"FREE Home Energy Audit"

Today, we will take a departure from a lot of the commercial roofing topics I normally discuss, to focus on your residence.

Believe it or not, but I actually live in a home (insert joke here), and here in Florida, the temperature today is 95 degrees F.   In Florida, it is a very rare occasion to experience heating days, but regardless of where you live, you want to have an efficient, insulated home.  Gee Ron, No Kidding!

I decided to take advantage of a "Free Home Energy Audit" by my energy provider (TECO), and will describe my experience, so you may consider the same.  I called TECO on Friday to inquire about the program, and they had a man here 10:00 am on Monday.  They didn't send a "subcontractor" by the way, but a first class representative, who'd been with them for 37 YEARS!!  Right here is where I give "Big Ups" to My Man Rick.  I could go on about him, but it would get mushy, and turn into the "Rick Show".

He conducted any number of tests, and inspections, in about 1 hour.  I received a printout on the exact energy coefficients of my home, and then sat down for solutions.  Other than some minor sealing (gasket around front entry), we focused on duct sealing, and additional attic insulation.

Please note that I was already instructed by Mrs. Solomon to purchase unfaced batt insulation that week, or I could find myself an even hotter residence somewhere else.  Don't quite know how serious she was about that, didn't want to find out, and I am trained by now to know better.  Take notes on this you younger guys.  The cost of the insulation alone was around $1,000.00 at Home Depot and then the install costs would be in addition.

Instead, the energy auditor (Super Rick) told me I could have all ductwork sealed for $50.00, and additional R-11 fiberglass blown into my attic for $100.00.  $150.00 TOTAL!!  So, my immediate thought was to get on Craigslist and buy some stereo equipment as any man would, but was quickly snatched back into reality.

All the procrastinating I'd done, cost me a rather large sum of money in energy costs, and I could have kicked myself.

The day after the ductwork was sealed, my inside temperature went down by 5 degrees F.!  The insulation is being blown in next week, and I'll report back on that improvement as well.  While we're on the subject, my energy provider allowed me to choose between blown in cellulose (newspaper), or fiberglass.

I've written a seperate post in here about fiberglass, so I took my own advice for once, and chose that thermal medium.  Do you remember why?  Because fiberglass is non-flammable, condensation does not allow it to collapse, and it is a very bad nesting environment for vermin.

The purpose of today's message is to encourage you to stop putting it off, because it is very painless, and an incredible value.  Your energy provider really does want to help you, so let them.

Also, you commercial roofing guys might like to know that (with my energy provider anyway) that if you install a white, reflective, roof system like TPO, you may qualify your client for up to $15,000.00 (.60 sq. ft.), in "cool roofing" rebate.  I should think that's quite a plus for you, if your competitor is not very savvy when it comes to energy.  This is directly from TECO's website:

Cool Roof Program

What is it?

You can earn a rebate up to $0.60 per square foot up to $15,000 for installing a cool roof system above conditioned spaces. This program is designed to decrease heat transfer through reflectance, improve comfort and reduce commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) load.

How does it work?

Available to commercial/industrial customers with a roof area that includes a dedicated electric HVAC system. The cool roof system must reflect at least 70 percent of the solar radiation, have a thermal emittance greater than 0.75 and be installed by a licensed contractor. In addition, the systems must have an Energy Star labeled roof product based on ASTE E-903 or ASTM C-1549 testing.

How do I participate?

To participate, please follow these steps:

1. Mail or e-mail your project proposal to Tampa Electric. Once your proposal is received, a Tampa Electric representative may schedule an on-site visit for pre-inspection.
2. After the pre-inspection is complete or Tampa Electric approves your proposal, download and submit the Cool Roof program application to Tampa Electric. Once your application is received, a Tampa Electric representative may schedule an on-site post-inspection.
3. Tampa Electric will process the rebate check after the program guidelines are met. Please allow 4 weeks to process your rebate check.

