LEIF SWANSON, REALTOR® Phone 602-686-3852 Fax 602-971-6372 Leif@LeifSwanson.com

• Appliances
• Air Conditioning & Home Climate Products
• Doors
• Roofing
• Flooring
• Electrical
• Siding
• Plumbing
• Windows

1. Heat pump/air conditioner rated 12 SEER or higher
2. Equipment is properly sized for the home as shown by a heating and cooling load analysis
3. Programmable thermostat

1. Attic ducts not crushed or deformed, and the outer covering is not torn
2. Ducts are sealed with mastic sealant (not tape)
3. Duct pressure is tested for air leaks by a qualified technician, and ducts have no more than 3% air leakage
4. More than one return-air vent for proper recirculation

GAPS between the insulation and the building frame as little as 1/8th inch can reduce the effective R-value by almost one-half!

VOIDS (areas with no insulation) can also significantly reduce the over R-value of the insulation. For example, an R-30 ceiling with a 5% void area will perform like R-14 insulation.

COMPRESSION (insulation "squished" to fit into a space) is directly related to effective R-value. Compressing insulation by 50% will cause a loss of about 50% of its R-value.

MISALIGNMENT can result in a complete loss of effective R-value. For insulation to work properly, it must be installed in complete contact with the home's air barrier.

If air is allowed to pass through or around insulation (WIND INTRUSION), it becomes completely ineffective.

• The 2001 Remodeling Online "Cost vs Value Report" offers estimates of return on specific improvement projects by region of the country