Before an energy evaluation takes place, a preliminary inspection of a building gives a contractor or Energy Advisor the opportunity to identify potential problem areas and to record concerns regarding structure, air quality or hazardous materials.
WHAT IS A BUILDING INSPECTOR?
Building inspection is a vital part of the construction and renovation industry. Inspectors are regulated through provincial building code commissions, and they adhere to standard CSA A770 through the Canadian Standards Association. Registered inspectors follow the Code of Ethics laid out by the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors.
The inspection that an Energy Advisor performs on a building as part of an audit is looking mainly for issues related to air leakage, insulation and energy use. However, the EA's inspection may identify problems that are beyond their scope of work - this is when a registered building and property inspector would be brought in to investigate structural or systems issues.
ENERGY AUDIT INSPECTION
To most accurately gauge the performance of an existing building OR to ensure that a new home is meeting modelled targets for performance, an Energy Advisor will inspect the building inside and out, looking for obvious signs of air leakage, lack of insulation or energy systems that aren't doing what they should be. This inspection will happen before a more investigative blower door test.
The Energy Advisor is going to work off of a checklist to thoroughly examine the building, paying special attention to areas common to air leaks, thermal bridging or challenging insulation details. The example checklist below identifies some of those trouble spots and the signs that may be present when air, heat or moisture leakage is taking place.
EXAMPLE Energy Audit Inspection Checklist:
Area
Problem
Doors and windows
cold spots - air leakage around trim
rot at the sills
poor operation, loose parts / hardware
single panes of glass
condensation, frost on glass, water stains
Electric and plumbing
outlets / fixtures
cold spots - air leakage at receptacles or pipe inlets
remove an electrical outlet plate, check the box and how it's been treated for air tightness - look for loose VB or poorly sealed areas.
Check basement / cellar for waste and fresh water connections, ext. hose bib piping - look for insulation or gaskets around piping.
Attic hatches and attics
A smoke pencil or match may reveal leaks when the smoke drifts in the air
Feel for cold drafts
Check the hatch assembly for insulation and weatherstripping
Visually inspect the attic for signs of moisture / mold / rot.
Look for uneven, missing or compressed areas of insulation
Check
Floor joists and headers (rim joists)
Look in the basement / cellar and inspect the header area - any insulation or air sealing?
Look for rot at the header or water staining - do a few test pokes with a screw driver or knife to gauge punky wood.
Ventilation for appliances and HVAC
Inspect the areas on the inside and outside where vents are located - any sealing done around the exhaust / fresh air?
Any water stains or deterioration around the pipes?
GET A QUALIFIED HVAC TECHNICIAN for BALANCING THE VENTILATION WITH AIR TIGHTNESS IMPROVEMENTS!!
Basements and Foundations
Look for cracks in slab floor and foundation walls, especially concrete block
Mortar missing in stone walls - look for tell tale sand at the base of the wall
Look for sign of rodents - if they are getting in, air is leaking out.
Any type of framed walls over the foundation? Look for water stains, rot in the plates
Musty smells, mold, moisture - sure sign of air leakage and issues with migrating moisture.
