|
 |
|
It Begins with a Proposal |
|
When we find work which your home will require to save energy and reduce pollution we may offer you a proposal to perform the remedial work. |
|
|
|
It is Done by Trained People |
|
Our employees directly perform about 70% of all work. All of our employees are Green Advantage certified and have had a basic solar training within their first 6 months with us. |
|
|
|
We Seal Your Leaking House |
|
OK, you might ask, so what do your employees do? Over ninety percent of all homes we visit leak more air into them than is required for you and your family to breathe in a healthy way. Many of them leak two to three times the air they should. This excess air then leaks out of your home, carrying your heat and air conditioning. |
|
|
|
Air Sealing is Done by People with Proper Tools |
|
That fancy red and yellow blower door you see in the pictures is an essential tool in the process of air sealing the leaking house. When air sealing we put the blower door in place and we identify air leaks. We then begin to seal air leaks until the blower door says the house is no longer leaking too much air. As a guide we use ASHRAE Standard 62.89. We then may help you to get fresh air in accordance with ASHRAE 62.2. In following these two standards we make sure excess air does not come in or out. At the same time we do not seal the house so tightly that you and your family can not breathe. This work can not be done without trained personnel with an understanding of the standards, a blower door and at least one manometer. With few exceptions, air sealing work must precede any and all other work we do, especially insulation, as insulation with out proper air sealing and moisture control can make your house a very unhealthy place to be! |
|
|
|
We Then Move to Moisture Control |
|
Usually, as, or before we perform air sealing we are looking to minimize moisture entering especially through the roof and foundation. If you have moisture issues we will generally try to address them in our proposals. |
|
|
|
It Continues with Improving the Thermal Boundary |
|
Improving the thermal boundary around your home means we try to envelope your house with as continuous a layer of good insulation as is possible. So, based on the audit results, and an auditor's prescription, home performance contractors might add insulation. When we are done we may scan your home with an infrared camera to verify we have accomplished this objective. Adding insulation to a home before air sealing the home can lead to undesired circumstances: we will rarely add insulation anywhere before air sealing and moisture control. |
|
|
|
Sometimes it is Done by Our Certified Subcontractors |
|
IF our auditing discovers it would pay you back to install a new heater, boiler or furnace, air conditioner, or hot water heater, we have certified strategic partners who can accomplish these goals. We use registered master plumbers, NABCEP certified personnel and an FSEC certified Solar Electrician. |
|
|
|
Testing Out |
|
When all of our work has been completed we perform a series of post tests which are included in our audit fee. Your house is then given a final HERS score. If it has earned an energy star placard, we will arrange the paperwork for you to receive one. So, when you want to know why we charge a bit more, test out is one of many reasons why: There are no hidden add ons and all of our pricing is up front and include test out. |
|
|
|
Quality Control |
|
Beyond monitoring our auditing, PA HOME ENERGY audits the entire home performance contract. Such a contract is followed by our testing the building when we are through so we can make sure we achieved the desired result. We then report our final test results to PA Home Energy. For value, for peace of mind, for a validation of results there is nothing offered in Pennsylvania which can even come close to PA Home Energy for Audit and Home Performance contracting quality. |
|
|
|
Financing |
|
We work with the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, with Chad Bahnsen at American Eagle Mortgage, and with Keystone HELP to make sure you can move forward with the work we perform for you. Usually, one of these three sources can craft a loan for you whose payment will cost you less than the monthly energy savings achieved through the Audit and home performance contracting process, resulting in positive cash flow for you. |
|
|
