Energy Audit in Virginia Beach, VA
Challenge
This homeowner reached out to us about performing an energy audit on their home. They wanted to make it energy-efficient, to keep their bills low and ensure the home did not have any hot or cold spots that made rooms unusable.
At the inspection, we found that the attic currently had several different types of insulation including batt and blown-in fiberglass, but they barely filled the floors. Duct lines ran through the attic and were subject to the extreme heat of summer and cold in winter.
With little insulation, no air sealing, and the harsh temperatures in the attic, the homeowner was losing energy and battling temperatures in their conditioned space.
Solution
To help make this home more comfortable and energy-efficient we began by removing the existing insulation. This allowed us to easily access the hundreds of holes connecting the unconditioned attic to the living space below and seal them. These holes include recessed can lights, top plates, and utility lines. This will minimize the conditioned air rising and escaping out of the top of the home, only to be replaced by unconditioned air at the bottom of the home.
We installed PVs (polystyrene vents) to maintain the ventilation at the soffit and prevent drift in the insulation from the airflow. Then we installed an R-38 blanket of blown-in cellulose insulation on the attic floor. Blown-in cellulose is great for an attic with ductwork because the lines can be buried in the insulation and be protected from the extreme temperatures.
The result for the homeowner is less heat transfer between the attic and living space. Making the home more comfortable, keeping conditioned air in the home longer, and reducing energy bills.
