Signal Mountain Home Energy Case Study: Tackling High Energy Bills, Dust, Humidity, and Air Leakage
When Jim Factor of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, contacted Energy Duct, he was dealing with several common but frustrating home comfort problems: high energy bills, humidity issues, excessive dust throughout the home, and insulation that was making its way into the living space.
Jim’s experience is a good example of why improving a home’s energy efficiency isn’t always as simple as replacing an HVAC system. Problems with attic insulation, air leakage, ductwork, and ventilation can all affect how comfortable and efficient a home feels.
In Jim’s case, Energy Duct was connected with him through EPB’s free energy audit program, which helped identify areas of his home that could be improved.
The Problem: High Energy Bills, Dust, and an Uncomfortable Home
Jim was experiencing several issues at the same time.
His energy bills were higher than he wanted, and the home had noticeable humidity problems. Dust was also becoming a major issue, with Jim dealing with an excessive amount of dust throughout the house.
Another concern was insulation. Some of the home’s blown-in insulation had become compressed or was missing in areas, while insulation was also finding its way into the living space.
These problems can be related to the way air moves through a home. Gaps and penetrations in the building envelope, poorly sealed ductwork, inadequate attic insulation, and improperly handled exhaust ventilation can all contribute to energy loss and indoor comfort problems.
Rather than addressing only one symptom, Energy Duct evaluated several areas of the home and developed a plan to improve the home’s overall performance.
How Energy Duct Improved the Home
The project involved several different improvements, including attic insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, ventilation work, and weatherstripping.
1. Rebuilding and Improving Attic Insulation
The attic insulation was reblown to an R-38 level in areas where insulation had been compressed or was missing.
Energy Duct also installed attic dams over the scuttle holes, insulated and sealed the attic access points, and addressed ventilation.
The work included installing a termination vent on the exterior and routing remaining exhaust vents to the outside according to EPB standards. A fire shield was also installed around the fireplace flue pipe.
Proper attic insulation is important because the attic can be one of the biggest areas of heat transfer in a home. Improving insulation can help reduce the amount of conditioned air that is lost through the ceiling and help the HVAC system maintain a more consistent indoor temperature.
2. Air Sealing Throughout the Home
Energy Duct also addressed air leakage at several locations.
The team connected the range hood to the property’s exterior vent and sealed penetrations around HVAC, plumbing, and electrical areas.
Gaskets were also installed around attic access points.
Air sealing is an important part of improving home energy efficiency because insulation alone cannot stop air movement through gaps and penetrations. Sealing those openings helps control how conditioned and unconditioned air move between different areas of the house.
3. Ductwork Sealing and Repairs
The duct system was another important part of the project.
Energy Duct sealed the return boxes where they met the drywall, repaired insulation around takeoffs, and retaped supply lines where the existing tape had come loose.
The team also addressed areas where ductwork could contribute to condensation.
Duct sealing can be particularly important when homeowners are experiencing comfort or efficiency problems. Leaky duct connections can allow conditioned air to escape before it reaches the rooms where it is needed.
4. Sealing Exterior Doors and Other Small Air Leaks
Not every source of air leakage is found in the attic or duct system.
As part of the project, Energy Duct also caulked baseboards and shoe molding where needed and sealed and adjusted six exterior doors so they would close properly.
These may seem like small details, but a home’s overall performance is the result of many individual components working together.
Testing the Home Before and After the Work
One of the most important parts of this project was the testing.
Energy Duct included before-and-after testing using a Duct Blaster and Blower Door to help verify the work that had been completed. Before-and-after photos were also provided.
These tests help evaluate how air is moving through the home and the duct system, providing a way to compare the home’s performance before and after improvements are made.
Rather than simply completing the work and calling the project finished, Energy Duct used testing to verify the results.
The Result: A More Comfortable Signal Mountain Home
After the work was completed, Jim was able to experience the difference in his home.
The project addressed multiple sources of energy loss and air leakage, while also correcting insulation and ventilation issues. The work was designed to help reduce the factors contributing to Jim’s high energy bills, humidity concerns, and excessive dust.
Most importantly, the goal wasn’t simply to make one repair. Energy Duct addressed the attic, ductwork, air sealing, ventilation, and exterior air leakage as parts of one system.
For Jim, that meant a home that was more comfortable and better sealed, with the underlying issues addressed rather than simply treating the symptoms.
What This Signal Mountain Energy Efficiency Project Can Teach Homeowners
If you’re experiencing high energy bills, excessive dust, humidity, uneven temperatures, or drafts, the problem may not be your HVAC system alone.
Some areas worth investigating include:
- Attic insulation that is missing, compressed, or insufficient
- Air leaks around HVAC, plumbing, and electrical penetrations
- Leaky or poorly insulated ductwork
- Unsealed attic access points
- Improperly vented exhaust fans
- Drafty exterior doors
- Air leakage between conditioned and unconditioned spaces
A professional home energy assessment can help identify where those problems are occurring and determine which improvements are likely to make the biggest difference.
Energy Duct and EPB’s Free Energy Audit Program
Jim’s project began through EPB’s free energy audit program, providing an opportunity to identify potential energy-efficiency improvements in his home.
For homeowners in the Chattanooga and surrounding area, an energy audit can be a useful first step when you’re dealing with unexplained high energy bills, uncomfortable rooms, humidity, drafts, or excessive dust.
Energy Duct can then help address many of the building-envelope, insulation, and ductwork issues identified during the process.
See Jim’s Experience for Yourself
In his testimonial, Jim talks about what he was experiencing in his Signal Mountain home and what changed after Energy Duct completed the work.
His story is a great example of how improving the way a home is sealed, insulated, ventilated, and ducted can make a noticeable difference in the way the home feels and performs.
If you’re dealing with high energy bills, excessive dust, humidity, or drafts in your Chattanooga-area home, an energy-efficiency assessment may be a good place to start.
Contact Energy Duct to learn more about improving your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.
