We had Paradigm Energy Services do an energy audit on our place late last year. Ric Evans is a total professional, easily as capable in documenting all of the energy loss issues present in our home as he is at explaining them and the solutions available in an understandable dialogue.
In addition to an at-a-glance size-up of sorts on the onset of the audit, Paradigm Energy Services subsequently provided us with a detailed report, neatly illustrating each efficiency issue we were facing in an easy-to-read outline complete with color photographs and infrared images. This report was emailed to us, which was a nice touch as we had the option of reviewing it and filing it as we saw fit.
Ric explained that though most energy loss occurs from the combined effect of all the smallest points of entry (in the case of air entering from all the nooks and crannies, bad insulation, etc), we were facing a major source of heat loss from our uninsulated attic and exterior basement walls. This issue was highlighted and detailed in the report, giving us a number of options, at varying levels of intensity and financial practicality. We opted on using an open-cell expanding spray foam, which was professionally installed in the two areas noted by Paradigm Energy Services. The difference that was made come winter was really impressive, and we've seen substantial savings as a result.
Smaller suggestions made a big dent in our energy loss as well. We also started to utilize insulating plastic sheets adhered to all of our window frames, and installed storm doors where there were none. Evans explained that windows were a major source of energy-transfer, and short of upgrading older styles to newer, more efficient models - which was acknowledged as being a big jump, financially - the next option was to seal them in with heat-shrinking plastic. Now we have no drafts coming from our windows - it really makes a huge difference.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Paradigm Energy Services. Whether you're interested in saving some money, saving some energy, living greener or all of the above - you really should give them a call. read more