https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog daily 0.75 2025-08-28 https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/cellulose-or-fiberglass-insulation monthly 0.5 2025-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1756342336197-VC5IP5A5ZFSVWDJKZOXR/Cellulose+or+fiberglass1.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Cellulose or fiberglass insulation? This is insufficient yellow loose-fill fiberglass. I prefer cellulose, but no matter what insulation you choose, it needs to be installed properly, fully and deeply, and in conjunction with proper air-sealing. (Note the unsealed wire penetration and top plate. A home's insulation value is hampered by attic air and house air exchanging through holes like this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1756342336279-Q2QJPXXF444IGFJU56LS/Cellulose+or+fiberglass2.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Cellulose or fiberglass insulation? Close-up of the penetrations. The insulation is discolored because air has been passing through it to and from the attic and house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1756342341131-F0CTJ0WUYVR9AFZ28O7S/Cellulose+or+fiberglass4.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Cellulose or fiberglass insulation? This is loose-fill pink fiberglass. Well, mostly pink. Note the discolored insulation around the exhaust duct and black pipe. That is a result of interior air moving into the attic, and vice versa. What good is a Yeti cooler if a dozen holes are drilled into the lid? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1756342341808-N1BAUROE6OITS835A4GR/Cellulose+or+fiberglass5.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Cellulose or fiberglass insulation? This brand-new home has cellulose -- my preferred choice for loose-fill insulation -- but it is comically insufficient. With most cellulose brands, R-38 would be 10.5 to 11 inches settled. This area near the truss has about 4 inches. Installation quality is key. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1756342344147-KMVES6FPQBD577XHZYGU/Cellulose+or+fiberglass3.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Cellulose or fiberglass insulation? Large gap in the hallway wall's soffit cap, right next to the return duct. https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/qampa-session-no-231 monthly 0.5 2025-09-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1756342081344-P9S2530YI9CEXQD6ZY6T/Dead+bird.JPG Energy Audit Blog - Q&A session No. 231 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1756342078110-LV3VFDOE6L5CLS6EA1UO/Dead+rat.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Q&A session No. 231 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1756342080610-276I6Y3GML0RU68IRA28/Dead+dog2.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Q&A session No. 231 https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/these-are-the-dog-days-of-summer monthly 0.5 2025-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597786963-X10T759QAG6CADAH8QX7/16a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597784864-OOLRF4YX0857UH4JYDSE/16b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597786534-GNYS17292GKE8IKDPUBP/16c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597787782-3ADLJ20HJZ7HD6WIB162/16d.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597788652-I783KLD8D1H8ECTVDBYK/16e.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597794842-H6M3AJI2K9C9YI0AEJJO/16f.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597792691-QX35UN7PRLSQB7N09MB9/16g.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597794617-MSVAR7VKS8C77XJR088F/16h.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597795573-DG7LPCWFN66S3JL5O889/16j.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597798184-352QRV3WPJEH77K7XKZK/16k.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597798186-OBXJDHMFTOM1ZETS2LIJ/16m.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597799516-EOIT8QGAHN2KG9RRVF3Y/16o.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597799739-GHSI2C7AC9T1J573217C/16p.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597800462-KN2TMQ3OYZCJEFH477DC/16q.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597802830-TDLIN9OSM7395WYESMEQ/16r.jpg Energy Audit Blog - These are the dog days of summer https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/how-can-a-home-energy-audit-benefit-you monthly 0.5 2025-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598128388-27QSFUFTO75A8ECFV829/19a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How can a home energy audit benefit you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598131189-0UFC7HN305HCGFTYXHIS/19b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How can a home energy audit benefit you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598130030-E7CTHYNQ5ONMDCQT5WU7/19c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How can a home energy audit benefit you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598131064-REPQB9GZGJX9S2BQCS3K/19d.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How can a home energy audit benefit you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598131949-VZWUVHRCPP0IWSH8T5MK/19e.