ComEd– Air Sealing Pilot Program

Building Energy Experts has been selected as the subcontractor/consultant for the ComEd Smart Ideas All Electric Home Performance Tune Up Air Sealing Pilot Program in conjunction with Honeywell Building Solutions.  Building Energy Experts was selected for this program due to the company’s ability to conduct Energy Audits to RESNET and BPI national home energy auditing standards.  In addition, B.E.E has the in house capabilities to perform all of the necessary air sealing, insulation, and other building performance upgrades necessary.   Very few companies offer a combination of these services and experience.  Honeywell Building Solutions will be providing Energy Efficient Lighting, Hot Water Pipe Insulation, Low Flow Shower Heads and Aerators.  Building Energy Experts conducts the Blower Door Test and performs all necessary building performance upgrades to make the house more energy efficient.  To find out if you are eligible for this exciting pilot program please visit www.ComEd.com

He said…She said… Cost VS Comfort.

The Howards and been involved in the ever so familiar battle of Cost vs Comfort in the home.  Jeff always wanted to turn the heat and A/C down because of the increasing utility bills.  Dee was constantly hot or cold and could never get the home to a comfortable temperature.  When Jeff would turn the Thermostat down,  Dee would turn it back up.  It was a constant struggle and they needed a solution.

Building Energy Experts is hired to perform a Home Energy Audit of the Howard residence and identifies several areas of energy loss.  The duct work in the attic is not properly sealed, recessed can lights are allowing for major air infiltration, the kitchen soffit is uninsulated, and the level of insulation in the attic is inadequate.

After sealing the ducts, can lights, and other penetrations.  B.E.E then adds R-50 of chopped blown-in Cellulose.  This project was featured in the December 2009 edition of Professional Remodelers Magazine.  See some of the project pictures below.  We are happy to announce Jeff and Dee no longer argue about the Utility Bills and Comfort of the home.  They now have moved on to credit card statements!

Before    After  

40 years of discomfort. Quick, Simple, Solutions…

After Building their home 40 years ago in Wheeling, IL John and Flo always knew they had a comfort issue but never realized what the cause could be.  Through the ComEd Air Sealing program they had Building Energy Experts conduct a single point Blower Door Test on their home.  The problems became very apparent after a through Energy Audit.  The home was not suffering from the typical air infiltration issues but from inadequate insulation levels.  Also, several electrical hazards were identified as well as a bath fan venting into the attic.

Building Energy Experts increased the insulation level from an R-9 to an R-50 as well as corrected several electrical issues and add a heated bath fan which was vented to the outside.  Our on staff licensed electrician worked quickly to help address these issues.  Here are some pictures.

“We have never been more comfortable in our home in 40 years.  Building Energy Experts are courteous, clean, and very thorough.  We feel we received great value from their service and highly recommend them!”   John and Flow –Homeowners Wheeling, IL

3,800 Sq Ft Custom Built Home in 2001.

Building their custom retirement dream home on the ninth green of an exclusive golf course the last thing the owners would have anticipated were comfort issues and high utility bills.  However, this is exactly why the owners contacted B.E.E.  After experiencing several heating and cooling seasons of volatile room to room temperature swings, draftiness, and extremely high utility bills they were at wits end.  After having B.E.E conduct an Energy Audit the problems were quickly identified:  An unbalanced radiant floor heating system, inadequate insulation levels, and lack of air sealing in specific areas of the home.

“We were at war with the builder to correct the issues we had been experiencing.  They offered failing solution after failing solution.  After having the Building Energy Experts come to our home and help us identify and FIX all of our problems we have never been more comfortable in our home.  The all in one solution of being able to identify, fix, and verify the repairs have been made was the best approach we found.  We are now able to relax and enjoy our dream home“ Home Owners —Boulder Ridge Country Club

Before        After

Lakefront -“The Mud Hole” — Crawl Space.

After buying a rehabbed home to use as a lake front rental this couple had not anticipated the tenants would be receiving $500 -$800 per month utility bills.  Not wanting to pass this burden along to the tenants the owners paid anything over $250 in utility expense.  Needless to say this extra expense was not factored into the cash flow equation of this rental property.

Building Energy Experts was hired to perform an Energy Audit of the home.   Even though the inside of the house had been upgraded with custom touches such as granite counter tops and  beautiful tile work major Energy, Comfort, and Air Quality issues were found.  Areas of the home with no insulation, major air sealing issues, and a furnace and duct system completely exposed to the outdoors.  Also, let’s not forget the Crawlspace!   Under this home was an unconditioned crawlspace with 5inches of mud floor.  This space held the entire duct system with several vents cut out to heat and cool this space to prevent pipes from freezing.  This space was also completely open to the outdoors and experienced major moisture issues.

Building Energy Experts made the following repairs with Return on Investment and budget in mind.   Blower Door-Guided Air Sealing, Duct Sealing, Increase of Insulation to R-50.   Complete floor vapor barrier, 2 part closed cell spray foam applied to rim joist and sill plate, R-30 foundation insulation and new sump pit added.  Here are some pictures of the project.

1949 Duplex Rental Unit.

With only one metered gas line the landlord was responsible for both units’ gas bills. In one month last year the gas bill was $800.00. BEE’s energy audit and subsequent retrofit work helped to stop air infiltration into the home and to reduce that $800.00 bill by almost 75%.

During the retrofit BEE upgraded an inefficient water heater, replaced foam insulation, and repaired a faulty chimney leaking harmful flue gases into the home.

“This rental property was a very heavy financial burden on my family.  I would dread the winter season because of my outrageous gas bills.  The Building Energy Experts were a true godsend.  Now this property is making me money,  I can feel the cleaner air, and my family is sick less often.”  Property Owner

1960′s Ranch Home with Comfort Issues & Frozen Pipes.

With a brand new $8000.00 roof (which included an insulation inspection) the home owner experienced frozen pipes throughout the winter months.  They also were experiencing temperature extremes from room to room.  By identifying insufficient insulation and air sealing issues BEE solved the comfort problem.

“Building Energy Experts were able to make our drafty uneven room temperatures go away.  Our Utility Bills have dropped by 30%.  By far this is the best home improvement we have ever done!”    Bill and Lynn, Home Owners.

1998 Town Home.

This 1600 sq ft town home was suffering from high energy bills, comfort issues, and poor indoor air quality, BEE provided air sealing measures to drastically reduce the monthly energy bill. In addition to air sealing measures BEE identified several areas of water infiltration into the home; this water was causing mold and mildew as well as premature deterioration of the home’s materials.

1989 Architecturally significant 6,000 square foot home.

With a propane bill of $15,000.00 per year this home owner needed a solution.  BEE provided a state of the art Geo Thermal Heating and Cooling system and Air Sealing cutting the utility bills by 85%!  Now, with that money savings BEE will be installing a Windspire in the Summer of 2010 to help this home move closer to getting off the grid.  Check out the video below to learn more.