Do You Even Know if You Need an Energy Assessment? Part 4

Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 by Joy Padgett

This is Part 4 in our series discussing reasons why you should have an energy analysis conducted on your home. If you missed our previous discussions, just check our website and catch up. This is really some good information. I don’t want you to miss out on anything!

You know, I am constantly reminded of just how well conditioned we’ve become to accepting our living situation when we shouldn’t accept living in a home that is uncomfortable. There are so many other things in life beyond our control that will make us uncomfortable that we shouldn’t allow something we can control to make us uncomfortable. We need to be in control of our house and not let it control us!

This leads us to our next topic of discussion in this blog series:  Allergens, Dust and Pollutants. These items can cause you, or those living with you, to have health problems. The presence of these microscopic particles inside your home can prevent you, or your loved ones, from have a respite from exposure. If you can’t seem to escape your allergies by moving indoors, you could really benefit from having an energy analysis conducted on your home.

The energy analysis may be focused on detecting areas of and components in the home that are contributing to energy waste, but that is only one goal of the assessment. Health and safety issues are commonly uncovered during the assessment and brought to the attention of the homeowner. If you work with the company I work for, most of what is found can be addressed and fixed. If you had your electric company conduct the assessment, you’ll be on your own to find someone to fix it….psssstt…the company I work for does great work!

If you live in Central Kentucky you know what we say….if you don’t have allergies when you move here, you’ll have them before you leave! It just seems like we have more than our fair share of pollen, ragweed, and other allergens. Now, me personally, I don’t have allergies (knock on wood) and I’ve lived in the great state of Kentucky for 34 years! BUT….I do have friends and family who suffer from allergies and I really feel sorry for them. During certain seasons, they dread having to go outside! That’s not a way to live, but imagine not being able to escape your allergies by staying inside your house. This is no laughing matter.

Because homes are not properly air sealed while being built, allergens and other airborne pollutants can infiltrate the home and contaminate the air making it difficult for allergy sufferers to be comfortable inside their own home. Gaps and cracks around windows and doors, or in ceilings and floors allow outside air to enter the home during the summer months. And yep! You guessed it! Pollens, dust and ragweed particles are coming in with it! If you avoid going outside because it’s ragweed season, what do you do when you realize the ragweed is coming into your house?!

What if you have asthma or are allergic to bee stings? Dust and other pollutants carried in the air can just as easily enter your house through the unsealed crawlspace or attic. These irritants can then trigger an asthma attack. Plus, if you’re allergic to bees, most houses have gaps big enough for them to enter the attic or crawlspace, take up residence and then crawl through those openings and into your house where you may not be expecting to see them until BAM! you’ve been stung and are racing to grab your Epi-pen!

These are issues not to be taken lightly. If you or your loved one suffer from allergies, you need to have an energy assessment conducted on your home to determine how airborne allergens are entering the house. Reducing the size and number of pathways outside air carrying these toxins can enter the house will reduce the likelihood of suffering from an allergy attack while inside your own home.

A home energy evaluation will examine where and how these problems are occurring, and propose cost-effective solutions. And, if you choose the company I work for, you’ll also get an estimate on having the work completed! It’s not difficult to see how having an energy assessment completed on your home can bring to light issues that could be affecting the health of you and your family. I think it’s about time you lived in a comfortable home and one that isn’t contributing to your health sensitivities!