As for the CO detector, I guess I might have to order one from them one day & see what it’s like – it would take quite a bit though to truly sell me on recommending one though (ok I am sometimes overly cautious – I admit it)

Thanks again for the comments Allison, I do appreciate them

Yes, you’re absolutely right about it being cheaper & easier to pay an audit, but since you mentioned DIY air-sealing and air-leak detection, I thought I’d throw that in there. It’s definitely not for the technically challenged homeowner, though.

As for the CO detector – I as a builder can’t recomend that product due to it not “meeting” the safety standards as required by the codes – sure it might exceed them, but unless it meets the approval standards I would be liable

Interesting idea on the blower door, however I think I will stick with my Retrotec. For an average Homeowner, it would probably be cheaper for them to pay for the audit but one never knows.

On carbon monoxide, the only device I recommend is the one made by George Kerr and his company, CO Experts. You can buy it from his website and read all about why the UL approved models for sale at your local home improvement stores won’t save you. Here’s the link:

http://www.coexperts.com/

On the topic of do-it-yourself testing for air leakage, a while back I ran across a website that tells you how to make your own blower door. I haven’t tried it yet, but it seems like it should work. Here’s the link:

http://www.nlcpr.com/Pressuretesting.php

Finally, although many homes do have air leakage at the doors and windows, there’s a lot more of it through the ceiling or floor (unless the house is on a slab). The attic of older houses almost always has open chases and lots of other places to reduce the leakage in a hurry. Going down under the house, find your way to the bathroom and look for the ‘six-pack hole’ under the bathtub. You’ll also find open chases and other leaks down there.