Residential Comfort & Energy EfficiencyFriday, August 28 2020
Get to the Root of the ProblemA doctor always wants to get the the source of the issue. Let's consider a lower back ache as an example. If you hurt your lower back chances are the doctor will give you a muscle relaxer for the symptoms. A good doctor will likely give you a pamphlet on core strengthening exercises to get to the root of the problem. Specialized Contractor Needed for Damp BasementsSome issues inside the home can be confusing and confounding for many contractors. A damp basement and high humidity are hard to solve. As a homeowner, knowing where to turn for help might be difficult to figure out. Making matter worse, getting the wrong contractor can waste time or cost extra money. Indoor Humidity and SeasonalityThe recommended indoor humidity level - year round - is between 40-60%. To get a handle on indoor humidity, the first thing to understand is the seasonality of indoor humidity. In the summer the air outside is hot, humid and sticky in Maryland. We run our dehumidifiers in the basement. If you have not gotten around to attaching the hose most likely you are dumping water on the regular. This effort pulls extra moisture from the air. In the winter everyone talks about the Polar Vortex. Aside from being very cold, the Polar Vortex is also very dry! In winter our hands are cracking, lips get chapped and we need to introduce moisture into the inside air. In this case a humidifier is used. So, I will be clear. High indoor humidity is more of a summer issue. Home Energy AuditThe key to solving a high indoor humidity issue is to look at it like a doctor. We need to find the source of the humidity in the air. We need to attack the problem. Where is the humid air getting in? Waterproofing will not completely solve the issue. Industrial strength dehumidifers are the muscle relaxer and treat only the symptom. Having your home evaluated by a certified Building Analyst (BA) is a great way to identify home air leakage. It is important to understand that air leakage works both ways. Not only does air leak out of a house (exfiltration) air also leaks in (infiltration). A blower door test can uncover air leakage points around a house.
Working with a Building Analyst is a great place to start for a damp basement due to a high indoor humidity issue. Thursday, August 27 2020
Did you know that at any given time there are around forty approved BGE contractors to do energy audits for Maryland homes? Every once in a while I get a call from a Maryland homeowner that already had an audit performed and they want to get another quote. It happens quite often and what I can report to you is that I am amazed at the lack of details in the audits that I get to review. Once a homeowner gets an energy audit, their home's "scenario" is registered in the BGE database. All approved contractors can request access to the file if the homeowner authorizes it. So, I get to see my peers final product and I can say, I have been less than impressed. Providing a comprehensive energy audit is a specialized service. It takes many hours of training, hands on experience and practice to give a great all around energy audit. With so many houses in Maryland and so few BGE auditors how can you be sure to get a great auditor that hits on all points? After all, you only get the audit one time for the discounted price of $100. Here are the questions you can ask the company (including us) you choose for your BGE energy audit: 1. How many BGE energy audits has the assigned auditor performed? 2. What is the auditors background before becoming an auditor? 3. What level of detail does the auditor plan to add to the energy audit report? 4. What is the physical condition of the energy auditor assigned to my house? 5. Is the auditor a good communicator and willing to engage?
1. How many audits have you completed?Collecting the necessary data points during an energy audit is important. Having the repetition and experience allows a great auditor to assign time to the issues. If an auditor is new, taking accurate measurements may be a challenge. The auditor is learning on the job. Everyone has to start somewhere, but do you want your one-time discounted audit to be the one? A great audit can unlock amazing concepts that will put you in control of comfort and energy usage. 2. What is the auditors background?An energy audit looks at a house in a different way than a window consultation or roof estimate. An energy auditor is a three dimensional thinker whereas a window salesman has a one track mind. And, I am not even talking about making the sale. An energy auditor needs to know a little bit about everything around a typical house. Having a background as a home contractor helps, but also being a homeowner is important. Experiencing and problem solving around your own home generates great learning experiences. These experiences along with learned concepts can go a long way towards helping you!
