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The Westovers called Ascend Construction for advice regarding high energy bills and dramatic fluctuations in temperature throughout their large bi-level house in Fort Collins, Colorado. We performed a blower door air leakage test to identify where the problems were. Our testing revealed they had significant air leakage through the attic and multiple knee walls throughout their Fort Collins home.
Armed with the results of our blower door air leakage testing, we suggested and initiated a complete replacement of the attic insulation and knee wall insulation for Mr. & Mrs. Westover.
Problem: The Westover household in Fort Collins, CO was experiencing huge temperature changes throughout their home and their utility expenses were extremely high.
Solution: Ascend Construction removed all of the old insulation in the attic & knee walls. We then sealed all air gaps and installed new insulation to a higher standard than the original building contractor.
In this case study, you will learn how we were able to reduce the Westover’s monthly energy expenses and improve the comfort level with more stable interior temperatures in their Fort Collins, CO bi-level home.
Full Attic Air Sealing and Insulating Job In Fort Collins
The Westover family wanted to improve their comfort and reduce their energy costs. One of the most effective methods to accomplish this was to address their old and outdated insulation. Their insulation was not providing their home with resistance to heat flow so they were losing the conditioned air that they were paying for. Essentially, in the summer, hot air was entering their home while the cool air was escaping. This causes their air conditioner to work more than necessary to keep their home cool while creating hot/cold spots. The reverse is also true in the winter. Therefore, to improve their situation, they needed new insulation to create a more effective thermal envelope.
Vacuuming Out All Existing Attic Insulation
In order to gain access to all of the air leakage points, Ascend Construction needed to vacuum out their old insulation. This is always the first step when upgrading your attic insulation. It is vital that only a professional perform this task as disturbing the current insulation can cause the microscopic asbestos fibers to become airborne. When these particles enter the air of your home, it will gravely affect the home’s indoor air quality, leading to severe respiratory problems.
Fort Collins Sprayed HandiFoam Insulation Installation
After the air leakage points were identified, we installed a two-part closed cell spray foam over all exterior and interior wall framing top plates. We also sprayed this foam over knee walls to air seal the batt insulation installed by the home builder. Since batt insulation only works in 6-sided air-sealed enclosures, we used spray foam over the open side of the batt insulation. We installed the spray foam all the way up against the knee walls to ensure there wasn’t any air leakage.
Recessed Can Light Attic Insulation Solution In Fort Collins
One of the biggest energy wasters of a home are recessed lights. The Westovers have 35 recessed can lights in their home that were installed through the attic floor. This not only leads to significant air leakage, robbing them of HVAC efficiency, but it is also a fire hazard.
Ascend Construction installed Tenmat recessed light draft stop covers to stop further air leakage. Likewise, these covers also prevent the potential of a house fire. We installed a can light cover for each of the 35 lights and then air-sealed each one in place with Handi-Foam E84 two-part spray foam. This process ensured that attic insulation could no longer be in direct contact with the hot can light. Doing so also eliminated the air leakage through each can light ceiling penetration.
This spray foam will:
- Prevent hot air from entering in the summer and hot air from escaping in the winter
- Reduce noise
- Reduce pollen or other allergens from entering the home
- Prevents insects and small animals from getting inside your home
- Prevents mold and mildew growth
- Strengthens the structure of your walls
- Spray foam insulation lasts a long time
- Spray foam reduces energy consumption
Fort Collins Attic Hatch With Rigid Foam Insulation
Ascend Construction also built sturdy insulation dams around the attic hatch space. This process ensures safe future entry into the attic. Furthermore, it ensures that the loose blown insulation could not fall down the attic access in the future. We also insulated the attic hatch with rigid foam insulation, as well as installed foam around the attic hatch trim. This process reduces possible air leakage through the attic access point. Ascend Construction then installed Certainteed Insulsafe SP, fiberglass blowing insulation, onto the attic floor to a local climate zone R-value of R-50.
Loose Blown Attic Insulation Installation Achieving R-50 Values In Fort Collins CO
A higher R-value is imperative for homes that want to achieve thermal resistance. With loose-blown attic insulation, most homes, in fact, can improve their R-value by 30-40%. Since we were able to improve the Westover’s R-value to an R-50, their home is more energy-efficient or resistant to heat flow. This means that their conditioned air won’t escape through their attic and, as a result, their higher R-value will inevitably lead to reduced energy costs. Furthermore, this will enable their home to have an even temperature from one room to another, improving the comfort in their home.
Colorado Insulation Products
Below, we outline the products that we used on this project.
HandiFoam Spray Foam Insulation
HandiFoam E84 (HFO) System 27 is designed to fill and insulate large surfaces. Its excellent adhesion properties strengthen the thermal envelope of a home, improving indoor air quality and reducing energy costs. Some additional features include:
- Stronger formulation that offers 30% greater adhesion
- Leads to improved indoor air quality
- Foam visually shifts from a white color to a yellow color to indicate proper curing
- Reduces energy costs
- UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified
- Meets ASTM E84 Class A(1) at 3″ thick
Tenmat Recessed Lighting Insulation
In this project, we installed Tenmat Recessed Light Covers. Some of the features include:
- Fire tested in accordance with IEC 60598-1
- Enhances the acoustic protection of the ceiling
- Limits the amount of cold or hot air entering from outside
- Keeps flammable insulation at a safe distance from hot recessed lights
- Is compatible with spray foam insulation, blown-in insulation, lay-in insulation, and low density foam
- Reduces the loss of heat that occurs through the light fixture
- Flexible and lightweight
- Thermally tested according to UL 1598 for usage with IC and Non-IC rated lights
- Flexible material enables cover to be fitted around obstructions or retro-fitted
- Prevents insects and other small animals from entering through the light
- Easy to fit
- Maintenance-free
Certainteed Insulsafe Loose Blown Attic Insulation
This formaldehyde-free fiberglass blowing insulation can be used in both residential and commercial settings. It works as an excellent thermal and sound-absorbing insulation material. Its design enables it to be used in open attic and closed sidewall and floor applications. It can even be applied in some retrofits. Some additional features of Certainteed Insulsafe Loose Blown Attic Insulation include:
- Excellent coverage
- Thermal efficiency
- Noise reduction
- Doesn’t settle
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified
- Long-lasting
- Reduces energy consumption and associated costs
- Noncombustible
- Does not corrode, rot, or decay
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Does not absorb moisture
Ascend Construction Attic Insulation Services In Fort Collins CO
If you are interested in learning how to reduce your energy costs and improve your comfort levels, give Ascend Construction a call today. Our team of energy experts specializes in energy audits, insulation, whole-house fans, and more. We can provide you with practical solutions to address the problem areas in your home. All of our services are affordable and our work is guaranteed. Give Ascend Construction a call today to schedule a free, in-home consultation.
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