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How can a home energy audit benefit you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598133838-LBLKXR9BYPA2YUXKYLS5/19f.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How can a home energy audit benefit you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598134347-16HRN78JWS19NQBZGWY8/19g.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How can a home energy audit benefit you? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598134793-0T62K8AZEWNBPCJYVUFG/19h.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How can a home energy audit benefit you? https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/should-i-run-my-clothes-dryer-during-aps-peak-demand-hours monthly 0.5 2025-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598033301-6YGQ81KWXU8NYRH3BOTJ/18a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Should I run my clothes dryer during APS’ peak demand hours? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737598031492-WDC6NRA4YN1PBO41BZGS/18b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Should I run my clothes dryer during APS’ peak demand hours? https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/this-is-not-an-ad monthly 0.5 2025-05-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/b8ca6f21-95fb-439d-9927-d21adeea5aaf/17a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - This is not an ad. - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/dont-fall-for-the-sales-pitch monthly 0.5 2025-04-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597549562-BK4CIJO9TMCZONTE339C/14a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t fall for the sales pitch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597552069-2Q3TVMDKGUX0VD190A3T/14b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t fall for the sales pitch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597556646-XNYPAMU27ZLFCPOO1DJ8/14c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t fall for the sales pitch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597554116-XW8RKN1OL6HU8T1TFAUX/14d.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t fall for the sales pitch. https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/did-you-know- monthly 0.5 2025-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/3cdf04c7-2bcd-45dd-a320-0751b0d47f69/12a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Did you know ... - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/what-type-of-ac-filter-should-i-use monthly 0.5 2025-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597279593-DCKVGHD13NDLBBKD5NLM/13a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - "What type of A/C filter should I use?" Does your return duct look like this when you pull out the filter? If so, its nominal diameter is reduced because it is choked by its own collar. The result will be high static pressure and low airflow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597279801-XSYKD90VOIA7FVGVH11Z/13b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - "What type of A/C filter should I use?" When an 18" return duct is being choked by its own collar ... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597286848-XAX38HEFL84FE7249YKY/13c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - "What type of A/C filter should I use?" ... its effective diameter may be reduced drastically, to less than 12 inches. As a result, the return static pressure could potentially triple or quadruple. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597282299-UIOHWN2VZY1JZNC15DEM/13d.jpg Energy Audit Blog - "What type of A/C filter should I use?" The return static pressure on this HVAC system is quadruple what it should be. Airflow could be reduced by half. This can cause coil freezing or other issues. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597286444-02KGBCILF2YF5XVKPCX9/13e.jpg Energy Audit Blog - "What type of A/C filter should I use?" Crushed return ducts hurt airflow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1737597288837-CDH0FOVNQ4AU6L5VJ118/13f.jpg Energy Audit Blog - "What type of A/C filter should I use?" Badly kinked return duct in the attic. https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/hvac-static-pressure monthly 0.5 2025-01-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541672365-W9XML3G8TULSCWHQGG01/11a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - HVAC Static Pressure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541672457-XQGZV7E3ZX53SP13HY9S/11b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - HVAC Static Pressure https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541674185-OJJTDUS20Z9EZE3WLZGA/11c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - HVAC Static Pressure https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/how-much-does-duct-leakage-matter monthly 0.5 2025-01-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541531502-A1W6QHK0B3ZZ90LY5RVQ/10a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How much does duct leakage matter? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541530756-A0CHL4WJ7F6Z3WAKRQYN/10b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How much does duct leakage matter? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541534302-CV1310QGW9RAJ3O2TPH9/10c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How much does duct leakage matter? