DIY Solar Energy Reviewed

One of the easiest ways to add to your business’ bottom line is to improve building efficiency.  As energy costs continue to rise, improving efficiency can result in significant savings, even though the initial investment may seem like a lot. A restaurant supplies a great example.  Because most energy is used in the kitchen, owners forget that significant savings can be realized in the rest of the building as well.  

Some tips to help you manage those costs:

Use fans instead of the central unit. For every degree you adjust your thermostat, you can save 4% – 5% on heating or cooling bills.  Energy Star rated ceiling fans are a great way to circulate air and allow you to turn your thermostat up or down depending on the time of year.  Use fans to bring in cooler outside air when you need to cool things down, or use them to circulate hot air from the kitchen when you need to heat things up.

Conduct regular maintenance on central air units. Clean the heat transfer coils on air conditioning every month.  Clean or replace air filters regularly.  A dirty air filter not only makes the unit work harder, but it can affect the air quality in your building as well.

Repair and seal ducting. Leaky ducts means the air you spent all that money heating or cooling is escaping before it gets to your customer.  Regularly check ducts for leaks and seal them as needed.  Set up a service contract with a local company to check and service ducts and the central air unit if you don’t have the time or energy for do-it-yourself.

Install an Energy Star thermostat. Programmable thermostats automatically reduce heating or cooling for non-business hours, saving you money and time over a manual thermostat.

Use windows to your advantage. Ideally, you should use Energy Star rated windows with the proper solar energy heat gain coefficient (SHGC).  Low SHGC windows are used in places with long, hot summers to minimize solar heat and reduce cooling costs.  High SHGC windows are used where there is a long, cold winter to maximize solar heat and reduce heating costs.  If you are remodeling or starting a new business, use Energy Star to help you select energy efficient windows.

Since budgets and buildings usually aren’t in sync, use the following tips to help you make do with what you have:

Use a UV-resistant window film, blinds, and curtains to insulate and reduce heat gain.  These techniques vary in cost and effectiveness, with the best solution probably being a combination according to your specific needs.  No matter what, use something that allows you to block sunlight when it’s hot and add an extra layer or insulation when it’s cold.

Have new windows professionally installed. Framing and insulating new windows can make a huge difference in heating or cooling loss.  Also caulk and seal existing windows annually to maintain an airtight barrier between your customers and outside weather.

Buy Energy Star skylights and doors. Just like with your windows, regularly check and seal doors and skylights to minimize air leaks and reduce your heating and cooling costs.

Taking a little time to improve your building’s energy efficiency can definitely pay off in the long run.  Don’t forget to check for tax rebates and other incentives from state and local governments when you investigate ways to make your business building more energy efficient.

Recently I was contacted by a homeowner that was concerned about a foul musty odor coming from his second floor area. When questioned, he informed me that he had recently had spray foam insulation installed in his attic and that he couldn’t get a call back from the foam applicator as to what the problem was and more importantly was there a safety issue. This homeowner got my number from the internet and asked if I could help him. I immediately asked him if he had an “unvented attic system or vented system” and he informed me “unvented”. I then asked if he had gas appliances in his attic and he again said yes. I set a time to meet with him that day to review the attic and determine the problem.

This is what I found:
The company that did the installation completely sealed the attic without any testing of the ductwork for leaks,which was determined to be approx 18%, flue tests for the gas appliances and the absolute most important item, “combustion and fresh air piping”. The problem he was experiencing was caused from the fact that attics do not have air returns like the inside of the conditioned part of the main house. So what happens is that the leaks that occur in the attic from the air conditioner are magnified due to the fact that the air is on average 38-45 degrees and damp. Without the ability to re-circulate and dry itself through a normal process, the attic becomes moist and stale causing the odor. There are many problems with this situation, however the main one is the pressure build-up in the attic that was happening and the carbon monoxide that could have possibly been siphoned into the main house. The quick fix was to open the roof line attic fan that had been foamed closed and to open approximately 10% of the eave ports of the roof system to provide the proper ventilation. It is my recommendation that if you decide to go with an “unvented” attic system, use a licensed and insured professional and invest in an attic carbon monoxide monitor. They are relatively inexpensive, somewhere around $40 for a good, but then again, what is a life worth. By the way, the homeowner did eventually reach the foam installer and had requested a certificate of insurance, but never received it. It is highly likely that the foam installer was uninsured. A serious risk, just to save a few dollars and go with the lowest price. Do your research on the company.

Please visit our website or contact me at info@ecostarfoam.com or 504-383-3261