Energy Audits
Perform energy audits for homes and businesses, Energy audits are provided in one of three levels:
1. Energy Survey
2. Diagnostic Survey
3. Comprehensive Energy Audit
Diagnostic surveys and comprehensive energy audits include use of diagnostic equipment to measure actual building performance and may include blower door testing, infrared imaging, duct pressure testing, CO monitoring, electrical load analysis, and indoor air quality measurements. The comprehensive audit may also include engineered analysis of various possible energy conservation measures.
Energy conservation measures cover a wide spectrum. Weatherizing, window upgrades, insulation retrofits can achieve large energy savings but can be disruptive changes. Mechanical system upgrades such as ground-source heat pumps, solar heating, photovoltaic panels, biomass heat, and wind power are just some of the options. Wasatch Energy Engineering can assist you in analyzing the options for your energy upgrade project.
Energy Ratings
Provide certified third-party Home Energy Ratings as per RESNET standards. Ratings are either "Projected Ratings" (ratings from plans), or "Confirmed Ratings" (ratings form field inspection and testing). The resulting HERS Index Score is required by ENERGY STAR for Homes, NAHB Green, and LEED for Homes as a metric of the home's energy usage. These programs each require additional inspections and documentation from the energy rater for home certification.
Green Program CertificationsWasatch Energy Engineering is an accredited Verifier under NAHB's National Green Building Certification system, which certifies homes to the National Green Building Standard. We also are authorized by the USGBC's system provider Build Green Utah as a Green Rater for the certification of homes under the LEED for Homes program. These programs work with the DOE's ENERGY STAR for New Homes and Builder's Challenge programs which we also service as an Energy Star Partner.HVAC Load Calculations and Design
The current IECC Energy Code, IRC and IBC codes require that HVAC equipoment be sized by analysing the heating and cooling loads room-by-room by ACCA Manual J load calculaiton methods. Wasatch Energy Engineering provides this as a service to builders and architects with detailed load calculations and report using methods and software certified by ACCA that show room by room heat loss/gains and heating/AC equipment loads. Many jurisdictions now require this information at time of building permit application.
Wasatch Energy Egineering also provides Manual D duct sizing calculaitons as well as complete HVAC system design services. We can work with your HVAC contractor by providing detailed duct sizing calculations based upon his system layout, or we can provide the complete design with mechanical drawings and calculations.
For a detailed price list on load calculaitons and HVAC design services please send us an email request.
Infrared Imaging
The use of infrared or "thermal" imaging cameras allow non-invasive diagnostics of many building conditions. Wasatch Energy Engineering offers thermal imaging services for evaluation of anomalies which could indicate air leakage, energy loss, locating the potential for hidden condensation, low slope roof surveys and other applications designed to meet your requirements. In many cases defects in the building envelope, roof, foundation, etc. can not be spotted visually and thermal imaging equipment allows us to use thermal anomalies to track these defects for further investigation and verification.
To see an example (PDF file) of a Thermal Imaging Report click here.
To see a detailed study by Louisiana State of homes using Thermal Imaging click here.
This infrared image shows cold areas in ceiling soffits (blue) due to ineffective insulation
Indoor Air Quality
Much of an average person's life is spent indoors, where the quality of air will affect one's health. Allergies, asthma, and other illnesses can often be linked to poor indoor air quality. Wasatch Energy Engineering can help you improve your indoor environment by helping with ventilation systems, energy recovery ventilators, and advanced air filtration systems. Also, much of Utah is either rated moderate or high hazard level for Radon, which can be tested for and controlled with special soil ventilation mitigation system.
Energy Code Consulting
The current building code incorporates the IECC-2006 energy code. This code allows under section 404 a "Simulated Performance Alternative" to the prescriptive building thermal envelope specifications. This alternative requires the use of special certified compliance software tools and reports following prescribed calculation procedures. Wasatch Energy Engineering can provide this as a service to the design team which gives credit for design features such as passive solar design, photovoltaic panels, solar heating systems etc. This approach has the additional advantage of giving you an early indication of compliance with Energy Star, Built Green, and LEED for Homes certification programs. To see the full amount of information that is produced take a look at this Example Energy Code Certification Package (720 KB pdf). For projects requiring the simpler Total UA alternative, we can instead perform the needed REScheck calculations.
Blower Door Testing
Air leakage in buildings represents from 5% to 40% of the space-conditions costs. Controlling air leakage is one of the most important functions of weatherization, and often one of the most difficult. In addition to reducing energy costs other goals of air leakage control are to; increase comfort, enhance structure durability, provide cleaner indoor environment, reduce insect infestation, and enhance fire safety.
Wasatch Energy Engineering uses a Blower Door to do a calibrated test of a building's air leakage rate. The building is put under either negative or positive space pressurization using a calibrated fan/flow measuring device called a blower door. Often additional diagnostics testing is used to help determine where air leakage is occurring using Infrared Imaging or a smoke generator.
A Blower Door test is performed during a Confirmed Home Energy Rating and may also be used as part of a Diagnostic Survey or Comprehensive Energy Audit.
A Blower Door fitted into a doorway with fan system below and digital instruments mounted above.
Duct Blaster Testing
Studies from throughout America indicate that duct leakage typically wastes 10% to 30% of the heating or cooling energy purchased by the homeowner. If duct leakage is detected, and the duct systems are accessible, ductwork can be sealed using code approved methods to greatly reduce this loss of energy.
Wasatch Energy Engineering uses a Duct Blaster to do a calibrated test of the HVAC system's ductwork to determine the amount of duct leakage. These tests are required for new construction green certifications. On existing homes where ductwork runs in unconditioned spaces such as attics or crawlspaces duct leakage can be detected and sealing work prescribed.
Duct Blaster shown connected to ductwork via a return air grille. May also be done directly at furnace.
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