Reducing Home Energy Costs

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


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.


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?


Diagnostic ToolsDiagnostic Tools


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.


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.


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!!!


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.


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 Audit OptionsC.L.I. Group Audit Options

Controls

Indoor AirQuality

CombustionSafety

Lighting &Electrical

Building Shell & Windows

Insulation

Home EnergyUsage

Integrated Energy Systems


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)


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.


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.


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.


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!!


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.


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.)


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.)


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


Holistic Approach is KeyHolistic Approach is Key


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.


A New Day in Energy PerformanceA New Day in Energy Performance

INTEGRATED APPROACH!!!!!


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


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.


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.

Reducing Home Energy Costs

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