What is Building Performance Science?

Simply speaking, Building Performance Science is the application of  the physics of the natural world to measured performance values, individual to each home, and using the results to pinpoint structural and/or mechanical deficiencies that create less efficiency and an uncomfortable living space.

This link shows a video demonstrating how Thermal Cameras are used for Building Diagnostics

How do we do it?

By measuring the tightness of the Building Envelope with a Blower Door, we measure the uncontrolled air leakage from your home. This test either pressurizes or depressurizes your home to a pressure of 50 pascals, and gives us a reading in cubic feet per minute of the air infiltration (or exfiltration) of your building shell. With smoke tests and a Thermal Imaging Camera, we are able to find the exact locations of the home’s leakage.

By measuring the tightness of the forced air system’s duct work with a Duct Blaster, we pressurize the ducting system in much the same way that we pressurize a house. Did you know that an average home’s ductwork leaks 40% of the air that should be cooling or heating its living space? Many people have oversized HVAC systems that try to compensate with extra tonnage for this leakage in the ductwork (and also in the envelope), creating a system that uses much more energy than necessary, cycles on and off needlessly, is noisy, and fails to create a comfortable temperature in all areas of the conditioned space.

With an Air Flow Hood, we measure the amount of airflow, in CFM, that is delivered from each supply register, and the airflow of the return as well. By calculating the room’s size, we can use this information to adjust the airflow in each room (if the duct system has been properly installed and sealed in the first place), so that the home is conditioned evenly.

With a Combustion Gas Analyzer, we can test your combustion appliances (furnace, water heater, stove, etc.) for excessive carbon monoxide production. Carbon monoxide is a major cause of poisoning and accidental deaths in the United States… approximately 200 people die and over 40,000 are treated for poisoning each year. We also check every gas pipe connection and fitting for leaks, as well.

When conducting a Combustion Safety Test, we use a Manometer, to measure pressure variations from one space to the next. By using this device, we are able to set up a Worst Case Scenario in which we try to depressurize the home using its own exhaust appliances (bath fans, range hood, dryer, forced air unit) in order to force the combustion appliances to backdraft. Backdrafting means that the combustion gasses (including carbon monoxide) that normally flow safely up the flue, are affected so much by depressurization that they are drawn back down into the living area and create an unsafe condition.

Why would we want to do this? Because it is imperative to know that in no case, regardless of how your home is configured, will the occupant’s safety be in peril. We always “test-in” a home before the work begins, and “test-out” at the end in order to ensure that any alterations that we have made do not affect your safety.

With a Wattmeter, we can check the energy draw from appliances, computers, flat-screens, and so forth in order to give you a comprehensive report on your baseline energy usage. In addition to all this advanced equipment, we have the experience and training to give your house a visual inspection that can point out areas of possible water intrusion, landscape watering issues, grading, window condition, roof condition, and a multitude of other problems that may affect your health or the well-being of your structure.

Energy upgrades will help optimize your home’s energy efficiency going forward and make your home greener now. Through the Program, you may also:

* Get up to $4,000 in incentives
* Realize long-term energy savings
* Help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
* Increase the comfort and indoor air quality of your home

Which Projects Are Eligible?

Each home’s needs are unique, so a variety of upgrades will be supported. Select what’s best for you and your home.
Basic Upgrade package

Get $1,000 in incentives when you complete this package of projects:

* Air sealing
* Attic insulation
* Duct test and seal
* Pipe wrap of domestic hot water heater
* Low-flow showerhead with, or in addition to, thermostatic valve control
* Combustion Safety Test

Advanced Upgrade package

Get up to $4,000 in incentives when you achieve a specified reduction* in your home’s energy consumption by completing the following:

* Measures in the Basic Upgrade package
* Wall Insulation
* Proper sizing of hot water system and heating and cooling system
* Energy efficient windows, cool roofs, and other permanently affixed measures

The program is currently targeting a 40% reduction in home energy consumption for maximum incentives. The program may likely include partial incentives for achieving lower energy reduction goals. Further details will be forthcoming.