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541532832-5DSLZMSB2LVP78NCIDSG/10d.jpg Energy Audit Blog - How much does duct leakage matter? https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/can-an-electric-water-heater-timer-save-you-money monthly 0.5 2024-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/efc56e98-4df2-4411-8b17-f01022fe28af/9a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Can an electric water heater timer save you money? - Make it stand out “Old-school” electromechanical water-heater timer. https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/dont-insulate-before-an-audit monthly 0.5 2024-12-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541239656-OL4HORULOPD0OTOJ07CR/8a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t insulate before an audit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541243229-JWR1ZW4VMX39UZ92EFTR/8b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t insulate before an audit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541243901-2QBVN09N8MB9KCXEGIZX/8c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t insulate before an audit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541247424-O8WI53USSFBKC2QOTMPC/8d.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t insulate before an audit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541248230-HDDIBT5BETS3JGJMZDSK/8e.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t insulate before an audit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1733541250358-95QRLEWRX3RGXYOKL1DC/8f.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Don’t insulate before an audit https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/is-your-home-really-dusty monthly 0.5 2024-12-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1728949718479-ODBBGFJ16CYCTEXRZE94/6a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Is your home really dusty? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1728949718497-E1XT0L7WSS5YCXLHHFB8/6b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Is your home really dusty? https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/before-adding-insulation monthly 0.5 2024-12-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/49d1e0a8-19b1-4148-bb44-98336b3dfd0b/5a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Before adding insulation - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/air-sealing monthly 0.5 2024-12-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725241572330-LIZVKE5ZEJPH6ALQEPK6/4a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Air-sealing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725241572382-50ZAWYHSA0T7SZZTSRUA/4b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Air-sealing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725241573298-GCBFJ30HA0L1FTNQ78VD/4c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Air-sealing https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/peak-demand-hours monthly 0.5 2024-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/6e7c73e4-bbdf-494e-b813-43af75d69498/3a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Peak Demand Hours - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/blog-post-title-two-plmt3 monthly 0.5 2024-09-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725240841986-DUT4GRNAJ61X5ZPKZYBR/2a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - #62 - The Things HVAC Companies Do https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725240843094-V3LG09INAXDOGUC8NVB7/2b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - #62 - The Things HVAC Companies Do https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725240843191-UNAT0UFVS0B9WT7J0D4W/2c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - #62 - The Things HVAC Companies Do https://www.heatthermography.com/energy-audit-blog/blog-post-title-one-2lrmy monthly 0.5 2024-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239983923-YFJ0ASX95BC75QPDD2IM/1a.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought Note the gap between the coil and furnace -- just below the circular piece of PVC. The HVAC contractor forgot to seal the gap, resulting in about a ton of conditioned air blowing into the attic. This had been going on through the summer, resulting in massive dust and a few hundred dollars in unnecessarily high electric bills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239984297-WDJ0SVZ1QTZBO2EBYRZI/1b.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought Here's a closeup of the gap from the previous photo. Note the damage to and the buildup of dirt on the coil. This is not what the homeowners paid for. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239985232-QWBURJ5KD8ECIEMNXGE4/1c.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought Oops. Someone forgot to connect the fresh-air fan. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239985323-2FV8AC3RLI8RSMGJUJHP/1d.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought Oops! Someone forgot to connect this fresh-air fan, too. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239986065-QQPPLE9U0VPXE0QFUEKO/1e.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought Actually, it turns out that they couldn't connect the fresh-air fan because (oops) someone forgot to install the electrical receptacle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239986431-A664YZOXM9MTGO2HKYXU/1f.