Cold floors to cozy living with an Ann Arbor insulation and HVAC transformation
“The temperature in rooms is much more stable... Our house is much more efficient.” -Finn D. in Ann Arbor, MI
How old is your heating system? Is it ready for another winter?
If you're not sure - or you're tired of cold rooms and uncomfortable floors - you're not alone.
That's exactly how Finn felt in their 1930s Ann Arbor home before reaching out to Ecotelligent Homes. Their furnace dated back to the 1970s, the insulation was patchy at best, and certain rooms were frigid in winter and muggy in summer.
By the end of the project, they had a high-efficiency furnace, consistent insulation, and a much safer home thanks to professional asbestos and mold remediation.
In this case study, we’ll walk you through what we found and how we fixed it. But first, if you’d like us to evaluate your home in SE Michigan, just give us a call at (248) 291-7815 or jump on our calendar:
Since 2009, more than 3,000 Michigan homeowners have trusted us to make their homes more efficient and comfortable. For Ann Arbor HVAC, Ann Arbor furnace installs, and Ann Arbor insulation, we’re the go-to team.
What we found: Aging furnace, air leaks, and health hazards
Our initial energy audit revealed multiple performance issues:
- Furnace from 1970 – outdated, single-stage, AFUE rating of just 80%
- Air leakage – 3,530 CFM50 blower door reading (well above recommended levels)
- Inadequate insulation – attic at R-30, rim joist and crawlspace at R-0
- Health concerns – mold in the attic, asbestos at the ductwork
These issues were hurting comfort, safety, and monthly energy bills.
Furnace from the 1970s
The solution: Comprehensive upgrades from attic to crawl
At Ecotelligent Homes, we take a whole-home perspective.
If you call a company that only installs insulation, guess what you’re going to get? Insulation. An HVAC contractor might just focus on replacing the furnace without addressing the real source of temperature swings or energy waste.
We’re different.
We combine building science, diagnostics, and decades of experience to create solutions that actually solve the underlying issues - whether it’s cold floors, uneven room temps, poor air quality, or high energy bills.
Blower door test during the home energy audit
High-efficiency furnace installation
We replaced the 1970 furnace with a 2025 Daikin DM97MC, a fully modulating 100kBtu model with:
- 97% AFUE rating
- ENERGY STAR certification
- ECM blower motor for smarter energy use
- Wi-Fi thermostat for modern control
- Chimney liner install and new condensate pump
New high efficiency furnace
This is a huge upgrade in comfort and performance - and unlike a basic furnace swap, we made sure every part of the install met code and performance standards. The system is quieter, more responsive, and will use significantly less energy than the old one.
If you're curious how much a new furnace will cost for your home, give us a call at (248) 291-7815, or send us a message today.
Ann Arbor insulation and air sealing upgrades
We tackled the attic, rim joist, and two crawlspaces using spray foam and cellulose to hit ENERGY STAR targets:
| Area | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Attic | R-30 (no air barrier) | R-49 (with air barrier) |
| Rim Joist | R-0 | R-21 |
| Crawlspace Walls | R-0 | R-21 |
- Attic: Air sealed and added 13” blown cellulose, plus weather-stripped attic hatch
- Rim Joist: 3” closed-cell spray foam
- Crawlspaces: 3” foam on walls, vapor barrier on floor, thermal barrier paint
Combined, these improvements created a more stable thermal envelope - no more cold floors or uncomfortable swings in temperature.
Air sealing success: A 43% drop in air leakage
Before the upgrades, Finn’s home measured 3,530 CFM50. After, we hit 1,995 CFM50.
That’s the air leakage equivalent of closing more than three medium-sized windows that had been left open 24/7
Air sealing reduces HVAC runtime, minimizes drafts, and helps rooms maintain consistent temperatures — year-round.
Use our online calculator to get ballpark pricing in 2 minutes or less.
Safety first: Mold and asbestos remediation
We uncovered two serious issues common in older Michigan homes:
- Asbestos at the ductwork - removed safely by licensed abatement contractors
Mold in the attic - treated with EPA-registered fungicide and HEPA-filtered containment
These weren’t cosmetic problems. According to the EPA, long-term mold exposure can irritate the skin, lungs, and eyes — and may trigger asthma or allergic reactions even in healthy individuals
Results: Comfort, lower bills, and peace of mind
Post-project, Finn reported a major improvement in how their home felt:
“The temperature in rooms is much more stable… Our energy bills have been significantly lower on median temperature days, and a bit lower on very hot days.”
With a new high-efficiency furnace and upgraded insulation, their home is now quieter, more comfortable, and ready for Michigan winters.
Thinking about your own comfort and energy bills?
If your furnace is more than 15 years old, or you’ve got cold spots, drafts, or indoor air quality concerns — don’t guess. Let’s build a plan based on real data and diagnostics.
Call us at (248) 291-7815 or send us a message to get started.
Ecotelligent Homes
Since 2009, more than 3,000 Michigan homeowners have trusted Ecotelligent Homes to make their homes comfortable and efficient. If you want an energy audit, insulation, HVAC, or abatement services, give us a call anytime: (248) 291-7815. Satisfaction guaranteed.
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