The Story
The homeowner called me because her electricity bill hit $480 in August. She had a 22-year-old AC unit that was running constantly and never getting the house below 78 degrees. When I went up into the attic, I found maybe R-11 insulation, which is about a third of what it should be. I told her the AC was not the only problem. The house was leaking energy from the top like a sieve. She asked me to fix both and I put together a plan that would cut her bills in half.
Eric, GLME Construction
Project Scope
Complete HVAC system replacement with heat pump and full attic insulation upgrade.
The Challenge
The existing ductwork was undersized for the house and had multiple leaks. The attic had minimal insulation with several gaps around recessed light cans and the attic access hatch. The old system used R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer manufactured, making any repair impractical.
Our Solution
We removed the old system entirely and installed a 4-ton variable-speed heat pump rated at 17.5 SEER. I had the crew replace all the flex duct with properly sized, insulated duct runs and seal every connection with mastic. Then we blew in R-38 cellulose insulation across the entire attic, sealed around every penetration, and insulated the attic hatch. The homeowner also qualified for a $2,000 federal tax credit and a $1,200 utility rebate.
Materials Used
- 4-ton variable-speed heat pump (17.5 SEER)
- Insulated flex ductwork
- R-38 blown-in cellulose insulation
- Mastic duct sealant
- Insulated attic hatch cover
Eric showed me exactly where the problems were with a thermal camera. My September bill after the install was $195. That is less than half of what I was paying. The house is cool everywhere now, not just the rooms closest to the vents.
Ready for Your Own Transformation?
Let's discuss how we can bring your vision to life with the same quality and care.
Get Free Estimate