Draft Testing

One of the Energy Audit services we provide is Air Draft Testing for your home. You may already know of some problem drafty areas in your home, maybe under a door or around a window, but our draft testing helps find those the less obvious gaps or voids throughout your house.

We offer a thorough and accurate measurement of air leakage using a blower door test, which depressurizes a home and reveals the location of these pesky leaks. Our energy assessment will not only help determine leaks, but also point to any areas of your home that are devoid of insulation.

Some of the areas we will inspect as we do a draft test include:

On the outside of your house, we will inspect all areas where two different building materials meet, including:

• Exterior corners
• Exterior water spigots
• Chimney penetrations and intersections
• Foundation joints with walls and siding

Inside your home, we will inspect around the following areas for any cracks and gaps that could cause air leaks:

• Electrical outlet boxes
• Switch plate covers
• Windows and exterior doors
• Utility service entrances – cable, gas, and electrical
• Fireplace dampers
• Attic access panels
• Dryer vents
• Exterior fan vents

We also look at gaps around pipes and wires, foundation seals, and mail slots. We will inspect any caulking or weather stripping to see if they correctly applied and in working condition.

Drafting of Appliances

In addition to the air coming into the home, we are concerned also with how the air is being expelled out of the home.  Mostly toxic air that appliances rely on atmospheric drafting. Residential appliances including hot water heaters, boilers, furnaces can produce harmful carbon monoxide (CO), and rely on the natural drafting of chimneys to expel this gas.  This is known as the “Stack Effect”.  As the home is increased in tightness, that natural ability to expel those gases is reduced.  Modern appliances are now moving to a direct vent system to make sure they are released out of the home’s envelope.

As certified auditors, checking of these devices is part of our services.  We use highly calibrated and sophisticated equipment to help identify the problems.  It is important that any changes in the home’s dynamics through remodeling or upgrades do not create a back-drafting issue.