Common Energy Problems & Solutions

Poor and Missing Insulation
Problem: Insulation slows the movement of heat so it keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When correctly installed, insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year. Most
homes, however, have insufficient or missing insulation.

 

Solution: According to Energy Star, the recommended level for most attics is to insulate to R-38 or about 13 inches.

Maryland Energy Solutions will properly install insulation in walls, floors and attics to give you more even temperatures throughout the house and a quieter, more comfortable living environment. Insulation works best when air is not moving through or around it. So it is very important to seal air leaks before installing insulation to ensure that you get the best performance form the insulation. To get the biggest savings, the easiest place to add insulation usually is the attic.

 

 

 

 

Drafty Rooms
Problem: Cold air leaking into your house around windows, doors, electrical outlets, light fixtures, and gaps in corners, can cause rooms to feel drafty and uncomfortable. As cold air is coming in through the leaks, warm air is escaping. The biggest air leaks are often found in the attic, and recessed lights are a common cause. If you add up all the hidden air leaks in your home, they can equal the size of an open window or even an open door!

How Does the Air Escape?

 

Solution: Air sealing can help stop drafts, improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your home, and reduce your utility bills. Some leaks are easy to find and fix - around windows and doors. But holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are usually bigger problems. Maryland Energy Solutions can examine your entire home for air leaks and properly seal the holes.

 

 

 

 

 

Leaky Ductwork
Problem: Ductwork leakage is one of the biggest energy drainers. In houses with forced air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20% of the air moves through the duct system is lost to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable.

 

Solution: A duct system that is well designed and properly sealed can make your home more comfortable, energy efficient and safer. Maryland Energy Solutions can help you achieve this by ensuring your ductwork is properly sealed, insulated and sized and your home's heating and cooling systems work efficiently as possible and air flow
is optimized. We will also insulate ductwork in attics and crawlspaces to provide maximum efficiency.

Dust and Pollutants
Problem: Air can carry dust, dirt, and other pollutants as it travels through your home. Without good ventilation, they can become trapped indoors and create health pr
problems for everyone in your family - including asthma, allergies, and cold symptoms.

 

Solution: Maryland Energy Solutions will improve indoor air quality. Sealing air leaks and ducts keeps pollution from entering your home and lowers dust levels. Proper insulation and heating and cooling choices help prevent a variety of air issues. Your home advisor can recommend additional energy saving ventilation equipment and devices to further clean your air and offer an even higher level of protection.

 

Mold, Mildew, and Musty areas
Problem: A water leak or high humidity can lead to mold, mildew, and musty odors. Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in your roof, foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors. High indoor humidity caused by normal activities of everyday living such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes, can also be a source. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health problems.

 

Solution: Where the problem occurs can lead to what is causing the problem. If the problem is localized (a spot on the ceiling, wall or corner) it is possibly caused by a water leak. If the problem is in a large area like a whole wall, room or basement then it might be caused by high humidity. Maryland Energy Solutions can find the source of your mold and mildew problems. We can help stop water leaks to minimize potential mold growth, ensure rooms and appliances are vented properly to maintain humidity levels.

Window Condensation

Problem: Inefficient windows (e.g., single pane with aluminum frames) or high moisture with inadequate ventilation can result in condensation, frost, or pools of water on windows or sills. Moisture in the air condensates when it touches a cold surface. Continued excess moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and deterioration of your windows and sills.

 

Solution: It is difficult to completely eliminate moisture on existing windows, but Maryland Energy Solutions can help by reducing humidity and ensuring proper airflow and venting. Replacing old windows with windows that exceed ENERGY STAR specifications can help eliminate most condensation problems, as well as make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

Rooms That Are Too Hot Or Too Cold
Problem: Slight temperature differences from room to room are not uncommon, but often several rooms in your home are uncomfortably warm in the summer or too cold in the winter. This condition can be caused by many factors including inadequate insulation, air leakage, poor duct system design, duct leakage, or a failure in part of your heating and cooling system. Not only does this affect the comfort and health of your family, it can also cause high utility bills.

 

Solution: Air seal, duct seal, insulate, heating and cooling system adjustment and replacement, and window and door repair and replacement, are all improvements to correct this issue.

 

Ice Damming
Problem: Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and heats the underside of the roof, causing snow and ice to melt and refreeze as it runs off your roof. This forms icicles and ice dams that eventually force the water back up under the shingles and sometimes into the ceiling or wall inside your home. In addition to roof and water damage, ice dams can cause structural decay and mold and mildew to form in attics and on walls.

 

Solution: Maryland Energy Solutions can prevent damage from ice by sealing all infiltrations points (recessed lights, leaky ducts, access doors, plumbing and electrical penetrations, etc…) to and from the attic and properly insulating your attic. Sealing these leaks keep warm air in your house where it belongs. Together, with adequate levels of insulation, this greatly reduces the chance if ice damming and large icicles.

 

Old Appliances
Problem: Old and inefficient appliances can cause a variety of comfort, health and safety, financial, and environmental problems. Old appliances can leak carbon monoxide and other dangerous gasses. Inefficient appliances can decrease comfort, increase energy usage, and make your utility bills skyrocket.

 

Solution: Maryland Energy Solutions can help you determine if you need new, high efficiency units to replace your aging and inefficient furnace, boiler, or air-conditioner. We will determine and install a properly sized unit, and make sure air flows correctly and is evenly distributed through out the house. Often, if we do replace a unit, it is usually smaller because of the energy improvements we made to your home.

 

Call Maryland Energy Solutions and our trained advisors will evaluate your home and quickly pinpoint the sources of the problem. We'll analyze the data and generate a customized list of improvements to solve the problem permanently, and perform the work as needed.