Recommendations
Ecohouse uses state-of-the-art equipment to evaluate your home from top to bottom. Based on this assessment, we will recommend comprehensive improvements that will yield the best results for you and your family. Once you select the improvements that fit your needs and budget, we will help you get the job done. While we will develop an individualized plan for your home, we often recommend:
Sealing Air Leaks
Air sealing is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your home more energy efficient and goes hand in hand with proper insulation. By sealing air leaks in the envelope of your home, you prevent unwanted heat transfer, greatly reducing your heating and cooling bills. A certain amount of fresh air is necessary to maintain adequate indoor air quality, therefore, it is recommended that you "reduce air leakage as much as possible and ... provide controlled ventilation as needed." (US. Dept of Energy)
Typical Places for Air Leaks
Adding Insulation
Many homes are poorly insulated or missing insulation entirely. Ecohouse adds high quality insulation in walls and attic space to ensure the home has a strong thermal envelope.
Adding Cellulose Insulation in an Attic
Sealing Ductwork
Many homes have leaky ductwork and poor airflow. We may recommend sealing your home's duct system with mastic, metal tape or spray on sealant, and balancing the duct systems to optimize airflow to all rooms. Insulating ductwork in attics, crawlspaces and some basements can help ensure that your home will be more comfortable.
Heating and Cooling Equipment Service and Replacement
Ecohouse evaluates the operating condition of all heating and cooling equipment in the home. When appropriate, we will install new, properly-sized high-efficiency equipment. Often, because of the overall improvements to the efficiency of the home's thermal envelope, the equipment installed is smaller, saving even more money on annual heating and cooling bills. Additionally, a smaller, properly sized system cycles on and off less often which improves comfort.
Replacing Windows or Adding Storm Windows
New windows usually don't deliver as much energy savings as other home improvements. However, Ecohouse can replace old and leaky windows with Energy Star-approved windows or add storm windows to increase comfort and reduce energy expenses.
Upgrading Lighting and Appliances
Ecohouse recommends replacing the lighting in high use areas with low energy consuming lights, and upgrading old and inefficient home appliances to new ENERGY STAR-rated appliances.
Improving Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
Air-sealing can help reduce outdoor air pollutants and building material off-gasses carried into the home through basements, wall cavities, and attics. However, there are many pollutants that trigger asthma and allergy symptoms that are generated indoors. Ecohouse delivers a variety of ventilation and other indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions tailored to meet the needs of each customer.
Renewable Energy Systems
We can help you evaluate the benefits of renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic (solar electric) and solar thermal (hot water) systems, navigate the state and federal tax rebate and grant programs for renewable energy, and assist you in installing a high quality renewable energy system.
Other Recommendations
Most homes can benefit from a number of simple and effective measures that "tune-up" the performance of the home, such as insulating the hot water heater and hot water lines, restricting the water flow on all hot water faucets, shading windows in the summer, installing programmable thermostats, etc. Ecohouse advisors will advise you about these low cost solutions. Please contact us for further information on our services, to discuss your home and your goals, and to schedule a home assessment.
