Parker Energy Solutions
ENERGY CONSULTING from MONTEREY to SANTA CLARA COUNTY
If you have a high energy bill,
If your home is drafty,
Or you want to increase your home’s energy efficiency...
A comprehensive Energy Audit will help you find solutions to these problems. An energy audit gives one a complete picture of the energy use of one’s home. The audit will also identify any health or safety issues that may be present.
How does your home compare to the energy use of other homes? Use Energy Star's HOME ENERGY YARDSTICK to find out!
What is a “Test & Measurement based” home energy audit?
An energy audit that is test & measurement based uses sophisticated equipment to quantify such issues as air infiltration, duct leakage, and furnace combustion efficiency. For example, in order to measure how “leaky” your home is in terms of air infiltration a blower door is used. A duct tester can be used to measure how leaky your HVAC air ducts are. An instrument called a combustion gas analyzer is used to measure the efficiency of your furnace or gas hot water heater. See our Useful Links page for more information.
Why do I need a “Test & Measurement based” home energy audit?
Every home is unique in terms of energy consumption. If you
are interested in reducing the energy use of your home and saving money, you
need to know where to spend your money. For example, one home may be very leaky
(a lot of air infiltration) due to un-blocked plumbing chases in the attic. It
would be more cost effective for the owner of this home to air seal the home
instead of adding insulation, for example.
Let’s examine another example using typical measurement data. A home may have very leaky ducts. Let’s say the ducts leak 30%. (This is not unusual). If the owner replaces his 80% efficient furnace with a 90% efficient furnace while spending $2500, his overall heating system efficiency improved from 56% to 63%. If he has an energy audit done first ($450), and spends $300 to improve his duct leakage from 30% to 10%, his overall efficiency will improve from 56% to 72% without replacing the furnace! In the case with the energy audit, he spends $750 in order to get a 16% improvement in his heating system efficiency. Without the audit, he spends $2500 for a high efficiency furnace for a 7% improvement!
What is “Combustion Safety Testing” and why is this test important?
Combustion safety testing involves measuring natural draft appliances such as natural gas or propane water heaters for fuel leaks, flue gas spillage, correct flue draft pressure, carbon monoxide level, and combustion efficiency. The area in and around the combustion appliance also needs to be checked to confirm that the area is not under too great a negative pressure. Negative pressure in the combustion appliance area or zone can cause backdrafting and pull appliance flue gases into living spaces. These flue gases may contain high levels of carbon monoxide, which is odorless, tasteless, and toxic. Combustion safety testing should be performed on a routine basis and/or before and after energy retrofit projects that affect the building envelope- such as whole house air sealing or duct sealing. Combustion safety testing, whole house air infiltration testing using a blower door, and duct leakage testing are the three most important measurements we perform as part of a home energy audit.
Let us do the measurements and calculations required so that you can make informed choices about lowering the energy use of your home!
We are an independent auditor, not an integrated contractor. We offer only our energy analysis and testing services. Our product is a quality, actionable report that gives you a roadmap to reducing your energy use while insuring safety and health standards are maintained. We are not trying to sell you any specific product. Instead, we are focused on your needs. We prioritize the energy efficiency improvements based on your return on investment and your time horizon.
For a free phone consultation regarding an energy audit or other energy testing services, call Parker Energy Solutions @ (831) 359-2986 or email us.
