Your House As a System
The most important underlying principal for creating an efficient building is to view it as a system of interdependent elements that, as a whole, becomes more than the sum of its parts. High energy bills, uneven temperatures from room-to-room, drafts, moisture, mold, mildew, poor indoor air quality, ice dams, pest infestations, seemingly uncontrollable humidity levels and even premature deterioration of building materials can all be the result of a breakdown in the relationship between the systems in your house – the building envelope (shell), heating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and you, the occupants.
If one system has a problem, it impacts the other systems’ ability to function properly. Treating the obvious symptom without knowing the real culprit behind it can actually make the problem worse or create new problems. The process of elimination approach just causes frustration as you try solution after solution – investing more time, money and energy – without resolution.
Properly diagnosing and fixing the root cause requires a house-as-a-system approach based on building science. At Energy Check, we use that strategy in all of our work, whether building, remodeling, consulting, or executing home performance upgrades.
Our house house-as-a-system approach allows us to
- Improve indoor air quality for health and safety
- Increase comfort
- Reduce utility costs
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Create a more sustainable building
- Help you reduce your carbon footprint
