Home Energy Rating System (HERS Index)
Having an Energy Efficiency Assessment Has Positive Economic Impact
What is a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) or Energy Efficiency Assessment?
Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is a nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. It is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured.
An Energy Efficiency Assessment will assess how your home loses or wastes energy and what you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home. An Energy Efficiency Assessment will show you how to correct, to make a dramatic effect on your home’s overall comfort and will save you a remarkable amount of money over time.
The assessment uses specialized equipment and certified trained individuals to show you ways to make your home energy efficient and healthy. Our energy inspectors are Certified Master Inspectors and have met the required professional and educational requirements and are certified to the highest standard in the industry.
The assessment will explain your home’s energy use. The inspector will do a thorough examination of each room and your past utility bills. The assessment will include a blower door test and a thermographic scan of the walls in your home to assess the amount of insulation in your home’s walls.
Every home is different, so they will gauge your home to your family’s specific needs. They will show you where you need to make the upgrades to your home.
Safety
One of the most important parts of the home energy assessment is the combustion safety testing performed on your heating equipment. The three main areas of focus are; gas leakage, exhaust leakage, and carbon monoxide levels.
We will test for exposed pipes and fitting and insure there are no leakages. The exhaust pressure of your mechanical equipment is tested and exhaust is examined for excessive levels of carbon monoxide.
Air Leakage & Infiltration
A blower door is used to determine where air is leaking out of your home. The blower door is one of the most important pieces of equipment an energy assessor operates. It determines the overall airtightness of a home by revealing the air infiltration rate is usually the biggest source of energy loss in a home, and where any air leaks might be hiding. Sealing those gaps is one of the quickest ways to make your home more comfortable and efficient.
On the exterior of your home, we will inspect all areas where two different building materials transition, including:
- All Exterior Corners
- Where Siding & Chimneys Meet
- Outdoor Water Faucets
- Where Wood Framing Meet
Inside your home, inspect around the following areas for any cracks and gaps that could cause air leaks:
- Electrical Outlets
- Switch Plates
- Door & Window Frames
- Electrical & Gas Service Entrances
- Baseboards
- Weather Stripping Around Doors
- Fireplace Dampers
- Attic Hatches
- Wall or Window-Mounted Air Conditioners
- Cable TV & Phone Lines
- Where Dryer Vents Pass Through Walls
- Vents & Fans
Also look for gaps around pipes and wires, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to see if the caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition. Check the exterior caulking around doors and windows, and see whether exterior storm doors and primary doors seal tightly.
Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. See if you can rattle them, since movement means possible air leaks. If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, then the door or window leaks. You can usually seal these leaks by caulking or weatherstripping them. Check the storm windows to see if they fit and are not broken.
You may also wish to consider replacing your old windows and doors with newer, high-performance ones. If new factory-made doors or windows are too costly, you can install low-cost plastic sheets over the windows.
Proper home airtightness is important because it reduces energy consumption, avoids moisture condensation problems, prevents air leaks and helps identify how much ventilation is needed to provide acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ).
