Energy Audit and insulation of Manhattan Condo

Does anyone have a recommendation for a company that will do an energy audit and subsequent insulation of a condo in Manhattan? I have tried NYS Energy Audits, who have received good reviews here on Brownstoner, but they say they wont do any buildings with more than 4 apartments. (Mine is a Condo and we have something like 20-30 apartments). My apartment is very drafty! Any recommendations would be great.

Frudo

in Energy Efficiency 9 years and 3 months ago

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resident2 | 9 years and 3 months ago

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If you have major drafts then the chances are others in your building do and this needs to rectified through the Condo Board. In most Condos anything that is part of the infrastructure of the building and windows definitely are, is the responsibility of the Building. (Board) I know it takes a huge political campaign to try to get all those independents to agree to a major assessment etc. to fund the project… but it will be very difficult to get a reputable contractor to change the windows without the Boards input.

Frudo | 9 years and 3 months ago

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Hello – I’m the original poster. I agree with daveinbedstuy – I need to remove the casings and insulate around the windows. I do not know how to do this. I would really like to pay someone to do this for me. Does anyone know who I can get in to do this?

nyc_sport | 9 years and 3 months ago

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The windows in your condo may belong to the condo or to the individual units, so the feasibility of changing them may depend upon circumstances. But the difference from changing out windows can be impressive. Also, what kind of a/c do you have? If PTAC or through wall units, those things are just open holes in the wall that can be easily insulated. August may have been joking about the thermal camera, but it is a good idea. Get one of these for $250 and pinpoint the sources of cold air. http://www.flir.com/flirone/display/?id=69324

daveinbedstuy | 9 years and 3 months ago

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If your windows are single pane glass that’s probably 90% of the problem. Most buildings over the years have replaced these with capital charges phased in over a few years. If that’s not the case, most of these issues would be resolved by removing all the casings and using a medium expanding foam to insulate around the windows. Also, as stated above, the baseboards. And yes, anyone with a thermal imaging camera can show you the problem areas.

Augustiner | 9 years and 3 months ago

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Green thinker is basically right. But if you’re not into opening walls – just eliminating the drafts and find the cold spots will already solve 80% of the problem and make for a more even heat distribution. I can help you out once I find my damn thermal camera again 🙂 flo@flat-peach.com

GreenThinker | 9 years and 3 months ago

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They will just come in and tell you that you need to caulk your windows and base moldings. Now if you really want to insulate your apartment. – Replace your aluminum windows with either 1\. wood clad with vinyl or aluminum 2\. fiberglass windows or 3\. Vinyl windows. Get a good brand window thats made in a modern factory not someones garage. A reputable installer that will foam and caulk properly. – On every exterior facing wall. Remove the drywall or plaster/lath. Install half a inch of super tuff-r polyisocyanurate insulation. Tape the seams! Install drywall; plaster and paint. Reinstall moldings. Doing these two things will eliminate drafts and keep heat from escaping.