Get More From Your Blower Door
Author: Sam Meyers, Retrotec A blower door system can do much more than tell you how much your building is leaking. It can also help you determine the location and…
United States Home Energy Performance Averages
When it comes to home energy performance, comfort, durability and health, the United States falls short in the ranks compared to other developed countries. This is based on the 35…
A Brief History of Retrotec’s Involvement with Home Performance
In 1980 I calibrated the fledgling Retrotec Energy Innovations Ltd.’s blower door at the National Research Council (NRC) in Ottawa, Canada. It used RPM and pressure drop to crudely measure…
The RESNET 380 Standard
As you may have heard, the RESNET 380 standard will replace RESNET Ch. 8 which dictates how raters test homes for envelope leakage, duct leakage, mechanical ventilation, and duct system…
Leakage to Outdoors and Advanced DucTesting Methods
When Is Leakage to Outdoors Testing Required? Often mandated by energy codes (IECC, RESNET, ENERGY STAR) when ducts run through unconditioned spaces Required in programs where total duct leakage tests…
Commercial Apartment Air Barrier Testing
Published in TAB Journal Summer 2017 and written by Denny Whitzel, TBE, CxA Pacific Coast Air Balancing. View the original article here. As required by Washington State Code, all commercial…
Making Sense of Leakage to the Outside
Written by Stacie Bagnasco In California the California Energy Commission [CEC] aka Energy Standards, provide two basic methods for complying with low-rise residential energy budgets: the prescriptive approach and the…
EPA removed 20 Years of Climate Change Science from its Website
Expect to see changes that will allow oil and gas companies to sell more product even in areas where renewables and conservation are cheaper without subsidies. Hiding the science of…
Passive House Study on Tall Residential Buildings
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) funded study shows Passive House for tall buildings in NY can reduce heating energy consumption by 85%. When compared to…
Programs Save Energy
One of the world’s largest projects built to save energy Trump’s proposal to eliminate popular money-saving energy efficiency programs, including the EPA’s Energy Star Program and the DOE’s Weatherization…