Home Performance

Comfort by Kodiak is a full-service energy solutions company.  With more than 25 years of building construction experience, we are uniquely qualified to implement all recommendations offered in our Energy Audit reports.  From air-sealing and insulation systems, mechanical systems, and solar energy systems, we do what is necessary to make your home more comfortable, healthy and energy efficient.  We view your house as a system; that is to look at every component of the house and not concentrate on a single component such as windows.  In a house system, the components interact with one another, with the external environment, and with you; if one part changes, all the other parts are affected and must adjust.  Whether a project is large or small, Comfort by Kodiak is committed to providing our clients with cost-effective home performance improvements that are completed in a timely, professional manner.

Safety First

Before we make any comfort or energy efficiency improvements, we require all safety issues to be considered. For example, during our mechanical systems evaluation, we sometimes find that hot water heaters, boilers, and/or furnaces "back-draft" combustion byproducts into the home. This is a potentially life-threatening and/or health issue and correction is our first priority.  The condition can be confirmed by a Combustion Appliance Zone test procedure or “CAZ” test.  We also provide testing and solutions for indoor air quality issues such as Radon and attached garages.  

Air Sealing

Build Tight and Ventilate Right is our Home Performance mantra.  Air leakage is the number one energy problem in most homes, and it occurs in many areas throughout your home, not just around doors and windows. Common culprits include basements, rim-joists, recessed can lights, attic knee walls, attic hatches, ductwork, and electrical and plumbing penetrations. Air leaks can contribute significantly to your energy costs, make your home uncomfortable, and affect your indoor air quality. Using the blower door diagnostic tool, we locate hidden leaks throughout your home and seal them to provide you with greater comfort, health, and energy efficiency.

Ventilation

Build Tight and Ventilate Right is our Home Performance mantra.  The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a Minimum Ventilation Level in residential buildings for the occupants and the building via standard 62.2-2007.  The EPA, Building Performance Institute, Energy and Environmental Building Alliance, and a host of other professional groups all agree that proper ventilation is very important to indoor air quality.  Sadly, few homes have proper ventilation.  Radon, Formaldehyde, Molds, Lead, Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) in building materials and furnishings, and other environmental pollutants in your home can negatively affect your health and the health of your home.  Please seehttp://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/index.html for more information.

Duct Sealing

If you have a forced-air heating or central air conditioning system, duct leaks in your attic or crawl space force your mechanical systems to run longer and work harder, robbing you of comfort and energy. In many homes, duct leakage can increase heating and cooling costs by 30%. In addition, leaks in your duct system can pull pollutants and irritants into your home, negatively affecting indoor air quality. Our technicians will permanently seal holes, cracks and gaps in your ducts with non-toxic mastics and caulks. Some duct systems can also be rebuilt to provide proper airflow or insulated so that they deliver more conditioned air.

Insulation

Heat loss and gain through the building envelope comprise the largest energy demand on most homes. Despite increasing awareness and knowledge regarding insulation systems, very few new homes, have properly installed systems avoiding thermal bypass, although having appropriate R-values.  Most older homes are simply thermally deficient.  Increasing the insulation values with proper installation techniques is a cost-effective way to reduce this heat loss and gain. We take time to insulate thoroughly and correctly so that you not only experience greater comfort, but also reduce your energy consumption for heating and cooling.

HVAC Equipment and Hot Water Heating

Today's mechanical systems are significantly more efficient and healthy than those of the past; however, replacing costly items like furnaces and boilers or air conditioners is not usually a high priority for most homes. We determine the condition and performance of your existing HVAC and hot water heating systems, calculate a simple payback, and you decide if it makes sense to replace them.   As a licensed mechanical contractor, Comfort by Kodiak is experienced and authorized to install new heating equipment in your home including tankless hot water heaters and solar thermal systems.

Solar Energy

Renewable energy systems have made significant gains in efficiency, and popularity, in recent years.  Comfort by Kodiak has a wealth of experience installing such systems in the high country; however, the effort is often wasted when energy fundamentals and conservation measures are overlooked.  We will work with you to make your home "solar ready" before installing any renewable energy systems as clean sources of hot water, heating, and electricity.  Rebates and tax incentive programs now exist that make solar more affordable than ever.

Lighting and Appliances

Whether it's installing high-quality compact fluorescent bulbs or designing and installing low-energy lighting and shade control systems, Comfort by Kodiak is uniquely experienced and qualified to provide effective conservation measures for your electrical consumption without sacrificing the conveniences afforded.