January 9, 2024 by Eco Three

What is a Blower Door Test and Why Should You Care?

What is a Blower Door Test and Why Should You Care?

Have you ever wondered how snug and energy-efficient your home or business truly is? While drafts and high heating bills might offer some clues, there's a more precise way to understand your home or business's hidden leaks – the mighty blower door test.

What is a Blower Door Test?

Imagine a powerful fan mounted on a sturdy frame, sealing into your doorway like a determined party crasher. That's essentially a blower door! This nifty contraption pressurizes or depressurizes your home or business, revealing even the tiniest air leaks that might be sucking out your precious energy savings.

How Does it Work?

The blower door test follows a meticulous process:

Buttoning Up: All windows, doors, and other external openings are shut tight, except for the blower door frame.
Fan Frenzy: The powerful fan kicks in, creating a pressure difference between inside and outside.
Leakage Unveiled: Air whooshes through any cracks or gaps in your home or business's envelope, exposing hidden pathways for energy loss.
Data Dive: Specialized software measures the airflow and calculates your home or business's air changes per hour (ACH) – a key metric of air leakage.

Benefits for Your home or business Energy:

A blower door test isn't just a party trick for air currents; it offers a treasure trove of benefits for your home or business's energy efficiency:

Pinpoint Leaks: Identify the exact locations of air leaks, from sneaky attic gaps to poorly sealed basements.
Targeted Solutions: Fix leaks effectively, prioritizing the biggest culprits for maximum energy savings.
Comfort Boost: Plugging leaks improves indoor air quality and draftiness, creating a cozier and more comfortable living space.
Savings Spree: Reduced air leakage translates to lower energy bills, keeping your wallet happy and the planet cool.
Smarter Upgrades: Knowing your home or business's airtightness helps you make informed decisions about insulation, ventilation, and other energy-saving improvements.

Investing in a blower door test is an investment in your home or business's comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term value. It's like having an X-ray for your home or business's energy performance, empowering you to make targeted improvements that truly make a difference.

Ready to Unseal the Secrets of Your home or business?

If you're curious about your home or business's energy leaks, a blower door test is an excellent starting point. Contact a qualified energy auditor in your area to schedule a test and unlock the path to a more comfortable, efficient, and sustainable home or business.

Bonus Tip: Blower door tests can also be used to assess ductwork performance and ensure proper ventilation. Talk to your energy auditor about the specific benefits for your home or business.

I hope this blog post has helped you understand the power of blower door tests! Contact Eco Three today to learn more about blower door tests and energy audits and how we can help you save money on your energy bills.

Birmingham Area Office: 205-314-3500
Gulf Coast Area Office: 251-615-1330
Emerald Coast Area Office: 850-389-5681

November 30, 2023 by Eco Three

Six Cost & Energy Saving Heating Tips

As winter’s harsh winds blow and temperatures plummet, both homeowners and businesses face the challenge of maintaining a comfortable indoor environment while keeping energy consumption in check. While it may seem like a daunting task, there are several simple yet effective strategies you can implement to improve heating efficiency and reduce your energy bills, both at home and in your commercial space.

Harness the Power of Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are often associated with summer cooling, but their benefits extend to the winter months as well. During the winter, set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise. This simple adjustment creates an updraft that circulates warm air from the ceiling back down into the room, providing a more even distribution of heat and reducing the reliance on your heating system.

Seal Up Air Leaks

cold window — Photo by Ozgu Ozden on Unsplash

Drafty doors, windows, and other openings can act as gateways for heat to escape and cold air to enter, significantly impacting your home’s or business’s energy efficiency. To combat this, conduct a thorough inspection of your building’s exterior and interior, identifying any cracks, gaps, or openings around windows, doors, and vents. Seal these openings using weatherstripping, caulk, or other appropriate materials to create a tight barrier and prevent heat loss.

Embrace the Sun’s Natural Heat

sunlight onto table — Photo by Maurice DT on Unsplash

Maximize the sun’s free and renewable energy by strategically positioning your windows. On the south, east, and west sides of your building, open curtains and blinds during daylight hours to allow sunlight to stream in and warm up your workspace or living areas. At night, close curtains and blinds to trap the heat inside and prevent it from escaping.

Smart Power Strips for Energy Conservation

Light Streaks Timelapse — Photo by Federico Beccari on Unsplash

Phantom energy consumption, also known as standby power, refers to the electricity used by electronic devices even when they are turned off or in standby mode. Smart power strips can help you eliminate this unnecessary energy drain by automatically cutting off power to devices when not in use. Look for smart power strips with features like individually controlled outlets and energy monitoring capabilities to further optimize your energy savings.

Filter Replacement for Optimal Efficiency

screwdriver on metal box — Photo by Tekton on Unsplash

Regular filter replacement is crucial for maintaining your HVAC system’s optimal performance and overall energy efficiency. Choose high-efficiency filters with a MERV rating suitable for your system. These filters effectively trap dust, pollen, and other airborne pollutants, improving indoor air quality and allowing your system to operate more efficiently. Replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer to maintain peak performance.

Schedule Regular Maintenance for HVAC Systems

maintenance worker — Photo by Emmanuel Ikwuegbu on Unsplash

Just like any important machine, your HVAC system requires regular maintenance to ensure its longevity and peak efficiency. Schedule semi-annual service calls with a qualified technician to inspect and clean key components such as coils, fans, and ducts. This preventive maintenance can help prevent breakdowns, extend the system’s lifespan, and optimize energy efficiency, saving you money in the long run.

By implementing these simple yet effective tips, you can significantly improve your home’s or business’s heating efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower your winter energy bills. Enjoy a comfortable and warm environment while also saving money and contributing to environmental sustainability. Remember, a little effort can go a long way in keeping your heating costs down and your environment healthier.

Contact Eco Three today to learn more about spray foam insulation and how we can help you save money on your energy bills.

Birmingham Area Office: 205-314-3500
Gulf Coast Area Office: 251-615-1330
Emerald Coast Area Office: 850-389-5681

November 10, 2023 by Eco Three

Energy Upgrades That Make Sense

Attic Dust — Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

A Couple of Energy Upgrades That Make Sense

According to Energy Star, the average US household spends over $2,000 per year on energy. That’s about $170 per month, but HVAC, lighting, and home performance issues can push that figure upward. As your energy efficiency experts, Eco Three is ready to assist with helping you navigate how to reduce your home or businesses energy costs.

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Leaky ductwork can easily drive up your energy bills if you neglect maintenance and upgrades. That’s because when ducts are leaking they are seeping heated and cooled air into your attic or crawlspace, conditioning areas of the home that do not necessarily need to be conditioned.

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Also, don’t assume that newer homes are completely up-to-date with tighter ductwork systems. We have seen systems in brand new homes that leak as if they have been there for 20 years. The Department of Energy says that the average ductwork system has 30% leakage.

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‍Properly air sealing a home is considered more effective than intelligent thermostats, the most outstanding HVAC systems, and the most efficient appliances. Air sealing is something that not only improves efficiency, but also can significantly increase overall comfort. Also, it is estimated that a properly air sealed attic will recover around 20%-30% of the investment each year.

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‍Nothing beats being comfortable in your home. If your attic leaks air, you’ll be uncomfortable this winter. In the summer, a permeable attic will let in more heat. When the attic is not air sealed properly, heated air may enter the living room (heat gain) and exit the living space (heat loss) during the warm and cold months. If you have a well-sealed attic, you won’t have to turn up your heating and cooling systems as much.

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‍Keep in mind that you may also qualify for a tax credit should you choose to improve your energy efficiency.

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