We Use State-of-the-Art Equipment
At Energy Consulting Services (ECS), we use state-of-the-art equipment to accurately assess and improve your dwelling’s energy efficiency. We are fully trained and certified to use and analyze results derived from these diagnostic tools. Several diagnostic tools listed below* are required per Builders Performance Institute Inc. (BPI) and Georgia Power energy standards.
Blower Door
A blower door is a powerful fan that mounts into the frame of an exterior door. The fan pulls air out of the house, lowering the air pressure inside. The higher outside air pressure then flows in through all unsealed cracks and openings. These tests determine the air infiltration rate of a building. The blower door test consists of a frame and flexible panel that fit in a doorway, a calibrated variable-speed fan, and a manometer which is a digital pressure gauge that measures the pressure differences inside and outside the home.
Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera
An infrared thermal image camera detects hot and cold spots which are not visible to the naked eye. The camera sees the temperature variations within the home. The images from the camera use the light to illustrate exactly where there are leakages or weak spots in a structure. This imaging also allows auditors to check the effectiveness of existing insulation and to determine whether the home needs additional insulation and where it should go – all without causing physical damage to the structure. Take a look at infrared photos showing common areas of energy loss taken during an ECS energy audit.
Duct Blaster
A duct blaster utilizes a calibrated fan and pressure gauge to pressurize your home’s HVAC ductwork system. The ductwork blaster is used in conjunction with the blower door machine. The purpose is to determine the amount of air leakage throughout the existing ductwork system. It is estimated that ductwork leakage increases heating and cooling costs by approximately 30% and may also contribute to comfort, health, and safety problems.
Pressure Pans
The pressure pan is a duct leakage diagnostic tool which is used along with a Blower Door to identify exterior air leaks in forced air duct systems. Pressure pans do not directly measure leakage rates. Rather, a pressure pan is used measure the pressure difference between the house and a duct run during a Blower Door test. This pressure reading can be used to estimate the degree to which a particular duct run is connected to the outside.
Pressure pan testing involves placing a gasketed pan over each register or grille, one at a time, with the air handler fan off and the Blower Door depressurizing (or pressurizing) the house to a standard reference pressure. The pattern of pressure pan readings often allows for quick identification of major leakage sites. Pressure pan readings can also be used as a quality control tool to tell technicians if they have done a good job of air sealing the duct system.
Combustion gas detector
A combustible gas detector pinpoints large and small leaks quickly and safely. It is ideal for:
- Testing for combustible gas leaks;
- Testing appliances in commercial, residential, and industrial applications;
- Surveying gas pipelines; and
- Inspecting valves, regulators, and meters on gas equipment.
