An energy audit is performed as a scientific analysis to prove the effectiveness and the efficiency of mechanical insulation systems. This eliminates many speculations about how well the insulation is performing by offering actual proven data from a computer program, which was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy.

These audits look for opportunities to save you money by showing you ways to save on energy consumption. They can be performed on existing or new systems to see if there is room to improve.

An energy audit can be performed at any time of year and at any point during home ownership.

• The repairs you make to improve energy efficiency also make your indoor air quality better; for example sealing air leaks also reduces the infiltration of allergy triggers.
• If you are experiencing uncomfortable humidity, high utility bills, or  uneven room temperatures our energy auditor can find the root cause and outline a solution.
• Remodeling? Have an energy audit performed so you can utilize your renovation dollars wisely and make comfort and efficiency improvements at the same time.
• Need to replace your furnace or central air conditioner? An energy auditor can recommend the best high efficiency HVAC system for your unique home. Manual J/D/S calculations also available.
• Want to lower your impact on the environment? Start with an energy audit to see your current energy use, set improvement goals and see your projected energy savings.
• Considering solar? We can calculate the energy savings and ROI of adding solar panels.

Attic Insulation and Air Sealing Are Your Ice Dam Solutions

Any time you see icicles dangling from gutters, it is a sign of a potentially costly problem in a home. If you live in an area that experiences significant snowfall and consistently cold temperatures, your home is a candidate for forming ice dams.

What exactly is an ice dam and why is it a problem?

As snow melts on the roof, that meltwater drips downward toward the edge and the gutter. However, if it’s cold enough, it re-freezes at the colder roof edge, which means the water does not drain. This frozen water forms a “dam” which prevents drainage and can cause water to leech back into your home, either into the ceiling/attic or down into the walls below.

Water leaking into the home can be a costly problem. The Insurance Information Institute (IIS) estimates that the average homeowner claim for water damage and freezing is just over $3,000. Worse still, this seems to be a growing problem. IIS also reports that claims resulting from water damage and freezing have increased significantly in recent years, from 14.6% of all claims in 2005 to 23.7% in 2009. That’s a 62% increase over 5 years.

Why would I get ice dams?

If your attic is not conditioned, the temperature of the whole roof should be largely consistent all over and you wouldn’t have snow melting in one area and then re-freezing in another. However, if heat is finding its way from your conditioned living area into the attic you can get warm areas and cold areas, which may cause ice dams. Remember, both heat flow and warm air travel from areas of higher temperature to areas of lower temperature. Proper air sealing and ceiling/attic insulation can prevent warmth from escaping and causing ice dam issues.

Prevention vs. Remediation

Spending the time and money to prevent ice dams is much easier—and more economical—than trying fix them once they form. Calling a roofing crew to remove ice and snow is costly and more expensive than having an insulation professional seal and insulate for you. Plus, you run the risk of roof damage during the removal process and ice removal won’t stop ice dams from forming again. Insulation and air sealing are a much more reliable and permanent ice dam solutions.

My house gets ice dams. What should I do?

If you believe your home is a candidate for ice dams or you’ve had them before, you need to air seal and insulate before winter sets in. You will need to take steps to ensure the roof insulation is installed properly where the roof meets the wall. Ice dam solutions for a given home may not be limited to air sealing and insulation, but it is a necessary component. 

Contact Minnesota Spray Foam and Coatings today for an energy audit on your home! See if we can help you remedy any issues your home may have!