Kennebec HP
Waterville, Maine
(207) 877-5821

Owner: Charlie Holly, Ph.D.
Maine Certified Energy Auditor
BPI Certified Building Analyst
BPI Certified Envelope Pro.
Charlie@KennebecHP.com

Description of Energy Audit

Primary Purposes of Energy Audit:

To document how energy is currently being used in the building.
To identify possible improvements to the building that will lead to increased health and safety, building durability, comfort, decreased energy usage.

Inspections, Measurements, and Diagnostics Performed:

Visual Inspection: A reasonable effort is made to visually inspect (utilizing diagnostic equipment as appropriate), all accessible areas of the building. Areas will not be inspected if doing so would be unsafe, or would likely cause harm to the building, its furnishings, or the occupants.
Insulation Levels: A reasonable effort is made to determine the insulation levels in the building. Techniques used include infrared imaging and probing into existing holes. In most cases, these noninvasive techniques will be sufficient, however, if the auditor and owner agree that it is necessary, a small access hole can be bored into a wall (usually, in a low usage area such as inside a closet). If a hole is bored, the auditor will offer to reseal the hole using caulking or similar functional material. The auditor will NOT be responsible for patching the hole beyond providing a functional seal.

Air Leakage: Air leakage affects heat loss and gain, moisture issues, and indoor air quality. The amount of air leakage in the building is measured by performing a blower door test. A blower door consists of a fan in an adjustable "door" that fits into a door frame. The instruments on the blower door measure how much air the fan must blow to make the house reach a certain air pressure. The pressure difference created between the inside and outside forces air to flow through all the cracks and holes in the building. While the blower door is running, leakage sites can be felt with a hand or seen with an infrared camera. The pressure created by the blower door is otherwise imperceptible.
Note: If the building is found to contain vermiculite (which may contain asbestos), or other toxins that might become airborne during the blower door testing, no blower door testing will be done. In this case, more detailed visual inspections will be used to assess building air leakage.

Combustion Safety: Accessible gas (includes propane) lines are tested for leaks. Gas ovens are tested for CO (carbon monoxide). For each gas or oil primary heating system (or domestic water heater), a visual inspection is performed followed by several combustion safety tests. Secondary heating systems such as a fireplace, wood stove, or gas logs are NOT tested. The energy audit does NOT include cleaning, tuning, repairing, or otherwise modifying heating systems.
Exhaust Fan Flow: The flow rate of all accessible exhaust fans are measured. This may affect recommendations for improving indoor air quality.
Every building is unique, so not every procedure will be needed, or possible, in all cases.

Not A Home Inspection:

The energy audit does NOT assess building code compliance, the electrical system, the plumbing system, or structural issues. The audit does NOT include testing for toxins such as lead paint, asbestos, radon, VOCs, or mold.

Written Report:

The standard report includes:
- A summary of the results of the inspections, measurements, and diagnostics performed during the energy audit (see above)
- An analysis of utility bills supplied by the owner
- A calculation of the building's need for ventilation according to the latest ventilation standards
- A prioritized list of recommended improvements
The energy audit, and written report, are not intended to include all possible building issues, not even all possible energy issues. Rather, the audit and report will focus on those issues that are likely to provide the most value to the owner.
Moisture problems can cause premature failure of building components, mold, and health issues. One objective of the energy audit, and the resulting recommendations, is to minimize the likelihood of future moisture problems in the building. However, Kennebec Home Performance does NOT guarantee that such moisture related problems, and mold problems in particular, will not arise.