Tales from The Crawlspace

New Better Northwest

2010-04-26T13:23:00.001-07:00

We have made our second appearance on Kiro 7's Better Northwest show. This time we are spot lighting your duct system as well as spring cleaning the areas in your home that you don't see.

Click Here to See it

Better Northwest

2010-01-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

This past Monday our owner Chuck Henrichsen appeared on Kiros Better Northwest with Penny LeGate. Check out the video below.

http://www.kirotv.com/video/22349077/index.html

Local Utility Rebates

2010-01-18T10:02:00.001-08:00

Here is a list of the current insulation rebates available through Washington utility companies that we work with:

Puget Sound Energy

Floor insulation: 50% of the cost, up to $400

Attic insulation: 50% of the cost, up to $400

Wall insulation: 50% of the cost, up to $400

Duct insulation: 50% of the cost, up to $200

Snohomish County PUD

Floor Insulation:50% of the job cost up to $1200
Attic Insulation: 50% of the job cost up to $1800
Wall Insulation: 50% of the job cost up to $1000
Duct Sealing: 50% of the job cost up to $400

Cascade Natural Gas:

Floor Insulation: $0.45 per sq. ft.
Attic Insulation: $0.25 per sq. ft.
Wall Insulation: $0.40 per sq. ft.

Call us or visit out website www.cleancrawl.com to see if you qualify for these savings.

Duct Leakage

2009-10-09T10:24:00.000-07:00

Is There A Thief in Your Duct Work?

There are more than a million miles of duct work in U.S. homes. And industry experts estimate that more than two-thirds of them are leaky enough to justify sealing or repair. Leaky ducts can significantly increase air conditioning and heating bills, dramatically reduce equipment capacity and performance, as well as result in potentially dangerous indoor air quality problems. In fact, duct leakage is responsible for many of the comfort complaints experienced by homeowners today

Why Is Duct Leakage Important?

Leaks in forced air duct systems are now recognized as a major source of energy waste in both new and existing houses. Studies indicate that duct leakage can account for as much as 25% of total house energy loss, and in many cases has a greater impact on energy use than air infiltration through the building shell. Just as important, duct leakage can prevent heating and cooling systems from doing their job properly, resulting in hot or cold rooms, and humidity problems. Worse yet, duct leaks can create air quality problems by pulling pollutants and irritants directly into the house.

Here are just a few of the problems resulting from Duct Leakage:

Leaks in the supply ductwork cause expensive conditioned air to be dumped into the attic, crawlspace or garage instead of into the house.

Return leaks pull outside air (hot in summer, cold in winter) into the duct system reducing both efficiency and capacity. In humid climates, moist air being drawn into return leaks can overwhelm the dehumidification capacity of air conditioning systems causing homes to feel clammy even when the air conditioner is running.

Heat pumps are particularly susceptible to comfort complaints from duct leakage, especially during the heating season. Duct leaks can cause the air coming from heat pumps to feel luke-warm or even cold during the winter. In addition, leaky ductwork has been found to greatly increase the use of electric strip heaters in heat pumps during the heating season.

Leaks in return ductwork draw air into the house from crawlspaces, garages and attics bringing with it dust, mold spores, insulation fibers and other contaminants.

Household depressurization from duct leaks and imbalanced duct systems can cause spillage of combustion products (from furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces) into the house.

Measuring Duct Leakage

A duct leakage performance test involves pressurizing the duct system with a calibrated fan and simultaneously measuring the air flow through the fan and its effect on the pressure within the duct system. The tighter the duct system, the less air you need from the fan to create a change in duct system pressure. Testing procedures can be set up to measure only duct leaks which are connected to the outside, or to measure total duct leakage (i.e. leaks connected to the outside and inside of the house). Duct leakage measurements are used to diagnose and demonstrate leakage problems, estimate efficiency losses from duct leakage, and certify the quality of duct system installation.

Two different types of performance testing systems are used to measure duct leakage; a Duct Blaster® and a Blower Door.

Duct Blaster®

A Duct Blaster is used to directly pressure test the duct system for air leaks, much the same way a plumber pressure tests water pipes for leaks.

The Duct Blaster fan is first connected to the duct system at the air handler cabinet, or a return grille. After temporarily sealing all remaining registers and grills, the Duct Blaster fan is turned on to force air through all holes and cracks in the ductwork.

The fan speed is increased until a standard test pressure is achieved in the duct system. A precise leakage measurement is then made using an airflow and pressure gauge connected to the Duct Blaster system.

Estimates of efficiency losses from duct leakage can then be made from the leakage measurements.

A theatrical fog machine can be used along with the Duct Blaster to inject a non-toxic fog into the duct system to visually demonstrate the location and extent of leakage in the ductwork.

Blower Door

The Blower Door is a whole house testing system which indirectly measures duct leakage by pressurizing the entire house to a standard testing pressure.

By comparing the whole house test before and after all registers are temporarily sealed, the Blower Door provides you with an estimate of duct leakage to the outside.

With the Blower Door running, duct leaks can be pinpointed using a hand-held smoke puffer, or a leak detection tool called a pressure pan.

In addition to diagnosing duct leakage problems, the Blower Door can identify building envelope improvements that will reduce energy use and increase comfort.

Blower Door airtightness measurements can also be used in HVAC equipment design and sizing decisions, and to help estimate the need for mechanical ventilation

Weatherization & Insulation

2009-09-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

All insulations are rated with a number called “R-value.” The higher the number, the more resistant the insulation is to heat transfer. And with a tight building envelope, insulation is better able to perform to its rated value. However, there is a point of diminishing return, where the reduction in energy costs is offset by the cost of the insulation.Whichever type of insulation you
choose, remember that it is not how much you have installed so much as it is how well it is installed. Money spent for more insulation is wasted if it is not installed properly. Insulation needs to be installed with careful attention toward minimizing voids, gaps, compression
and wind intrusion all of which can significantly reduce the effective R-value for which you paid.

Insulation Types

Typical insulation materials can be divided into just a few categories — fiberglass [batts or loose fill], cellulose and rock wool loose-fill insulation and foams [both rigid and spray-in-place]. Each has its own set of pros and cons ranging from material cost to difficulty of installation to
application needs. Remember that in spite of some manufacturer’s sales claims, each insulation type works well when installed properly and will give you the rated R-value if installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Weatherization Rebates

Many people aren't aware that your local utility company could help you pay to insulate your home. Clean Crawl is a preferred contractor for Puget Sound Energy, Snohomish County PUD and Cascade Natural Gas. Each of these companies offer insulation rebates. To learn more about each plan you can visit http://www.cleancrawl.com/Lower-Your-Energy-Cost.html.

Why Insulate?

2009-09-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Insulation is one of the smartest investments you can make in your home because it provides year-round comfort and savings in three important ways:

Lower energy bills

Insulation keeps your home warmer in the winter, which lowers your heating costs. In the summer, insulation keeps your home cooler, which eases the load on your air conditioner.

Quieter, more comfortable living

Insulation can actually absorb sound, reducing the unwanted noise from appliances, audio equipment, conversation and other sources of sound that are transmitted through your walls and floors. Insulation also keeps your family more comfortable by making it easier for your furnace or air conditioner to maintain a constant temperature.

Healthy home, healthy environment

Reducing your family's overall formaldehyde exposure can make your home healthier and safer. Fiber glass insulation helps prevent the growth of potentially hazardous mold and mildew in your walls, air ducts and ceilings that can result from trapped moisture.