indoor air quality and adversely affect the health of the occupants.

A is for Air Sealing

A is for Air sealing. One of the biggest contributors to heat loss is air leaks. These are easy to find with a little investigation. They show up as gaps letting in day light, cobwebs across openings, and dirty fiberglass covering over holes in the attic. From the diagram you can see there are many places that can leak. Just how much savings can be gotten from sealing these up? The estimates are $50-$75 a year for each 100 cubic feet per minute reduction.

How do you air seal? You find the leaks and stop them with spray foam or caulk. For larger gaps it may necessary to use rigid foam sheets or drywall to cover the opening and then seal it up.

WARNING!
It is important to get professional help if you do extensive air sealing. Tightening up the house can cause dangerous, even fatal levels of CARBON MONOXIDE to build up in the house. Professional auditors are trained to test for proper air flow, combustion safety and assess the ventilation needs of the building. Your house has to breathe, but needlessly wasting energy is letting the heat leak out. Tightening the house can result in poor indoor air quality and adversely affect the health of the occupants.

The Alphabet of Energy Conservation

To help kick off the blog. I want to start with the basics. So over the next few weeks I'll be introducing the elemental concepts that make up saving energy. There will be tips for the DIY'er and the professional.
If you want to do DIY then I strongly recommend you work in conjunction with a professional as a consultant. There are many ways to screw up a house and cause a problem; some problems can cause death. High levels of carbon monoxide can cause death and even low levels can cause health problems. Want to do it yourself, we can help.

The Beginning

It seems like a good idea to get this blog going. What will you find in here? Information for pros and DIY's alike, current projects, advice, 10 years of experience in the industry of green retrofits and fascinating tidbits of building science.