eic | Comfort Home - Energy Efficiency Experts

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Case Studies

Case Studies

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New Home Case Study

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Builder: National Builder   Location: Houston, TX   Year Built: 2009   Size: 3,000-5,000 sq. ft.

Client Goals:

  • Reduce service and warranty costs
  • Improve comfort
  • Differentiate
  • Add value
  • Tighten control over sizing and purchasing of HVAC systems

Issues Identified:

ComfortHome reviewed and engineered the HVAC and ductwork design of the home to perform efficiently. ComfortHome then completed air sealing and performance testing to ensure maximum energy efficiency.

House Plan ENERGY STAR HERS Index % better than Energy Code for Cooling % better than Energy Code for Heating Estimated Annual Savings
Plan 1 78 31% 26% $601.63
Plan 2 72 32% 29% $676.18
Plan 3 73 32% 23% $624.28
Plan 4 71 35% 28% $653.87
Plan 5 70 37% 29% $739.84
Plan 6 72 29% 30% $594.14

Home Improvement Case Study

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Location: East Stroudsburg, PA   Year Built: 2001   Size: 5,119 sq. ft.

Client Goals:

  • High energy bills
  • Comfort issues
  • Drafty rooms

Issues Identified:

ComfortHome undertook a comprehensive audit of the home. The following performance tests and observations were undertaken:

  • Air tightness testing of the home
  • Infrared scanning of construction
  • Duct tightness testing
  • Insulation depths and quality of installation
  • Flow testing of HVAC ductwork
  • Static pressure of ductwork
  • Evaluation of the thermal integrity and air sealing that was completed during construction of the home

Recommended Solutions:

Insulation

  • Increase the main attic from R-27 to R-45
  • Increase slopes to R-30
  • Insulate attic kneewalls to R-19

Infiltration

  • Seal all air leaks to reduce infiltration levels to:
    • 3300 CFM's
    • 4.1 ACPH 50
    • .28 Nat ACPH

Duct Leakage

  • Seal duct leaks to reduce levels to:
    • 7% leakage on 1st floor
    • 6% leakage on 2nd floor

Field Performance Data:

  As Built Improved Improvement
House Infiltration .44 .28 36%
Duct Tightness-1st Supply 84% 84% 0%
Return 43% 62% 44%
Duct Tightness-2nd Supply 73% 94% 29%
Return 44% 83% 88%
Insulation: Main Attic R-27 R-45 40%
Knee Walls R-14 R-23 35%

Engineered Improvements and Impact

  As Built Improved Improvement
Heating Load (Btuh) 93,468 72,811 22.2%
Cooling Load (Btuh) 55,400 42,776 22.8%

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