Sunday, 24 January 2016

Energy Inefficiency Causes Problems Galore

The thought of my home losing precious energy has been dogging me for quite some time. I know that controlling the energy wastage will definitely cap my rising utility bills, but I was confounded about how exactly to achieve this.

Are the ducts faulty and leaking heat? Will insulating the attic be sufficient?  Do I need to change the windows or does the entire roof need to be replaced? I decided I need to consult professional home energy auditors for the same.

I approached my regular remodeling contractor, Landmark Construction Crew for assistance and the expert team conducted a thorough analysis of my house’s energy efficiency. A technician informed me that the constant cold drafts in the rooms, cold floors and even condensation on the windows was due to leaks and inadequate insulation. The recurring mold buildup in the attic and basement was also attributed to the air leaks.

I quickly came to realize that high energy bills were not the only fallout. The recurring eye irritation, allergies and respiratory issues plaguing me and my family was also due to the air leaks and mold!

I agreed to the steps suggested and the energy upgrade contractors did a thorough job of making my house totally energy efficient. Was I delighted to know that this also earned me a rebate of up to $7500 from Energy Upgrade California!

Wednesday, 13 January 2016

Control Faults in Ductwork

Brrrr…its chilly outside and am I glad that the furnace is keeping the house warm and toasty. However, the kids’ bedroom always seems to remain cooler than the rest of the house and my kids are loath to even enter it, especially in the evenings.

My brood is making do with the spare room, but I am anxious to understand why the coolness refuses to be driven away. I have tried cranking up the thermostat and even moved the chairs that were blocking the registers. The return airway is sufficient and the filters and vents are clean too. And yet, the problem continues to linger!

I was piqued completely and checked with my regularly remodeling contractor – Landmark Construction Crew. I informed them that I had already checked and sealed all leaks in the ducts. The ducts were properly insulated and as the room is under the attic, I had ensured that it stayed insulated and protected. Even the doors and windows had sufficient caulking and weather stripping.

One of the members helpfully pointed out that the problem could be with the air duct installation. He said that while leaks and poor insulation generally tend to affect the heating efficiency, other obscure issues such as thin ducts or even inadequate supply ducts could be rendering the room as ‘hard to cool’.

Further inspection revealed that sufficient heat was actually not able to reach the room an undersized ductwork was the root problem. The Landmark experts calculated and designed the required ducting and now the kids are back to prancing around and littering in their favorite room!