Kennebec HP
Waterville, Maine
(207) 877-5821
Owner: Charlie Holly, Ph.D.
Maine Certified Home Performance Assessmentor
BPI Certified Building Analyst
Charlie@KennebecHP.com
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Description of Home Performance Assessment:
Primary Purposes of Home Performance Assessment:
- To document how energy is currently being used in the building
- To identify possible improvements to the building that will lead to increased comfort, health and safety,
building durability, or 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 assessor 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 assessor will offer to reseal the hole using caulking or similar functional material. The
assessor 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.
- 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 assessment 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.
- Electrical Usage Metering: Older (8 years or more) refrigerators are often good candidates for
replacement. If necessary, and access can be gained, the refrigerator may be metered to estimate its
annual energy usage.
- Not A Home Inspection: The assessment does NOT assess building code compliance, the electrical
system, the plumbing system, or structural issues. The assessment does NOT include testing for toxins such as
lead paint, asbestos, radon, VOCs, or mold.
- Every building is unique, so not every procedure will be needed, or possible, in all cases.
Written Report:
- The standard report includes:
- A summary of the results of the inspections, measurements, and diagnostics performed during the assessment (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
- Detailed cost/benefit analysis can be provided at extra cost. Note: A Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) loan application (for the 1% loan) will require this extra level of analysis.
- The assessment, and written report, are not intended to include all possible building issues, not even all
possible energy issues. Rather, the assessment 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 assessment, 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.
Identifying Qualified Contractors:
- As part of the standard assessment package, Kennebec Home Performance will help identify qualified contractors to install recommended improvements, and will communicate via email and/or phone with those contractors to ensure that the intent of the recommended improvements is understood.
- For an added fee, Kennebec Home Performance can return to the building while the improvement work is in progress to further ensure that the intended improvements and the Maine Home Performance standards for those improvements are understood.
- Also for an added fee, Kennebec Home Performance will perform a final inspection of the improvement work. Note: a 1% HELP loan requires a final inspection.
- Kennebec Home Performance CANNOT guarantee or warranty any work performed by other companies, even if that work was
recommended by Kennebec Home Performance
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