ENERGY A SSESSMENT - Prochek

sample energy assessment report 2

Home Inspection Services

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ENERGY ASSESSMENTCLIENT INFORMATION:

CLIENT NAME: Mike Sudano.

HOME ADDRESS: 100 Mill Plain Road.

CITY/STATE/ZIP Danbury, CT 06810.

BUILDING INFORMATION:TOTAL FLOORAREA: 2474.

TOTAL HEATEDAREA: 2474.

YEAR BUILT: 1954.

WEATHERCONDITIONS: 30 degrees / overcast.

INSPECTION INFORMATION:INSPECTOR: Frank Giresi.

DATE: 14 December 2007.

TIME OFINSPECTION: 9:00 AM.



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INSPECTIONITEMSPERMFORMED: Home Energy Assessment.

Heating & Air ConditioningHeating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home.About half of your home's energy costs are for heating and cooling. That's why maximizing its efficiency is important.

HEATING SYSTEMMANUFACTURER: Weil McLain.

LOCATION OFUNIT: Basement.

SYSTEM TYPE: Hot water boiler.

FUEL TYPE: Oil.

APPROXIMATEAGE IN YEARS: 11 years +/-

OPERATION/CONDITION: Heating system is operational at the time of inspection.

COOLING SYSTEMMANUFACTURER: Friedrich / GE.

TYPE: Wall Mount.

CAPACITY OFUNIT: Not determined.



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DESIGN LIFE: 10-12 yrs.

APPROXIMATEAGE IN YEARS: 20 years +/-

SYSTEMCONDITION: Outside air temperature was below 60 degrees. Unable to test units at this time.

PICTURES:GE wall mount air conditioner.

Friedrich wall mount air conditioner.



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Short pressure relief valve extensionpipe on boiler.

Helpful TipsHelpful tips tomaximizeefficeincy: Check your heating system before you turn it on for the winter. Simply having

your home's heating system professionally inspected and tuned up annually can savefuel. A properly maintained heating system is not only likely to work better but also lastlonger. What's more, it can save your life. Malfunctioning systems increase the risk ofcarbon monoxide poisoning and may cause fires. As a precautionary measure, wealso recommend installing a CO detector and smoke alarm on every floor.

Give your furnace a tune-up. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properlyadjusted can save about 5 percent on your heating bill. Maximize your furnace'sefficiency by replacing or cleaning furnace filters once a month during the seasons itoperates. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use.

Keep your fireplace damper closed when you don't have a fire burning. This willprevent up to 8 percent of your furnace-heated air from going up the chimney. Turn offkitchen and bath ventilating fans when not in use. If left on after they've done their job,these fans will blow heated air from your home.

Don't use an open-hearth fireplace for heat. The heated air that's drawn from yourhome and up the chimney offsets almost all the warmth that a fire provides. If you likethe aesthetics of a fire, consider a direct-vent (sealed-combustion) gas fireplace.Those don't draw air from your home and they can put about 70 percent of the heatthey generate back into the house. The Locktop Energy Saving Damper™ is designedto be six times more effective at weather-proofing the chimney. Instead of a metal flapinside the flue, which is easily warped and damaged, the Locktop uses a uniquesilicone rubber gasket mounted on the top of the chimney to create an air-tight seal. In



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addition to reducing unwanted heat loss by up to 90 percent, the Locktop also keepsrain, snow, leaves and animal pests out of your chimney. A Locktop damper costsabout $200 to $600 to have professionally installed but keep in mind that it can pay foritself in energy savings less than three years.

Turn down the thermostat at little. For every two degrees you lower the thermostat,you'll save about 4 percent on heating bills and reduce emissions by about 6 percent.You may not even notice the difference especially at night. Don't overdo it, however,especially if anyone elderly lives in your home. Because of the potential danger ofhypothermia, the National Institute on Aging recommends that the thermostat be set nolower than 68 to 70 degrees F in homes with older people.

