What I do

I spend about 4 hours going over your home with "a fine tooth comb".  I utilize various tools like a compass, duct blaster, blower door, thermal camera and smoke pencil.  These are just a few of the tools I utilize.

I use building science, to evaluate the "systems" of your home.  Insulation and sealing is a system,  Ductwork is a system, Mechanical equipment is a system.


HVAC is a huge part of the equation.  It represents between 50-60% of your utility bills.
Each additional SEER improvement on your HVAC has a significant saving on your cooling costs, For example, if you upgrade to a new 16 SEER unit, it will be 60% more efficient than your old 10 SEER unit.  Now, a 10 % leak in your return duct, drawing in hot attic air, will reduce the unit’s efficiency by 30 %.  So, that new 16 SEER unit becomes only as efficient as an 11 SEER unit.

The D.O.E. estimates that the average home’s Duct system leaks up to 40% of conditioned air in to unconditioned spaces like the attic.

A typical home has a "3ft x 3ft hole" hidden in exterior wall penetrations, building cavities, wire penetrations, plumbing penetrations and open wall cavities that are open to the attic or outside. Most people are running the A/C with "a window wide open".

Air sealing is also a consideration when calculating the size of your new A/C unit. By addressing the duct and air leakage problems, that old 5 ton unit may need to be replaced with only a 4 ton.  A common mistake is to install an oversized unit. This can result in the unit short cycling.  Short cycling is the A/C equivalent of stop and start driving. The unit runs inefficiently because it cools the room without removing any of the humidity, it makes us feel clammy and uncomfortable.

Air Sealing also helps new insulation perform to its rated R value. In the right circumstance Foam is a great way to go; it brings the attic into conditioned space and seals up air leaks at the same time.

I identify everything that is wrong with your home from an energy point of view.  My audit is great for identifying the most cost effective energy improvements for YOUR home, but it is of little value if you’re not going to act on the recommendations.

I am HERS certified.  I take lots of photos, run measurements, perform diagnostic tests ,develop a HERS Index, develop cost options, run return on investment calculations on the items that make sense and then give you a copy of all the documentation and a proposal so you can decide what order and what choices you wish to pursue.

After all work has been completed, I repeat the blower door and duct blaster test to Quantify the improvements. This means you can qualify for Rebates and Tax Credits.

Magna Tite, great product!

If you want to retrofit your leaky, ineffiicient, single pane, metal frame windows.......here is your product.  It is alot cheaper than replacing windows.  It creates an air barrier.  They really work well.  I have tested with a thermographic camera and temperature sensor.  One of my customers installed them as well.  It will bring your cooling loads down. 


http://www.soundproofing.org/how_to_windows.htm




http://www.soundproofing.org/how_to_windows.htm%20product%20for%20retrofitting%20single%20pane%20metal%20frame%20windows

Nanosolar

Dear Energy Smart Partners:

Here is a company that will change the world.  I have been watching them since 2007.  They are not a public company yet, but they are finally producing thin film solar.  I am gojng to buy stock in this company when they go public and I hope to encorporate this product into my home energy retrofits some day soon!  Check this link out and get on their e-mail list!

 http://www.nanosolar.com/

http://www.nanosolar.com/

Home Performance Contracting

I wanted to post some intersting links for you to look at.  I am attaching info about The Federal Tax Credits,  Home Performance with Energy Star & Oncor Program.  These are Financing Incentives, Tax Credits and Rebates available to you for doing an Energy Retrofit.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_hpwes

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

I want to know from you, the readers what you would like me to cover in this blog?
Can you send me suggestions? 
I would like to cover Building Science, Air Conditioning, Insulation, Windows, Great Products, Ductwork, Foam Homes, Safety, Energy Savings and more but I want your feedback.  Iwant this to be a customer-based forum.

Thank you!

What is a Home Energy Retrofit?

Been in your attic lately? Are you having comfort problems? Do you have high bills?

Do your Ducts Look Like This?

Does your insulation look like this?

Does your equipment look like this?

Would you like your Ducts to look like this?

Do you want your insulation to look like this?

Do you want your Equipment to look like this?

Then you need a home energy retrofit.  I am a performance contractor. 

I can do a comprehensive home energy audit for you to start.  I use thermal imaging, blower door, duct blaster, low-e detector, smoke pencil and many other high-tech tools.  I also do a full Manual J Load Calculation.

I render a comprehensive report for you that shows your current bills, your HERS score, solutions to your problems, a proposal, a full economic analysis showing simple payback, present value of improvements, escallations, net savings and more.

I perform the work and test out with the duct blaster, blower door and thermal camera to make sure I got the results I was looking for.

Sound interesting?  I would love to help!  I will publish additional posts that will explain in detail what all of the terminology means.  Basically I help people solve their comfort and energy problems.

I work for Tex Energy Solutions in Irving, TX.  My cell phone # is 817-538-1202 and my e-mail is kerryhutchison@gmail.com  Let me know if I can help!

I do quite a bit of Radio, Television and I am in the paper alot.  I will post when & where to look for me.  Thanks!