The Problem: Cold Floors, High Energy Costs, and Crawl Space Moisture
The homeowner was experiencing cold floors, high energy costs, and moisture in the crawl space. These issues were not only affecting the overall comfort of the home but were also causing the heating system to work harder than necessary. After a thorough crawl space inspection, several contributing factors were discovered.
One major issue was an open duct that was blowing hot air from the furnace directly into the crawl space instead of keeping conditioned air inside the living areas of the home. As Ricky explained, “This inefficiency contributed to the furnace running longer and harder, increasing energy costs.” The crawl space floor was also uninsulated, and while three of the four foundation walls had foam board insulation, one wall was left without it. Water was also present in the crawl space, creating an additional moisture concern that needed to be addressed.
The Solution: Crawl Space Encapsulation and Moisture Control
To create a complete solution, the open duct was capped and closed to prevent heated, conditioned air from escaping into the crawl space. A SmartSump system with a remote WaterWatch alarm was installed to help manage moisture and provide added protection against water issues.
The crawl space was then fully encapsulated, including the installation of foam board insulation on the remaining foundation wall to create a more consistent insulated space. By addressing the air loss, missing insulation, and crawl space moisture, the solution was designed to improve both home comfort and energy efficiency.
The Results: Warmer Floors and Improved Home Comfort
The results were immediately noticeable. The homeowner reported significantly warmer floors and increased comfort throughout the home. With the crawl space properly encapsulated and insulated, and conditioned air no longer escaping through the open duct, the homeowner can expect lower energy costs in the coming months.
Most importantly, the homeowner was very happy with the results and now has a more comfortable and energy-efficient hom
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