The Werner Project

Overview

Joseph recently purchased a home in Rochester. Before moving in, he wanted the Ecotelligent Homes team to ensure the home was energy efficient to make the family’s home comfortable. He was also concerned for his family’s health due to vermiculite insulation.

Key Problems

  • Attic insulation that was below ENERGY STAR recommendations
  • Drafts felt throughout the home
  • Aged heating and cooling components
  • Vermiculite insulation in the attic space

Approach

At Ecotelligent Homes we believe ensuring health and safety is priority number one. After the home has been safeguarded, we work to tighten the home’s building envelope to meet ENERGY STAR standards. After completing these steps for the Werner home, we upgraded the HVAC components to be energy efficient.

Step 1

Ecotelligent Homes started with asbestos remediation to remove vermiculite insulation from the home’s attic.

To remove vermiculite insulation from the home, our team worked within the State of Michigan guidelines following MIOSHA and National Emissions Standards. The Ecotelligent Homes team set up a containment area, and decontamination zone then worked with an independent air quality monitor to ensure a safe working environment. Our team removed the asbestos with a HEPA vac system and disposed of the waste following State of Michigan EGLE requirements.

Step 2

Insulation was added back to the attic with additional insulation improvements.

Ecotelligent Homes insulated various areas of the 1,005-square-foot ranch. We started with bringing the attic, which now had no insulation, up to ENERGY STAR recommendations. The team used blown-in cellulose insulation in the attic along with air sealing to bring the R-value up to R-49. We also insulated the home’s walls with dense-packed cellulose insulation to reach R-13 standards. The final step to improve the home’s comfort with insulation was to air seal and use closed cell spray foam insulation on the home’s rim joists.

 

Step 3

Ecotelligent Homes installed an air source heat pump and paired it with a furnace to heat the home in the winter.

The family decided on using an air source heat pump with a high-efficiency gas backup furnace to warm the home. A Diakin 97% AFUE gas furnace with a modulating gas valve and variable speed blower motor was paired with a Diakin Fit heat pump. The Diakin Fit has inverter technology to maintain a constant comfortable inside temperature, and a side discharge outdoor unit, to reduce space needed and is ultra quiet!

Outcome

The Werner’s home is now safer since there is no threat of asbestos from the vermiculite insulation. By replacing the insulation and updating the home’s wall insulation, the home is more comfortable.

The home’s thermal and air barriers were improved, drastically dropping the home’s air infiltration rate by 49% based on the pre and post blower door inspection test that was conducted. The home’s air leakage was below the required mechanical ventilation level, and it was suggested to the homeowner that a fresh air supply should be installed in the return ducts of the mechanical system to further improve the home’s energy efficiency.

Services Provided