Comfenergy Case Studies: Making the Top Floor Cooler in the Summer
Challenge
A homeowner in Ashburn, VA was aggravated with having a hot and humid upper level every summer. The master bedroom was especially an area of concern for him, as it was so uncomfortable that he was losing sleep. The home was built in 1994 and still had the original fiberglass insulation. This attic insulation was no longer effective. Over time fiberglass sags, shifts, and deteriorates. If it gets wet, it becomes damaged and can lead to mold. Rodents can also make their way into the attic and destroy the insulation, or worse, make it their new home.
Additionally, the master bedroom in this home was above the un-insulated garage. The garage is exposed to the outside air, which then makes it way up into the bedroom above it.
Solution
To make the upstairs level in this home cooler and more comfortable in the summer, the attic needed to be properly air sealed and insulated. The garage ceiling had to be insulated as well to make the master bedroom temperatures more pleasant.
Our experienced Comfenergy production crew got started by removing all of the old existing insulation. Next, TiteShell recessed light fixture covers were installed, the attic floor was air sealed, and the duct system in the attic was encapsulated with polyurethane spray foam. Closed cell spray foam was then installed to the walls and ceiling of the attic. Spray foam is waterproof, pest resistant, and the most effective insulation available. Lastly, the garage ceiling was insulated by dense packing TruSoft Cellulose.
This homeowner now has a properly insulated attic and garage ceiling, making his top floors and his master bedroom much cooler in the summer. These days he sleeps comfortably in his own room and he is saving money on energy bills as an added bonus.
Project Summary
Evaluator: Jon Parisi
