From "Camping at Home" to Comfy and Snug; Rockridge Homeowners Find a Scientific Solution to Drafty Home

When Maria McKee and Stephan Tsochandaris purchased their Rockridge home two years ago they envisioned it as a place where their family could spend the rest of their lives. Though they knew this home, built in 1908, needed some work, they were not quite prepared for the cold winter nights.

“It was as if we had no walls. It felt like we were camping every day” said Maria. With no insulation in the walls or floors, the house had difficulty retaining heat. The inefficient furnace, installed in the 1980s, only exacerbated the situation as it would cycle on and off loudly, circulating hot, dry air that would quickly leak out. The constant cycling often woke up the entire family, leaving them sneezing throughout the night as well as greatly increasing their energy bill.

After doing research on home upgrades and finding the Home Upgrade rebate program (www.BayAreaEnergyUpgrade.com), Maria and Stephan found Ultimate Home Performance, a local Oakland contractor that focused on a building science approach that treated the house similar to how a doctor treats a sick patient. Through testing that involved blowing air into the house to find the leaks, the contractor was able to pinpoint specific areas that needed sealing and weatherization. The results of their testing showed that the furnace was only 40% efficient and that the ductwork leaked 62% (of system airflow) of that hot air directly into their basement.

The recommendations surprised them. Like many, they had assumed they would need new windows. Instead, Ultimate Home Performance suggested measures that would give them the biggest bang for the buck, which prioritized air sealing, attic insulation and new ductwork instead. In addition to these measures they decided to replace the furnace with a combined hot water heater and air system known as “the Maserati of heating systems.”

Now, after almost a year since the upgrades were completed, Maria says the house maintains a comfortable warmth and the right level of moisture throughout the house year round. In addition to the savings on the energy bill, they received $3,643 in state and local rebates. And best of all, they can decide when they feel like going camping.

To take a tour of this home on the afternoon of Sunday, October 22, please visit https://rockridgegreenhome.eve...