Preparing for an audit is straightforward and easy. You’ll need to
- Clean the ashes from your wood-burning fireplace – we don’t want the ashes to blow around when the blower door test is going on.
- Provide access to the attic hatch – we need to gain access to the attic so we can take pictures and assess the attic construction and insulation level.
To qualify for a homeowners’ rebate through Enbridge, you must begin with a “pre-renovation” audit. Once your home renovations are completed, you will need a “post” renovation audit.
Pre-Retrofit Energy Audit
A pre-retrofit audit is conducted to measure the efficiency of your home prior to any upgrades or changes. A typical pre-retrofit audit takes between 1.5 hrs and 2 hours.
What to expect during your Home Energy Audit
The homeowner will need to be home when the Energy Advisor is conducting the audit. There are specific forms for the Homeowner only, to sign. Our Advisor will need to be able to talk with you about the performance and operation of your home. During the Home Energy Audit, the Advisor will conduct a brief interview with you, explaining the process and collecting data. They will then proceed to conduct the testing. During testing, you may be asked to provide access or assistance. Upon completion of testing, our Advisor will discuss any particularly significant or urgent findings.
During this visit the energy advisor will take photos and assess your home and note the following information:
- Geometry of your home
- Attic Construction and insulation levels
- Basement/Crawlspace Construction and insulation levels
- Wall Construction and insulation levels
- Heating and Cooling System
- Domestic Hot Water System
- HRV system
- Type of Windows, Doors and Skylights
- Base loads (Toilet Consumption Level)
A Blower Door Test
A blower door is a special fan mounted with a frame and fabric panel into a standard (non-sliding) exterior doorway of your home. This does not require that the door be removed.
Controlled operation of the fan can create positive or negative pressure in the house. This slight pressure difference between the inside of the house and the outdoors allows easier detection of any leakage into or out of the house and the pressure difference exaggerates air leaks for easier detection and to help locate hidden air pathways through the structure. It also helps quantify the overall tightness of your home and may be used in conjunction with other diagnostic equipment.
If you have an open fireplace, please remove any loose ashes before the inspection so they are not disturbed by air from the chimney during operation of the blower door.
Contrary to what you may have heard, the blower door is not used to simulate weather conditions at your home, it is just a diagnostic tool for professionals trained in interpreting the results.