Reducing Energy Use

We knew that we wanted to make the Texas house more energy efficient, but were not sure what needed attention and what did not.   We also wanted to make sure we were conserving as much electricity as possible before investing in the solar array.

We knew that the water heater was the largest daily consumer of power.   We wrapped it in a blanket and insulated the top.   The water heater was put on a timer that only runs twice a day.   This produces all the water we use and it doesn't keep running every time a little water is drawn.  

Shortly after moving in, the furnace/AC quit working and we upgraded that to Carrier's highest efficiency model.

We enlisted the help of Chris Carroll - home inspector and energy auditor.    Chris told us the majority of the energy of a home is lost through leaky ductwork.  Joe spent days in the house and attic sealing up all the leaks in the ductwork.   Three buckets of mastic and lots of tape later -- we had Chris come over.

He set up a blower door test. Here's the results:
  • 1300 at 50 pascals
  • 4.5 at 50 ACH (Air Changes Per Hour).  Code was <7 in 2009, house performed better than he expected.   The 2012 building code is 5 for this area, so it would meet the new code as well. Basically all the holes in the house would add up to a 6 by 18 inch hole. Everything we can do to close holes will improve the ACH number.

Chris also looked for leaks in the ductwork and did a smoke test to help identify air leaks from the conditioned space.  He tried to do a thermal camera, but on that day the outside temp was too close to the inside temp -  there was not enough temperature differential to see it well.  

Here were the top things we should address:
  • Seal the attic access door - one piece of sheetrock is not enough
  • Seal the door latches - they are a chimney into the attic
  • Seal cracks in sheetrock around windows from the blinds
  • Seal light switches and outlets
  • Tape/mastic the door on the air handler so it doesn't pull the humid air into the unit
  • Seal the tops of the wall cavities with EPS foam
  • Fix weather stripping on exterior doors
  • Put solar shades on the windows
  • Seal the plumbing line holes in the walls
  • Seal washer supply/drain box and dryer vent.
  • Caulk behind the thermostat and fire extinguishers
  • Improve the seal on some of the AC registers - and return air duct.
  • Attic needs more insulation and the wind has pushed it away from the edges (one bedroom has no insulation at all)

 

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