When we think of why homes are cold and inefficient, often, the first thing that comes to mind is drafty windows. Poor windows! They are always getting the blame for cold houses. While windows can be a source of cold drafts and heat loss, they are rarely the most cost-effective energy upgrade a homeowner can make. Sure, replacing those old windows will reduce your heating bill and make your home more comfortable, but they’re also quite expensive. If you are looking for the best bang for your energy upgrade buck, there are much better options available.
The low hanging fruit of home energy upgrades are not usually things that we look at every day. Fixing leaky duct systems is often the most cost-effective energy improvement a homeowner can make. According to the Department of Energy, the average duct system loses between 30 and 40 percent of the air traveling through it to unconditioned spaces such as attics and crawl spaces. This means that in order to heat your home, your furnace will have to work harder than it would in a house with an airtight duct system. While the critters in your attic and crawl space love this extra heat on a cold winter day, it doesn’t help your heating bill. Sealing up those leaks ensures that the expensive heat your furnace is making is actually getting into your home.
Upgrading your attic insulation is another great cost-effective energy improvement you can make to your home. Older houses were not insulated well to begin with because energy prices were much lower when they were built, making it not as cost effective at that time. Additionally, over time, that insulation can get trampled or rearranged as cable guys, electricians and handymen work in your attic. Dropped soffits in kitchens and knee walls that are adjacent to attic spaces are usually insulated poorly and are easy pathways for heat to escape from your home. Heat transfer occurs at the path of least resistance, so any uninsulated or under-insulated spots in your attic can greatly reduce the overall effectiveness of your insulation. You should have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic, and the more you have, the better.
In a typical house, air leaks account for 25 to 40 percent of heating costs and are a great opportunity to improve comfort and energy efficiency. These air leaks occur at some locations you might suspect like doors and windows, but the largest leaks are harder to find. Air leaks under walls, behind trim, around electrical outlets, recessed lights, bathroom exhaust fans and mechanical closets are usually the biggest culprits. Sealing up these leaks not only reduces the amount of heat your house needs to be comfortable, but also reduces cold drafty areas, improves indoor air quality, and keeps insects out.
These “low hanging fruit” are a great way to reduce your energy costs and improve the comfort of your home. So, where should you start? The best place to start is by having a comprehensive home energy audit performed on your home. This is usually a $300 to $400 investment, but through an APS participating contractor, you can have one performed for only $99. This also allows you to take advantage of generous rebates provided through APS and the City of Flagstaff (if you live in Flagstaff city limits). These rebates help cover the cost for improvements, including duct sealing, attic insulation and air sealing. An energy audit consists of a series of diagnostic tests and visual inspections to find out where your home is leaking energy. One of these tests is called a blower door test. Using a temporary door with a fan mounted in it, the house is depressurized slightly by blowing air out of the house. This draws in air through any leaks in the house, and the amount of air exiting through the fan can be measured to determine how leaky a house is. These exaggerated air leaks can be detected by walking around and feeling for them, or with the help of an infrared camera. While the house is depressurized, another test can be performed on the duct system to check it for leaks. Infrared cameras not only help find air leaks but also places behind walls and ceilings where insulation is missing or insufficient. Combustion safety testing is usually included in the energy audit to ensure there are no potentially dangerous carbon monoxide risks in your home. After the tests are completed, the information gathered is entered into an energy modeling software program that predicts what the savings potential would be if improvements are made. This helps the homeowner determine what is most cost-effective. Without performing an energy audit first, energy efficient upgrades are a guessing game and the most cost-effective improvements are overlooked.
It’s never a bad idea to replace your old, drafty windows with more energy efficient ones. However, if you haven’t had your house checked for other energy drains like leaky ductwork, insufficient insulation and air leaks, you will be missing the most cost-effective improvements. These improvements will often reduce your energy costs substantially more than replacing your windows, at a fraction of the cost. FBN
By Eli Chamberlain
Eli Chamberlain is the owner of CozyHome, a Flagstaff based home performance company specializing in energy efficiency and home comfort. He is a certified building analyst and envelope professional through the Building Performance Institute. You can contact Chamberlain via email eli@cozyhomeaz.com or phone 928-853-0423.
CozyHome is a Flagstaff owned and operated home performance company providing services including energy audits, insulation, duct sealing, air sealing and consulting. CozyHome specializes in reducing energy bills while increasing comfort in homes through building science. CozyHome is licensed, bonded and insured. cozyhomeaz.com 928-853-0423.