"Overall, the process was straightforward and easy. We were really happy with our contractor and the whole experience."
Katherine and Adam Rothschild- Chappaqua, NY
Year & Style: 1948 Cape
Square Feet: 3, 064
Bedrooms/Baths: 3 BR, 2.5 BA
Heat Source: Natural Gas/Forced Air Heat
Home Performance Contractor
Healthy Home Energy & Consulting, Inc.
Natural Gas Savings: 67%
Electricity Savings: 31%
Katherine and Adam Rothschild happily left their space heaters in storage this winter, as their 1948 Cape style house in Chappaqua kept them cozy and comfortable for the first time in years. After having their home energy evaluation, Healthy Home Energy & Consulting was able to get rid of the old and deteriorated insulation in the walls of their house and attic and replace it, eliminating the cold and drafty areas that once existed.
Prior to the energize work, the forced air vents and poorly insulated areas in the Rothschild house made it easy for sound to travel loudly throughout the living space. “Sound seems to not carry as much…as a parent when the kids were little I liked it, now as an older parent, with older kids I don’t! The house just seems quieter,” explained Adam.
The whole process of getting their home energy upgrade complete was done with efficiency in mind, both in terms of energy and time! One of the most interesting parts of the process for Katherine and Adam was how much work was done in such a short amount of time. “I’m always interested in energy efficiency and just trying to be green” said Katherine. If warmth and quiet weren’t enough, the Rothschilds were also able to fulfill their goals of being green by cutting an incredible 67% off their gas heating usage and an amazing 31% off their electric cooling usage thanks to their experience with the Energize NY program.
Homeowner Concerns:
- Physically uncomfortable cold areas
- Drafty rooms
- Looking for general energy savings
Problems Uncovered:
- Poor insulation
- Improper thermal/Pressure boundry
- Significant air leakage and heat loss
Improvements Completed:
- Perimeter Air Sealing Solution: Reduce total infiltration of conditioned (heated) space from 6144 CFM50 to 4144 CFM50
- Main Attic Insulation
- Dining Room Attic Insulation
- Side Attic Insulation
- Crawlspace Ceiling Insulation
- Duct Sealing (Basement Furnace)
- Exterior Wall Insulation
Resulting Benefits:
- Reduced drafts and uneven temperatures
- Created a more comfortable living space
- Significantly lowered energy costs and usage
- Reduced energy waste
- Quieted living space
*The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance. The higher the value, the less heat conducted through the insulation.
