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Our Approach
House as a System
It is imperative that homeowners first realize that their home and all of its components are engaged in a symbiotic relationship, meaning, they are dependant on one another to function properly. If one were to change any element of a home, it would alter its entire functionality, whether that be positively or negatively. The elements of a home are its envelope, HVAC (Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning) system, water heating, appliances, and lighting.
Diagnostic TestingAt Ideal Energy we believe in testing, never guessing. Using a calibrated blower door, duct blaster, and thermograph scanner, it is easy for us to find air leaks in the home’s envelope and duct system. With these tests, we can measure exactly how much air infiltration your home or duct system has before and after the energy efficient upgrades are performed. That way you can be absolutely certain that the retrofits were cost effective and your home still meets the minimum required ventilation guidelines.
EnvelopeYou will hear many contractors referring to a home’s envelope as its thermal boundary. These terms are interchangeable. A home’s envelope separates conditioned space from unconditioned space. For example, the floor, walls, ceiling, and insulation are what comprise the home’s envelope. However, a home’s envelope will not function at its full potential if it is not well air sealed and insulated.
Air SealingIt is important you keep in mind that the first step is to have a well-sealed envelope. Meaning, the floor, walls, and ceiling should be continuously sealed before installing insulation. Without a well-sealed envelope, the surrounding air will transfer the heat trapped in the insulation through a process called convection, and enter your home. Also, without a well-sealed envelope, heat will not only move in, but conditioned air will be driven out. In both scenarios, the energy used to heat or cool your conditioned space will be wasted, and your furnace will be running more often than needed to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
This is our first example to you that every home works as a system. You can install the most energy efficient air handler on the market, but it will do minimal for you in terms of energy efficient measures if the other components of your home aren’t properly functioning. As in this case, if your envelope is not tightly sealed, your air handler will still be running more than necessary. Our goal at Ideal Energy is to reduce your need for energy usage from the get-go.
InsulationInsulation essentially works by making it more difficult for heat to conduct from fiber to fiber and through its small air pockets. Typically, the more dense the insulation, the harder it is for the heat to conduct through it. Yet, one must remember that if insulation is compressed (making it denser) to a certain point and beyond, its R-value depletes.
Heat is always moving from a low temperature to a high temperature, and in Arizona, heat is usually moving from the outside, inside. The higher the insulation’s R-value, the better, however, if insulation is not installed properly, its R-value will decrease, allowing for more heat to transfer through a specific cavity. It is important that insulation is installed continuously, with no gaps or voids for it to function as it was intended. This is why we always recommend air sealing, if necessary, before installing insulation.
Investing in insulation and air sealing is one of the most effective ways you can lower your utility bills, make your home more comfortable and healthy, and reduce your impact on the environment. Typically, your attic and ducts are out of sight; don’t let them be out of mind. People tend to jump into investing in a new energy efficient heat pump, new windows, or a new washer and dryer, which are all great steps but can be costly and have a minimal return on investment. You can convert all your light fixtures to cfls, and upgrade to the most efficient equipment on the market, but you aren’t tackling the problem at its source. In general, investing in air sealing and insulation should be the first step when considering energy efficient upgrades.
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