Case study: Fixing drafty rooms and high bills in a midcentury Royal Oak home
“Overall, Amanda's team did a stellar job from start to finish, and I would highly recommend them.” – Steve W. in Royal Oak, MI
The challenge: Cold spots, high utility bills, and outdated insulation
Steve had a familiar problem: inconsistent room temperatures, high energy bills, and a sense that his 1956 Royal Oak home just wasn’t performing like it should.
He suspected air leaks and poor insulation were to blame — especially after relying on a gas fireplace to warm the front room during Michigan winters. A few of the bedrooms were noticeably colder, and his electricity usage seemed out of sync with neighboring homes.
“I knew the house was underperforming and wanted it brought up to 2025 standards,” Steve said.
That’s when he contacted Ecotelligent Homes for a full energy audit. In this case study, you’ll find a breakdown of what we found and how we fixed it.
Jump into the case study
If you’d like help with your home in Southeast Michigan, give us a call at (248) 291-7815, or send us a message:
Ecotelligent Homes is a woman-owned, women-led contractor based in Farmington Hills, MI. Since 2009, we’ve completed more than 3,000 insulation and energy efficiency projects across Southeast Michigan, including Royal Oak. We offer a price match guarantee and satisfaction guarantee for every project.
What we found: Major heat loss and air leakage
Our comprehensive audit, including blower door testing and infrared imaging, uncovered the core issues:
- Inadequate insulation in the attic and crawlspace
- Air leakage at the top plates, soffits, and rim joists
- Drafts entering through unsealed gaps
- Mold discovered in the attic
- No vapor barrier or thermal protection in the crawlspace
Steve’s initial blower door test showed an air leakage of 4,392 CFM50, well above recommended targets.
With this data, we developed a plan to tighten the home’s envelope, improve indoor comfort, and lower utility costs.
What we did: A whole-home approach to comfort and efficiency
Instead of just adding insulation, we took a full-building science approach tailored to Steve’s specific goals.
Attic upgrades
- Removed old insulation and debris
- Air sealed top plates, soffits, and wiring gaps
- Installed baffles for attic ventilation
- Blown in 16" of cellulose for R-60 insulation
- Weather-stripped and insulated the attic hatch
- Covered recessed lights with fire-rated caps
Upper attic knee walls
- Spray foamed 3” of closed-cell insulation for R-21
- Applied thermal barrier paint per code
Rim joist
- Air sealed and spray foamed with 3” closed-cell foam to achieve R-21
Crawlspace encapsulation
- Removed old insulation
- Installed 12 mil vapor barrier across the floor
- Spray foamed walls and rim joist with 3” of closed cell foam
- Applied thermal barrier paint to meet fire safety codes
Mold remediation
- Set up HEPA containment zone
- Treated attic with EPA-registered fungicide
- Vacuumed with HEPA filters and cleaned affected surfaces
All work was verified with post-project testing to confirm performance.
Project cost and rebates
- Initial project cost: $30,398
Consumers Energy rebates: $1,050 - Federal tax credit: Estimated at $1,200 (30% of insulation and air sealing costs up to $1,200 in 2025)
- Annual utility savings: Estimated at $450 (the average is between $300 - $600)
- Pearl Certification: Included
- Net project cost after 5 years: $25,898
If you’d like an estimate of how much insulation and other improvements will cost at your home, start with our online pricing calculator:
Note: Costs, rebates, and tax credit amounts are subject to change based on utility programs and federal tax law.
Energy savings are estimated based on DOE and ENERGY STAR data for homes with similar upgrades. Steve’s project, which reduced air leakage by 60%, falls on the higher end of the savings range. Over time, lower energy use can help offset project costs and reduce monthly bills.
The results: More comfort, fewer drafts, and a tighter home
After the work, blower door testing showed a 60% reduction in air leakage, bringing the home down to just 1,750 CFM50 — a massive improvement for a home of this size.
That’s roughly equivalent to closing two exterior doors and a medium-sized window that had been open 24/7, letting conditioned air escape and outdoor air pour in year-round.
Steve immediately noticed a difference:
- More consistent temperatures across all rooms
- Cooler indoor air retained longer during summer
- No more cold drafts near floors or windows
- Lower gas usage on the first bill post-project
“It’s a little early for a full dollar comparison,” he said, “but the comfort difference is obvious.”
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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