Case Study: Crawlspace Encapsulation in Ann Arbor, MI
“Ecotelligent Homes is refreshingly customer-centered, knowledgeable, and honest. Communication is easy, timely, and thorough.”
- Leslie R. in Ann Arbor, MI
Our client Leslie R. moved into her 1940s home in Ann Arbor over a decade ago. She loves the neighborhood and her home, but … one room always felt colder than the rest of the rooms. The floors were freezing.
When she called Ecotelligent Homes at (248) 291-7815, we used an infrared (IR) camera to find the culprit: Leslie’s room was so cold because it sat on an under-insulated crawlspace with no vapor barrier.
Pre-Project: Floor of the Room with IR Camera Image
Crawlspace Encapsulation: What We Found and Why It Matters
During our initial inspection, we found that Leslie’s crawlspace had old fiberglass batt insulation, which performs like a wool sweater—good for warmth, but it doesn’t block air movement.
Cold, wet air flowed through the crawlspace and directly into the home, making the floors cold and allowing energy to escape. Her ductwork was also located in the crawlspace, meaning heat from the ducts was being wasted in an unconditioned space rather than warming her home.
Crawlspace with Sagging Fiberglass Insulation
Crawlspace encapsulation is all about sealing off your crawlspace from the great outdoors. The process usually involves covering the ground with a thick plastic vapor barrier—typically 12 mil to prevent moisture from seeping in. Then, we apply closed-cell spray foam to the walls and rim joists to create a solid air, moisture, and thermal barrier.
It basically turns your crawlspace into a mini-basement, keeping the cold and damp out and helping your home stay warm and energy efficient.
If you’re curious how much it would cost to seal and insulate your crawlspace, just give us a call at (248) 291-7815, or send us a message anytime:
Crawlspace Encapsulation: What We Did
Here are the steps we took to fix the freezing floors in Leslie’s home:
Vapor Barrier
We installed a 12 mil reinforced vapor barrier on the ground of the crawlspace, running it up the walls about 6 inches and sealing it with spray foam. This barrier is naturally mold-resistant and helps prevent moisture from entering the crawlspace.
Spray Foam Insulation
Closed-cell spray foam was applied to the crawlspace walls, providing R-21 insulation and acting as a thermal, air, and moisture barrier. The rim joist was also sealed and insulated with R-14 spray foam.
The process brought Leslie’s crawlspace inside what’s called the “thermal boundary” of the home, meaning that it’s now considered inside space rather than outside space (like a porch).
The upshot is that the radiant heat from the ductwork running through Leslie’s crawlspace could now stay inside the home instead of being lost.
Thermal Barrier Paint
For added safety and compliance with code, we applied thermal barrier paint over the spray foam insulation.
Crawlspace Encapsulation: What Resulted
“My insulation project was seamless, and I look forward to working with them to replace my AC in the spring.”
Leslie R. in Ann Arbor, MI
Leslie still likes to wear wool socks, but she doesn’t need them after her project with Ecotelligent Homes. Her crawlspace and rim joist insulation now meet rigorous ENERGY STAR standards.
Post-Project: Floor of the Room with IR Camera Image
You'll notice that the floor in the post-project infrared camera image has much more yellow color than the pre-project infrared camera image. The change reflects the increased surface temperature of the floor, which is four to five degrees warmer after we added the insulation.
Our post-work blower door testing also showed a 7% reduction in air leakage, a key indicator of how well the home is sealed against energy loss. Leslie’s drafts and cold spots are now nothing compared to what they were.
Conclusion
Leslie’s crawlspace encapsulation project highlights the importance of addressing uninsulated areas in older homes. With her new air-sealed crawlspace, Leslie can enjoy a warmer, more energy-efficient home, reducing drafts and cutting energy bills.
Looking ahead, Leslie is excited to continue the process of electrifying her home in Ann Arbor.
If you're experiencing cold floors or suspect your crawlspace is uninsulated, contact Ecotelligent Homes today for a home energy audit and a customized proposal: (248) 291-7815. You can also get ballpark pricing online in two minutes or less.
Ecotelligent Homes
Since 2009, more than 3,000 Michigan homeowners have trusted Ecotelligent Homes to make their homes comfortable and efficient. If you want an energy audit, insulation, HVAC, or abatement services, give us a call anytime: (248) 291-7815. Satisfaction guaranteed.
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