Your_APPGE House_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 System_NN1 By_II Larry_NP1 Zarker_NN1 You_PPY understand_VV0 that_CST your_APPGE car_NN1 is_VBZ made_VVN up_RP of_IO interacting_JJ components_NN2 and_CC systems_NN2 --_NN1 when_CS one_MC1 component_NN1 fails_VVZ ,_, it_PPH1 affects_VVZ the_AT performance_NN1 of_IO the_AT entire_JJ vehicle_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB did_VDD you_PPY know_VVI that_CST the_AT same_DA goes_VVZ for_IF your_APPGE house_NN1 ?_? 
High_JJ energy_NN1 bills_NN2 ,_, uneven_JJ temperatures_NN2 from_II room-to-room_NN1 ,_, drafts_NN2 ,_, moisture_NN1 ,_, mold_VV0 ,_, mildew_NN1 ,_, poor_JJ indoor_JJ air_NN1 quality_NN1 ,_, ice_NN1 dams_NN2 ,_, pest_NN1 infestations_NN2 ,_, seemingly_RR uncontrollable_JJ humidity_NN1 levels_NN2 and_CC even_RR premature_JJ deterioration_NN1 of_IO building_NN1 materials_NN2 can_VM all_DB be_VBI the_AT result_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 breakdown_NN1 in_II the_AT relationship_NN1 between_II the_AT systems_NN2 in_II your_APPGE house_NN1 ._. 
Often_RR what_DDQ seems_VVZ like_II the_AT obvious_JJ culprit_NN1 --_NN1 a_AT1 prime_JJ fix_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 competent_JJ do-it-yourselfer_JJ --_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX actually_RR the_AT root_NN1 cause_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 obvious_JJ fix_NN1 can_VM not_XX only_RR fail_VVI to_TO solve_VVI the_AT original_JJ issue_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 can_VM actually_RR put_VVI more_DAR strain_NN1 on_II the_AT relationship_NN1 and_CC compound_VV0 the_AT problem_NN1 --_NN1 or_CC create_VV0 a_AT1 whole_JJ new_JJ set_NN1 of_IO problems_NN2 ._. 
To_TO get_VVI it_PPH1 right_JJ ,_, you_PPY need_VV0 to_TO consider_VVI the_AT whole_JJ home_NN1 using_VVG the_AT house-as-a-system_JJ concept_NN1 ._. 
How_RGQ Healthy_JJ is_VBZ Your_APPGE Relationship_NN1 ?_? 
There_EX are_VBR three_MC main_JJ systems_NN2 that_CST impact_NN1 energy_NN1 ,_, comfort_VV0 ,_, health_NN1 and_CC safety_NN1 :_: the_AT building_NN1 envelope_NN1 (_( also_RR called_VVN the_AT building_NN1 enclosure_NN1 or_CC shell_NN1 )_) ,_, the_AT heating_NN1 ,_, ventilation_NN1 and_CC air_NN1 conditioning_NN1 (_( HVAC_NP1 )_) equipment_NN1 and_CC the_AT occupants_NN2 ._. 
The_AT building_NN1 envelope_NN1 consists_VVZ of_IO the_AT roof_NN1 ,_, exterior_JJ walls_NN2 and_CC foundation_NN1 of_IO the_AT house_NN1 ._. 
Its_APPGE role_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO separate_VVI the_AT indoor_JJ living_JJ environment_NN1 from_II the_AT outdoor_JJ elements_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 blocks_VVZ wind_NN1 ,_, rain_NN1 ,_, heat_NN1 and_CC cold_JJ ,_, protecting_VVG the_AT interior_NN1 of_IO the_AT house_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE occupants_NN2 ._. 
The_AT HVAC_NN1 provides_VVZ comfort_NN1 conditioning_NN1 intended_VVD to_TO make_VVI the_AT living_JJ space_NN1 enjoyable_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 provides_VVZ heat_NN1 in_II winter_NNT1 ,_, and_CC for_IF those_DD2 who_PNQS have_VH0 air_NN1 conditioning_NN1 ,_, cool_JJ in_II summer_NNT1 ._. 
It_PPH1 also_RR circulates_VVZ fresh_JJ air_NN1 and_CC regulates_VVZ humidity_NN1 levels_NN2 ._. 
The_AT third_MD system_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT occupants_NN2 --_NN1 can_VM affect_VVI the_AT performance_NN1 of_IO the_AT home_NN1 by_II their_APPGE behavior_NN1 ._. 
