Calibrated Blower Door Test graphic.

[Rodney Misener]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Great...but do you market home inspections by explaining to people how flashlights work?

In Springfield, Mo...utility rates have increased 20% in 13 months and are scheduled for another increase in 2012 while 40% of what they spend to condition their air is leaking to the outdoors. Unwitting contractors are sealing up homes that were built in the '30s to make them more "energy efficient" and, as a result, clothes dryers are sucking the exhaust from the water heater vent back into the home and mold is growing under the insulation in the attic where it hasn't existed for the past 80 years. This is going on all over America.

These are a few of the things a blower door test can address as part of a complete energy audit.

If all you are looking for is the air leaks...you can do that without a blower door. Not properly!

Marketing energy audits is a fantastic and welcomed thing but window and insulation salesmen are now "marketing" what they call energy audits that are nothing but sales presentations for windows and insulation. Even some home inspectors with thermal imagers are taking pictures of walls that are missing insulation and calling it an "energy audit".

I hope that NACHI will enter the field by taking the high road when presenting actual facts and real benefits to the public. There is a credibility gap and you don't want to widen it with hyperbole.

You need a blower door.

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by rmisener

You need a blower door.

Got one. Thanks.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

I like these.

[Jason Kaylor]

Those done in Google Sketch Up Ben?

They look amazing.

JJ

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by bgromicko

Attachment 46121

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Attachment 46120
I like these.

By showing entry points of infiltrating air at the exterior surfaces, you may be inadvertantly "telling" the hoemowner that he should be sealing the house at these points. The best and most appropriate location to airseal is at the inner wall finishes as these are the last/first point of air infiltration/exfiltration into/from the house.

Caulk/seal at the exterior to prevent entry of weather, dust, bugs but not specifically for air sealing unless it's a special case.

[Ben J. Gromicko]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

By showing entry points of infiltrating air at the exterior surfaces, you may be inadvertantly "telling" the hoemowner that he should be sealing the house at these points. The best and most appropriate location to airseal is at the inner wall finishes as these are the last/first point of air infiltration/exfiltration into/from the house.

Caulk/seal at the exterior to prevent entry of weather, dust, bugs but not specifically for air sealing unless it's a special case.

Well, just like Clapton said, "It's in the way that you use it."
For a homeowner, a picture alone is never enough info.

[Peter C. Russell]

Ben, you should add infiltration at the foundation, that where it starts.
It's also one of the first places to begin air sealing.