The real estate deals are out there right now, just ready for a first time home buyer to find the deal of a lifetime. Many will buy homes that are move-in ready while others find super deals that need some sweat equity and minimal upgrades. Many of the buyers will be concerned about conserving energy and will invest into their new homes with new energy efficient doors and windows, high efficiency HVAC, additional blow-in insulation, water saving fixtures, and energy efficient appliances and then to their surprise; their utility bill actually goes up. Many will call the utility company and complain; there must be a mistake, and the utility company has all the proof to show the meter readings. The next call will be to the HVAC contractor who will check the system out and find all pressures are where they are suppose to be and advises the homeowners; the system appears to be working properly. The home owner not satisfied, contacts another HVAC contractor, only to get the same answer and a service call charge. The next call would be to the contractor who installed the windows and doors; obviously they were installed improperly and are leaking air from… The contractor pulls the trim back and shows the taped seals and foam insulation in voids along framed sides; the contractor had installed them correctly. The home owner contacts the manufacture who sends a representative to their home who pressure test the windows and doors, and to the surprise of the new homeowners, they are working as they are suppose to do. Within a few weeks, mildew starts growing in the corners of the shower at the ceiling and at the vent in the bathrooms. If the problem isn’t found quickly, the next expense will be a new roof and possibly mold remediation in the attic. So what’s the problem? The one contractor they didn’t call is the first one they should have called.
I have found aspiring energy conservationists do this over and over and the problem is; their attic can’t breathe. Many customers try taking the lowest bid from insulation contractors, without having been educated in the proper procedure for applying additional insulation. Many times, the soffit needs to be pulled away and baffles installed between the rafters so outside air can be drawn into the attic and out the roof vents. I have found many eaves stuffed tight with insulation, not allowing air to flow into the attic. Bathroom vent fans also fall prey to the blown-in insulation techs who are just there, filling voids, watching rules tacked on to rafters and all to often just cover the vents with insulation. Another area of concern will be dryer vents dumping into attic spaces that get covered with insulation. Without proper ventilation, heat will build up in the attic and flow down into your living area and will also melt the seal strips on roof shingles. I have inspected homes with two year old roofs that need replaced because all the seal tabs had melted. Other indications can be rotten decking at the eaves or fire resistant plywood with melting resins, making walking on the roof dangerous.
Before making quick decisions and spending money on good intentions, do your homework. Check with your utility company and see if they offer free energy evaluations and possible rebates for making your home energy efficient and if they can refer qualified contractors or, you can hire an experienced contractor for their advice or supervise the installers. Other areas to invest into is good quality bathroom vents designed to remove air from your bathroom, based on the square footage and vented out through the roof or into the eaves, depending what your code requires. Never allow a dryer vent to dump into an attic. The lint deposits are highly flammable and dumping additional moisture will only cause additional problems. Dryer vents need to have clear straight lines to the outside, either through the roof or a side wall. Roof vents need to be clear and wide enough to allow air to move freely and my favorite roof vent is the off ridge vent spaced out across the roof line at the rear exposure. Letting your attic breathe will save energy and your hard earned money.
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