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought The HVAC contractor squeezed a 16-inch return into an 11-inch space. It is no wonder the unit had high static pressure and poor airflow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239987264-EDH6Y02EXOGGO60DWM75/1g.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought This duct had fallen off because it was improperly attached. It turns out it was improperly dampered, as well. The contractor used actual tape to cut off half the air to the massively oversized duct. What happens in a year or two when the tape comes off inside the duct? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239987352-LTT8EEITJMDAAP9ZGYLT/1h.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought This poorly run duct in Hastings Farms has massive longitudinal compression -- the contractor never trimmed the duct, so there's about 12 feet worth of duct in an 8 foot space. This kind of compression can quadruple or quintuple the friction rate in the duct, resulting in poor airflow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239988143-7N9I4HNT44Y0P6D4JW1R/1J.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought This is the same brand-new house, but a different duct with the same issues: partially disconnected and a damper made of tape. Thankfully, the home buyers sent HEAT's report to the builder, and the problems were fixed at no additional cost. This is why it's important to have an energy inspection done before the warranty is up. (Home inspectors almost never catch energy-efficiency issues.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239988208-ESLKH7OR2FL37N1NYFG6/1k.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought Photo of a ceiling in brand-new home in Promontory at Foothills West. I caught this issue before the homeowners moved in. (See IR image) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725240578703-B80B42FRI5A02ADZW2GR/1P.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought The thermal camera revealed missing insulation over 80 percent of the bedroom. We caught this three days before the homeowners moved in, and they were able to get it fixed and cleaned up before the home was furnished. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725240578757-JS5G9EYHR1KBBPLQYZW0/1O.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought Photo of the hallway ceiling, which is taken simultaneously with the infrared image. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239988950-0076HYAWPESAJLDUHNGR/1M.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought Infrared thermal image of the hallway ceiling. The bright spots indicate where insulation is missing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/1725239989016-HQCIJX7N63ICM6WRW1X0/1O.jpg Energy Audit Blog - Food for Thought https://www.heatthermography.com/home daily 1.0 2025-08-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/d02ff182-45b8-4a28-948f-554e2dfce9fd/FLIR+Image.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/3aa50f3b-b991-4060-9676-ad97a9583d3d/Jason.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/b0f52506-a972-460e-a379-e9f6f90169ab/P1590129.JPG Home Missing insulation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/680a23af-50d1-4a28-8d8a-c31bfda47475/clogged+dryer+vent.jpg Home Clogged dryer vent https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/3089188a-d0cb-429d-89c6-f30deb3e7dde/IR_55587.jpg Home Heat entering the living room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/96de49a8-d228-4f89-86b4-4a2c77ad0ba6/Sucked-in+return+duct.jpg Home Two problems caused this return duct to literally cave in on itself. First, the duct was way too small for the home, which was remodeled and increased in size. Unfortunately, the HVAC contractor didn't upsize the duct to fit the bigger air conditioner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/8bb28e54-62c3-4769-9fe5-04e1ff5163db/Missing+insulation+at+ceiling+%26+kneewall+digital.jpg Home Digital image of a kitchen ceiling. The next image is taken with a thermal infrared camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/66366a8a-352f-4f84-aaca-d4ffd461fdec/Missing+insulation+at+ceiling+%26+kneewall+IR.jpg Home A thermal infrared image of the same kitchen ceiling reveals what the naked eye cannot, and what the skin cannot ignore: There is no insulation over this part of the kitchen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/11fbc4d8-8c80-4c33-bb1e-242b69ba2c40/Partial+disconnect.JPG Home The disconnected supply duct is venting a massive amount of conditioned air into the attic. Reconnect the duct and seal properly using approved mastic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/bc3f91b6-01b1-4c97-8eb1-de5a979edcf0/P1600633.JPG Home The evaporator coil, which is brand-new yet damaged, is clearly visible. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/167ef7b8-0a21-4d35-8552-90f00c1675b2/Tuozzolo+kinked+duct.jpg Home HEAT specializes in inspecting and auditing newly built homes for energy efficiency. In this brand-new home, which is still under warranty, a number of problems were found, including this choked supply duct, which was responsible for a hot bedroom. