Hometrust Remodeling takes a whole house approach to home improvements.  Our visit to your home includes several steps of investigation and testing to properly diagnose, uncover potential issues and recommend energy efficient improvements that will work. 

Take a look at some of the procedures and guidance we follow below:

Building Science

One important building science principle that should guide home improvement decisions is the stack effect. 

As seen in this figure, warm air rises and it leaves the house through the ceiling.  As the warm air leaves the building, outside air is pulled in to replace the air that escapes.  This is a physics phenomenon.  Much like a chimney billows smoke at the top, the fire pulls oxygen in down at the base. 

This pressure dynamic is what wreaks winter time havoc on energy bills and comfort.

The typical leak points are fans, vents, light fixtures, plumbing holes, floors, walls, ceiling & the foundation.

Air Leakage Testing

Any fenestration project (windows, doors, skylights) should have blower door testing done before and after the installation.  This whole house air leakage test draws air out of the house with the use of a large industrial fan that is affixed to the front door.  As the air is pulled out by the fan, fresh air from the outside streams in where it can to replace what has left.    

This unique pressure test can reveal if windows and doors are leaky and it can also uncover other problem areas that are not as obvious. If you are going to replace windows, would you want to make sure that they are actually leaky first?

Blower door tests are also great for checking for air leakage in the basement, crawl space, HVAC ducts 

Window Assessment

With over 40 year of window experience, we can properly evaluate your windows to determine if replacement is necessary.  

Replacement windows enhance the home’s interior adding to its curb appeal.  Windows in the basement and the upper floors should always take priority over windows in the "neutral plane" of the house (middle floor).

Recommendations about glass packages can be discussed based on the building's shielding and location in relation to the sun.