For more information about the program visit EnergyUpgradeCalifornia.org.

We hold certifications from Build It Green, an organization dedicated to sustainable, efficient, and healthy home-building techniques, as a Certified Green Building Professional and as a Green-Point Advisor. We are also certified by the Building Performance Institute as both Analyst and Building Envelope Specialist, by the EPA as a Lead-Safe Contractor, and by Calcerts as a HERS (home efficiency rating system) Rater.

Please contact us for a free consultation regarding your home-building or comfort needs.

323-359-3827

Energy Upgrade California (EUC) is a statewide program that provides rebates to homeowners who hire participating contractors to install energy efficiency upgrades. Energy Upgrade California takes a “house-as-a-system” approach that looks at the house as one large system rather than simply examining individual components (e.g., HVAC, lighting, and windows) separately.

Rebates through EUC are distributed by many utility providers across the state. The California Building Performance Contractors Association (CBPCA) is administering a pilot version of this program for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), and Southern California Edison (SCE) and Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) territories. Though the utility provider itself issues the rebate check to the homeowner, CBPCA oversees contractor admission to the program, submission of home performance data, home performance energy modeling, quality assurance and quality control, and rebate authorization. Additionally, CBPCA provides contractor mentoring and training.

There are two packages offered in the Energy Upgrade California Program. The Basic Package involves completing a pre-determined set of retrofit measures to the home for a fixed rebate of $1,000. The Advanced Package involves a customized scope of work based on diagnostic testing, contractor recommendations, and homeowner goals. The rebate value depends on the percentage of energy savings modeled for each home and can reach up to $4,000 or $5,000, depending on the home’s utility service provider.
The details for each Package varies slightly depending on the home’s energy provider.

Southern California Edison (SCE) and Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) territories.

Incentives of up to $4,000 are available to SCE customers with detached single-family homes who complete qualifying energy-saving home upgrade projects. With a variety of participation options, you can correct your home’s energy inefficiencies and reduce your monthly utility bills.*
Why Upgrade?

Energy upgrades will help optimize your home’s energy efficiency going forward and make your home greener now. Through the Program, you may also:

* Get up to $4,000 in incentives
* Realize long-term energy savings
* Help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
* Increase the comfort and indoor air quality of your home

Which Projects Are Eligible?

Each home’s needs are unique, so a variety of upgrades will be supported. Select what’s best for you and your home.
Basic Upgrade package

Get $1,000 in incentives when you complete this package of projects:

* Air sealing
* Attic insulation
* Duct test and seal
* Pipe wrap of domestic hot water heater
* Low-flow showerhead with, or in addition to, thermostatic valve control
* Combustion Safety Test

Advanced Upgrade package

Get up to $4,000 in incentives when you achieve a specified reduction* in your home’s energy consumption by completing the following:

* Measures in the Basic Upgrade package
* Wall Insulation
* Proper sizing of hot water system and heating and cooling system
* Energy efficient windows, cool roofs, and other permanently affixed measures

The program is currently targeting a 40% reduction in home energy consumption for maximum incentives. The program may likely include partial incentives for achieving lower energy reduction goals. Further details will be forthcoming.

For more information about the program visit Energy Upgrade California.

In addition to our historic work, we use the most up-to-date techniques in green & sustainable building, and are invested heavily in Building Performance Science… an application of advanced diagnostic equipment that precisely measures a building’s “tightness”. Processing the data from our testing equipment, we can then provide a complete diagnostic at the job’s beginning, and show you results with our “test-out” at the end of our work.

So, not only do we work to give you impeccable finish work, but the underlying structure is also prepared to last for many years to come. Plus, we strive to make your home not only more efficient, but even more importantly, more comfortable.

We hold certifications in the following:
•    Building Performance Institute Analyst & Envelope Specialist
•    Build-It-Green Certified Green Builder
•    EPA Renovation, Repair, & Paint Lead-Safe Contractor
•    Green Point Advisor
•    Calcerts HERS Rater
•    Approved Contractor for Energy Upgrade California