InsulationInsulation decreases your energy usage by slowing heat loss and is most effective when installed in conjunction with airsealing. Insulation also acts as a sound buffer, so you can enjoy a quieter home. There are three insulation typesavailable.

- Cellulose insulation is an excellent insulator made out of recycled newsprint treated with a fire retardent. It providesexcellent coverage, filling in gaps often left between insulation batts and ceiling or wall joists.

- Foam insulation is another. The foam insulation is environmentally safe synthetic foams that fill gaps and holes,have excellent insulation values and block air movement.

- Fiberglass batts are the most common form of insulation. The batts must be installed very carefully to avoidleaving gaps that become leakage paths for air.

ATTIC:Location: Floor.

Condition: Improper installation noted in eaves area. Additional insulation is recommended.

Coverage Gaps noted.

Thickness 4" - 6" +/-

WATER/MOISTUREPENETRATION: Not determined.

BASEMENT:Location: No insulation installed.

WATER/MOISTURE



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PENETRATION: Unable to determine due to finished surfaces and storage.

CRAWL SPACE:Location: No insulation installed.

WATER/MOISTUREPENETRATION: Efflorescence and mold noted on

foundation. Stains noted on framing.

PICTURES:Improper attic insulation.

EFFLORESCENCE



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Helpful TipsHelpful tips tominimize heatloss: Add insulation to your home's attic. Even if your attic floor already has a couple of

inches of insulation, another six inches can help. Cellulose insulation is a smartalternative to fiberglass. It provides a green, efficient, non-toxic, affordable thermalsolution that's worth considering. Cellulose is "green." It's made of 80% post-consumerrecycled newsprint. The fiber is chemically treated with non-toxic borate compounds(20% by weight) to resist fire, insects and mold. Tightly packed cellulose provides athermally efficient, cost effective, and comfortable solution.

Windows & DoorsWINDOWS:

TYPE: Wood type, double hung windows. Single and double pane.

DOORS:ENTRY DOORS: Damaged weatherstripping noted.

Helpful tipsHELPFUL TIPSTO MINIMIZEHEAT LOSS: Install high efficiency windows, which are 40% more efficient than standard

windows. Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows that aregas-filled with high performance glass (e.g., low emissivity or "low-e" glass). ENERGYSTAR windows may help reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 15%. Thewindows must be sized and installed properly.



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ElectricalLIGHTING:

STATUS: Recessed lights present. Incandescent and fluorescent bulbs in use.

Helpful Tips Replace standard incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and save 75% of lighting costs. Use tube fluorescent and energy efficientcompact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in fixtures throughout your home to provide high-quality and high-efficiency lighting. Fluorescent lamps are much more efficient thanincandescent (standard) bulbs and last about 4 to 10 times longer.

Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task or desktop lamps with CFLs instead ofoverhead lights.

AppliancesWATER HEATER:

FUEL: Indirect type.

CAPACITY: 45 gallons.

AGE: 11 years +/-



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TEMPERATURE: 135 degrees.

Helpful tips to minimize heat loss:

Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 13% of your utility bill.

Insulate your hot water pipes. Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

Reduce hot water temperature. Save 7 to 11 percent of water-heating costs by keeping your water heater at the normalsetting or 120 degrees. Just be sure the owners manual for your dishwasher doesn't require a higher setting.

Shorten showers. Showers account for two-thirds of your water-heating costs, so even shaving off a few minutes canhelp. Replacing a showerhead that's more than 12 yrs old with a low-flow model can save up to half the water used forshowering.

PICTURES:Missing extension on pressure relief valve.

When it's time to buy or replace your home appliances, be sure to ask for models with the Energy Star Label. Theseappliances uses up to 50% less energy than conventional models, saving you money on utility bills while reducing airpollution.

APPLIANCES:Condition Refrigerator, dishwasher, electric cooktop. All 25 years +/- Electric wall oven. 7 years

+/- Dehumidifier (Energy Star). 2 years +/- Clothes washer and dryer both new.

