Energy Efficiency for Home Comfort: Finding Solutions (Part 1) Efficiency Audit Plus

Jeff Grazier JKG Consulting, Inc. February 17, 2010

Agenda

What is an Efficiency Audit “Plus”? Why would I want diagnostics? What categories of diagnostics are available? What do these diagnostics look at? Examples

What is an Efficiency Audit “Plus”?

Efficiency Audit + Understanding of which focused testing each house type or homeowner concern requires Performance diagnostics – measuring, collecting and analyzing data, perhaps taking additional measurements Strong analysis skills – listen to the data, few assumptions

Audit Flow

Customer Input

Visual Inspection and Basic Testing

Diagnostic Test

Diagnostic Test

Investigation of less obvious or more complex issues

Analysis Recommendation

Why Would I Want Diagnostics?

One or more contractors have already looked at an issue and have not been able to solve it for you You know your home has a complex problem that you want to resolve To find things you can’t see with a visual inspection, things that need to be measured To make an informed decision about what to fix and in what order

Specialized Tools

What categories of diagnostics are available?

Comfort Building Durability and Moisture Duct System Electric Loads Indoor Air Quality Performance

Pressure Mechanical System Thermal Imaging Utility Bill Analysis Water Consumption

What do these diagnostics look at? Air Conditioning Combustion Appliance Zone Domestic Hot Water Duct Leakage Duct Sizing and Flow Electricity

Furnace/Boiler/ Heat Pump/ Solar Induced Infiltration Infiltration Insulation Moisture/Humidity Mechanical Ventilation And more…

Examples

Building Durability and Moisture

Growth and siding failure

Bath fan vented into attic

Electric Audit Results Customers electricity use was twice average use

Disconnected: television, amplifier and sub woofer, computer (2) (speakers, printer and router)

508 watt

With the lights off and appliances on standby

960 watt

Electric Audit Results

On standby: furnace, kitchen appliances (refrigerator, oven, stove, dishwasher), alarm clocks (multiple), telephone answering system, smoke alarms, garage door opener

Disconnected: coffee maker, microwave, under counter light transformer, scented plug-ins, cable television tuner, DVD player (2), stereo (2), space heater, paper shredder, telephones (2), cell phone charger, television (4), VCR, fan, computer (monitor and speakers), humidifier, sprinkler system control, battery charger for power tools, electric razor charger, extra refrigerator and treadmill

46 watt

Rated vs. Installed Performance

Common problem with Air Conditioners Furnaces Insulation Ventilation Fans

How do you know if it works as rated?

Infiltration Assessment

Estimated Infiltration Distribution

20%

71%

3%6%

3% Return

6% Attic hatch

20% Pet door

71% Other

Induced Infiltration

Blower Door: 2,711 cfm50 Upper Level Pressure with respect to basement: 4.3 pa Measured Furnace Efficiency: 81% Induced Infiltration Loss: 19%

Loss increases as outdoor temperature decreases

Missing Insulation

How much difference does this make?

Thermal Boundary Misalignment

Connected to Outside Areas Expected to be Inside:

37%

Room #2 Floor Over Garage

41%

Room #1 Floor Over Garage

Uninsulated or Poorly Insulated Knee Walls

Are the systems working together well?

Distribution Heating Plant/ Cooling Plant

Heat Load/ Cooling Load

Jeff Grazier JKG Consulting, Inc. (970) 226-1359 jeff@jkgenergy.com