Button Up Your Home’s Overcoat
By Sean Catherall, exclusive architect for Integrated Property Services, Salt Lake City LIVING WELL Magazine
Parkas, boots, hats, gloves and scarves have been seen on the lam, having escaped their summer prisons, enjoying freedom and fresh air all over northern climates and higher elevations! People appear well-protected and cozy in their winter gear—but are their homes equally protected from the chill? Integrated Property Services (IPS) has some ideas to consider.
While energy producers seek more sustainable (and often more costly) energy sources, many large energy consumers use less, driving demands down and driving energy expenses up for many end-users. But soaring energy costs are not the only consideration. Discomfort, uneven temperatures and the dangers, costs and hassles of freezing pipes on severely cold days are also winter gremlins to be defeated. Uncomfortably cold or drafty homes, even where the cold only occurs in a few isolated places, can cause disturbed sleep, health risks and reduce the quality of life of its occupants.
Adequate thermal insulation is the single most cost-effective way to keep the average home comfortable in winter. An experienced, professional designer and contractor will take the time to analyze the existing conditions of your home, determine the optimal R-value for the situation (how much resistance to the passage of heat is required) and prescribe the right kinds of insulation. Your design and construction professionals may recommend fiberglass batts, rigid foam boards, loose-fill cellulose, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) or some other form. They can also make sure that the insulation is accompanied by the correct vapor barrier in the correct location to assure that moisture does not form inside the home due to the additional insulation, creating a new health and safety hazard. (Think of moisture forming on the surface of a glass of ice water on a hot day and you’ll get the picture.) Additional insulation can compensate for a complete absence of insulation in old homes, supplement existing but inadequate insulation or offset inconsistencies due to original insulation that was improperly installed. Chris Lindquist or Jonathan Hay at IPS or their exclusively affiliated architect, Sean Catherall, would be happy to review the conditions of your home and help you determine if your home could benefit from additional insulation.
Walls and roofs are not the only surfaces that require insulation. Windows and doors mustn’t be “left out in the cold.” Double glazing (or double-paned glass) has become the norm within the last 30 years and triple glazing is becoming more and more common. Every exterior door needs serious attention to permanent weather-stripping. Every door unit (door plus frame) and window unit (window plus frame) now requires factory testing and calculation of expected heat loss and each must meet a minimum insulation standard. If your home’s windows and doors pre-date that standard, it may be time for an upgrade. The team of professionals at IPS are eager to review your existing windows and doors and recommend ways of keeping your family comfortable minute by minute and when the energy bills arrive.
Some homes may simply be in need of a new furnace in order to maximize energy savings and comfort. Heating equipment technologies and fuel formulas have advanced over the years, making newer models more efficient. Some duct systems may simply be in need of repairs and upgrades. There may even be gas company rebates available for the right upgrade. A lot of energy can be wasted trying to push and pull air through a system that resists air movement or lets it all leak out before it gets to its intended destination. IPS has a team of licensed heating, ventilating and air conditioning professionals standing by to analyze the unique needs of your home and develop a customized solution to maximize your comfort and energy savings.
Have you thought about how much energy you could save with an upgrade to your hot water system? A water heater upgrade, newly insulated pipes or a simple water heater servicing could make a significant difference. As with heating units, the right water heater upgrade may qualify for a rebate from the gas company.
Integrated Property Services has ideas to apply to your specific home after looking at it with you and discussing your options. Give them a call at 801-302-2555 or drop by their website (ipsutah.com) and set up an appointment today to have their friendly, licensed architecture, construction and home repair professionals pay you a visit. Don’t waste another btu, dollar or minute shivering in the cold!
With a new water heater, furnace and blanket of insulation, every inch of your home will be a cozy, comfy retreat. And it will be so happy; it will pay you back all winter long with lower energy bills.
Sean Catherall, AIA, has been cozy and comfy in Utah with his family for 18 years. He is a freelance architect and author with over 20 years’ experience in design in various parts of the U.S. He is currently engaged in an exclusive residential design + build joint venture with Integrated Property Services (IPS). Sean welcomes your questions and comments and can be reached at: sean.catherall@alumni.usc.edu.
