Behind the Scene High Tech Energy Analysis and Carbon Testing Procedures

The trained professionals at Carbon America will perform State of the Art testing and data collection techniques for each of the game contestant’s homes. 

Each home and owner will be evaluated using the following 10 healthy and sustainable areas for their home and life.   Use this rating worksheet to qualify projects under the CA program for one- and two-family dwellings and means of egress (International Residential Code - IRC Section R1 01.2). All building system components, materials, and equipment must be installed per code and manufacturer’s instructions. Each topic will be rated 1-10 and will be divided by the number of topics per section at the end of each category.

Summary of Rating System Categories
1.       Building Envelope and Materials
2.       Alternate Energy and HVAC
3.       Healthy air and water
4.       Water conservation
5.       Hazardous home environmental control
6.       Efficient electronics, appliances, lighting and controls
7.       Sustainable yards and landscaping
8.       Efficient Transportation
9.       Natural clothing, food and lifestyles
10.   Home "green appeal" and innovations

 Here is a sample of a few of the testing procedures.

In Depth Energy Audits Each Home will have an energy audit which will determine the benchmark of how much energy each contestant’s home consumes and to evaluate what measures they can take to make their home more energy efficient reducing their overall carbon foot print. This audit will visually show each contestant and the audience good and bad qualities of their home and identify areas which the contestant may decide to improvement to save significant amounts of energy and increase there chances to move on in the contest.               

Exterior, Interior Scanning, Building Data Collection and Modeling: A Complete Scan of each of the contestant’s homes and yard will be performed by the CA staff. This information will then be converted to a scaled 3-D drawing of the home, including foundations, frame walls and windows, doors, roof and landscaping.                               
The professional staff will develop the 3-D computerized energy model and video of each home for use in presenting a clear visualization to the audience for review and comparison.                                              

Interior Systems and Material Data Collection: The CA Staff will review and rate  building materials such as insulation, interior exterior wall, windows, slabs, attics, floors, ceilings, roofs, and doors Documentation of power use and appliance types and efficiency will be reviewed.Assessment of the heating and cooling system efficiencies along with alternate energy use, Type of fuel source and controls.
            

Indoor Air Quality Evaluation: Humidity, dust and ventilation levels will be reviewed and measured throughout the home Indoor air qualities review of harmful agents such as radon, carbon dioxides, voc’s, mold, allergens, EMF, lead, and asbestos will all be measured.                                 

Home Air Leakage, Thermal Scanning and other Evaluations: Air leakage rates will be reviewed and measured  using blower door tests for actual home air leakage rate Visual inspection of air leakage areas with infrared thermography and smoke generators. Moisture sources investigated using infrared thermal imaging and moisture meter Flow testing of supply/return ducts and exhaust fans and ductwork will be performed. Analysis of heat gain and loss rate of the home to calculate proper sizing and efficiency of heating and air conditioning systems                                              

Transportation Vehicle type,  mpg’s, emissions and alternate travel will be reviewed             

Landscaping Review of home site location, shading, planting and environment. Review of lawns, pools, gardens, hot tubs, chemicals, fertilizers, irrigation etc.Use of energy-efficient landscaping strategies based on your regional climate. Use of trees and other plants to help shade your home if needed to help reduce cooling costs. Use of windbreaks—tree and/or shrub plantings—around your home if needed to help reduce heating costs. Conservation of water along with energy for a more sustainable landscape.                   

Interior and exterior Lighting and Day lighting Notation of types of lighting used inside and outside the home The quantity and quality of light around the home. Maximization of the use of natural daylight in the home to reduce the need for artificial lighting.  

Appliances and Home Electronics Review of appliances and home electronics efficiencies.  These appliances and electronics include the following:Clothes washers and dryers Computers Dishwashers Home audio equipment Refrigerator and freezers Heating and Cooling System Televisions, DVD players, and VCRs Water heaters

Contestant’s Lifestyles and Home Sex Appeal: Occupation and Lifestyle Review.Discussing contestants past remodeling projects and future plans for the home.