I recently purchased my house and the longest walls - front and back - face east and west with no shade trees to break
by
Ramona
+9
up the sun. I'm thinking of getting the concrete block walls insulated with foam to reduce the radiant heat build up.
Any suggestions on the best contractor for this? Or any other solution?
Any suggestions on the best contractor for this? Or any other solution?
front faces west - retention pond across the street so the sun shines down until sunset.
12 answers
-
Ramona, you might try this insulation company - http://www.hometalk.com/member/ki2reci40d As for other solutions, I believe Orlando Utilities Commission, Progress Energy and Florida Power and Light all offer free energy audits. Call your energy company for an audit. They can tell you the best ways to reduce that radiant heat buildup and cut your energy bills. Depending on the existing insulation in the walls, some overhangs might work better and be cheaper. You may also be able to tackle the problem with some new attic insulation or other attic upgrades.
3po3
on May 04, 2011
-
I would also try some bushes and maybe a big palm tree for some shade. I would try to break up the front with some plants to keep tthe sun off the walls.
Darby C
on May 04, 2011
-
You need some trees, Ramona! A deciduous tree (one that loses its leaves) would provide you shade in the warm-weather months but allow the sun to warm your house in the winter. A good choice would be the "Autumn Flame" red maple (Acer rubrum), a fast-growing native tree with showy fall color. If you want something evergreen, take a look at a magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) or a cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana), which is also fast-growing. So plant, and then post some before-and-after photos!
Douglas Hunt
on May 05, 2011
-
All excellent ideas thanks! I did have an audit from Progress Energy - less then R11 in the attic and the cheapest answer is blown in which they subsidize with rebates - having that done next week. They also suggested I insulate in the walls and they do offer a $300 rebate on that but it's still $1500 to do just the east & west walls. Doug - thanks for the tree suggestion - I'm looking to do something exactly like that and am glad for a suggestion. How fast could something like that red maple make a difference? Are they expensive to buy and have put in?
Ramona
on May 05, 2011
-
Doug - do you work in Longwood? Any suggestions on who I might contact in my area to offer affordable plantings for this issue?
Ramona
on May 05, 2011
-
Ramona, Longwood is outside of my usual area but I will probably be in Orlando next week and would be happy to meet with you while I am there. The way to get the most "bang for your buck" is to start with smaller trees, which are less costly, easier to plant and will get established more quickly in your yard, but it could take a few years for them to make a real impact in terms of providing shade.
Douglas Hunt
on May 05, 2011
-
I have had a couple of companies out to give me estimates on attic insulation and possibly in-wall insulation for outer rooms. I was told that insulation in the framing inside the concrete block walls won't do much good, that the heat of the attic is warming the air in the ducts and that's making the rooms along the outer walls less cool. That doesn't sound quite right to me. BUT, I am looking at putting in some radiant barrier insulation on the underside of the roof and adding some blown-in insulation in the attic. Can't put trees along one side (too close to a fence) nor in the back as we'll have a pool/deck added next year)
Jerry
on May 05, 2011
-
Jerry from what the contractors are telling me they will be drilling into the concrete block walls to fill the block with foam. This foam is mildew/mold resistant and fills up all the air voids which has the happy side effect of giving bugs no where to setup housekeeping. This foam will then provide a radiant barrier to prevent the heat the outside block absorbs from transferring to the inside. And since my house is totally exposed to the sun this should help reduce the load on my system. I've decided to take a 2 step approach. 1)I had the A/C unit cleaned and tested - no problems. I had the duct work tested - leaks will be repaired next week I had an energy audit and they gave me a quote to bring my attic insulation (blown in) up to R30 - that will be done late next week. I bought the radiant tinted film for the windows and will install that this weekend. 2) Then I'll wait and see how what difference it makes in how often the A/C needs to run. If it still seems to be a problem I'm going to have the east/west walls filled with foam. Either way I also plan to get some trees planted - as they grow they'll provide even more assistance with keeping the sun off the house.
Ramona
on May 05, 2011
-
Sounds like you have a solid plan, Ramona. I think some trees would really add to your property, and it's smart to try and get some data before doing an expensive upgrade. You might also consider a cool reflective roof coating. It looks like the walls are relatively light, so the color isn't causing a lot of heat retention, but the roof is dark.
3po3
on May 05, 2011
-
I would also consider planting tress that develop leaves in early spring and looses them in early fall as well, this would shade your walls as spring arrives and once the leaves are gone and it is a cooler season the sun would warm the walls.
Cindy
on May 06, 2011
-
Ramona, injected foam insulation is a "great fix". You'll be amazed by how much more comfortable your home will be. Typically pays for itself in energy savings in around 2 years.
Bruce
on May 13, 2011
-
Ramona, sent off my first reply before reading others on file. Most effective method of keeping radiant heat from your attic is foam insulation. If cost is an issue for you a quick fix could be as simple as having a solar fan installed.
Bruce
on May 13, 2011
Sign Up to Answer
