What we do:
Analysis
1. Energy auditing
The Green Homes Blue Sky energy audit is a very comprehensive home analysis. The audit includes an initial interview with the family, a survey of all house components (for example, attic insulation levels and window conditions), a blower door air infiltration test, a combustion analysis of fuel-fired space and hot water heating equipment, gas leak testing, checking for mold, moisture, and other health and safety problems, and the evaluation of opportunities for solar and rain water collection and storm water management. During the audit we also examined water and energy consumption of the home’s lighting, plumbing, and appliances and then offer reduction strategies..
For an additional fee, the homeowner can also receive an infrared scan of the house during the audit or a cost-benefit analysis.
All information learned during the audit is assembled in a house-specific report that is emailed soon afterward.
2. Home Energy Rating
Green Homes Blue Sky is certified to perform RESNET home energy rating system (HERS). The rating is an evaluation of a home usually under construction with walls, floors, ceilings, windows and doors all measured and analyzed their heat flow properties and heat transfer between the inside of the house and the unconditioned spaces beyond. During the rating the house’s air infiltration rate and duct leaks are measured. The efficiency rates of heating and cooling equipment are also determined.
The result is an efficiency score that can be used to acquire more favorable housing loans.
3. Blower door testing
A blower door-assisted air infiltration test is performed by our staff for a number of different purposes. It is an integral part of any initial audit or analysis and tells the homeowner the rate of air infiltration as well as the location of the air leaks. Green Homes Blue Sky staff also use the blower door when doing air infiltration reduction work to identify air leakage sites, check the success of our air infiltration efforts, and to make sure that the house’s air exchange rate does not fall below minimum ventilation standards.
4. Infrared thermography
Infrared scanning equipment is now the newest analytical tool used by Green Homes Blue Sky. By measuring temperature difference and then visually showing this ,the equipment allows you and our staff to peer non-evasively through walls, floors, and ceilings to discover whether inaccessible parts of the house are insulated, where air is moving in hidden chases or around insulation, or where water may be damaging interior building components.
5. Combustion System Analysis
A Combustion system analyzer is employed on all Green Homes Blue Sky projects where gas, oil, or propane appliances are present. This not only includes the energy audit but also during air sealing, insulation, or any other conservation or construction work we do in your home. The house is a confluence of systems that interact with each other and canin certain circumstances negatively impact each other. A tighter house can effect the operation of combustion appliance and the venting of gaseous byproducts We check these appliances after the energy conservation work is complete. It is our goal is to make your home more energy conservative while maintain the health and safety of your indoor environment. We will test and measure carbon monoxide levels, system efficiency, and flue and chimney draft.
The information resulting from the audit and home evaluation is important and empowering, however, that knowledge in itself does not save a nickel unless it is followed by action.
Action
1. Insulating and Air Sealing Ductwork
Each heating and cooling system has an operational efficiency calculated by dividing output in btus by the inputted energy in btus). A high efficiency furnace operating in the mid-90’s or a highly rated energy efficient central air conditioning system can still be very inefficient if their distribution system (supply or return ducts) leak air to the outside or are uninsulated in unconditioned attics or crawl spaces. Green Homes Blue Sky seals and insulates ductwork.
2. Weatherization
Green Homes Blue Sky can also weatherize your home by air sealing, weatherstripping doors, insulating walls, ceiling, and floors, installing water conservation measures, and retrofitting lighting.
3. Home Repair and Renovation
These conservation measures may sometimes be insufficient in themselves without other related home repairs. Where house conditions warrant we can also do high quality home repairs and renovations that will make the weatherization measures perform at their peak. An example of this might be a weatherstripped door that is still an inefficient air leaker because it has a faulty hinge that needs to be fixed. Or, it may be unproductive to caulk a ceiling crack when there is a ceiling hole that should be closed in, finished and sealed with a drywall patch. If you have a cold floor over a colder but accessible crawl space, we can weatherize that space to bring more comfort to your family. We can rebuild walls and ceilings, repair or replace doors and windows, build, insulate, and seal, new attic hatches or do other renovations that will make your weatherization project successful.
4. General Contracting
While we can do many conservation tasks there are other green trades and services that go beyond our training or experience. We also offer you green general contracting services where we will bring in highly qualified subcontractors or do certain tasks required to complete your job. We will estimate jobs, schedule the work or subs, coordinate it with our work, and get the project done in a timely manner.
5. Building Performance Contracting
Finally, as the job is completed we can do a follow up inspection to check for adequate ventilation or for any possible backdrafting problems of the combustion appliances. We follow the protocol established by Maryland Energy Administration’s new Maryland Home Performance with Energy Star Program.