Case Study: How a Bungalow Beats the Heat in Michigan
Our client Sarah L. recently moved into a charming 1942 bungalow in Ferndale, Michigan.
Sarah found a lot to love, but just like any new home, there were a few issues. In particular, the upper floor would get incredibly hot during the summer months.
Forget about sleeping. Her upper floor was almost unusable. Sarah reached out to Ecotelligent Homes to even out the temperature differences, so that her upper floor would feel effortlessly cool in the summer.
Here you’ll find a detailed breakdown of Sarah’s project, including services, photos, and results.
If you want help with your home in the Detroit Metro area, feel free to give us a call at (248) 291-7815, or send us a message anytime.
Insulation: The Top Priority to Even Out Temperatures
Insulation: What We Found and Why It Matters
During our inspection of Sarah's bungalow, we found significant issues with the home's insulation.
The main attic and vaulted ceilings had almost no insulation, and the rim joists lacked proper sealing.
This lack of insulation stands out as the main cause of Sarah’s extreme temperature swings, particularly during the hot summer months.
Proper insulation is crucial for maintaining consistent indoor temperatures. Just like a beer koozie keeps your drink cool by blocking the sun's heat, insulation and air sealing keep your home comfortable by stopping heat from sneaking in.
When you add a heat pump to help cool your home, insulation also helps to keep the cool air inside instead of escaping through gaps and cracks. This improves the overall performance of your heat pump and lowers your monthly energy bills.
Insulation: What We Did
Here’s how we helped with Sarah’s insulation:
- Lower Attic: We installed an average of 3 inches of closed-cell spray foam on gable walls for R-19 insulation and air barrier, and 5.5 inches on the underside of the roof deck for R-38 insulation. We also removed damaged existing insulation and debris, and applied thermal barrier paint.
- Vaulted Ceilings: We installed dense-packed cellulose insulation to achieve R-19, removed existing insulation and debris, and installed foam baffles for attic venting.
- Upper Attic: We created a new attic access hatch, sealed top plates and wire penetrations, and installed 13 inches of blown cellulose insulation for R-49. Foam baffles were also installed for proper attic venting.
- Rim Joist Insulation: We air-sealed and insulated the rim joist with an average of 2 inches of closed-cell spray foam for R-13 insulation and air barrier.
- Asbestos Removal: We removed and encapsulated potential asbestos-containing materials at ductwork, ensuring compliance with MIOSHA and National Emissions Standards.
Insulation: What Resulted
Sarah noticed an immediate improvement in her home’s comfort levels - both at the peak of summer and depth of winter. The new rim joist and attic insulation stabilized indoor temperatures, reduced energy loss, and decreased the strain on her heating and cooling systems.
To illustrate the impact, consider the results of the blower door tests conducted before and after the project. A blower door test measures how much air is moving through the gaps, cracks, and surfaces of a home.
Sarah's pre-work blower door result was 3010 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute), which dropped to 1986 CFM post-work, reflecting a 34% reduction in air leakage. That's the equivalent of shutting two medium sized windows that were left wide open in both the summer and the winter.
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Heat Pump: Easy and Automatic Heating and Cooling
Sarah was so impressed with the results from the first phase of her project that she couldn't wait to move on to the next step. The insulation work made a massive difference, but she wanted to ensure her home stayed cool in the summer and warm in the winter without the hassle of window AC units.
That's where the heat pump comes in. Combining insulation with a heat pump is the perfect way to make heating and cooling easy, automatic, and energy-efficient. It’s the ideal solution for evening out temperature differences between floors and making the whole home comfortable year-round.
Here’s what we’ve got planned for Sarah’s heat pump installation.
Cooling System: We’re installing a Daikin FIT DZ17V 2.5 Ton side discharge heat pump. This system is top-notch, with 18 SEER and 10 HSPF, plus a variable speed compressor. The installation will include a heat pump stand, as well as all of the necessary permits.
Electric Heating: Alongside the heat pump, we’ll be installing a Daikin Air Handler and Heat Kit for electrical backup heat. This setup includes built-in over-current protection, nickel chromium heat elements, a MERV 8 media air filter, and vibration isolating pads. We’ll also handle custom duct fabrication to make sure everything fits perfectly, and we'll take care of removing and recycling the old furnace.
Sarah is excited about the easy, automatic comfort that a heat pump will bring. With the combination of top-notch insulation and a state-of-the-art heat pump, her home will be a cozy refuge in every season.
If you have any questions about improving your home in SE Michigan, feel free to give us a call at (248) 291-7815, or send us a message anytime.
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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