Colorado’s Top 10 Home Performance Problems & How to Fix Them


1.  High energy bills:
High utility bills are caused by two factors: The unit price charged by your utility company, and the amount your home and family consume. You can’t control the price charged by your utility company. But you can control your home's usage. High energy consumption rates can almost always be traced to leaks, heating and cooling equipment, ductwork, and inadequate insulation. Fix it

 

2.  Rooms that are too hot or too cold:

Your family complains that one or more rooms in your home are uncomfortably hot in the summer or freezing in the winter. These conditions could be caused by several factors, including inadequate insulation, incorrect ductsystem design, air leakage, or poor duct performance. Fix it

3.  Leaky Ducts: 

Ductwork leakage accounts for up to 30 percent of energy wastage in a typicalhouse. Common culprits include unsealedduct seams, cracks, poor connections and ducts built into ceiling cavities. You are paying to heat and cool the air movingthrough those ducts. Any conditionedair that is lost through leaks results in higher utility bills. Fix it

4.  Inadequate Insulation:

Most Colorado homes were built with insufficient levels of insulation in attics, walls, and ceiling joists. In many homes the insulation is sagging, does not fill the entire frame cavity and does not have an attached air barrier. These conditions cause comfort problems and higher energy costs. Fix it

 

5.  Inefficient Appliances: 

Old and energy inefficient furnaces, water heaters and kitchen appliances can causecomfort, health, safety and energy cost problems. Old furnaces and waterheaters can leak carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases. They are also atgreater risk of flame roll-out. Energyinefficient kitchen appliances consume high amounts of energy, impacting yourutility bills. Fix it

6.  Drafty Rooms:

Hidden leaks around windows, electrical and telecom outlets, recessed can lights,light and ceiling fan fixtures an plumbing penetrations, can cause cold outsideair to enter your house while warm air escaped. While each individual leak maybe small, when combined they can equal the size of a full window open 24 hoursper day! Fix it

 7.  Dust Spores and Polutants:

Air circulating throughout your home can carry dust, spores, radon and other pollutants.  Without properly sealed ductwork and adequate ventilation rates, they can spread throughout your house and create or exacerbate respiratory problems. Fix it

8.  Ice Dams:

Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and will warm the underside of the roof causing snow and ice to melt and refreeze as it runs off your roof.  This condition forms icicles and ice dams.  When they eventually melt, the water can back up under your roof shingles and penetrate into your home’s ceiling and walls.  The resulting moisture can cause mold, mildew, structural decay and roof damage. Fix it

9.  Moisture on Windows:

Inefficient windows or high indoor moisture levels from air leaks can result in condensation, frost, or pools of water on windows and sills. Fix it

 

10.  Mold, Mildew and Musty Odors:

Water leaks or high humidity can lead to mold, mildew and musty odors. Water can seep in through hidden leaks in your house envelope.  Showering, cooking, running an acquarium, drying clothes and other normal daily activities  can cause high indoor humidity levels. The combination of exterior leaks and indoor humidity can lead to wood rot,  structural damage and a variety of health problems. Fix it