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/ba49890d-0fd9-4392-befb-14185f901329/Badly+misaligned+%26+compressed+batt.JPG Home If insulation is to be effective, it must make full contact with the surface it is insulating. If it isn't, it's misaligned. This fiberglass batt insulation is sticking up off the attic floor in several places. Just 5 percent misalignment can reduce the R-value by 52 percent. The R-value of these batts is R-30, but it is only performing at about R-10. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/ee0c77a5-c9ee-446f-861e-7f0b73a0cc77/Chas+Sawzall1.jpg Home Oops! The HVAC contractor literally sawed through an important framing member while installing a jumper duct in this new home, which was still under construction. The technician who sawed the truss said he couldn't find another place to put the jumper duct. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/9e50134c-7f15-4900-abcb-8fd4c9489ec5/DC_44610.jpg Home Visual-light image of a kitchen ceiling. The following image shows how poorly installed the insulation is. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/6e4fa761-7ecb-4bc5-9716-6785e5c8fef9/IR_44609.jpg Home The insulation in this home is installed exceptionally poorly, with 80 percent of the ceiling exposed to the brutal heat of the attic during a Phoenix summer. The home inspector completely overlooked this issue because, from the attic, the insulation "looked fine." This is why it is so important to also have an energy audit done during the inspection period of buying a home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/f5fe34d7-8f24-4363-9828-2ed5f2d8339c/Disconnected+supply+main.JPG Home The supply mixing box in this attic was held together only by foil tape -- no fasteners, screws or mastic was used to secure and seal the box. The result is predictable. The box tore loose from the plenum, and about a ton and a half of the 4-ton system's air simply vented into the attic. In fact, this attic was a bit more comfortable than the inside of the house. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/b43f223e-a03e-4990-ac34-9eaa9c8f5654/Jansen+dryer+duct+closeup+-+Copy.jpg Home This image shows the exhaust duct at the back of a clothes dryer. This duct is crushed so badly that no air can escape. The homeowner complained that the dryer would overheat the clothes to the point of barely being touchable; but the clothes were still damp after an hour. A dryer pulls air from the surrounding space, heats it, runs it through tumbling clothes, and exhausts it, thereby carrying moisture-laden air out of the home. If it's crushed, it can't work. The results are costly, inconvenient, and sometimes deadly. Americans suffer some 2,900 dryer fires each year, most of them due to crushed ducts or lint buildup. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/d76678af-5fc6-4d3e-b8fa-99e150402a49/lowinsulation2.JPG Home This attic has cellulose insulation, which has an R-value of about 3.6 per inch. This section of attic, with 3.5 inches of cellulose, is insulated to about R-12.6. This is far, far less than the standard R-38 to R-44. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/8a7facde-ea60-4178-a534-df4ebacf3c95/P1050183.JPG Home This 1930s-built home has vermiculite insulation in the attic. Vermiculite from this era has a 70 percent chance of containing asbestos. It is recommended that the attic insulation be completely removed following EPA guidelines on removal of vermiculite ("remove existing"), unless the vermiculite is tested and found to contain no asbestos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/f4afbaf3-0815-4c08-a7de-a9a6ab4508a8/P1100865.JPG Home This is a heat pump air handler in the attic. Note the severe bends in the larger duct at the top of the photo. This kind of U-turn is akin to bending a garden hose until the water stops flowing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/180c7d07-c80d-4621-b674-d69e14e428c4/P1290931.JPG Home Completely missing insulation in a brand-new home in Eastmark. Luckily for the home buyer, the house was still under warranty, so the builder was responsible for fixing the issue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/2389eec4-ef20-4e0a-974e-9fbc9aeb1ee1/P1290943.JPG Home The refrigerant line set, which weighs dozens of pounds. was simply laid on top of the supply duct, severely reducing its airflow. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/937922df-65eb-4f7e-87c2-75708b1bc35d/P1320435.JPG Home This is another brand-new home, still under warranty. The light bits are pieces of insulation. The paper-bag colored area is bare drywall. This home was simply missing insulation over about 500 square feet. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/09db840e-c3fa-46af-95ec-591b95523059/P1330028.JPG Home Ducts should come straight off the plenums if they are to deliver the right amount of air. This duct, in a brand-new home in Hastings Farms, was pulled sideways, kinking it and causing the two bedrooms it served to be hot in the summer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6664de1ed3804648923d589f/e30c43c4-5610-4454-b652-e9b32cda795e/P1600630.JPG Home The HVAC technician in this newly built home forgot to fully assemble the air handler. The result is a massive blast of cool air into the attic.