Please mail all documentation to:
Commercial Energy Management Services
Tampa Electric
P.O. Box 111
Tampa, FL 33601

I mean, it was a piece of cake, and I am thankful for such outstanding customer service.  TECO is a very fine company and is always involved in community events, while helping their consumers on a very personal basis.

Thanks TECO.

I hope everyone and their families are well on this Independence Day weekend, that you stay safe, and happy in your endeavors.

"In this world everything changes except good deeds and bad deeds; they follow you as the shadow follows the body" (unknown)

I am very thankful for the time you spend with me here, and remember to always keep looking "UP".

Much respect,

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon
CCC1325620

"Attic Insulation Value"

Thermal coefficient, or "R" value is probably the most critical concern when designing energy efficient structures.

Today, we'll discuss the residential application (and types) of attic insulation. I do not endorse manufacturers, but felt the most common point of reference might be the "Pink Panther" and Owens Corning. They do a wonderful job in their fiberglass roof insulation division, and would like you to consider the following from them:

http://insulation.owenscorning.com/homeowners/insulation-products/r-30-fiberglass-insulation.aspx

Homeowners prefer Owens Corning PINK FIBERGLAS™ Insulation 7 to 1 because it maintains insulating power over time. Since fiber glass does not absorb moisture, PINK insulation will not hold water, preventing permanent loss of R-value. When properly installed, PINK FIBERGLAS™ Insulation will not settle or deteriorate to maintain insulating value. The insulating materials in PINK FIBERGLAS™ Insulation are also noncombustible.




I prefer fiberglass attic insulation vs. cellulose (essentially shredded newspaper). The Cellulose is without question, the least expensive (by far), and in some cases CAN contain a firetardant, so I don't want my statements here to be "all encompassing", as that would be unfair.

However, you cannot get around the fact, that when cellulose is used, vermin love to nest in it, attic condensation causes it to compress and lose thermal value. I think everyone knows that insulation cannot perform if not for tiny pockets of encapsulated air. So, when it's wet, it loses a huge amount of thermal resistance capacity. Pretty easy so far?

Okay, there's also the fire hazard aspect. Should a fire break out in the attic, the untreated cellulose (newspaper) would act exactly as you'd expect it to (source of fuel). I've never seen anyone wrap their children in a highly flammable paper product when putting them to sleep. Horrible thought, but illustrative.

Fiberglass, or Owens Corning "Fiberglas" brand might be a very good option if you are in the market for attic iinsulation. If performance, not lowest cost, is your determining factor, I don't really see how anyone could compare the two.

As a side note, Owens Corning has actually trademarked the "pink" color, which is why you will never see a pink insulation that iws not Owens Corning. You can believe that Owens Corning is fiercely protective of it's brand with the insulation, and of course the "Pink Panther".

In my state of Florida, an R-30 is recommended, but benefit is recognized with additional insulation. Care should be taken not to obstruct the ventilation process, but your roofer (particularly if they are approved by Owens Corning)will be well aware not to block the soffit venting.

I've had the pleasure of interacting with corporate staff, find them very well trained, and a fine company to deal with. Fiberglass is fiberglass. You can make your own decision regarding who you buy it from. They are all readily available at your local home improvement centers.

So, I hope the above provides you the knowledge to safely, and effectively insulate your attic. Insulation is without question, the best edollar you can spend in home improvement. If you are a DIY person, it can be easily rolled out, but I can tell you the attic heat will come upon you rather swiftly, so please be VERY CONCERNED when subjecting yourself to elevated temperatures.

I would suggest you be well hydrated, have someone with you, and someone in the home to check on you every 15 minutes or so. SAFETY is our first concern, and then you can enjoy the reduction in energy cost.

Thank you to Owens Corning for the image.

As always, thanks for visiting, and keep looking "UP".

Robert R. "Ron" Solomon
CCC1325620 Florida