www.energystarhomesamerica.com

Issue 11, Volume 2

November 22, 2004

Giving Thanks
By Maci McDaniel, National Marketing Director

I can’t believe it, but the holidays are already here. We have blazed through another year and almost 6600 inspections and performance tests. It’s at this time, that we can look back and be thankful for all of the opportunities we have been given throughout the year. Guaranteed Watt Saver is fortunate to work with some of the best partners and clients in the industry. The work we have done for our builders and other partners in the industry have afforded us the opportunity to continue to expand our scope of services to include problem house diagnostics to support warranty divisions, expert witness, expanded building science consulting, and now we are adding infrared diagnostics and green building consulting to our repertoire. All of this is made possible by the clients we serve who continue to look for ways to raise the bar and improve the performance of their homes and deliver an outstanding product to their homebuyers.

We have been privileged to work with builders who understand the value of energy efficient and green building practices to their building programs. So much so that two of our builders, Ideal Homes of Oklahoma City and Ferrier Builders of Dallas, won three Energy Value Housing Awards this year from NAHB and David Powers Homes won the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award. It is a pleasure to work with individuals and companies who are willing to continue to push the envelope and incorporate new technology and high performance products into their homes.

We also had the pleasure of working on one of the first Zero Energy Homes in the Texas market with Jim Sargent of Anderson Sargent Builders in Dallas, Texas and EEBA. We continue to work with organizations like EEBA, the HBA’s in the markets we service and RESNET by participating on committees and boards to help develop and craft standards for the industry and keep our clients informed on upcoming changes that will affect their building programs. This allows our clients to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the curve.

As 2004 comes to a close and we look ahead to 2005, we are confident that we will continue to foster strong relationships and friendships with our clients and partners and to exceed the level of service you have grown to expect from us.  Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your team and we wish you much success in the year to come!

EEBA Applied...
by Rogge Miller

GWSSI, along with Build IQ, Dupont Tyvek HouseWrap, Cardinal Glass Industries, and Anderson Windows and Doors in a combined effort, worked with EEBA to build displays that were used during the conference in Grapevine, TX, to demonstrate building science principles.

Five display areas were involved in these teaching sessions. All the displays are built as an exact representation of a section of a house that you might find in any part of the United States except for the fact that they have a ceiling height of five foot four inches and the vapor barrier has been placed on the exterior for mixed-humid and hot-humid climates.  The first exhibit was an exterior wall showing advanced framing techniques, exterior sheathing, window with rain plane, and brick installation. The second display was a representation of how Structurally Insulated Panels work.  There were several different types of tests run on this display demonstrating radiant heat.  The third demonstration mockup was used to show the proper way to install a window that will bar the intrusion of water from around the window and into the wall cavity below the window. The proper installation of roof flashing, roofing, exterior siding, and three different types of insulation was the subject of the fourth exhibit. The final presentation demonstrated the proper means by which a duct system is installed and sealed.

These “living” exhibits were used for 26 demonstrations. The topics included water management, storm resistant construction, assembly drainage and window installation, enclosure elements and equipment, framing and inspecting for quality, HVAC configurations and connections, and HVAC performance testing. 

Many thanks go to Curtis Maxwell for the hours of work he invested in these displays.

Inspector’s Corner
By: David B. Walker – National Operations Director

“Performance Visits”

  Performance. The word – according to Webster’s Concise Dictionary, means “the act of performing; the ability to, and the effectiveness of performance; to execute and fulfill obligations; to carry through to completion”.

  This word describes our mindset and intent when we enter each home for an inspection or diagnostic test. We have objectives to fulfill, and certain procedures we must execute in order to effectively complete our obligations – by using our ability in the Building Science Industry. As a “service oriented business” we feel it is our duty, and obligation to provide our customers with every detail we can calculate or detect. Several years ago a builder was watching us perform some diagnostic tests. As he watched us go through the home, he became curious and asked, “why do you do all of these tests”?

  This was a perfect opportunity for me to discuss with him our procedures and why these particular procedures were of benefit to him. Basically, we perform several tests in order to create a “profile” of the home. This profile provides data to our technician that would otherwise be undetected. It gives us a preview of how the home is performing under its basic operational activity.

