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The first step in evaluating a building's energy use involves an energy audit, or EEA. This consists of various home performance tests which identify opportunities to reduce energy use. Once the audit is complete, various weatherization techniques are performed to improve the energy efficiency of the building, often called 'weatherizing'.
Residential energy use and loss
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Figure 1.
Source: DOE - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/air_leaks.html Date Accessed: 4/20/2009
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Heating and cooling the conditioned or living space accounts for almost 45 % of a typical home's energy use. Property owners can realize significant savings if proper measures are taken to control unwanted air leakage, as air leaks relate directly to heating and cooling costs. Figure 1 illustrates which areas in a home represent what percentage of air leakage. According to ENERGY STAR®, sealing and insulating the "envelope" or "shell" of your home—its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors and floors—is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort.
The value of infrared
Air leaks and insulation issues in homes and buildings often go unnoticed simply because we cannot see them. That is unless infrared or thermal imaging is used. Thermal imaging with Pinnacle has become widely accepted as a 'must have' tool for energy auditing and weatherization.
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Picture-in-Picture, an IR-Fusion viewing mode, takes the guesswork out of re-locating problems by providing a frame of reference such as in this infrared image of an air leak at the point where an exterior wall meets the foundation.
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Pinnacle professionals utilize thermal imaging because it provides a fast and easy way to pinpoint and document exact locations of problems. In an industry where speed and accuracy is vital, infrared allows for faster inspections and more detailed documentation. Many traditional auditing tools provide a general idea of where problems are, but fall short of pinpointing them.
Perhaps the most valuable part of infrared inspection is the ability to document and report findings. All of our Reports include IR technology that combines an infrared image with a visual image for enhanced identification, analysis and reporting. By incorporating the visual reference image, clients and/or contractors tasked with making repairs can easily relocate problems after an audit is complete.
Thermal imaging can also be used to validate the effectiveness of repairs and improvements such as caulking, filling voids with spray foam and adding insulation by performing a follow-up infrared inspection.
Air leakage inspections
Controlled air exchange is necessary for occupant safety, but most structures waste significant energy through excessive, uncontrolled air leakage. Remedies for leaks can be simple, but finding them without the use of infrared technology remains a challenge.
According to ASTM E1186, for best air leak inspection results, a temperature difference, or Delta T, of at least 3 °F from the inside to the outside of a structure should exist (the larger the difference, the better). For this reason, it's easiest to conduct inspections during periods of intense heat or intense cold.
Significant air leaks tend to occur near attics and basements due to the stack effect. The stack effect occurs when warm air rising in a home creates an area of low pressure at the lower levels and high pressure near the roof. These pressure differences force warm air to escape from the top and cold air to enter near the bottom. Other common areas of air leakage are highlighted in Figure 2.
Our Air leakage inspections are greatly enhanced by the use of a blower door. Our auditors and inspectors have long used blower doors to measure the overall air exchange rate or air tightness of a structure. Blower doors create a pressure difference (usually negative) from the inside to the outside of the structure. By creating a pressure difference, air leaks are exaggerated and the effect the moving air has on the surfaces around the leaks is exaggerated as well. When used in conjunction with blower doors, our thermal imagers more easily detect air leakage as there is greater difference in temperature on the surfaces surrounding the air leak source. This exaggerated temperature difference also allows infrared inspections to take place more often throughout the year as the blower door reduces the required Delta T.
Insulation inspections
Problems with insulation that lead to energy loss often include missing, inadequate, settled, and/or wet conditions. All reduce the effectiveness of insulation and can lead to thermal and/or air bypass.
According to ASTM C1060, for best insulation inspection results, a temperature difference, or Delta T, of at least 18 °F from the inside to the outside of a structure should exist (the larger the difference, the better).
It's much easier to interpret findings if the type of insulation is known. Knowing the insulation type enables an auditor to prepare for issues commonly associated with certain insulation types. For example, blown-in insulation is notorious for settling over time.
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Recessed blown-in attic insulation
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Moisture
Moisture and condensation often go hand-in-hand with air leaks in a structure, as air can provide a means for moisture to travel. Moisture, if not properly remedied, can lead to building damage, reduced insulation effectiveness and mold.
Thermal imagers are very effective tools for identifying moisture. Water has a high thermal capacitance, meaning that it efficiently absorbs and stores energy. The thermal capacitance
of water or the effects of evaporative cooling (usually a 2 °F to 5 °F surface temperature difference) help reveal the extent of moisture damage, even when the surface feels dry to the touch. All suspected moisture should be validated with a moisture meter.
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