reducing home energy costs
TRANSCRIPT
Reducing Home Energy CostsReducing Home Energy CostsThere is more to it than adding insulation or windowsThere is more to it than adding insulation or windows
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Your PresenterYour Presenter• RESNET Member• Certified HVAC Balancing
& Diagnostics• Certified Indoor
Environmental Consultant• Certified Combustion
Analyst• LEED AP (EB O&M and
Homes)• Certified Commissioning
Process Management Professional
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Understanding Your HomeUnderstanding Your Home• The first step in
reducing energy costs in any home is gaining a thorough understanding of how the home is wasting energy.
• This begins with giving your home a check-up.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Home Check-Up…Why?Home Check-Up…Why?• You would not allow your doctor to operate
on you without first diagnosing the problem.
• Your home is the same. In order to gain the greatest benefit from your retrofit dollars, you must first understand the problems.
• How is your home currently performing?
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Diagnostic ToolsDiagnostic Tools
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Where to BeginWhere to Begin• It is important to
understand how your home currently performs. This allows technicians to evaluate the most cost effective retrofits.
• Current performance can be measured and weaknesses evaluated.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Measure, Don’t GuessMeasure, Don’t Guess• A thorough
understanding of a building requires an understanding of ALL integrated systems that make up the building.
• Changes made to any system can affect the performance of other systems.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Watch Out for This Guy!!Watch Out for This Guy!!• Unscrupulous energy
inspectors can cause more harm than good. In some cases, these under qualified energy inspectors can unknowingly put the home and/or occupants at risk.
• Experience, experience, experience!!!
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Contractor Bias = Poor Diagnostics
Contractor Bias = Poor Diagnostics
• HVAC contractor makes more money selling new system than correcting airflow.
• Insulation contractor makes more money insulating a home than sealing air leaks.
• Window contractor makes more money selling new windows than properly sealing rough opening around existing windows.
• Sometimes, the most cost effective retrofits are the least costly to implement.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Buyer Beware!!Buyer Beware!!
A Home Energy Audit will determine where your home is leaking hundreds of energy dollars in the summer as well as the winter. Our Registered Insulation Specialists will identify your home's leaks and suggest how to stop them. We can help you with attic or wall insulation, new energy efficient replacement windows and doors.
Below is from Cleveland Area Contractor Website
Conflict of Interest?? You Decide.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
C.L.I. Group Audit OptionsC.L.I. Group Audit Options
Controls
Indoor AirQuality
CombustionSafety
Lighting &Electrical
Building Shell & Windows
Insulation
Home EnergyUsage
Integrated Energy Systems
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
An Independent Third Party Approach
An Independent Third Party Approach
• No financial interest• Not selling products
and/or services• Trained &
experienced in all systems
• Building Science training (knowing how integrated systems affect each other)
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Energy Loss = Other IssuesEnergy Loss = Other Issues• Construction defects
such as ice dams are directly related to energy loss. However, these deficiencies can damage other components of the building.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Unseen DeficienciesUnseen Deficiencies• Poorly designed or
misunderstood building retrofits can create hidden hazards (e.g. poor ventilation, moisture problems, mold).
• This is the danger when biased contractors perform energy audits.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Energy Efficiency v IAQEnergy Efficiency v IAQ• A poorly designed
energy efficiency strategy can compromise indoor air quality.
• Good air quality and energy efficiency are possible if your energy contractor understands both.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Misdiagnosis Can Be CostlyMisdiagnosis Can Be Costly• Improperly sized
mechanical systems• Condensation and
other moisture issues• Indoor Air Quality
issues• Premature wear on
building systems• Added cost to owner
Saving a few dollars on a quality
energy audit can get you into Hot
Water later!!
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Efficient Heat Requires Good Airflow
Efficient Heat Requires Good Airflow
A Newer or B
igger System W
ill NOT Corre
ct Poor
Airflow, Leaky Ductwork, etc.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Duct LeakageDuct Leakage• Duct leakage may be
stealing your heating system efficiency and your money.
• Many heating contractors will install new systems and never look at duct leakage.
• Duct leakage is responsible for numerous building problems (e.g. ice dams, IAQ, etc.)
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Poor AirflowPoor Airflow• An air handler cannot
function as intended without proper airflow.
• Proper airflow can only be determined by measuring.
• There are many causes for poor airflow (e.g. dirty filter, improperly sized ducts, etc.)
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Insulation Benefits?Insulation Benefits?• Installing more
insulation without sealing air leakage will do little in correcting heat loss issues.
• Most insulation allows for airflow. This airflow can rob the insulation of R-Value.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Proper InstallationProper Installation• Proper installation is
often more important than additional materials or larger sizes.
• This drawing shows properly installed baffles and sheathing preventing airflow through insulation.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Improper InstallationImproper Installation• Cold (outdoor) air flowing
through insulation reduces R-value and allows for convective heat losses.
• This is a common problem, even in new insulation installations.
• Unqualified installers do not understand this issue or the consequences.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Condensation ProblemsCondensation Problems• This home had a larger
cooling system installed to correct comfort issues.
• The pressure differentials, air leakage and insulation issues created a much worse problem.
• A proper assessment of the building would have prevented these problems which later caused thousands in damages.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Unqualified InstallersUnqualified Installers• Installers insulated
directly over this recessed light. This not only created heat loss, it helped to fuel condensation in attic, aided in creation of ice dams and was a potential fire hazard.
• Infrared image helps to uncover these issues before problems occur.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Profit First!!Profit First!!• Many window problems
are the result of poor installation and not the actual window. Replacement windows will do little good if they are again installed improperly.
• Many homeowners could save more by properly insulating existing window openings.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Holistic Approach is KeyHolistic Approach is Key
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Common Oversights in AuditsCommon Oversights in Audits• HVAC system airflows are often ignored
and/or misunderstood by home energy auditors.
• Indoor Air Quality can be adversely affected by energy retrofits. Your home energy auditor should understand both.
• Changes to any system in the home typically affects other systems. This is why a holistic approach is important.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
A New Day in Energy PerformanceA New Day in Energy Performance
INTEGRATED APPROACH!!!!!
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Trained SpecialistsTrained Specialists• Measure existing
performance• Get the most out of
existing framework• Reduced energy
costs & improved performance
• From systems already in place in many cases
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Independent Third-PartyIndependent Third-Party• Remember Joe and avoid
him. An independent assessment of your home will give you all of the fact, unbiased.
• When contractors perform free or discounted assessments, you are almost guaranteed a faulty energy audit biased toward their interests.
C.L.I. Group, LLC 2010
Call Us 440-946-7191Call Us 440-946-7191
• Learn how our independent and integrated approach to energy audits can save you money and help to assure that you get the most out of your home.