Energy-efficiency upgrades
By Charlotte Marsch
charlottem@bolivarmonews.com
Dave
Cantrell was happy as could be Wednesday, Feb. 4, when crews from
Southwest Electric Cooperative, Ozarks Community Action Corp.’s
weatherization program and members of the Southwest Baptist
University Students in Free Enterprise chapter invaded his mobile
home southeast of
They were there to make energy-efficiency upgrades to his home, a
project that was several months in the planning stages and will
reduce his electric bills.
The first step, well before the “makeover day,” was for Todd
Steinmann, weatherization program director for OACAC, to conduct a
blower door test. By depressurizing the air in the home, Steinmann
can determine how leaky the structure is and where the leaks are.
Based on that information, Steinmann prepared a report with
recommendations to make the structure more energy efficient.
When it came time to start making repairs, Southwest Electric put
$500 toward repairs through its Take Control and Save program that
was introduced in August 2008. Any homeowner who is part of the
cooperative can utilize the program. See sidebar for details.
The remaining funds came through OACAC’s weatherization grant
program that usually has a waiting list of six months to one year,
though Steinmann said there could be more money for the program
included in the economic stimulus package that is working its way
through Congress.
Repairs made to Cantrell’s home include repairing two minor roof
leaks, a new water heater, replacing two doors, fixing rotted
flooring, cleaning the furnace, repairing the under belly and
installing insulation where it is needed, installing a new access
door to the plumbing, sealing plumbing pipes and replacing damaged
ceiling tiles.
Steinmann said one of the most common efficiency problems he finds
is air ducts that leak air under the house. Wrapping ducts
with insulation and sealing seams using caulking or, even better,
with mastic duct sealant, can make a significant difference.
Steinmann said 20 percent of a furnace or air-conditioning unit’s
air production can be lost through leaky air ducts.
“The thing I hear most after we do a whole job is, ‘For the first
time, I’m comfortable in my house. My furnace doesn’t run constantly
now,’” Steinmann said.
Ted Zeugin, manager of member services for Southwest Electric, said
fireplaces also can be a major source of air leakage.
“Chimneys and flues are designed to draw smoke out of the house,” he
said. “If you don’t have the damper closed, it’s going to draw the
heat out. The damper usually doesn’t seal tight.”
Steinmann added that using a fireplace does not always save on
electricity bills.
“They probably are losing more than saving unless it is their only
source of heat,” he said.
SIFE members became invovled with the project when they were looking
for an environmental sustainability project. They assisted with the
home energy-savings makeover by helping make the repairs, as well as
helping to clean up the home before repair work began. They also
used the partnership as an educational experience.
After the repairs were finished, Steinmann returned to conduct
another blower door test. And he and Zeugin liked what the test
revealed: The repairs reduced air infiltration/flow in the home by
25 percent.
“Southwest Electric has been great to work with,” Steinmann said.
“They have really taken this seriously and really encouraged their
customers to do this.
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Herald-Free Press