In this post, I would like to show you a project we completed in 2018 near 41st and Yale in Tulsa Oklahoma. This is a notable project due to the fact it exemplifies how bad homes can be in this area. When we initially visited this home, the customer was price checking a new compressor for their 10 year old Trane air conditioner. It was recommended that we see their month to month utility costs and share this information with us. In August of 2017, for instance, their electric bill was $329.00 for 3299 kilowatts of electric. In January of 2018, the gas bill was $160.00 for 28.6 Dekatherms of Natural Gas. Upon seeing unusually high utility bills it was recommended to conduct an energy audit on the home. After conducting an energy audit and load calculation it was determined the home had an undersized return air duct system and excessive leakage throughout the entire duct system. Aside from this, it was determined that the home was excessively leaky due to areas of the home not sealed properly, primarily the water heater closet located within the home.
We developed a strategy for this homeowner to include sealing the home and duct system after replacing the return air duct system. The equipment installed was extremely dirty due to the duct system being extremely leaky, so it was resolved to replace the equipment as well. Aside from being dirty, the compressor was also non functional. We replaced the equipment with a Goodman Model: GSXC180481 2 Stage Air Conditioner, a Goodmoon Evaporator Model: CAPF4961C6, a Goodman Furnace Model: GCVM971005CN, and a Goodman Comfortnet Communicating Thermostat.
We also conducted an ACCA Manual J and an ACCA Manual D load calculation to better determine what was needed to repair the duct system in the attic. The duct system was undersized and causing performance problems with the HVAC System. Upon completion of reinstalling the return air duct system, we Aerosealed the entire duct system. This included both the supply air duct system under the house and the return air duct system in the attic.
As mentioned earlier, we also installed a Natural Gas Tankless Water Heater in the water heater closet within the home. The main reason for this was to seal the water heater closet by ridding the water heater closet of excessive leakage through the combustion air pipes that communicate with the attic. This also reduces the amount of dust within the home by preventing dusty air from entering the home through the combustion air pipes.
Upon completion of this project we were able to schedule the City of Tulsa inspector to come out and inspect our work. After passing the City of Tulsa city inspection, we were able to retest the home and determine if there were any other areas of leakage in the home or duct system that needed to be addressed. It was determined that there was more leakage through the kitchen exhaust system. So we added backdraft dampers and directed the exhaust outside through the roof. Before directing the kitchen exhaust outdoors it was exhausting into the attic space.
After installing the new kitchen exhaust vent and ensuring it was sealed properly, we blew in new Owens Corning fiberglass insulation to R-42. The recommended minimum level of insulation in Oklahoma is R-38 according to the Federal Department of Energy, but we were able to achieve R-42 given the budget given to us via the initial quote.
Upon completion of this project we were able to follow up with the homeowner and see where their utilities costs were after improving the energy efficiency level of their home. In August of 2018, their electric bill was $128.25 for 1083 kilowatts of power and in January of 2019 their gas bill was $86.89 for 14.3 Dekatherms of Natural Gas. All in all this project went very well, the homeowner was very nice and appreciative and allowed us to do our job, unobstructed, with very little complaints throughout the process. The entire process took about a week with a few days without HVAC, but it was worth the wait.
If you or someone you know is interested in having your home evaluated, please don't hesitate to call and ask. We are usually available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. However, we do operate on a first come first serve basis. Call us anytime at (918) 734-0040 or email us at morrisheatandair@gmail.com