The thinking behind home performance and insulation.
Identifying the problem areas
Our team of experts identify the areas in the basement, walls and attic where air conditioned air is escaping using infrared cameras. These findings let us know exactly the quantity and type of insulation needed to properly insulate your home against the elements.
Importance of insulating the attic
A properly insulated attic is key in having an energy-efficient home. An properly insulated attic will pay dividends in the form of lower energy bills. The location and design of your home is evaluated to determine the amount and type of insulation best suited for your home.
Keeping your home cool
A well insulated home holds conditioned air inside during the hot months as well as keeping the heated air in during the cold months. Many people choose to install insulation during the summer months.
Installation of insulation
After the evaluation of your home has been completed, installation of the insulation is typically a clean and painless experience. In most cases the process can be completed in a single day.
The thinking behind duct tightening.
Uneven air flow and temperatures
Over time, the ducts in your system which carries your cooled and heated air can become loose at the connections. This loosening allows the air flow to leak, lose pressure and produce uneven air flow and temperatures to different areas of your home. Routine maintenance on your ducts will prevent these problems from re-occurring.
Duct tightening
Cool Testing service providers are well trained in identifying ductwork problems as well as rectifying the problems whether it be tightening , re-routing or updating the ductwork. Solving problems with ducts is not always difficult, time consuming or expensive, just necessary for an energy efficient system.
Energy savings and comfort
Many times with a single visit from a Cool Testing service provider, your ducts can be tightened, allowing you to reclaim your energy efficient home.
The thinking behind air sealing and home performance.
Importance of a well sealed home
Like many things, conditioned air will escape through the path of least resistance. Uneven door frames, leaky windows and unsealed gaps around pipes leaving your home allow conditioned air to escape, increasing energy costs. A properly sealed home forces the air to travel through the intended paths, the ducts.
Assessing the problems
Cool Testing service providers identify air leaks with positive pressure systems that reveal areas that are allowing air to escape the home. An in-depth visual inspection of the home is also completed to identify additional problem areas. Leaks are repaired using expansion foam, caulk and other materials.
Sealed in comfort and energy savings
In many cases, Cool Testing service providers can identify and seal air leaks in a single visit, allowing you to enjoy a more energy efficient home in a short period of time.
An energy efficiency audit is a complete evaluation of your home’s energy efficiency. This is performed by a Cool Testing provider using the most up-to-date equipment and expertise to determine any problem areas in your home. Once any problems are identified, a plan is formulated to address the needs and extent of work needed to make your home as energy efficient as possible.
Some components of an energy efficiency audit:
Windows - Is air able to leave the home or come into the home from outside through these windows? Are they insulated or double paned?
Air sealing - Are doors, pipes and windows sealed? Are the correct tools being used to detect these problems?
Insulation - Is there enough insulation in the home? How old is the insulation? Are all necessary areas insulated?
Heating and Cooling - Are the units functioning properly? Are the systems the correct sizes for your home? How long since they were serviced?
Duct maintenance - Could simple duct maintenance solve some problems?
Lighting - Are your lighting systems and bulbs energy efficient?
Once the energy efficiency audit is completed, a detailed report will be provided to you that outline what problem areas your home has and what needs to be done to put you at the highest energy efficiency level possible. Not all audits produce major change or repair recommendations. Many times low-cost, simple changes or repairs are recommended. In the event that moderate or even major repairs or updating is recommended, Cool Test providers will handle all of the ordering, scheduling and installation of the agreed upon work to be done. All of our providers are focused on providing a quality finished product.
Depending on the outcome of your home’s energy efficiency audit and what, if any recommendations are completed by Cool Testing, you should see a savings in your energy bills. In many cases there are utility rebates and tax credits for updating with the latest energy efficient items and systems.
The thinking behind energy use and home performance.
Does a CFL bulb really save energy?
An Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) will save around $30.00 over its lifetime and pays for itself in about 6 months. The CFL bulb, compared to an incandescent bulb, lasts around 10 times longer and uses approximately 75% less energy.
The anatomy of a CFL bulb
In CFL bulbs, an electric current is driven through a vapor-filled tube, which in turn excites a fluorescent coating that emits light. In an incandescent bulb, a wire filament is heated by electricity which creates a glow (light).
Is installing CFL lighting the right choice?
Since CFL lighting is not always the best choice in every situation, contact a Cool Testing provider for an in home evaluation and recommendation on the proper use and installation of CFL’s to insure the maximum energy efficiency for your home.
Setting Energy Savings Goals
Proper energy management begins with research and planning, then the actual implementation of the modifications you choose. Style and comfort do not have to be compromised in the quest of having an energy efficient home.
The first step is setting realistic energy savings goals. Cool Testing advisors can assist you in finding out the energy savings possibilities for your home.
Assessing Energy Conservation
When you have set your energy savings goals, a Cool Testing advisor can come to your home and perform a complete analysis of your current home energy savings. We are trained in energy conservation and performance and have experience in providing homeowners with an accurate, in-depth look into how your home systems are performing and how they may be upgraded or repaired in order to save you additional money on your energy costs.
At Cool Testing, we complete a full energy management evaluation of your home using the latest technology to evaluate your current energy saving components, if any, and establish a plan to increase your energy efficiency in your home. To reach these conclusions we look at the following systems and components:
Windows and lighting
Insulation
Air ducts and sealing
Heating, cooling and ventilation systems
When Cool Testing has completed the evaluation of your energy saving components and your energy management goals, we will make recommendations as to what can be done to maximize your energy efficiency, lower your bills and keep your home a safe, comfortable and affordable place to live.
Installing or updating for maximum energy efficiency
The final step in the process is to perform the installations or updates recommended in the Cool Testing evaluation. Cool Testing will coordinate getting the proper qualified service providers to your home to complete the requested work in a professional, timely and quality manner.
Realizing the savings
Although it may seem like a lot to go through, Cool Testing is confident that you will realize energy savings by going through this home evaluation and updating process. As a homeowner, you will not only save money in the immediate future, but will be more comfortable in your home.
