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House as a System Diagnostics & Solutions
Heating & Cooling Problems
Factors: Oversized furnace
Many people may not realize that they may have an oversized furnace in their existing home. Oversized furnaces waste lots of energy and cost the homeowner lots of money to operate. It is very important to choose the right type of furnace for your home through a specialist who can help you make the best possible choices.
 Ducting Design Problems
Factors: Poor design and installation, energy loss through duct leakage and lack of insulation
Poorly designed duct systems may leak air as the installation may not have taken notice to leakage areas. Leakage in the ducts will not not all air to be distributed properly throughout the home. The more air that leaks out, the more energy it takes to heat and cool your home. Duct leakage can account for up to a 5th or more of the heating and cooling energy loss in your home.
 Ventilations & Inadequate Flow Problems
Factors: Tight building envelope, poor ventilation design
According to the EPA indoor air is 2-10 times more hazardous than the air outdoors. For this reason, fresh air needs to be constantly coming into your home through a proper ventilation system such as an HRV. An HRV acts like a set of lungs for you home. It breathes in fresh air and exhaust stale indoor air, while recovery heat from the stale air. It is the most energy efficient means of ventilation for a residential application. When a house is built tight and lacks ventilation problems can be created such as odour, moisture, humidity, combustion of appliances. The HRV also must be maintained and balanced.
 Drafts, Cold or Hot Room
Factors: Windows, high velocity, poor ducting
Sometimes areas of a home are colder or warmer in one area compared to other areas. These areas can create problems with moisture and/or comfort. There could be a lack of insufficient insulation, air leakage and improper duct design.
 Moisture and Mold
Factors: High humidity, occupancy habits, poor ventilation, unattended plumbing
Moisture problems are found in various places in homes. This usually happens when the home humidity level is above an accepted percentage for the time of season and with an incorrect ventilation system. Moisture problems may bring about mold conditions. Mold is a known indoor air quality irritant. Prevention is always the key as mold remediation can be extensive and expensive.
Solution:
Building Knowledge technicians have specific training and diagnostic tools to accurately measure airflows, pressures, temperature and humidity in duct systems and houses to provide the most cost effective resolution of residential building performance issues such as in the above examples related to heating, cooling, moisture and mold.
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