Costly Energy Efficiency Mistakes You Should Avoid
Posted on December 29, 2017
Energy efficiency is the goal every homeowner desires to achieve. However, the money and time homeowners spend are directed on solutions that do not deliver on this objective. Some of these solutions are old and no longer optimal in solving today’s energy efficiency problems.
The following is a discussion on some of the problems homeowners face and an analysis of the old versus new solutions and their respective impacts.
Drafty Windows
The old solution to windows that are drafty is to simply buy new ones. However, the new and smart solutions is to seal and insulate the basement as well as the attic. Your home is much like an insulated thermos container. The important part for you and your family in this container is the perimeter that surrounds your personal living space which is referred to as the building envelope. Unsealed perforations in this envelope are the main causes of drafty windows.
With proper insulation of attics and air sealing of basements, the rate of air leaks reduces. This then changes the pressure inside the house and leaky windows stop leaking.
Inadequate Insulation
The old solution to the insulation problem is that your house was built to code with plenty of insulation. In the new dispensation, the smart solution is to add more insulation to ensure your house is up to date. There has been a lot of changes to insulation code in a number of states in the US. Houses built in 1978 and those constructed in 2012 or later, comply to totally different codes.
Adding insulation saves energy, improves comfort, and reduces the likelihood of moisture condensing on your walls. It is also inexpensive as a home upgrade solution.
An Overly Hot Attic
The old way of addressing an attic that is too hot is to install an attic fan. This is an expensive solution and you should avoid it at all costs. The new smart solution is to first seal and insulate the attic, then passive venting.
Attics that are unconditioned can get crazily hot. To cool them, homeowners used to install attic fans. Unfortunately, many attic floors have air leaks which limit the ability of fans to pull fresh air from outside. Technically, this means you are using your air conditioner to cool your attic space while it is open to the outside. This is similar to air conditioning your house while your windows are open.
By air sealing and insulating your attic, your AC stays in your living space and only the passive venting is used for the interchange. This saves you a lot in energy cost and cools your attic efficiently.
Some other problems include partial usage of room spaces which make homeowners to close some of the vents. Instead of closing the vents and registers in unused spaces, the smart solution is to leave them open. Every energy efficiency addition you bring on board is worth the cost.