This month's head scratcher comes from Ken Tohinaka of the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation in Burlington, Vermont.

Ken explains that recently, the owners of adjacent condo units in a Vermont condominium association banded together to address energy performance and building maintenance issues. Their problems were evidenced by excessive snow melt and dangling icicles. The condo owners employed an experienced Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® contractor to develop a suitable work scope, and to perform a retrofit to solve the problem. The work scope consisted of extensive air sealing in the attic, in addition to adding another six inches of insulation. Both projects were completed successfully.

While it is too soon to determine the extent of the energy savings, the owners realize that they can still see excessive snow melt and icicles. Ken asks, "why is there still excessive heat loss?"

Think you have what it takes to Stump the Chump? Submit your stumpers to mkandel@bpi.org for a chance to be featured in BPI's Performance Matters Newsletter!

Tags: BPI, CHUMP, STUMP, THE

Views: 35

Replies to This Discussion

No pictures???

It could be one, or several, of 100 reasons.  Without anything to look at, my first GUESS is that the common walls weren't properly sealed to stop heat loss to the attic.  That's a very common issue in my experience.

RSS

Home Energy Pros

Home Energy Pros was founded by the developers of Home Energy Saver Pro (sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and brought to you in partnership with Home Energy magazine.

Latest Activity

Ben Jacobs replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??
"  I think that this study  may be more to the point on problems in "selling…"
51 minutes ago
Ben Jacobs replied to Jose Macho's discussion Why Are Energy-Saving Home Inprovements Down??
"I think that most homeowners lack proper education on the proper way to achieve significant…"
1 hour ago
Profile IconBoonPing Lim, Martin Easley and Richard Vito joined Home Energy Pros
1 hour ago
Tom Delconte posted a discussion
3 hours ago
Tom Delconte replied to Johnny Ritzo's discussion Selecting a Water Heater
"J: natural gas is the cheapest, at least until prices skyrocket. Nearly everyone has gotten rid of…"
4 hours ago
Jeena Smith commented on Molly Banton's blog post Install a Pellet-Burning Fireplace Insert and Save Money
"Fireplace burning insert must be of very good quality. It should be a combo of lower price and high…"
9 hours ago
Johnny Ritzo posted a discussion

Selecting a Water Heater

I am looking at updating the heating and water heating systems in a rental home I recently…See More
13 hours ago
Eric Kjelshus replied to Patrick Michaelyan's discussion Hot Upper Stories
"When I am asked to fix this home.   I start with a Heat Loss and gain, blower door IR  sq…"
15 hours ago

Edward Foskey just added their location.
(via Member Map)

20 hours ago
Bud Poll replied to Bachi Brunato's discussion Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans
"This is a topic I have discussed many times, but unfortunately cost is all too often the deciding…"
yesterday
Sean Lintow Sr replied to Bachi Brunato's discussion Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans
"If you can't talk them into replacing with IC rated... Look into Tenmat - those are designed…"
yesterday
Bachi Brunato posted a discussion

Boxing and Insulating Around Non-ICAT Cans

I have a client with 16) 4" halogen recessed light fixtures in the attic.I'd like to cover the cans…See More
yesterday

© 2013   Created by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service