Just_RR living_VVG in_II the_AT house_NN1 has_VHZ an_AT1 impact_NN1 ,_, although_CS some_DD habits_NN2 have_VH0 more_DAR effect_NN1 than_CSN others_NN2 ._. 
Unless_CS you_PPY live_VV0 in_II the_AT most_RGT temperate_JJ and_CC consistent_JJ of_IO climates_NN2 ,_, the_AT envelope_NN1 will_VM not_XX keep_VVI you_PPY comfortable_JJ on_II its_APPGE own_DA ._. 
And_CC if_CS there_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 problem_NN1 with_IW the_AT building_NN1 envelope_NN1 ,_, the_AT HVAC_NN1 can_VM not_XX properly_RR perform_VVI its_APPGE comfort_NN1 conditioning_NN1 function_NN1 ._. 
Additionally_RR ,_, if_CS the_AT occupants_NN2 crank_VV0 the_AT thermostat_NN1 and_CC then_RT leave_VV0 the_AT windows_NN2 wide_RR open_JJ ,_, or_CC place_VV0 furniture_NN1 or_CC belongings_NN2 over_II the_AT registers_NN2 and_CC cold-air_JJ return_NN1 vents_NN2 ,_, the_AT HVAC_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX stand_VVI a_AT1 chance_NN1 ._. 
Here_RL 's_VBZ a_AT1 scenario_NN1 &hellip;_... 
You_PPY 're_VBR uncomfortable_JJ so_CS you_PPY reach_VV0 for_IF the_AT thermostat_NN1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT HVAC_NN1 still_RR ca_VM n't_XX keep_VVI up_RP ._. 
Your_APPGE energy_NN1 bills_NN2 get_VV0 higher_JJR ._. 
You_PPY notice_VV0 condensation_NN1 on_II windows_NN2 ._. 
You_PPY find_VV0 mold_NN1 in_II the_AT basement_NN1 ._. 
The_AT attic_NN1 is_VBZ damp_JJ and_CC you_PPY worry_VV0 about_II warping_VVG and_CC rot_NN1 ._. 
The_AT kids_NN2 seem_VV0 to_TO catch_VVI one_MC1 cold_NN1 after_II another_DD1 ._. 
If_CS your_APPGE house_NN1 were_VBDR a_AT1 car_NN1 ,_, the_AT 'check_NN1 engine'_NN1 light_NN1 would_VM be_VBI blazing_VVG and_CC mysterious_JJ rattles_NN2 would_VM be_VBI coming_VVG from_II under_II the_AT hood_NN1 ._. 
So_RR you_PPY spend_VV0 money_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 weekend_NNT1 or_CC two_MC putting_VVG in_II more_DAR insulation_NN1 ._. 
The_AT problem_NN1 gets_VVZ a_RR21 bit_RR22 better_RRR ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 is_VBZ n't_XX solved_VVN ._. 
You_PPY look_VV0 at_II the_AT condensation_NN1 and_CC wonder_VV0 if_CS you_PPY should_VM get_VVI new_JJ windows_NN2 ._. 
You_PPY install_VV0 a_AT1 new_JJ thermostat_NN1 and_CC think_VV0 about_II replacing_VVG the_AT old_JJ furnace_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 high-efficiency_JJ model_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY take_VV0 the_AT kids_NN2 to_II the_AT pediatrician_NN1 for_IF another_DD1 round_NN1 of_IO antibiotics_NN2 ._. 
Meanwhile_RR ,_, you_PPY 're_VBR still_RR uncomfortable_JJ and_CC your_APPGE energy_NN1 bills_NN2 are_VBR still_JJ way_NN1 too_RG high_JJ ._. 
The_AT 'process_NN1 of_IO elimination'_JJ strategy_NN1 to_II home-performance_JJ repairs_NN2 can_VM cost_VVI a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO money_NN1 and_CC time_NNT1 without_IW ever_RR achieving_VVG the_AT goal_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 comfortable_JJ ,_, healthy_JJ ,_, safe_JJ and_CC energy-efficient_JJ home_NN1 ._. 
The_AT alternative_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO conduct_VVI a_AT1 whole-home_JJ assessment_NN1 to_TO find_VVI those_DD2 relationship_NN1 problems_NN2 and_CC tackle_VVI them_PPHO2 at_II the_AT root_NN1 cause_NN1 ._. 
