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CBPCA Homeowners: How It Works
 

 

 

 

What is a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®Contractor?

blower door
Contractors are installing a blower door. This diagnostic equipment pressurizes the house allowing the contractor to locate air leaks.

Our CBPCA Home Performance contractors have gone through extensive training in building science to learn how the house works as a system. Typically, a Home Performance contractor will already have many years experience as a general contractor, insulation or heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) company or as a consultant, for instance. Our coursework includes in-depth analysis and rigorous hands on experience with the diagnostic equipment and the home’s appliances.
Following are just a few topics from our training:

  • Envelope Tightness
  • Air Infiltration Driving Forces
  • Duct Sealing
  • Diagnostic Tools
  • Building Pressure Diagnostics
  • Building Ventilation
  • Ventilation Strategy
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Water Vapor Transmission and Control
  • Building Insulation
  • Insulation Performance
  • Air Barriers
  • Measuring Thermal Performance of Assemblies
  • Insulation and Air Barrier Alignment
air handler
Air Handler

Many contractors fix only the problems they think are most obvious. If a homeowner complains of uncomfortably hot rooms, a HVAC contractor might recommend upgrading to a larger air conditioner. If a house gets too cold during the winter, a contractor might recommend installing a larger furnace. Unfortunately, some HVAC contractors will install the largest, “most efficient” system which may actually be too large for your house, thereby reducing or eliminating any energy savings.

Additionally, these quick-fix solutions aren’t likely to solve your basic comfort issues, nor will they necessarily improve energy efficiency. Such temperature extremes are often symptoms of underlying problems, such as leaky ducts or inadequate insulation which may cause your entire house to under-perform.

Rule #1 Always get a load calculation.
Rule #2 Always get a detailed proposal and agreement, in writing, before the work starts.
Rule #3 Always get a building permit.
Rule #4 Always meet the building inspector and get a signed permit upon job completion.
Rule #5 always make the final payment to your contractor after the work is complete and the final inspection

Excerpted from “Contractor to Consumer; the Truth About Heating, Air Conditioning, and Home Comfort Systems” recently written by Joe Gorman of JP Gorman, Inc., Rocklin, CA.

Instead of offering a quick-fix, our Home Performance Contractors use a comprehensive whole-house approach to identifying and fixing comfort and energy efficiency problems in your home. The CBPCA Home Performance Contractor employs building science principles and uses sophisticated diagnostic equipment to detect the cause of home performance related problems, much like your mechanic who will run a diagnostic on your car. This systematic approach removes all the usual guesswork and enables our contractors to quickly and accurately address your home’s performance issues.

 

Get a referral for a Home Performance Contractor in your area.
888-352-2722 ex. 213 or Request a Referral.