Diagnostic Tools

Energy Research Group testing procedure
 
When we arrive at your home, we start an in-depth analysis of the structure's shell using cutting edge equipment. A blower door with the DG-700 digital pressure gauge will be custom fitted to the exterior door and the structure will be pressurized. The pressurization of structure will emphasize any air leaks of the structure allowing the tester and the structures owner to easily visualize leakage using the thermo graphic equipment. (Titanium tetrachloride emits hydrogen gas which is the most abundant element in our atmosphere.)

With this equipment the subtle temperature differences not visible to the naked eye, become abundantly clear in the Infrared Spectrum. Using the detection equipment to find the problem areas will save the owner of the structure year after year on energy bills.
 

The areas most affected by the pressurization will be doors, windows, ducts of heating and cooling systems, chimneys, wall-to-floor joints, wall-to-ceiling joints, junctions of apparatus to the house. Heat guns and manometers will also be employed to further the thoroughness of the test. The heat guns display Temperatures and the manometer read the air pressure in the structure. Temperature and pressure differences in air cause the air to move following the laws of thermodynamics. With these instruments we can further illustrate the cause of unnecessary energy consumption and how to align your structure in a more positive thermodynamic way.

The owner of the structure will get a full diagnostic test of the structure. We will compile all data acquired and give the homeowner a comprehensive report detailing the problem areas and offer solutions to fix the problem.

Blower Door
A blower door is a variable speed fan, mounted in a doorframe, used to pressurize and depressurize a house to measure air leakage.
Flow Hood
A Flow Hood is a device used to measure the amount of air flowing through a register.
Manometer
An instrument that measures the pressure differences between two locations.
Infrared Camera
An infrared camera (video or still) makes an image that shows surface heat variations that can be used to help detect heat losses and air leakageHome Energy Improvement Audit.

If you have an interest in lowering your fuel costs and a few minutes to gather your energy bills, Energy Research Group can find out if your energy use is above average. We will need to enter some common information about your home such as age, square footage, number of occupants and energy bill totals for a consecutive 12-month period (one year). If you don't keep your bills, we can contact your utility company for a 12-month summary for you. To get started, call us at 303-669-4708.