This podcast episode from "Home Comfort Tactics" delves into the story of a homeowner in Rockville, MD, named Alex, who faced a perplexing condensation issue in their new home. Despite numerous consultations with experts, the problem persisted, causing discomfort and energy inefficiency.

The host, an experienced energy auditor, was approached to help resolve this "Dew Point Dilemma." Through a detailed inspection involving an energy audit and the use of cutting-edge technology, the host uncovered several issues contributing to the problem, including poor insulation, unsealed air leaks, and a significant temperature clash near a bay window that led to excessive condensation.

The resolution involved upgrading insulation, sealing air leaks, bridging the temperature gap, and reducing indoor humidity levels, aligning with recommendations from Energy Star and Pepco. This comprehensive approach led to a remarkable transformation in the home's comfort and energy efficiency, resulting in a 43% reduction in air leakage and about a 40% decrease in gas usage compared to the previous year.

The episode highlights the importance of perseverance, technology, and professional audits in solving home comfort issues, encouraging listeners facing similar problems to seek a professional energy audit.

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In this episode of Home Comfort Tactics, we dive into the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEEHR) program, a cornerstone of the Inflation Reduction Act to make homes more energy-efficient. We explore how the program's $4.5 billion fund is helping low- and moderate-income households afford crucial upgrades like heat pumps, electric stoves, and insulation through point-of-sale rebates. Through the story of Emily, a single mom looking to replace her water heater, we illustrate the program's impact and straightforward application process, emphasizing its role in fostering a greener, more equitable future.

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What you may find a little different about my approach to explaining the Inflation Reduction Act HOMES Rebate program is that I try remembering when I was a homeowner and a window contractor. I did not know or understand anything about the whole-house approach or how it could change how I think about comfort and energy use in my home. 

When some of the critical concepts started to click for me, I was blown away by it all, and I got excited about finding ways to explain it to others. Most of the time, people are intrigued by it all, and it makes so much sense to them. I go into households regularly where the homeowners have lived there for years, sometimes decades, and the problems leading to their struggles were less than $1000 to fix.

You can learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act. It is not only about the rebates for homeowners to upgrade insulation but also about how it will change how you look at the inside of your home. Whole house assessments, the many working parts of your home to keep you safe and comfortable, and how and where you should improve insulation. These things will not only come to the forefront, but they will bring a wave of enlightenment as we all begin the journey of understanding how to all do our part to fight against climate change.

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Overview of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (H.R. 5376):

Two years ago, the United States government introduced the Inflation Reduction Act, a bold move with a whopping $8.8 billion earmarked specifically for Home Energy Rebates. 
It is a significant investment in Home Energy Rebates and should highlight the importance of getting these improvements made to your home.
I provide you with an introduction of two major programs: the Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEEHR).

You can find more information here: https://hometrustremodeling.com/the-amazing-new-bill

Source:

"Residential Rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act" Fact Sheet, December 2023.

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Thank you for listening!

If you would like to learn more about my home performance company or get in touch, please visit https://www.hometrustremodeling.com or https://ericgans.com.

Unlock Your Home's Full Potential - Hometrust Remodeling, Your Trusted Partner in Maryland Home Performance

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I am a Certified Energy Auditor in Maryland.  I have had several revelations over the past several years, and this important one is about replacement windows. I am a contractor and a homeowner who fixates on personal comfort in my living space.

I like to share my experiences with home comfort and remodeling so that you can make decisions that are light years ahead of my own!

Despite my initial belief that replacing windows and HVAC systems would improve home comfort and energy efficiency, these changes did not yield the expected results.

In 2012, I noticed that several window companies in my area were being fined for falsely advertising energy savings.

My first big realization came when I learned that windows accounted for only 10 percent of a home's air leakage during my Energy Auditor certification in 2017.

I became a home energy auditor and conducted an audit in 2018 where the homeowner believed drafty windows were the issue. However, the blower door test revealed that the windows were not the primary source of air leakage.

Considering a comprehensive energy assessment before investing in window replacements would be best.

00:00 Home Comfort Starts with Listening to This Story
00:27 New House & New Window Replacement Job
00:46 My Own Comfort Journey Was Long
02:11 Replacement Windows Were Not the Answer
03:36 Building Science is the REAL DEAL
04:41 She Swore Her Windows Were the Issue
06:51 Everything You Need to Know About Replacement Windows

If you would like to learn more about my home performance company or get in touch, please visit https://www.hometrustremodeling.com or https://ericgans.com.

Unlock Your Home's Full Potential - Hometrust Remodeling, Your Trusted Partner in Maryland Home Performance

If you are looking to join a growing community of energy auditors, please visit our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/384354076839150

Here is a group for homeowners looking for more information about the Inflation Reduction Act Rebates https://www.facebook.com/groups/homesrebatesprograminfo

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If you live in Maryland and want to learn more about the insulation R-values you need in the different areas of your home, this video podcast can help. You need to measure insulation through a slightly different lens. Rather than focusing on which insulation is better, achieving the recommended R-value for specific areas of your home's shell is more critical.

There are two essential things to familiarize yourself with regarding R-value.
First, the R-Value in "Lay" Terms. We measure insulation by its R-value. Insulation has one job - to resist heat flow.  The higher the R-value, the better the insulation resists heat transfer.


00:00 Introduction
01:29 Two Things to Remember About R-Values
02:17 Getting an Insulation ROI
04:04 Insulation's Seasonal Responsibilities
05:00 Typical Boundary (Insulation) Locations Around a  Home
07:43 Should You Remove Existing Insulation?

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Getting a home energy audit is one of those things that many do not fully comprehend the benefits of until the assessment is complete. At that time, a well-trained energy consultant will be able to walk you around your home and illuminate issues that you have likely been walking right past for many weeks, months, or in some cases YEARS! Don't wait any longer and empower yourself TODAY to make your home more efficient, sustainable, and comfortable.

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