Helpful tips to minimize heat loss:Helpful tips tominimize heat



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loss: Always buy ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and equipment - they're up to40% more efficient. Find rebates and incentives in your area using our rebate finder.

Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when fully loaded. Fewer loadsreduce energy and water use.

Enable "power management" on all computers and make sure to turn them off atnight. A laptop computer uses up to 90% less energy than bigger desktop models.

When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90% of the energy use in a clotheswasher goes to water heating.

Make sure your dryer's vent is clear and clean the lint filter after every load. Whenshopping for a new dryer look for one with a moisture sensor that automatically shutsoff when clothes are dry.

Blower door & Air LeakageYour certified Home Performance Inspector has assessed the air loss in your home using a blower door test, an effectiveand accurate method to expertly measure and identify areas where air is escaping. The test provides some keyinformation about your home. "Shell Leakage" indicates the measurement of air leaking into your home. The "Building AirTightness Limit" indicates how much air should be entering your home to help ensure that you have sufficient fresh aireven when the windows are closed. If you have too much air infiltration, we will provide recommended measures to sealair leaks. If the test indicates that your house is tight, we will recommend mechanical ventilation to assist in the removal ofpotential indoor air pollutants.

AIR LEAKAGE NOTED WITH BLOWER DOOR:MEASUREMENTS: The blower door test results for your home are as follows:

-• Blower door cubic feet per minute (CFM) reading = 5811-• Air changes per hour (ACH) reading = 17.0

The CFM reading indicates how much air was being drawn into your house to replacethe air the fan was pulling out. Since all of your windows and doors were closed duringthe test this replacement air was entering around window seals and framing, doorseals, attic hatches, plumbing and electrical chases, ceiling light fixtures, sill plateareas, etc.

The ACH reading indicates how many times per hour the air in you house is changedor replaced.

The CFM reading for your house was 197% above the acceptable level. Air sealing ishighly recommended.

An acceptable CFM reading for your house based on its volume is 1956 which wouldresult in an ACH reading of 5.7

Note that additional ventilation is recommended with a CFM reading between 1369 and1955. Additional ventilation is required with a CFM reading below 1369. This additionalventilation is necessary to maintain a healthy and safe environment within your home.

AREAS OFLEAKAGE: AIR LEAKAGE NOTED WITH BLOWER DOOR:



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-Living room: Fireplace, outlets, heat plumbing chase-Kitchen: Sink plumbing chase, window, recessed light fixture-Dining room: Outlets, patio doors, heat plumbing chase, floormolding, window-Family room: Patio doors, outlets, recessed light fixtures, windows-Bath #1: Window, switch, heat plumbing chase-First floor hallway: Recessed light fixture, closet, laundry chute hatch-Bedroom 1: Windows, heat plumbing chase-Bedroom #2: Windows-Bath #2: Window, outlet-Second floor hallway: Eaves door, attic hatch, recessed light fixture,window, outlet, whole house fan-Bedroom #3: Closet, wall mount air conditioner, switches / outlets,recessed lights, Jacuzzi access panel, windows-Bath #3: Sink plumbing chase, heat plumbing chase, recessed lightfixture, bidet plumbing chase, switches / outlets-Bedroom #4: Windows, wall mount air conditioner, outlets-Bath #4: Recessed light fixture, sink plumbing chase, switches /outlets-Office: Windows, exterior door, switch-Basement: Crawl space hatch, sill plate areas, electrical / plumbingchases, garage door.

COLD ANDWARM AREASNOTED WITHINFRAREDCAMERA: COLD AREAS NOTED WITH INFRA

RED CAMERA:-Kitchen: Window-Living room: Wall joints,front door, fireplace-Family room: Patiodoors, recessed lightfixtures, wall / ceilingjoints-Dining room: Patiodoors-Bath #1: Window-Bedroom #1: Wallareas, ceiling area-Bedroom #2: Ceiling /wall joints-Bath #2: Ceiling / walljoints-Office: Windows,exterior door-Second floor hallway: Eaves hatch / wall area, attic hatch / ceilingarea, whole house fan / ceiling area-Bedroom #3: Windows, wall mount air conditioner, wall areas,recessed light fixtures, closet window-Bath #3: Wall joints-Bedroom #4: Ceiling / wall joints-Bath #4: Recessed light fixture, wall mount air conditioner. WARMAREAS NOTED AT EXTERIOR: - Windows - Doors - Wall areas -

MBR WALL AREA



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Crawl space foundation / sill plate areas - Wall mount airconditioners.

