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Old 01-19-14, 02:00 PM   #18
jeff5may
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Default Site survey

The most important part in ensuring that your heat pump will do its job well is a thorough site survey. There are many systems operating inefficiently as we speak as a direct result of an insufficient site survey. Not only are these systems providing a lower level of comfort, they are wasting energy every day. Extra time, effort and money spent identifying what you have to begin with will pay for itself many times over during the life of the system.

A good site survey always begins with an energy audit. Even if your home is brand new, you cannot assume that there are no opportunities to save energy. Many power utility companies will perform an energy audit on your home for free. Others will refer you to a certified third party who may do the audit for free. Even if it costs you something, the information gleaned from the audit will provide you with valuable information.

Before the energy auditor visits your house, make a list of any existing problems such as condensation and uncomfortable or drafty rooms. Jot down a quick estimate describing the dwelling (square footage of heated spaces, number of occupants, which rooms are in use, typical summer and winter thermostat settings). Have copies or a summary of the home's yearly energy bills. (Your utility can get these for you.) Auditors use this information to establish what to look for during the audit, and having this information available beforehand will allow the auditor more time to focus on taking measurements.

When the auditors arrive, they will begin by assessing the outside of the property and/or asking you questions mentioned above. Your answers may help uncover some simple ways to reduce your household's energy consumption. Walk through your property with the auditors as they work, and ask questions. They should be using equipment to detect sources of energy loss, such as blower doors, infrared cameras, leak checkers, furnace efficiency meters, and surface thermometers. Simple "rule of thumb" calculations from sketchy measurements are not what you want.

Make sure the auditors are granted access into anywhere they ask. Equipment closets, roofs, attics, crawl spaces, and other usually unoccupied areas should be accessible. The more places they can look, the more information they can gather. The less places they look, the more gaps your audit will have in it, raising the uncertainty of the audit.

The energy audit should also include an appraisal of your existing heating and cooling system, if equipped. The overall heating and/or cooling efficiency should be measured. Ducting on both supply and return side should be evaluated. Airflow should be measured or calculated. They will also look at you water heating system.

Once the auditors are done gathering information, they may want to sit down and talk about their preliminary findings. If you are offered this opportunity, do not pass it up. These highly trained professionals are a valuable source of information. The whole experience may seem to be a sales meeting, and in a way, it is. That doesn't mean you're going to hurt anybody's feelings if you turn down their offer. But it will help you realize your goals and begin to form a plan.

Sometime after the audit is done, you should receive a written report detailing the findings of the audit. It should contain calculations of your heating and cooling loads, the relative energy efficiency of your home, and the condition of your equipment, among other things. It should contain recommendations of areas that need repairs or upgrades. It may or may not contain some kind of estimate as to the cost of labor and equipment.

Do not ignore the findings of this audit. Pay attention to any structural, health or safety issues found during the audit. Take heed of the items high on the list, as the auditors prioritize their analysis by what will pay for itself first. By recognizing these issues before any work is done, you may end up with a much more comfortable and valuable house in the end. In any case, the sooner problems with the home's energy efficiency are dealt with, the sooner you can start saving money. Addressing simple issues like adding insulation and sealing leaks can save you from needing a larger heat pump system, saving hundreds or thousands of dollars up front.

Last edited by jeff5may; 02-01-14 at 02:42 PM.. Reason: words
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