The Price-Romes were experiencing comfort issues in their 1600-square feet, two-story home in Wayne, PA, and Orange Energy Solutions served as their one-stop shop for an energy assessment and energy efficient upgrades. The home was drafty and did a poor job of keeping conditioned air inside, and the duct system was leaky and contributed to a mold issue within the home.
Orange Energy performed air sealing throughout the house, including the attics, garage ceiling, basement, den ceiling, and living room. Rigid foam board insulation was installed in the attics over the bedrooms, the front and rear attics above the offices, on the back of the attic panels above the bedrooms, and on the back of the rear and front attic doors. All attic doors were weather stripped and cellulose insulation was blown into the attics above the bedrooms to improve the R-Value from 19 to 49. Further insulation was installed in other parts of the home to increase the R-Value of each space to 49. Orange Energy also air sealed around windows and recessed light covers.
Gaps in the duct and HVAC system resulted in warm air meeting cold surfaces, causing the buildup of moisture. Orange Energy repaired gaps in ducts with duct mastic and clear caulk, and replaced leaky HVAC boots in order to remediate the mold issue. Orange Energy also installed ENERGY STAR rated fans and ducts in the bathrooms to draw moisture and humidity outside the home. Wind wash baffles were installed in the attic to ensure insulation did not cover ventilation areas, ensuring indoor air pollutants can be drawn out of the home.
The Price-Romes now enjoy a home whose air changes per hour (ACH) have been reduced from 0.61 ACH to 0.42 ACH (according to two separate blower door readings: one before the work began and one after the work was complete). The overall draftiness of the home was reduced by 34%. Coupled with the ventilation improvements, the Price-Romes have a safe, healthy and comfortable indoor living environment.
