The Trowbridge Street renovation by City of Bridges Community Land Trust did not originally include plans to add wall insulation. This unfortunately is common when walls are left closed—it’s cheaper and easier to keep them as they are. But even with the challenges of plaster and lath, and the need to repair each hole made for blowing in insulation, we believe it was well worth the effort! E3 contributed funding to make it happen.
We also personally labored in a very dusty attic to help identify areas that needed air sealing, including:
along the gable walls
near plumbing vents and recessed lights protruding into the attic
at the top plates of interior and exterior walls
and a large gap near the defunct chimney
E3 also assisted with repairing rain leaders to ensure a drier basement and funded an upgrade to higher-efficiency windows. This home received a high-efficiency gas furnace and SEER 14 air conditioner.
Final results: air leakage measured 11 ACH@50, or 2618 CFM@50, Home Energy Score: 7, and the energy reduction achieved jointly by CBCLT and E3 was 29% compared to the starting point. Not spectacular—but certainly a meaningful improvement! E3 cost: $13,500.
