Honestly, I get where you're coming from, but I’m not totally sold on starting with a blower door test every time. I’ve seen people get overwhelmed by the results and just freeze up, or they end up chasing every tiny leak instead of tackling the bigger comfort issues first. Sometimes just replacing drafty windows or sealing doors makes a huge difference in how a room feels, even if there are still some sneaky leaks up in the attic. Maybe it depends on how much time and budget you’ve got? I do agree, though, those recessed lights are sneaky little energy thieves...
I’m with you on not always jumping straight to a blower door test. I just started fixing up my place and honestly, swapping out old windows and weatherstripping the doors made a way bigger difference than I expected. Is it really worth chasing every little leak if you’re already feeling more comfortable? I guess I’m wondering if there’s a point where it’s just good enough, especially if you’re not ready to do a full overhaul.
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from—sometimes “good enough” really is good enough, especially if you’re not planning to gut the place. But here’s the thing: have you noticed any difference in your utility bills since you did those upgrades? I’ve found that sometimes the little leaks add up over time, even if you don’t feel them day-to-day. Curious if you’ve seen any numbers shift, or if it’s just a comfort thing for you.
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this. I had a client last year who swore their 18-year-old HVAC was “just fine”—until we started tracking their bills. Turns out, they were paying way more than they realized, just because the system was running less efficiently. Sometimes you don’t notice the slow creep until you really dig into the numbers.
On the other hand, I’ve also seen older systems that just keep chugging along with minimal issues. But even then, comfort can be hit or miss—like one room’s always freezing, another’s stuffy. Personally, I think if you’re not seeing a spike in costs and you’re comfortable, you’re probably okay for now. But those little leaks and drafts do add up, especially if you’re making cosmetic upgrades and ignoring the bones of the place. Just my two cents... sometimes “good enough” is fine, but sometimes it’s just masking a bigger issue.
sometimes “good enough” is fine, but sometimes it’s just masking a bigger issue.
That hits home. I get the temptation to just let things ride, especially if nothing’s obviously broken, but I’ve seen so many folks regret not getting ahead of it—especially when they start a remodel and realize the old system can’t keep up with new insulation or windows. Curious, have you ever had an energy audit done? Sometimes those turn up hidden problems even when bills seem steady.
