See a Demonstration: Improving the Energy Efficiency of Older Homes

You don’t have to look hard to discover that energy costs are on the rise. In the last year
alone, propane has increased in price by 35%, natural gas by 40%, and heating oil by
57%. Although current building techniques and innovative products are making new homes
more efficient, what can be done with older homes? Many homes in the Asheville area were
built before insulating was a standard practice, but insulation alone is not the answer.

Homes need to be viewed as a system. It is important to understand how the different elements
work together to effectively heat, cool, and control moisture. If the house is not viewed
as a system, it is likely that only minimal improvements can be achieved, or worse, that
making changes can actually cause a serious problem to develop.

The key to avoiding these problems is the involvement of professionals who understand
building science. Building professionals use a variety of techniques to diagnose issues and
then develop a comprehensive plan to improve the entire system. On the simple end of
things, a visual inspection can identify many of the more common problems that lead to
energy loss, but this approach can miss some of the hidden issues that exist within a home.
There are several advanced tools and techniques that allow a professional to take objective
measurements and pinpoint unseen issues. These techniques include blower-door testing,
duct-blaster testing, and thermal imaging. When combined, these tools quantify the extent
of the problem and help to identify the cause.

Blower-door testing is a technique that pressurizes the house in a controlled manner to
measure the rate of air leakage from the home. A duct blaster uses a similar technique to
measure leakage from a home’s ductwork. Thermal imaging gives a visual representation
of hot and cold spots. The equipment used is sensitive enough to spot missing insulation
behind a wall. Some of the more sensitive equipment can even see mold growing inside the
wall cavity.

Endless Supply Company is offering to bring together a team of professionals to demonstrate
the effectiveness of these tools. Sid Border has volunteered his house at 170 West Chestnut
Street as a test case. We will perform complete diagnostic testing, including blower door,
duct blaster, and thermal scan. Members of the Montford community are invited to come by
and see the testing in action. After testing, we will address the issues identified and then
perform the same testing to demonstrate the improved efficiency. Results of the testing and
images will be posted to our blog so community members can follow the progress.

We will offer a 10% discount on services to Montford residents for a period
of 90 days after the testing. Residents who sign up for an evaluation the day of testing
will receive an additional 5% off for a total discount of 15%.

Send me an email (sid@realtor.com) if you'd like more information about the demonstration and results.