Here is a 2600 square foot split level in Gates. His house was cold, so he had some insulation work done a few years ago. Now it's two years later, and his house is STILL COLD. Why didn't the insulation work? That's when he decided to call True Energy Solutions to solve the mystery.
Solution
Imagine going skiing while wearing a knit sweater. If air is traveling THROUGH insulation, then it's no longer INSULATING. Here's another one: Imagine leaving a window open all winter -- It doesn't matter how good your insulation is if there's a way AROUND it. We found LOTS of insulation in his attic, but none of it was doing any good because of the "ceiling penetrations" beneath it.
Seal up the holes, and you stop the problem. Simple... but almost always missed by the other guys.
Project Summary
Problem: Cold in Winter
Problem: Hot in Summer
Solution: Air-Sealing
He paid them for insulation, but it didn't work! We figured out why.
A blower-door test revealed leaky top-plates. A top-plate is the 2x4 top of a framed wall, visible here from the attic. The seam where the drywall is attached was leaking warm air up into the attic.
This flue pipe is round, but it goes up through a square hole. That's pretty far from air-tight. Lets seal it up with some metal flashing, fire-rated caulk, and insulating rock-wool.
See those electrical wires going down from the attic into a wall cavity? When the house was built, the electrician drilled a large hole that lets heat escape up into the attic. Today, fire-code requires those to be sealed, but they rarely are, even in newer homes. Regardless, they are a big contributor to heat-loss.
About the author
Ben Kershner
Ben Kershner is a home energy advisor at True Energy Solutions, and is a regular contributor to our website. He lives with his wife and family in Greece, NY.