Boucher Energy Systems: Blower Door Tests

Why A Blower Door Test?
What is A Whole House Comfort Check Up?
How Does a Whole House Comfort Check Up Work?
What Does it Cost?

Why A Blower Door Test?

Boucher Energy has long been known as one of the more innovative HVAC contractors in MetroWest. BES was among the first to offer radiant floor heating systems, high tech Viessmann boilers, mini-duct systems, etc. Because of this knowledge, we have frequently been called out to inspect houses with problems that we initially did not design or install. Those calls have come from Architects, Builders and even other HVAC Contractors. Unfortunately though, the majority of these calls come from disgruntled homeowners who have been left to fend for themselves. We have been very successful at fixing many of these problems as they have been directly related to a problem with the homes’ mechanical systems.

Over the years, we have seen a growing amount of problems that really relate more directly to the envelope of the house and how it interacts with the HVAC system. How can we measure duct leakage or the building envelope? How can we find the source of the drafts the homeowner is complaining about? And, perhaps most importantly, how can we do it in a way that a homeowner can see and understand?

Enter the blower door. Not an actual door, but a diagnostic tool that can measure and record how badly a building leaks. This information is compiled and recorded on a laptop and a report can be printed for the architect, builder or homeowner. In addition, a smoke puffer can be used while the blower door is running to pinpoint those leaks with a harmless smoke, similar to what is used in theater productions. This test is especially helpful as it lets people visualize that is happening.

Click Here to Read The
Department of Energy’s Report

Boucher Energy has also invested in sophisticated instruments to test airflow and leakage in ductwork that can be used along with the blower door to help see how the houses’ mechanical systems interact with each other and the building envelope. We also have sophisticated data loggers for temperature humidity and other IAQ measures.

We are very excited to be able to take this whole house approach to solving comfort issues. Call today if you would like to schedule a Whole House Comfort Checkup.

Whole House Comfort Checkup

A Whole House Comfort Checkup Is A Thorough Evaluation Of All Your Home's Comfort Systems

As a Comfort Institute member contractor, Boucher Energy Systems offers a Whole House Comfort Checkup service as described below.

Buying A New Comfort System?

As described in the CI Special Reports and as recommended by DOE and EPA, before buying a new indoor comfort system, you should ask your heating and cooling contractor for diagnostic testing and computerized equipment sizing calculations.

Do You Have Hot or Cold Spots?
A Whole House Comfort Checkup will help get to the bottom of why, and what you can do about it.

Do Family Members Suffer From Allergies or Asthma?
Your home may be contributing to your suffering. A Whole House Comfort Checkup will help identify ways to make your home healthier and safer.

Is Your Indoor Air Too Dry or Too Humid?
Improper humidity control can cause static shocks, dry skin and bloody noses in the winter and mold, mildew and structural damage in the summer. A Whole House Comfort Checkup will identify ways to help you control the humidity in your home.

Are Your Utility Bills Too High?
According to the Department of Energy, the typical home wastes 25% to 40% of the energy put out by the central furnace, heat pump or air conditioner. Are you throwing away 25¢ to 40¢ out of every utility dollar? Find out if you are and how to stop it!

Here's How A Whole House Comfort Checkup Works
A specially-trained Comfort and Indoor Air Quality Consultant will visit your home and - using advanced diagnostic instruments and testing procedures - will identify problems that affect your indoor living environment. We will then provide you with a personalized plan to solve these problems, permanently.

Initial Consultation
Your checkup starts with an initial interview. Your input provides valuable information, such as whether any rooms feel clammy when the air conditioner is running, or if any parts of the house need to be dusted more often than others. We encourage all the adults in your home to participate in this initial consultation since everyone's perception of comfort and indoor air quality is unique.

Equipment Inspection
The inspection begins with your heating and cooling equipment. Is it efficient, dependable and safe? We will visually inspect your equipment for any signs of deterioration, improper installation, or insufficient maintenance. We will also evaluate your system's air filtration and purification efficiency, to determine if improvements would better clean your indoor air.

Insulation Inspection
Even the best heating and cooling system will have trouble keeping you comfortable or will cost more to run if you don’t have enough insulation. We can visually inspect insulation levels throughout your home and determine if they meet currently recommended levels. More importantly, we will look for hidden defects, such as hollow wall cavities, that allow air and heat to bypass your insulation. Attic ventilation levels will also be checked.

Infiltrometer™ Blower Door Test
All houses should have some air leakage but most leak too much. Symptoms of excessive leakage include uneven temperatures throughout the house, wasted energy, excessive dust, cold drafts, dry air in winter, and clammy air in summer. On the other hand, some homes are too airtight and may have unhealthy indoor air.
To measure a home’s air tightness, Department of Energy scientists at Princeton University invented the blower door instrument. It is often featured in magazines and on television, including National Geographic, Better Homes and Gardens, Popular Science, and This Old House.
Using an Infiltrometer™ (a computerized blower door system) we will evaluate how leaky or airtight your entire home is, and where improvements can be made.

Air Leakage Evaluation
Not all air leaks are created equal. From an air quality standpoint, those around your windows and doors are good leaks, since they let in fresh outdoor air. Bad leaks let in dusty, moldy or polluted air from your attic, garage, or crawl space. Leaky air ducts often bring in dirty air, and cause your heating and cooling equipment to perform well below peak efficiency. As part of the Infiltrometer™ blower door test, we will pinpoint where your home’s worst air leaks are, and where improvements can be made.

Air Flow Diagnosis
If your air duct system has hidden design flaws or blockages, your air flow will be restricted or unevenly distributed. This wastes your money and can make your home uncomfortable. Studies conducted for electric utilities nationwide show that over 66% of heat pumps and air conditioners suffer from this problem. We will conduct 'static pressure' tests - like a blood pressure check for your ducts - to reveal any hidden blockages or design problems.

Electronic Air Flow Capture Hood Test
Do you have rooms that are hard to heat or cool? There are economical solutions. We can use an air flow capture hood to measure precisely how much conditioned air is getting to those rooms (provided the supply vents are accessible). If air flow is low, the causes will be determined, and appropriate solutions will be prescribed.

Personalized Improvement Plan
Once the inspection and testing are complete, we will explain the results, and give you a prioritized plan of recommended improvements. Many - such as adding insulation or weather-stripping - can be performed by homeowners as weekend projects. Other improvements may require professionals. Upon request, we will prepare a proposal for repairs that we can offer you.

What does it Cost?
Call today to schedule your comprehensive blower door test! If you are one of our regular customers with a Preventive Maintenance Plan, the cost is only $175! This is a $175 savings off the regular $350 cost! Call (508) 473-6648 or email today to schedule your Whole House Check Up.

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