Bowie Levitt Home - Cape Cod Style
This BGE Customer's Reason for Getting the AuditThe family is looking for ways to save money on their BGE bill which can fluctuate quite a bit and is generally very high. General Profile Bowie Levitt Cape Cod
Year Built: 1960-1970 HVAC Ducts: Often ducts are running outside of the conditioned space in a garage or behind a knee wall Unique Features: The first floor is partially under the attic (flat area behind the upstairs knee wall) so insulation is really important for whole-house-comfort. | Homeowner Takeaways from this Bowie Home Energy AuditSome areas are accessible and others are not, however it is recommended that the attic areas be accessed for treatment. The top collar attic is sometimes accessible through a push up hatch and other times it is not which may indicate that the insulation is original to the home. Sloped ceilings typically have fiberglass batt insluation in the cavity, however improvements are necessary to make the insulation work better.
Long-Term Problems if Left UncheckedSome areas are accessible and others are not, however it is recommended that the attic areas be accessed for treatment. The top collar attic is sometimes accessible through a push up hatch and other times it is not which may indicate that the insulation is original to the home. Sloped ceilings typically have fiberglass batt insluation in the cavity, however improvements are necessary to make the insulation work better. |
 It is not uncommon for the upstairs to get warm in summer in these style Bowie houses so homeowers get extra AC units which cost a lot.  Due to the pathway that insulation must take in this style home, areas could be missing insulation due to gravity pulling it down. |  Insulation in the flat area behind the upper knee wall provides protection for the areas on the first floor and it is usually under insulated - big time.  Often times, the laundry room and HVAC share the area behind the garage. A trip to the garage attic reveals duct work that is typically underinsulated. |  Access panes are sometimes present in these Bowie Cape Cod houses, but typically at least one access cut must be made for proper treatment.  Blower door results can be compared to similar style homes. It can be used as a guide and the actual test must be done for complete accuracy. |
How an energy audit typically helps a homeowner with this type of home:-Guidance on which areas are most important to treat first for best results |