PICTURES:Sill plate area.

Family room foundation area.

HEAT LOSS AT FOUNDATION



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Front of house - Bedroom #1.

Rear of house - MBR.



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Left side of house.

Home tips for minimizing heat loss:

Seal up the leaks. Sealing and insulating duct systems can cut heating costs by as much as 40 percent. Caulking andweather-stripping cracks and gaps around the home are the most cost-effective steps you can take to conserve heat.Focus on the attic, basement, windows and doorways. Also check near pipes, vents, or electrical conduits that go throughthe wall, ceiling and floor. When sealing leaks, use no-or low VOC caulking to minimize harmful indoor gases.

Make ventilation a priority. Sealing leaks doesn't mean eliminating ventilation. Adequate venting helps control moistureand avoid indoor air-quality problems. Properly insulating and venting your attic can help save 20 to 35 percent in heatingcosts, but be careful not to block attic vents with insulation. It's also a good idea to have a heating and cooling techniciancheck gas or oil fired furnaces, boilers, water heaters and dryers for proper venting.

Health & SafetyThe Building Performance Inspector has been trained to inspect and test combustion appliances such as heatingequipment, ovens and water heaters, for proper performance to ensure safe operation. This comprehensive evaluationinclues measurement of carbon monoxide produced by the appliance and an evaluation to ensure that potentiallydangerous combustion gases are not introduced into the home.

HEALTH & SAFETY:Observations: ***NOTE: Water temperature was excessively high (135 degrees), potential for

scalding. Recommend adjusting to lower temperature for safety.

Boiler: Pressure relief valve discharge pipe is too short. Extend discharge to within 6inches of the floor for safety.

Water heater missing proper discharge pipe for pressure relief valve. Install anextension to within 6 inches of the floor for safety.

Possible asbestos flooring in office. recommend installing safety barrier over wholehouse fan.

Replace plastic vent hose on clothes dryer with metal type. Recommend venting



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clothes dryer to exterior.

Improperly supported waste line in crawl space.

PICTURES:Improperly supported waste line.

Crawl space mold.



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Whole house fan.

Plastic dryer vent / internal venting.

Possible asbestos floor tile in office.



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RecommendationsRECOMMENDATIONS:

RECOMMENDATIONS: Air leaks have been detected. There are a variety of materials to eliminate air

passages in attics, basements and living spaces. When leaks are properly sealed, lessair escapes into your attic, or passes through walls, floors and vent stacks, or is drawninto your basement. This procedure also helps prevent moisture problems, includingpeeling paint and structural damage in walls and building cavities. For this reason, airsealing must accompany most attic insulation work. Appliance replacement:Refrigerator, dishwasher and electric cooktop.

Window replacement: Single pane windows. Replace with double panes.

Lighting replacement: installation of compact fluorescent bulbs.

Replacement of wall mount air conditioners.

Insulate water heater lines in basement.

Properly cover / seal wall mount air conditioners during winter months.

Install cover over whole house fan during winter months.

Uncover blocked soffit vents in attic for proper attic ventilation.

Repair / replace gutters and downspouts. Re-grade as required to avoid water /moisture intrusion into basement and crawl space areas.

Maintain proper coverage of dirt floor in crawl space with plastic covering.

Close off tuck under garage area from rest of basement.

Move wood pile from structure to avoid animal / wood destroying insect infestation.



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PICTURESAir conditioner in MBR.

Insulate hot water lines.

Blocked soffit vents.



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Wood pile.

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ENERGY A SSESSMENT - Prochek