3. How is the final report going to look with a mediocre BGE energy auditor?It is going to be a complete bore. The template for the BGE energy report is well designed and the information is good. A great energy auditor will add details that pertain to discussions you had. Your BGE energy report final copy will be something you can keep for reference. 4. Should I really ask about my auditors physical condition?Believe it or not, but doing a BGE energy audit the way it needs to is demanding work. An auditor must be able to get in small spaces, climb in attics and inspect crawl spaces. An auditor must be in good physical condition to perform a great audit. 5. Communication Pulls it All TogetherAn energy auditor needs to be so many unique things and on top of that if they are not personable, then it is a waste. An energy auditor must be able to articulate key concepts in easy to understand ways. If the auditor cannot complete this task, the BGE energy audit could end up being useless. Saturday, August 15 2020
Why does Mold Form on Plywood?Typically, condensation in the attic starts due to a moisture issue created by introducing two completely different air masses. Here are the two possible reasons this problem is happening in your attic. 1. No air sealing at the attic floor to stop warm, conditioned air from escaping into the attic (warm air/ winter issue) coupled with a lack of adequate attic ventilation creating conditions that are right for condensation that adheres to the plywood and eventually forms mold. 2. In summer, a leaking AC HVAC duct in an attic and other HVAC-related inefficiencies can allow air to seep out and interact with the hot, humid attic air, mainly if the attic is not well vented. If you find this helpful, check out more info on my YouTube Channel @hometrustremodeling Warm Air Exfiltration - Winter IssueSigns that you have an attic moisture issue problem during cold months can sometimes be seen on the plywood.
Winter Problems - What to Look out ForFrozen droplets on the tips of nails and hurricane clips signify that warm, humid air is migrating from inside the home into the attic and settling in the wrong places. But, how is the warm, humid air getting into this attic? The usual suspects...can lights and top plates! Recessed light thermography taken at the attic floor reveals heat from inside the home escaping into the attic.
Top plates are also leaky spots if not appropriately air-sealed. Top plates in the attic will exist above the hallway, between rooms, and other areas separated by a wall.
Summer Condensation - How it Formed in This Attic
At first, when I got up in the attic, I could see the stains. It was apparent quickly that there was an issue beyond what I usually see. I have been in many attics and seen a lot of roof sheathing over the years. I was not exactly sure about this one at first. I have not had a mold case. Overall, is is pretty rare, at least in Maryland. At first, I considered the possible interaction of the cool conditioned air in the living space below and the warm, humid attic air. Maybe I could find a large opening or bypass where the air interacted, but why would be so high up? Then I turned around. I saw a huge HVAC supply duct lying completely undressed and the picture was getting clearer. Summer Moisture - 4 Things to Lookout ForHere is the recipe for mildew and mold growth on the plywood in warmer months: 1. HVAC Ducts *Second HVAC system located in the attic or crawl space. 2. HVAC System Size *The second HVAC system is improperly sized. 3. Poor thermostat location. *The thermostat is located in an area reported to be a "hot spot" on the floor so the machine was running longer. 4. Poor Ventilation *Improper baffle placement. A baffle is supposed to act as a channel for the open soffit intake below. The soffit opening is covered with insulation, not allowing good flow. Here is what it is supposed to look like. How to Remove Mold from Attic PlywoodAnswer: Control the humidity and the mold growth disappears.Here are the steps recommended to solve this issue in the long term. 1. Remove the insulation around the soffit/eave areas - the entire perimeter 2. Reinstall baffles at the eaves to promote the best possible organic attic ventilation. 3. Re-position the insulation so as not to cover the openings. 4. Seal the duct seams and tightly insulate the supply plenum (central AC duct) to eliminate leakage (lost energy) into the attic.
