The Lamb family’s 23-year-old home had all original equipment… which means it was overdue for a makeover of its heating and cooling system, and its insulation. They have been trying to stay comfortable with just a window air conditioner for over a year since their central air conditioner broke. The extreme heat and cold from three patio doors was so bad that that they hung blankets in front of them to be more comfortable.
How The House Was Helped
Heating and Air Conditioning• Bootle Air Systems of Beaufort removed the home’s non-functioning and mismatched heat pump and air handler, a 10 SEER system (seasonal energy efficiency rating—think gas mileage for heat pumps!). Bootle installed a new Lennox two-ton XP14 heat pump and a CBX27 air handler which gives the system a certified ARI rating of 15 SEER. They also positioned the new unit 18 inches away from the prior location so that discharged air is not blocked by the eve. • The old manual thermostat was replaced with a programmable, touch-screen thermostat.
Ducts• Some of the existing ductwork was sealed and insulated. Damaged ducts were replaced entirely with new flex duct. The entire system was appropriately sized for the new HVAC unit and suspended with straps to ensure proper air flow.
Sealing and Insulation• JAS Construction’s initial comprehensive energy analysis of the home identified several air leaks, including a 16 square-inch space in the attic that was open to the outside. Gene Wilhoit and his crew caulked and sealed the air leaks. They added new sheetrock to close the hole in the attic and address some gaps near the electric meter. • In the attic, Image Design Solutions of Savannah addressed the home’s too-low R-19 level of insulation by blowing in approximately 1,250 square feet of new Owens Corning fiberglass insulation. This step raised the R-value (a measure of protection against temperature variations) to 30, nearly doubling the effectiveness of the attic insulation.
Other Measures• A new Rheem Marathon water heater, the most energy efficient electric water heater available, replaced the 10 year-old existing unit. • Coastal Electric and Palmetto Electric, the cooperative partners on this home, donated energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to replace standard incandescent bulbs in the home. CFLs use 75 percent less energy and radiate less heat than conventional bulbs.
The results are in, and the Lamb family is enjoying significant savings on their monthly energy bills. Their bill for December: $251. Their bill for the same time last year: $277. That’s a savings of $26.
Those initial monthly savings — and a two percent reduction in the home’s energy use versus the December 2008 bill — resulted from a more than $10,000 home energy efficiency makeover provided by Palmetto Electric and partner co-op Coastal Electric in Walterboro.
“It can mean a lot when you have three boys,” said Tammie Lamb. “You’re talking groceries, everything, it adds up at the end of the month.”
Investment• New heat pump system with ductwork, thermostat, and more.............................................................. | $ | 6,500 | • Sealing, sheet rock installation and comprehensive energy analysis.............................................................. | $ | 1,500 | • Rheem Marathon water heater and installation.............................................................. | $ | 1,200 | • Attic insulation to R-38............................................................................................................................ | $ | 750 | Total estimated value of weatherization efforts in this home.............................................................. | $ | 9,950 |
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On their Help My House! Contest entry form, David and Tammie Lamb wrote, “We have a lot of heat in our attic and two bedrooms do not get adequate heat or air. Please help us in being more energy efficient and responsible.”
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 | | | The Lamb’s broken HVAC system and substandard ductwork needed replacing. The system’s age and the unit’s location meant that, even when it was still working, it was costing more to heat and cool the home less. | | A new high-efficiency Lennox heat pump and digital programmable thermostat will dramatically improve comfort and energy savings in the Lamb’s home. | |
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 | | | The nearly 10 year-old unwrapped water heater was housed in an unconditioned storage shed. Its age and location had the unit working harder to keep water hot—wasting energy and money. | | A new super-insulated Rheem Marathon water heater—the most energy efficient electric water heater available—replaced the old unit. | |
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 | | | Like many homes, insulation in the Lamb’s attic had settled over time, leaving an inadequate layer that significantly reduced this important barrier between their inside living area and extreme hot and cold outside temperatures. | | New fiberglass insulation blown into the attic nearly doubled insulation R-values in that unconditioned space. The work helped restore the home’s protective envelope against the elements. |
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