Testing and Consulting
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Advanced Insulation believes that all new homes should be tested to
certify that the building envelope and mechanical systems meet
nationally recognized standards. |
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In this section of our web
site we will introduce you to a series of tests and inspections which
will help ensure that your home will be comfortable, healthy, and energy
efficient. There are definite specifications, techniques, and tests that
can be incorporated into the design and construction process that can
make a tremendous difference in the performance of your new home.
Considering the size of the investment you make in a new home today, it
is prudent to design and build one that performs well. We routinely are
called to test, inspect, and repair homes that are less than five years
old that have comfort issues, high-energy use, and/or indoor air quality
problems…. Unfortunately, in almost every case, all of these problems
could have been easily prevented during the design and construction
process by incorporating the techniques and tests we are advocating. It
is neither difficult nor expensive to get it right.
 Architects and designers need to be including specifications that
create a blueprint for success when it comes to achieving the home
performance goals we have set forth. Energy efficient foundations,
framing techniques, air-sealing details, insulation, and ventilation
must be specified. Our workshops and consulting service help architects
and builders develop specifications and a process to ensure optimum home
performance.
Our duct blaster, blower door, and infrared tests all introduce an
element of accountability that doesn't exist on most job sites. This is
because most municipalities don't inspect insulation or require airtight
ductwork. We rarely see blueprints that specify the airtightness
standards of a duct system. The expectation for these two important
systems is inadequate considering their impact on home performance.
Heat flow and airflow are invisible, so the consequences of an
insulation or duct system failure often go unnoticed during
construction. The people who are installing your duct system and
insulation are more than likely not trained in energy efficiency. They
do not understand the impact of leaky ducts and missing insulation on
comfort, energy consumption, and indoor air quality.
Testing is a way to verify that the duct system is tight and the
pressure envelope was carefully defined and sealed. An infrared scan is
a simple test to help ensure the insulation was installed correctly.
We've all heard the cliché, "you get what you inspect not what you
expect." The way to prevent these problems is to test and inspect
systems during construction.
Advanced Insulation believes that all new homes should be tested to
certify that the building envelope and mechanical systems meet
nationally recognized standards. These tests that are defined below
provide assurance that the crews working on your home are going to have
a reason to perform quality work. They are going to have to pass a test
or return and repair their work until they get it right.
Although much of this discussion is geared towards new homes, we use
our diagnostic equipment to evaluate existing homes. If you purchase an
existing home and want to determine the condition of the systems that
will have a large impact on your energy consumption, indoor air quality,
and comfort, our testing and inspections will provide that information.
The value of the tests are great when you consider these tests help
ensure that your home will perform up to your expectation. Who wants a
house that has uncomfortable rooms, high utility bills, is dusty, and
possibly has indoor air quality problems? How do you ensure this doesn’t
happen to you? Proper specifications, testing, and inspections are the
key.
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