________________ Written by Eric Gans Do you have something going on around the house? Maybe my YouTube Channel can help. YouTube Channel @hometrustremodeling
I would like to hear your comments about this article. Feel free to post something below... Tuesday, July 28 2020
Duct leakage inside a home can account for as much as 30% of energy loss. But, how do you fix a problem that mostly lives behind walls and in hard to reach locations? Saturday, July 18 2020
Most homeowners that have a knee wall in their home don't know they have a knee wall in their home. This article discusses the different type of knee walls, the issues knee walls present in terms of comfort and energy efficiency and how to properly treat knee walls for peace of mind. Wednesday, July 15 2020
Check out this before and after crawl space encapsulation project with blocking and sealing open vents. Crawl Space Encapsulation Maryland - Smart Thinking
Imagine if that was a formula for everything in life. Work less and gain more! Saturday, July 11 2020
Hometrust Remodeling recently completed an insulation job in Laurel, MD 20723. The project consisted of the following measures:
For most insulation to be effective it is important to stop the flow of air by sealing up holes and cracks in as many accessible areas as possible. Insulating the accessible skylight kneewalls to R13 after sealing smaller crevices/cracks and adding sheathing (air barrier) over the insulation will maximize boundary effectiveness and reduce air communication between the living space and the attic (outside). Most of the largest leaks in homes occur where framing (such as floor joists or wall studs) span from an area inside conditioned space to an unconditioned or vented space, such as the attic,crawlspace, garage, or roof. Appropriate blocking is needed in these instances. Untreated recessed lights are invisible gateways for air to communicate between the inside (conditioned space) and outside (attic). Covering and sealing accessible recessed lights will eliminate this issue. Encapsulation, using open cell spray foam, was completed for this project so that the space below, including the HVAC unit in the garage attic, would become part of the overall "envelope". The garage is going to be converted to living space (in-law suite) so by encapsulating the area above the space, it will make it easy to complete the job once the work gets done and when the space is changed, the HVAC will also benefit from being enclosed inside the house rather than outside (garage attic). Monday, June 29 2020
Learn about some of the benefits a homeowner can get from having an air leakage test performed by a blower door system. Tuesday, May 26 2020
I wanted to share an experience that I had when I moved into a townhouse in Laurel a few years ago. Prior to moving to North Laurel, I lived mostly in West Laurel, so I am not new to the area. What was a first time experience for me was July 2018. Whew! It was so hot! And so was the upstairs bedrooms all day and into the night and we were a bit concerned as it was our first summer in the new home and we like it cool when we sleep. At the time, I was about six months into being a home energy auditor. I was learning a lot, especially out in the field working with people in their homes all day. What I was realizing is that I am not alone. Lots of others are also hot upstairs in the summer. I wanted to share because here is what some people do and it does not solve their problem: 1. Replace HVAC System 2. Replace Windows Here is what we did (with a little insider info) and it came along with measurable results: Air sealed and insulated the attic and basement Now, the temperature throughout our townhouse is far more regulated. The upstairs is still a bit hotter during the hottest of days with full sun, but it cools down in the evenings and we can sleep. During the winter after getting the insulation work done, it was much easier to heat the house too. Anyways, I like to share that story with people I know because I see too many people trying to solve comfort with new AC or new windows and the only way to do it is with proper home assessment & correctly installed insulation. Hope you find a way to beat the Maryland summer heat!! Wednesday, May 06 2020
Key Purchasing Factors Should Be
Planning for Replacement Windows
Step 1 Figure out which windows in your home need to be replaced. Do you want to replace all of them or just certain ones? Step 3 Examine various window types and decide what style would best fit your home. Be sure to find the right windows to suit your needs and that are right for our region. Step 4 Do research and gather all the information you can. Familiarize yourself with the products and options available to you. This is a great opportunity to write down any questions you want answered. Step 5 Get in contact with several local replacement window distributors and dealers. Ask questions and receive price quotes. Step 6 Find out about the warranties and service support. Learn about the company itself and their qualifications. The credibility of the company is important. Step 7 Based upon window type, price, service and your impressions, select where you would like to make the purchase. |