In attempting to enhance home performance, it's important for Northern VA, Maryland and Washington, DC homeowners to gain a basic understanding of home efficiency.
YOUR HOME IS AN INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM
Your home is a complex system made up of a number of different working parts, all of which combine to allow the home to function as a cohesive unit. Think of the home as a vehicle. If the engine overheats and the problem isn't dealt with, it's going to affect practically every other aspect of the vehicle. The same goes for the home and how it utilizes energy. This whole-home approach to looking at and improving how your home consumes energy is known as "home performance."
INSULATION & AIR SEALING
One of the most important combinations of factors that affect building science and how the home works is insulation and air sealing. Insulation plays a huge role in heat retention, whereas air sealing takes care of any cracks and gaps that allow outdoor air to infiltrate the home and conditioned indoor air to escape. On their own, each of these two practices can help to maintain comfortable interior temperatures and keep air quality from suffering, but studies have shown that the effectiveness of insulation drops by 50% without the assistance of air sealing.
As an analogy, think of air sealing as a windbreaker and insulation as a sweater. If you're outside on a windy day, the sweater is only going to keep you warm if you have a protective layer surrounding it to keep the cold at bay. At the same time, the windbreaker alone wouldn't be sufficient to stop the chill entirely. The same can be said for air sealing and insulation; each needs the other in order to function in the most efficient way possible.
LET THE BUILDING SCIENCE EXPERTS HELP
To truly enhance home efficiency through home performance best practices, it's important to work with the right contractor. The team at Home Energy Medics is comprised of building science experts with the right knowledge base behind them to help take energy efficiency to the next level for your interconnected home. We are also dedicated to helping you understand your home, and will work with you along the way to answer any questions you may have. Home Energy Medics is ready to help you boost the efficiency of your home.
Contact us today to learn more about our home performance services and to schedule an appointment.
Your home's systems perform together to keep you comfortable.
We understand the science that links it together.
Looking for Duct Sealing? Did you know...
There is a substantial amount of energy loss when your HVAC system works overtime to make up for leaks and gaps in your ductwork. In addition to increased energy bills, the unnecessary strain on your system can significantly shorten its lifespan or lead to costly repairs. Air duct leaks can also create indoor air quality issues by allowing dust, allergens, and other pollutants easy access to the air circulating through your home. Having properly sealed ducts keeps these pollutants out of the air you breathe and balances temperatures, leaving your home feeling more comfortable.
HEAR WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY
Home Energy Medics did a wonderful job on our house. We now have much better heating and cooling. The original audit was very revealing of heat leakage points throughout the house. I had no idea that recessed lighting "cans" could leak so much outside air into the house.