Homeefficiency

A brief history

In 1974 a team at Princeton University's Center for Energy and Environmental Studies was asked to determine how houses lose heat. After several years of quantifying heat loss they realized that air leakage was a major contributor and indoor wall temperatures played a significant role as well.

They then developed a test to measure air leakage; a powerful fan was directed outside which created a vacuum to simulate 20 MPH winds on all exterior surfaces (the blower door test.) And, an infrared scanner was used to identify variations in the shell temperature, used together these tools provided a powerful diagnostic technique for heat loss.

The Princeton study was a response to the energy crisis of the early 1970s. In today's current economic crisis energy consumption has once again become a major concern. President Obama has made energy efficiency a key component of his energy platform and Congress has passed a 2009 Federal tax credit of 30% on all home efficiency projects up to $5,000 ($1,500.00 max credit)

For Federal incentives visit: www.ase.org

For local incentives visit: www.energy.maryland.gov/incentives/residential/

It's never been a better time for Home Efficiency!