One_MC1 of_IO the_AT most_RGT common_JJ relationship_NN1 problems_NN2 between_II the_AT envelope_NN1 and_CC HVAC_NN1 is_VBZ "_" uncontrolled_JJ "_" air_NN1 leakage_NN1 through_II the_AT building_NN1 envelope_NN1 ._. 
In_II this_DD1 scenario_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 indoor_JJ air_NN1 you_PPY pay_VV0 to_TO heat_VVI and_CC cool_JJ escapes_NN2 through_II gaps_NN2 ,_, cracks_NN2 and_CC holes_NN2 in_II the_AT building_NN1 envelope_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ "_" uncontrolled_JJ "_" because_CS all_DB the_AT windows_NN2 and_CC doors_NN2 (_( the_AT intentional_JJ holes_NN2 in_II the_AT envelope_NN1 )_) are_VBR shut_VVN and_CC air_NN1 is_VBZ still_RR escaping_VVG ._. 
The_AT U.S._NP1 Government_NN1 's_GE Energy_NN1 Star_NN1 program_NN1 estimates_VVZ uncontrolled_JJ air_NN1 leakage_NN1 can_VM waste_VVI as_RG much_DA1 as_CSA 30_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT energy_NN1 used_VMK to_TO heat_VVI and_CC cool_VVI an_AT1 average_JJ American_JJ home_NN1 ._. 
Another_DD1 common_JJ problem_NN1 is_VBZ leaky_JJ ducts_NN2 in_II forced-air_JJ HVAC_JJ systems_NN2 ._. 
In_II a_AT1 typical_JJ house_NN1 ,_, about_RG 20_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT air_NN1 that_CST moves_VVZ through_II the_AT duct_NN1 system_NN1 is_VBZ lost_VVN due_II21 to_II22 leaks_NN2 ,_, holes_NN2 and_CC poorly_RR connected_JJ ducts_NN2 ,_, according_II21 to_II22 Energy_NN1 Star_NN1 ._. 
Finding_VVG the_AT Problems_NN2 A_ZZ1 comprehensive_JJ whole-home_JJ assessment_NN1 is_VBZ best_RRT performed_VVN by_II a_AT1 trained_JJ and_CC qualified_JJ technician_NN1 for_IF two_MC reasons_NN2 :_: 1_MC1 )_) Properly_RR diagnosing_VVG home_NN1 performance_NN1 problems_NN2 and_CC prescribing_VVG solutions_NN2 requires_VVZ a_AT1 background_NN1 in_II specialist_NN1 building_NN1 science_NN1 that_CST most_DAT DIY'ers_NN2 just_RR do_VD0 not_XX have._NNU 2_MC )_) The_AT job_NN1 requires_VVZ specialist_NN1 (_( and_CC often_RR expensive_JJ )_) diagnostic_JJ tools_NN2 --_NN1 such_II21 as_II22 a_AT1 pressurization_NN1 blower_NN1 door_NN1 and_CC infrared_JJ camera_NN1 --_NN1 that_CST are_VBR not_XX likely_JJ to_TO be_VBI found_VVN in_II the_AT average_JJ DIY_NN1 tool_NN1 kit_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ you_PPY can_VM do_VDI to_TO prepare_VVI for_IF the_AT comprehensive_JJ assessment_NN1 is_VBZ conduct_NN1 an_AT1 initial_JJ audit_NN1 of_IO your_APPGE own_DA ._. 
Start_VV0 by_II writing_VVG down_RP all_DB the_AT symptoms_NN2 ,_, including_II when_RRQ and_CC where_CS in_II the_AT house_NN1 you_PPY notice_VV0 them_PPHO2 most_RRT ._. 
Make_VV0 a_AT1 list_NN1 of_IO any_DD work_VV0 that_CST 's_VHZ been_VBN done_VDN and_CC when_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ done_VDN --_JJ for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, you_PPY might_VM note_VVI that_CST you_PPY installed_VVD new_JJ insulation_NN1 last_MD fall_NN1 ,_, or_CC converted_VVD the_AT deck_NN1 to_II a_AT1 sunroom_NN1 three_MC summers_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, or_CC changed_VVN from_II a_AT1 window_NN1 A/C_ZZ1 to_II central_JJ air_NN1 five_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA ._. 
