Post Upgrade – Indoor Air Quality Significantly Better
Just a couple of days after a complete home energy upgrade, Mike Gorski noticed his allergies had begun to subside, and after a few months, they were nearly nonexistent. Paula Gorski noted that their bedrooms that were either too hot or cold were now comfortable. She said that cooking odors cleared out quickly and no longer lingered in the house.
The Gorskis, who live in the Rancho Del Rey community of Chula Vista, received an energy-efficiency remodel through the Energy Upgrade California Community Savings Initiative to serve as a model for upgrades. The project was completed in July, and for nearly four months, the Gorskis have enjoyed a much more comfortable home with significantly improved air quality and consistent temperatures throughout their home. The Gorskis’ two-story, five-bedroom home had a number of energy-efficiency upgrades and water-saving measures installed.
The Gorskis primarily credit their increased comfort to the HRV system coupled with the air sealing and improved insulation in the attic. "The air in our house is always fresh," Paula said. "The HRV system runs continuously, but only uses the same amount of electricity as burning a light bulb."
The tankless water heater and recirculation system provides them with hot water for showers in an instant. Previously, in the upstairs master bath, they had to run the hot water for up to 15 minutes before it was hot enough to shower. Overall, they report that the retrofits have greatly increased their quality of life while reducing their energy use.
