Home Energy Audits, HERS Ratings, Blower Door Tests, and More…
As home inspectors, we are actively in-tune with modern energy requirements. Because of this, we created Scott Energy Services, a division of Scott Home Services, LLC, dedicated to helping homeowners and builders meet their energy requirements.
The builder and contractor community is under pressure from the ever changing energy codes (IECC) to build houses more energy efficiently, and to meet specific and sometimes stringent standards. Most of these energy standards require addition plan preparation (i.e. RESchecks and HERS Ratings) and on-site testing (Blower Door and Duct Leakage testing.)
With our home inspection experience, together with our energy efficiency expertise, we can help expedite the process of meeting your energy needs by providing all the required energy services, plus high-quality customer services and technical support.
RESNET Establishes rules for the energy rating industry
In 1995 RESNET was founded to develop a national market for home energy ratings and energy efficient mortgages. One main goal of RESNET was the development of standards for quality of rating services. The standards set the national procedures for home energy ratings, and include testing and accreditation for raters and providers, development of verification processes for homes meeting ENERGY STAR® and energy efficient building standards, as well as meeting local Energy Code compliance.
The home is compared to a hypothetical reference home which is based on the IECC 2004, and the home is then provided with a rating. The rating can be a numerical HERS rating or a ‘star’ rating based upon ENERGY STAR® requirements.
A certified HERS Rater follows a prescribed standard for how a home is measured, verified and rated, and must comply with national standards to continue to perform certified ratings.
Insulation Status in Walls and Vaulted Ceilings – the walls and vaulted ceilings of the home will be scanned and reviewed, to help determine the status of the insulation present, whether gaps and voids exist, and whether missing areas are present.
Moisture Issues – during the scanning of the home, potential moisture issues or hidden leaks may be detectable that would otherwise not be seen with a visual review. If areas of moisture are detected, a moisture meter can be used to verify the concern, prompting a recommendation for further evaluation.
Electrical Concerns – the electric panel can be scanned for over-heating and over-current conditions that may exist and not otherwise be visually detectable.
Hidden Roof Leaks – the roof sheathing in the attic can be scanned, looking for wet areas or potential leak areas that also may not otherwise be visually detectable.
Air Running Across ceiling in KitchenInfra-red technology is not without limitations, and is not perfect. The images presented need to be interpreted, and often further investigation is needed to verify the findings. The technology does not see through walls, but merely displays the surface temperature of the area being scanned. However, wet areas are usually colder, insulation gaps are colder or warmer, and electric concerns tend to be warmer.
As a tool available to a home inspector, infra-red technology provides another unique way to inspect a home. When combined with the experience of home systems and building science, and the knowledge of how to interpret the images being displayed, IR scanning can aid the home inspector in finding potentially hidden concerns.
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Read the Popular Mechanics article where our founder George Scott was interviewed regarding energy efficiency in homes. Our longevity in the industry can help you reach your energy efficiency goals and requirements.
