Below details everything that we include in a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®  assessment. Not all contractors offer the same tests, so when you're calling around to compare prices, keep in mind that we perform the following tests:

Building Measurements: We will take measurements of your home so we can recommend specific energy efficiency recommendations and provide accurate quotes for each. Please be prepared for our Certified Building Analysts to conduct a complete site visit where they inspect all areas of your home, including the attic, basement, crawlspace, garage, bedrooms, and bathrooms. 

Blower Door Air Leakage Test: Measures air leakage in the whole house in cubic feet per minute (cfm), and helps us to identify where the major air leaks are in your home.  The blower door unit consists of a cloth door with a large fan connected to it, all of which is setup within one of external door frames of the home.  The fan is turned on at a specific rate to create negative pressure that moves the air out of the home.  All of the home's air leaks become very apparent, and feel like small and large fans blowing into the house where the air leaks are located.

Duct Leakage Test: Similar to the blower door test except we connect a smaller fan to your heating/cooling system's ducts to measure air leakage in the dust system itself. This test is only conducted as needed with homes that have ducts outside the heated space of the home such as in the attic, crawlspace, or garage.  If the ducts are all within the heated space, then we will not conduct this test.

Combustion Safety Tests: Consists of a series of tests to check the operation and safety of any combustible appliances in the home that burn fuel to produce heat such as a furnace, water heater, stove, and clothes dryer. Specifically we will check each appliance for gas leaks, proper exhaust ventilation and carbon monoxide levels.  We will also perform air pressure balancing tests to ensure that all the air is able to return to the duct system from all the rooms in the house to comply with the Oregon Department of Energy codes.

Infrared Camera Analysis: We will also analyze your home with an Infrared or Thermal Imaging camera to assess insulation levels within inaccessible areas of the home, and to pinpoint specific areas of air leakage.  

Action Plan: We develop action plan that outlines the efficiency recommendations for your home, how much each recommendation will cost, and all the incentives and tax credits that your project may qualify for.