A Tale of Two Houses Update (Steamhead)

Steamhead

This is the pic I'd posted a while back- a view of my house (center) in which the attic is insulated, and my next-door neighbor's (off to the right) which was not. Notice the larger amount of snow that has melted off their roof as compared to mine.

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Steamhead

Now it's insulated

and the snow doesn't melt off so fast. Here are some shots from after this weekend's snowstorm, taken about 24 hours after the snow stopped falling. The wind has blown away some of the snow (this was the real light powdery stuff), but the undisturbed portions are about equally deep.

They were paying about $400 per month to heat this little house last winter. I think they'll be paying much less now, even with the recent rate hikes.

For those of you reading this who haven't insulated, now's the time. You'll benefit in several ways- not the least of which is the house will not need such a big boiler when it's time to replace.

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Mad Dog

But Frank, I thought they wanted a \"roof melt\" system????

Is that your girl Frank...I like the house are you in the woods???? Mad Dog

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Steamhead

Not the woods

but the neighborhood has plenty of big trees. Yes, that's The Lovely Naoko in the first pic. She was taking a nap today when I took those pics- shows she has more sense than me, staying out of the cold....

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DanHolohan

I love

the porch!

Steamhead

Just talked to my neighbor

She says her bill for this past holiday season as compared to the same time last year was $200 less. I haven't had a chance to compare degree-days yet, I think we haven't had quite as many this year. But the price per therm has gone up too.

Encouraging results so far.

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Steamhead

I've never seen another one quite like it

thank my great-grandfather, who had the house built in 1924.

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m_3

great timing

Thanks for the post, I was mulling the cost of insulating today, wondering how long it would take to realize any savings. we need more before and after posts like this.

Steamhead

I think she will get her money back

over the course of this heating season, and after that it's money in the bank.

If you're interested, watch this posting- I'll add a link to another before-and-after comparison I was involved with. This was a steam system upgrade that also included a high-efficiency oil burner and new chamber. The lady clocked her oil consumption and found a substantial savings.

Here's the link:

http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&Thread_ID=22035&mc=7

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Jeff_44

Steamhead, please excuse this

question, but is this a walk up attic? If so, did your
neighbor put the insulation in the floor of the attic or in the roof of the attic? I have a walkup attic with the original insulation from 1940. When the 2nd floor is
at 70 degrees (thanks to my old one pipe system) the attic is at 25 degrees with the outside temp. at 10. Does it sound like I need to upgrade the insulation
in the attic floor?

Christian Egli

Enough snow for a snow fort

Nice weather you've got going.

To think of it, it will soon be all melted, it will soon be 90 degrees...

And your neighbor will enjoy a much cooler home thanks to the insulation. I went through a similar experience myself and I was surprised to feel more effect in the summer than in the winter.

How is that for a bonus?

RobLC

RobLC

About that attic insulation...

We live in a 3 story Victorian. The attic is above the 3rd floor and it is sealed off from the 3rd floor.

I cut a hole in the 3rd floor ceiling and brought up enough rolls of R25 into the attic. I laid the R25 between the joists and installed vents on the east and west sides of the attic.

So, if you're in the attic, it's chilly. But the 3rd floor is toasty warm now. Our energy bills are much better.

Should I have put insulation between the rafters? All the way up to the peak? Again, no one lives in the attic and now the 3rd floor is insulated from the attic.

Any input is appreciated.

Steamhead

We insulated the attic floor

with 8 inches of fiberglass. Access to this attic is by folding stairs.

If you have less than 8 inches of fiberglass in your attic, it would be worth upgrading. If there's already a vapor barrier, you could lay new, unfaced insulation on top of the old.

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Steamhead

That's exactly

what I would have done! No need to insulate the rafters.

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RobLC

Always great to hear you say it...

Many, many thanks, again, Mr. W (Steamhead)for giving the thumbs up on my course of action. Your opinions are valued.

Stay warm.