The following is a faculty research project supported by the Upstate Institute:
Beth Parks, Associate Professor of Physics
This project will allow homeowners to learn the insulation levels in their homes and start the process of increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. For homeowners in a severe climate such as Upstate New York who spend over $1,000 annually on heating, the product can prove beneficial, especially for homeowners who are unaware of what insulation exists in their homes. The project is part of the development of a device that will use a thermocoupler to measure the temperature difference between a wall surface and the interior air of a heated room. This temperature difference can then be used to calculate the wall insulation. With this grant, Parks can test the device in single-family homes in the village of Hamilton.