Energy Saving Crawl Space

Challenge

Heating a home during the winter can be expensive, and if you have an open crawl space, you're virtually burning money. A crawl space without insulation leads to cold air coming in through your foundation during the winter and hot air warming your home during the summer. Looking to save money on their energy bill and protect the health of their home year-round, this York, ME, homeowner called Dr. Energy Saver by TC Hafford Basement Systems for a free estimate.

Solution

System Design Specialist Nima Farshid worked with the homeowner to test how energy-efficient their home is with a Blower Door Test. A Blower Door Test measures how much air leaks in or out of a building, helping the homeowner and Nima have a better understanding of what needs to be done to the home. Encapsulating the crawl space was the first step in the plan, so CleanSpace with Drainage Matting was laid down, creating an inorganic seal between the crawl space and the earth. Vent Covers were installed to close off vents that would otherwise let outside air flow right into the crawl space. SprayFoam was installed on the walls and rim joists to insulate the crawl space. SprayFoam is a closed-cell foam that is not only a thermal barrier but also a powerful moisture barrier since it does not absorb water.

With the crawl space encapsulated with CleanSpace and sealed with SprayFoam, the homeowner now owns a more energy-efficient home that is healthier, and they no longer have to deal with cold floors in the winter and a humid crawl space during the summer.