ARROYO GRANDE - Returning veterans and their families are being treated to a special welcome home gesture on the Central Coast.
It's a home energy efficiency audit that can save money and lives.
A fan on the front door of the Peterson house in Arroyo Grande helps energy efficiency experts and Cal Poly engineering students inside conduct a home performance audit.
"We put a negative pressure on the house and measure how much air is being pulled out", says energy efficiency consultant Paul Menconi, "it gives us a clue to how many air leaks are in the home."
High tech instruments including thermal imaging measure the air flow
From the ceiling lights, to the storage closets and the attic, everything is monitored.
"Its really precise when it comes to detecting the real small pressures throughout the house", says Cal Poly senior Erik Broadnick about the detection instruments, "and finding leakage in the smallest places you wouldn't normally think about."
The ultimate goal is to let the homeowner know how he or she can maximize energy efficiency both outside and inside of the house, saving money and possibly even lives.
The inspection checks for harmful levels of deadly CO2 gas.
"They have a gas stove here, we're going to check that and they have a gas oven", Menconi says, "we'll go out and check the water heater to make sure its not producing excessive levels of carbon monoxide and is venting properly."
It's a unique way to say thanks to returning veterans for their service.
"We thought it would be a really good idea to try and help some of the veterans that are coming home or already home that have been overseas", says Milton Batson of the San Luis Obispo Kiwanis Club which is supporting the program financially, "most of this is by volunteers but there are several professional contractors involved."
"I think it's a great idea", says returning Marine Corps veteran Andrew Peterson who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, "its going to save a lot of people a lot of money."
Not to mention the great hands-on experience for the Cal Poly Home Energy Upgrade Team.
"I'm an engineer myself", says homeowner Tom Peterson, "so its kind of nice to see these kids working on their degrees."
If you would like to help the Kiwanis Club financially with its Veterans Home Energy Efficiency Program, or if you know a veteran that could use the service, call Milton Batson at 481-2622 or send donations to the Kiwanis Club of San Luis Obispo, PO Box 371, San Luis Obispo, CA. 93406.
