Energy Reduction Specialists Of NC

Ducts are the conduit that circulate conditioned air from your HVAC equipment to the living spaces in your home. They consist of supply ducts that deliver air and return ducts that pull the air back through HVAC equipment to be reheated or recooled. They are typically located in unconditioned attics and crawlspaces. The primary issue with ductwork is excessive air leakage in unconditioned spaces. Completely new duct systems must be tested with a Duct Blaster to ensure the system is properly sealed.

Americans spend upwards of 90% of their day indoors, and probably 0% of that time is spent worrying about the quality of the air we are breathing. And that's why people like our building specialists exist, so we can do the worrying for you! Indoor air quality is a growing point of concern as houses become tighter and more energy efficient because there are less opportunities for airborne pollutants to escape and for fresh air to enter the home. Asthma and severe allergies are also growing in number, making healthy indoor air quality a top priority for many homeowners.

Ventilation is a crucial element to ensuring your home is healthy and safe, especially if your house is tight. Ventilation is essential to ridding your home of unwanted contaminants like airborne particles, gases, and humidity. In a leaky home, the house is able to breathe more so more fresh air enters the home diluting contaminants. A tight home does not breathe trapping airborne pollutants inside unless action is taken to expel them. A common saying in the building science world is "build tight, ventilate right."

The most effective (and affordable) way to improve energy efficiency and comfort in your home is by air sealing all of the accessible air leaks in your building envelope. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, completing air sealing saves the average homeowner 15% on their heating and cooling costs! The costliest source of air leaks, both in the winter and the summer, is between the attic and the inside of the home. It is estimated that up to 40% of heat lost in an average home is through the ceiling, which is why the best first step to improve comfort and energy efficiency is to take the time to thuroughly go through the attic to find all the gaps, cracks, and holes and seal them.

Insulation is a critical part of the building envelope, acting like a blanket for your home. Insulation is measured in R-value which is a measure of how resistive a material is to heat flow. The higher the R-value the better the insulation is at preventing heat flow, whether it's preventing heat loss in the winter or heat gain in the summer. Insulation should be completed in conjuncture with air sealing to ensure that the air and thermal barrier of your home are aligned which creates a healthier, more efficient home.