Energy Retro-Fit Process

During the month of January, I'll be focusing my awareness inside. Inside my home that is. Like many urban dwellings, mine is in need of attention from the energy stewardship perspective. Since many people believe the changes are too costly or difficult, I've decided to investigate and share some of my process. As with many in these uncertain times, I lack the funds and physical ability to do certain aspects of a retrofit. When I get to these aspects of the project, I'll discuss some of the options I chose.


The initial step is do a home energy audit and rating. Where I live, this process is handled by an independent business operator who is registered as compliant with the most current federal guidelines. Although I'm motivated by the stewardship aspect of energy retrofit there is also the savings aspect in tax credits.


The person I contacted runs a company called Health & Energy Company. His name is Jon Traudt. He and his associate, Mark Loscutoff, spent eight hours in my home. Using very specialized equipment, they moved from basement to attic finding every leak and temperature variance. Pictured below is the blower door used to change household pressure to find leaks.
A few days later, Mark returned and spent another half day, measuring the energy lost in the duct work.

Between the audit and the rating, they created a list of corrections and submitted paperwork to a quality assurance company. The list prioritizes the corrections. Mark, whose background is in mechanical engineering, does all kinds of retrofit problem solving. Jon, is the mastermind behind creative funding. Together, they will come up with solutions to bring my home into the 85-100% energy star rating.