  By doing the “Baseline Stack Effect” test, we determine what natural effect the home is under while the HVAC equipment is not in operation. We then test this effect under these conditions with the master bedroom door closed, and the HVAC system operating. By doing this, we are able to measure the known pressure of the remaining portions of the home. In many cases, this is how we are able to inform our builders of the need to add a return air to the master. What tells us this? When the master door is closed and the unit is on – we are testing the effect of this door closure against the pressure in the remaining portions of the home. If we observe a “negative” reading, this tells us that this door closure restricts airflow from this room to the return. By adding a return to this room, the pressure is relieved. Thus, the HVAC system will not attempt to find “make-up” air sources [fireplace chimney, water heater vent, etc.]

  The same test is done, but with “all” bedroom doors closed. At this point, with all doors closed, if a negative reading is detected, then we have a major restriction problem occurring throughout the home. For instance, if we know that the particular unit in question has a maximum CFM flow rating of 2000 CFM – then 2000 CFM should be allowed (without restriction) to return back to the unit. This type of occurrence is often associated with comfort complaints.

  Another important diagnostic test we perform is the “room-to-room” pressure test. These tests give us a reading as to the amount of pressure “buildup” within that space. An over-pressurized room can easily become an uncomfortable room, which also brings up the issue of air being restricted to the return air. Door under-cuts do not always relieve this problem. In some tests we have performed, the doors in question would have to be cut nearly in “half” in order to relieve the pressure. This is not an option!

  One of the most important diagnostic tests we perform is the “Static Pressure Test” on the HVAC system. Actually we are testing the static pressure of the duct system on the return and supply sides of the system. This test is very informative because we are able to verify if the unit is operating in line with the manufacturer’s recommended WC (water column) requirements. Most residential HVAC systems are required not to exceed .50 column inches of water static pressure. This .50 requirement is obtained through the combination of the supply side and return side static pressure readings. When we observe a reading above this combined number it is our obligation to first, “find out why it is happening”. Usually, it may be as simple as a restricted return filter. This is common because during the new construction process a huge amount of dust and debris are suspended in the air usually in the filter once the unit is activated. Sometimes we find the return itself is too small. Other times (on the supply side), there may be more ductwork attached than the plenum box dimension specifies. We have even found supply ducts smashed, crimped or restricted. Low static readings on the supply can occur when a duct is “detached”, hanging loose in the attic.

  As you can clearly see, there are a multitude of reasons we do these tests and others unmentioned. What is the end result of these tests? I’m glad you asked. We do them to provide you with up-to-date information about your progress and to help identify any issues that could create future “call-backs”. Finding a problem before the homeowner takes possession of the home reduces your warranty calls and will give you the satisfaction that the home is operating efficiently.

  In the coming year it is our goal to establish quarterly “Diagnostic” meetings with you. In these short, informative meetings, you will be provided with information concerning our test data and explanations as to what it means to you and your homes. It is our goal to inform you of the result of these tests and to give you data demonstrating why we believe a change (if any) should be made. In the end, it is a service we have provided to you from day one. Now we want to expand this service and show you why we take the time to obtain these results so that you can make more informed decisions about your building program. To sum it up, it’s about our desire to provide you with what we feel is the most important thing for you – “PERFORMANCE”.

Announcements...

The new ENERGY STAR logo has been officially introduced and the older logo should no longer be used after December 31,2004.  In order to make room in our inventory...
We are offering many of our products (listed below) at 50% off!
Take advantage of these prices while they last.  Quantities limited. Click here to order yours today.

Vinyl Decal
(3” x 3”) reg. price $0.90
Sale Price $0.45
(6” x 6”) reg. price $1.44
Sale Price $0.72

Static Cling Decal
(4” x 6”) reg. price $1.30
Sale Price $0.65

4-Color Literature Decals
(1,000 per roll) reg. price $102.00
Sale Price $51.00

Door Mats
(large) reg. price $186.00
Sale Price $93.00
(small) reg. price $110.00
Sale Price $55.00

Bronze Plaques
reg. price $12.50
Sale Price $6.25

Lapel Button
reg. price $1.05
Sale Price $0.50

Lapel Pin
reg. price $7.60
Sale Price $3.80

ENERGY STAR Video Clip
(CD) reg. price $5.00
Sale Price $2.50
(VHS) reg. price $20.00
Sale Price $10.00
(DVD) reg. price $40.00
Sale Price $20.00

ENERGY STAR Tip Cards
price depends on quantity ordered

If this E-mail does not display correctly, click here to view in your web browser

Plain Text Version