The Comprehensive Home assessment (CHA) is performed on your home by Freedom Solar Energy, an accredited contractor by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) and consists of two phases.

During the first phase of the CHA, Freedom Solar Energy assesses your home as a “total system”, completes a thorough inspection of the living space, attic, basement (or crawl spaces) and performs a number of computerized tests then reports on the current conditions in your home, including the following:

• Health and safety (carbon monoxide levels and moisture problems)
• Air infiltration rates
• Insulations Levels
• Domestic hot water system efficiency
• Heating system efficiency
• Cooling system/central air conditioning efficiency, if applicable
• Distribution system (ductwork) condition if applicable
• Lighting
• Major Appliances

Here are some of the diagnostic tools used to test your home’s performance and safety.

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Analyzer (shown at the top left): Important health and safety tool to determine whether the major combustion, appliances (furnace, boiler, hot water heater and stove) in your home operate safely.
• Blower Door (shown in the middle left): Measures the air tightness of a home and aids in identifying areas where air leakage is occurring.
• Duct Blaster (shown at bottom left): Measures how “leaky” the ductwork is in a home.  (This tool would only be used in a home that has forced hot air heating system and/or central air conditioning.)

You are encouraged to accompany the technician as they perform the CHA.  Let the technician know what if any issues or concerns you have about your home (drafts, uneven temperatures, discomfort, evidence of moisture or mold, strange smells, even physical symptoms such as persistent headaches or flue-like symptoms).

The second phase consists of Freedom Solar Energy using the results from the CHA to develop a work scope for proposed improvements, including a cost and energy savings estimate.

After these two phases, the important next step is to get the work done.  Remember Freedom Solar Energy is a Building Performance Institute Accredited Contractor who can do all the recommended work and also offer financial incentives to help you start saving now right away.  For more information contact us at 908-642-8394.