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NCHFA HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAMS -- Energy Standards <br /> This, the fourth edition, was reviewed in draft by many interested parties, including the <br /> membership of the North Carolina Residential Energy Forum. Comments were received'from <br /> representatives of AEC, the Energy Division, Duke Power, Carolina Electric Cooperatives, <br /> and the Solar Center, as well as from Harry J. Boody of the firm Energy Innovations by <br /> Harry Boody. Collectively, their feedback was invaluable and greatly appreciated. Users of <br /> this edition are encouraged to comment on their experiences and/or recommend further <br /> improvements. <br /> General Guidelines. When determining the feasibility of rehabilitation for a given dwelling <br /> unit and the prioritization of optional rehabilitation work items, recipients should be guided <br /> by these general principles: <br /> 1) Do not "throw good money after bad." That is, if a unit cannot be made <br /> standard (decent, safe, sanitary and affordable) with the funds available for the <br /> purpose, do not treat the unit. A unit rehabilitated with Program assistance <br /> should be capable, with reasonable maintenance, of providing standard housing for at <br /> least 30 more years. <br /> 2) Do not leave "bad apples." Whenever possible avoid leaving dilapidated units <br /> in close proximity of treated units. Such structures contribute to neighborhood <br /> disinvestment and can ultimately undermine the work you have done. <br /> 3) When in doubt about the appropriateness of an optional energy-related <br /> rehabilitation work item, consider whether the proposed improvement will pay for <br /> itself over its expected useful life. If it will not, it may be best not to do it. <br /> 4) Remember that home energy conservation is a year-round process. In addition <br /> to winter heat-loss, attention should be paid to summer heat-gain, ventilating, shading, <br /> drainage, etc. <br /> 5) Where local utility companies offer discount rates to homes meeting certain <br /> energy standards, every effort should be made to qualify each dwelling unit for the <br /> discount. <br /> 6) The use of a blower door to diagnose air sealing needs is recommended. By <br /> depressurizing or pressurizing a dwelling unit with a blower door, a trained operator <br /> can pinpoint leaks that might be quite significant, though not immediately obvious. <br /> Potential sources of indoor air pollution can also be revealed by the blower door. In <br /> addition, it can be used to ensure that minimum ventilation standards are met (per <br /> ASHRAE standard 62-1989). <br /> Many public utilities can refer you to a blower door contractor, or you may contract <br /> 2 <br />