Case study: Fixing hot rooms before baby’s arrival
"We noticed our house was having trouble keeping warm in winter and cool in summer. Ecotelligent Homes was able to identify key issues—it turned out to be a much simpler and smarter solution than what my husband and I thought.” – Heather C. in Plymouth, MI
Uncomfortable nursery, drafty rooms, and energy waste
Heather and Samuel had just moved into a 1979 ranch in Plymouth, MI. For them, it wasn’t just a house. It was where they’d start a family.
But the cozy home they imagined didn’t quite match the reality. The front bedrooms were drafty and difficult to heat or cool, and the energy bills told the same story.
“We wanted to even out the temperature differences before summer - and especially before the baby arrived,” Heather said.
They knew the home was older, but didn’t want to guess at solutions. That’s when they called Ecotelligent Homes for a professional home energy audit.
If you’d like help with your home, give us a call at (248) 291-7815. Since 2009, we’ve completed more than 6,000 energy audits and 3,000 energy-saving projects for homeowners in SE Michigan. Price match guarantee and satisfaction guarantee.
What we found: Air leaks and underperforming insulation
Our comprehensive audit, which includes blower door testing, infrared imaging, and attic inspection, quickly revealed the root causes:
- Low insulation levels in the attic and knee walls
- Major air leakage at the rim joist
- Unsealed ductwork losing heated/cooled air
- Disconnected bathroom fan exhaust tubing
- Outdated, compressed fiberglass insulation
Heather and Samuel’s home measured 3,528 CFM during the blower door test - a clear sign of air leakage and energy inefficiency.
Infrared camera images
You’ll notice deep purples and bright yellows in the thermal images. The darker purples show where cold outdoor air is leaking into the home, while the bright yellows and oranges highlight warm, conditioned air escaping through air leaks and under-insulated areas.
These color patterns help us pinpoint exactly where energy is being lost—and where targeted upgrades can make the biggest impact.
What we did: A smarter, targeted approach
Instead of a costly window replacement or HVAC overhaul, we delivered real results by addressing the actual building envelope.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adding attic insulation to an underinsulated attic is one of the fastest and most cost effective things you can do to even out temperature differences at home.
Attic insulation
- Removed all old fiberglass
- Air sealed top plates and wire penetrations
- Installed 13” of blown-in cellulose for R-49 insulation
- Covered recessed lights with fireproof caps
- Weather-stripped and insulated the attic hatch
Sealing air leaks and insulating the attic
Knee wall insulation
- Applied 3” closed-cell spray foam (R-21) and thermal barrier paint
- Improved air sealing for better comfort in front bedrooms
Rim joist insulation
- Applied 3” closed-cell spray foam (R-21)
- Sealed up a major source of winter drafts
Duct sealing and ventilation
- Sealed all accessible duct joints with UL-rated mastic tape to reduce air loss
- Replaced three exhaust tubes with R-8 insulated flex duct to ensure proper airflow
Venting fans and sealing ducts
Sealing ducts helps your HVAC system run more efficiently, while upgrading bathroom fan exhausts ensures moisture and odors vent outside - protecting your home from mold and mildew. These small upgrades make a big difference, more than most Michigan homeowners realize.
Project cost and savings summary
Initial project cost
- $16,435
- This included air sealing, attic and rim joist insulation, knee wall spray foam, duct sealing, and exhaust upgrades.
Consumers Energy rebates
- -$800
- Heather qualified for Consumers Energy rebates by completing multiple energy-saving upgrades.
Federal tax credit estimate
- -$1,600
- Under the Inflation Reduction Act, Heather can claim 30% of the project cost as tax credits - up to $1,200 for insulation and air sealing plus $400 for other qualified home energy improvements.
Estimated net cost after incentives
- $14,035
- Between rebates and tax credits, Heather and Samuel saved about 15% on the project. Also, thanks to tighter insulation and sealed ducts, their HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, which means lower energy bills month-after-month.
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The results: Consistent temps, healthier air, and lower utility bills
After installation, we returned to run post-project testing. The blower door results showed a 27% drop in air leakage, bringing the home’s CFM from 3,528 down to 2,575 - an impressive improvement for a home of this size.
Post-install, the front bedrooms now maintain stable temperatures—no more sweating in summer or shivering in winter. The infrared camera confirmed uniform coverage, and IAQ sensors showed healthy levels of CO2, humidity, and particulates.
Heather summed it up best:
"The nursery feels completely different - comfortable, peaceful, and ready for the baby."
Heather's home is now 27% less leaky
Looking ahead: A smarter plan for home upgrades
Heather and Samuel didn’t just fix a problem—they made a smart, phased investment in their home’s comfort and performance. They plan to revisit additional projects, like basement finishing and HVAC upgrades, when the time is right.
You don’t have to do everything all at once. Many of our clients start with air sealing and insulation, then add other improvements later as budget and priorities allow.
If you’ve got drafty rooms, inconsistent temperatures, or plans to grow your family, start with data - not guesses. Call us at (248) 291-7815, or send us a message to talk about how to improve your home.
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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