The wife won out and I didn't get to do any additional investigation this Easter weekend. I was bummed, but I completely understood her.
hearthman:
I'm not 100% sure how to scientifically measure the NPP, neither the audit company of duct blasting company said absolutely where it is. The duct blasting company said it was probably 3/4 the way up the first floor. Making it above the fireplace and downdraft cooktop.One question for the OP: where does the NPP tend to lurk? Is it down about belt level on the first floor or higher up?
I'm not sure what's behind my brick, I do have the little plastic weep pipes at the typical locations. I only found out I didn't have house wrap when I installed my deck, I pulled back the siding and there was just plywood! I contacted my builder and he said he didn't believe in house wrap! This is the same builder that didn't believe in a ridge vent, he put in a powered attic fan instead of installing the ridge vent. Thanks builder!! The plywood seemed dry after 8 years and there were no signs of rot anywhere. I wasn't able to check that far up the siding because the deck connected at the rim joist.
billygoat:
You have a very good point here. My master tub is right above the leaky kitchen bump out. On top of that, there is a soffit that runs the perimeter of the kitchen. See pic below:bathtub plumbing openings in floors, the stud cavities around the tub, an if a tub unit w/ integral top or has dropped ceiling over tub, plenty pathways there from floor to floor or into attic if on top floor.
energy star:
The phony windows in the attic are not 100% sealed but they are closed. They have a very slight gap at the bottom where the sash meets the sill.
energy_rater_la:
Thanks for the information as always!
On my second floor there are no crown moldings that were installed by the builder. So the wall to ceiling joint was plastered. However, the first floor has lots of crown, and knowing this builder I'm sure it wasn't sealed correctly. I still plan on putting mastic on all the flex collars. Much easier to do it now without all the extra insulation. I requested that the insulation company bury as much of the duct system as they can under the blown in FG.
stvc:
I'm working with the past audit company to come back out and do their test out. I will definitely post back what they find.
dan sw fl:
I have no idea what the actual furnace efficiency is, I was giving the value that was on the yellow sticker on the side of the furnace.
My propane cost is difficult to estimate. I have a 1000 gallon tank buried in the yard and I have it filled once a year. So I really have no idea my month to month costs. The electric is ~3,500-3,700 kWh/month when it's really cold outside. I know it's mostly my heat pump because in transition months my electric is ~1,500-1,800 kWh/month. And this is with a propane furnace doing a lot of the heating.
I will definitely let you all know what the audit company finds and if I find anything once I get back into the attic.
Thanks again!