1. Home Energy Assessments and Energy Efficiency Upgrades Dane George

2. Home Energy Assessments Program Authority Maintain Computer Modeling Software Administers Rebate Program Energy Advisors Service Organizations

3. Elements of a Home Energy Assessment Visit #1: - Establish Existing Insulation Levels - Survey Heating, Cooling, Hot Water & Ventilation - Blower Door Air Leakage Test - Discuss Upgrade Potential with Homeowner - Energuide Rating - House Report Visit #2: - Inspection of Energy Upgrades - Rebate Potential

4. Home Energy Assessments http://arrowelec.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/ 2010-conservation-pyramidsm.jpg Primarily concerned with: - Air Tightness - Insulation Levels - Heating Systems

5. Where does the heat go? - travels in all directions - conducts through all surfaces - insulation only slows it down Heat travels by: - convection (air movement) - conduction (through materials) - radiation (from objects) Keeping the Heat In, 2013

6. www.clydeanderson.com.au Insulation Information - R-Value is the measurement of thermal resistance - Proper installation is very important - R-value decreases when insulation is compressed - Convection can occur around insulation Keeping the Heat In, 2013

7. Basements Crawlspaces Wall types - Concrete - Stone/mortar - Concrete block/mortar Insulation Options: - Framing + Fiberglass Batts + Drywall - XTPS Rigid Insulation - Polyurethane Sprayfoam

8. Basements and Crawlspaces Look out for signs of: - Structural Damage: Cracks, Shifting - Moisture: Dampness, Effluorescence - Freeze Thaw Cycle (4 ft frost line in Nova Scotia)

9. Basement and Crawlspace Ceilings http://www.energyvanguard.com May or may not be a good option - careful about freezing pipes - no rebates available if the basement contains a heating systems or water pipes - be sure to fasten insulation properly

10. Basement Headers Major Source of heat loss and air leakage. Insulation Options - XTPS rigid insulation (cover with drywall or other fire barrier) - fiberglass batts (don’t forget, don’t compress!) - sprayfoam concrete/wood connection

11. Exposed Floors Any floor overhanging an unheated space - over garages - under bay windows - porches converted into living spaces Insulation Options: - fiberglass Batts + XTPS rigid insulation - polyurethane sprayfoam (careful if there is vinyl flooring)

12. Main Walls Insulation Options: - exterior added insulation: rigid EPS insulation - blown insulation: cellulose, mineral or glass fiber, may have trouble thoroughly insulating - interior added insulation: fiberglass or denim batts, easy install during interior renovations

13. Main Walls Blown Insulation Considerations - condition of wall finish: may result in a “blow out” - plaster may contain asbestos - wood stove flue, avoid due to fire hazard

14. Windows Considerations - air leakage around windows is usually the biggest culprit - “storm” windows increase R- value and reduce air leakage - window installation is very important: caulking, sprayfoam, vapour barrier www.inspectapedia.com

15. Replacing Windows Considerations - only Energy Star windows qualify for rebates - low E coating prevents radiation from passing through - multiple panes - 2, 3 or even 4 - argon gas or similar heavy gas to prevent convection between panes - insulating spacers between components www.fsec.ucf.edu

16. Ceilings www.inspectapedia.com Types - sloped: scissor truss or cathedral - flat roof - attic Insulation Options: - Fiberglass Batts - Blown Insulation

17. Ceilings Insulation Options: - fiberglass batts - blown insulation (cheaper, but messy) Considerations: - furnace/chimney flue fire hazard - attic ventilation - air leakage into attic from house - vermiculite (may contain asbestos)

18. Ceilings Upgrades cautions: - compressed insulation - may result in ice damming - water leaks - damage to roof deck material - condensation and mould growth on ceiling

19. Air Leakage Testing Blower Door Test - depressurizes the house - use your senses to discover drafts - measures air changes per hour (ACH) - estimates equivalent leakage area (ela) - avoid making the house too ‘tight’ without proper ventilation equipment energyconservatory.com www.energyvanguard.com

20. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/hip-backdrafting.html Considerations - avoid making the house too ‘tight’ without proper ventilation equipment - exhaust fans such as dryers, bathfans and range hoods can cause backdrafting - may result in carbon monoxide poisoning - install a carbon monoxide detectors - Home energy assessment will provide a warning if house is too tight Air Leakage Testing

21. http://www.nps.gov/

22. Heating systems Common existing heating systems: - oil furnaces/oil boilers - electric baseboards - wood/pellet stoves Upgrade options: - ductless “mini-split” heat pumps - water-to-air, air-to-water, air-to-air heat pumps - new furnace or boiler with higher efficiency - natural gas – available only in some neighbourhoods

23. Efficiency Nova Scotia Programs for Home Owners - Home Energy Assessment - Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) - Keeping the Heat In - Greenbuildingadvisor.com - Product Installation (light bulbs, tank wrap, pipe insulation, etc.) - Home Energy Report - Home Energy Assessments - Appliance Retirement (do you have an old fridge or freezer?) - Home Heating Solutions (Green Heat) Resources