Solution Stories
Here are stories about Atlanta homes, their home performance problems, and the improvements in comfort, safety and efficiency implemented by Renewal System Solutions.
Assessing the Nest with a Home Energy Audit
Atlanta INtown asked freelance writer Jenn Ballentine to have an energy audit performed on her home by Renewal System Solutions. This is Jenn's first person account of the process and results.
Jenn writes: "As a freelance writer and consultant, I work from home and am particularly attuned to the varying comfort levels of my 1910 Craftsman in Virginia Highland. Given that my home is 100 years old and still contains all of the original lead glass windows, two of the five original coal-burning fireplaces and some of the original plaster walls it is very drafty and cold in the wintertime. In the summertime, it is difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature, particularly when we entertain and have more people than usual in the house.
Renewal System Solutions conducted a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Assessment on my home looking for air leakage, inadequate insulation, leaky heating and cooling systems and ineffective moisture control."
Read more about Jenn's home assessment and the test results here.
Photo courtesy of Atlanta INtown.
Improving Home Office Comfort in Avondale Estates
Steve, who works at home, was uncomfortable in his work environment. His upstairs office was hot and stuffy even though the A/C would turn on as early as 10 a.m. He called on Renewal to assess the problem and offer solutions.
Attic Insulation Deficiency
Renewal first evaluated the insulation in the attic areas of the two-story house and found it extremely inadequate, with temperatures reaching 130 degrees on hot summer days, putting extra demands on the home’s cooling system. The extreme temperatures made the attic unusable as storage space.
Dangerous Duct Leakage
Renewal found that duct leakage between the HVAC system and the upstairs vent was causing the system to lose air and work harder to cool. It also allowed dirty air to seep into the ducts and contaminate the air Steve was breathing in his office. Through combustion safety testing, Renewal also uncovered a potential carbon monoxide hazard.
Solutions and Improvements
To correct the insulation deficiency, Renewal sprayed Icynene foam insulation to the roofline and gable ends of the upper attic areas. The new insulation along with minor repairs by Renewal have achieved these benefits for the homeowner:
- Reduced attic temperatures from 130 degrees (typical of summer attics in Georgia) to around 85 degrees – much closer to the temperature of a home’s living space
- Allowed attic storage of items and materials that can’t take higher temperatures
- Minimized outside noises, such as the sound of jets flying overhead
- Reduced air leakage in Steve’s home by 45 percent, contributing to better comfort and air quality overall.
Now the atmosphere is cleaner and more comfortable in all seasons. The A/C comes on no sooner than mid-afternoon. And Steve has received $750 worth of rebates and tax credits, too!
Making a Better Home for Baby in Grant Park
Damon and Amber were settled in their first home as a married couple and expecting their first child. But the atmosphere in the house felt uncomfortably hot to the mother-to-be, especially in the master bedroom. Even though their HVAC system was fairly new, they sensed a problem that needed attention, and called Renewal for an assessment.
Renewal discovered that the HVAC system ducts were leaking badly. The furnace had not been properly installed and its flue was corroded. Combustion safety testing revealed a potential carbon monoxide hazard directly beneath the room that would be the nursery.
Solutions and Improvements
Renewal reduced the HVAC system's duct leakage by 70 percent, eliminated the carbon
monoxide hazard and added another vent to the master suite for better air and heat circulation. The relieved couple noticed a difference right away. They also took advantage of rebates and tax credits resulting from the improved energy efficiency in their home.
404.378.6962 • Info@RenewalSystemSolutions.com