Pull_VV0 together_RL all_DB your_APPGE energy_NN1 bills_NN2 for_IF the_AT last_MD year_NNT1 (_( the_AT farther_JJR back_NN1 you_PPY can_VM go_VVI ,_, the_AT better_JJR )_) and_CC look_VVI for_IF usage_NN1 patterns_NN2 or_CC changes_NN2 that_CST correspond_VV0 with_IW the_AT symptoms_NN2 ,_, the_AT previous_JJ work_NN1 ,_, or_CC both_DB2 ._. 
Double-check_VV0 the_AT age_NN1 and_CC rating_VVG on_II your_APPGE HVAC_JJ equipment_NN1 and_CC household_NN1 appliances_NN2 and_CC be_VBI sure_JJ you_PPY know_VV0 the_AT fuel_NN1 types_NN2 for_IF each_DD1 ._. 
Walk_VV0 through_II your_APPGE house_NN1 and_CC look_VV0 for_IF clues_NN2 --_NN1 taking_VVG pictures_NN2 as_CSA you_PPY go_VV0 if_CS you_PPY have_VH0 a_AT1 camera_NN1 ._. 
Are_VBR there_RL damp_JJ spots_NN2 ?_? 
Is_VBZ dust_NN1 collecting_VVG or_CC is_VBZ the_AT carpet_NN1 looking_VVG dirty_JJ near_II the_AT baseboards_NN2 ?_? 
Is_VBZ the_AT snow_NN1 melting_VVG in_II a_AT1 weird_JJ pattern_NN1 on_II the_AT roof_NN1 ?_? 
Does_VDZ the_AT furnace_NN1 make_VVI a_AT1 funny_JJ noise_NN1 or_CC produce_VV0 a_AT1 strange_JJ smell_NN1 when_CS it_PPH1 's_VBZ running_VVG hard_RR ?_? 
Is_VBZ one_MC1 room_NN1 particularly_RR hot_JJ or_CC cold_JJ ?_? 
Which_DDQ windows_NN2 seem_VV0 to_TO carry_VVI the_AT most_DAT condensation_NN1 ?_? 
When_CS you_PPY present_VV0 your_APPGE findings_NN2 to_II your_APPGE specialist_NN1 home_NN1 performance_NN1 contractor_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 or_CC she_PPHS1 should_VM listen_VVI carefully_RR ,_, take_VV0 good_JJ notes_NN2 and_CC ask_VV0 follow-up_JJ questions_NN2 as_II part_NN1 of_IO the_AT homeowner_NN1 interview_NN1 before_II starting_VVG the_AT physical_JJ assessment_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 'll_VM probably_RR also_RR evaluate_VVI your_APPGE energy_NN1 bills_NN2 and_CC ask_VVI some_DD questions_NN2 about_II that_DD1 third_MD system_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT occupants_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE behavior_NN1 --_NN1 either_RR before_CS or_CC after_CS the_AT physical_JJ audit_NN1 ._. 
The_AT comprehensive_JJ assessment_NN1 will_VM start_VVI with_IW a_AT1 thorough_JJ walk-through_JJ --_NN1 both_RR indoors_RL and_CC out_RP ._. 
The_AT technician_NN1 may_VM use_VVI an_AT1 infrared_JJ camera_NN1 to_TO get_VVI a_AT1 visual_JJ on_II temperature_NN1 differences_NN2 in_II different_JJ areas_NN2 ,_, conduct_VV0 a_AT1 blower_NN1 door_NN1 test_NN1 to_TO depressurize_VVI the_AT house_NN1 to_TO assess_VVI air_NN1 leakage_NN1 levels_NN2 ,_, and_CC test_VVI for_IF leakage_NN1 in_II the_AT duct_NN1 work_NN1 of_IO forced-air_JJ HVAC_JJ systems_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 may_VM also_RR perform_VVI other_JJ function_NN1 and_CC safety_NN1 tests_NN2 on_II HVAC_JJ equipment_NN1 ,_, including_II carbon_NN1 monoxide_NN1 levels_NN2 and_CC combustion_NN1 back-draft_NN1 testing_NN1 ._. 
At_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT comprehensive_JJ whole-home_JJ assessment_NN1 ,_, your_APPGE home_NN1 performance_NN1 contractor_NN1 should_VM be_VBI able_JK to_TO provide_VVI you_PPY with_IW a_AT1 scientific_JJ ,_, objective_JJ view_NN1 of_IO the_AT situation_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 should_VM be_VBI able_JK to_TO help_VVI you_PPY prioritize_VVI repairs_NN2 in_II order_NN1 --_NN1 from_II must-do_VD0 to_TO nice-to-do_VDI --_JJ so_CS you_PPY can_VM solve_VVI the_AT biggest_JJT problems_NN2 without_IW making_VVG smaller_JJR problems_NN2 worse_JJR ._. 
They_PPHS2 should_VM also_RR be_VBI able_JK to_TO guide_VVI you_PPY regarding_II which_DDQ fixes_NN2 are_VBR suitable_JJ for_IF your_APPGE particular_JJ DIY_NN1 skill_NN1 level_NN1 ,_, and_CC which_DDQ will_VM require_VVI expert_NN1 help_NN1 --_NN1 either_RR from_II the_AT contracting_JJ company_NN1 who_PNQS performed_VVD the_AT assessment_NN1 or_CC from_II another_DD1 qualified_JJ ,_, trained_JJ source_NN1 ._. 
Show_VV0 me_PPIO1 the_AT Money_NN1 Upgrading_VVG your_APPGE home_NN1 's_GE performance_NN1 can_VM increase_VVI its_APPGE value_NN1 and_CC provide_VVI great_JJ rewards_NN2 in_II31 terms_II32 of_II33 comfort_NN1 ,_, health_NN1 ,_, safety_NN1 and_CC energy_NN1 savings_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB it_PPH1 can_VM also_RR require_VVI an_AT1 investment_NN1 of_IO money_NN1 ,_, time_NNT1 ,_, or_CC both_DB2 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ worth_II investigating_VVG Federal_JJ ,_, State_NN1 and_CC local_JJ homeowner_NN1 incentive_NN1 programs_NN2 --_JJ many_DA2 of_IO which_DDQ now_RT offer_VV0 increased_JJ funding_NN1 thanks_NN2 to_II the_AT economic_JJ stimulus_NN1 package_NN1 introduced_VVN in_II February_NPM1 of_IO 2009_MC ._. 
You_PPY can_VM visit_VVI the_AT Database_NN1 of_IO State_NN1 Incentives_NN2 for_IF Renewables_NP1 &;_NULL Efficiency_NN1 (_( DSIRE_NP1 )_) at_II www.dsireusa.org_NNU and_CC click_VV0 on_II your_APPGE state_NN1 on_II the_AT map_NN1 to_TO find_VVI out_RP what_DDQ 's_VBZ available_JJ in_II your_APPGE area_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY can_VM also_RR find_VVI a_AT1 state-by-state_JJ index_NN1 of_IO participating_JJ Home_NN1 Performance_NN1 with_IW Energy_NN1 Star_NN1 programs_NN2 at_II www.energystar.gov_NNU ._. 
Just_RR be_VB0 aware_JJ that_CST many_DA2 of_IO these_DD2 incentive_NN1 programs_NN2 will_VM need_VVI you_PPY to_TO register_VVI before_II your_APPGE initial_JJ whole-home_JJ assessment_NN1 is_VBZ done_VDN ,_, and_CC then_RT have_VH0 another_DD1 whole-home_JJ assessment_NN1 performed_VVN after_II all_DB the_AT work_NN1 is_VBZ completed_VVN to_TO ensure_VVI it_PPH1 was_VBDZ completed_VVN satisfactorily_RR to_II the_AT levels_NN2 required_VVN by_II that_DD1 specific_JJ program_NN1 ._. 
Some_DD programs_NN2 also_RR require_VV0 the_AT assessments_NN2 and_CC work_NN1 be_VBI performed_VVN by_II contracting_JJ companies_NN2 with_IW specific_JJ qualifications_NN2 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 Building_NN1 Performance_NN1 Institute_NN1 Certified_JJ Technicians_NN2 or_CC Accredited_JJ Contractors_NN2 ._. 
Understanding_VVG how_RRQ your_APPGE house_NN1 works_VVZ as_II a_AT1 series_NN of_IO interconnected_JJ systems_NN2 can_VM help_VVI you_PPY identify_VVI the_AT root_NN1 cause_NN1 of_IO problems_NN2 and_CC find_VV0 solutions_NN2 to_TO improve_VVI the_AT comfort_NN1 ,_, health_NN1 ,_, safety_NN1 ,_, durability_NN1 and_CC energy_NN1 efficiency_NN1 of_IO your_APPGE home_NN1 ._. 
