LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE TRENCHES - CRAWL SPACES. David Treleven

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE TRENCHES - CRAWL SPACES David Treleven

AGENDA 1. Background 2. Exercise 3. Field Experiences 4. Take Aways

www.systemvision.org

SystemVision Standards Air Tightness Ventilation & Moisture Management Insulation & Windows HVAC Sizing & Install Pressure Balancing Appliance & Fixtures Combustion Safety

What is a Closed Crawlspace? Vapor Retarder Insulation Drying Mechanism Drainage Air Sealing

What is a Closed Crawlspace? Drainage Air Sealing Vapor Retarder Insulation Drying Mechanism

Benefits in NC?

Energy Savings Thousands 9 8 7 6 Season Summer Closed with Floor Insulated -22 % Closed with Wall Insulated -36% kwh 5 4 Fall -5 % -10% 3 2 Winter -10% +4% 1 0 Spring -19% -28% Jun-Aug '03 Sep-Nov '03 Dec '03-Feb '04 Mar-May '04 Annual -15% -18% Vented + R-19 Floor Closed + R-19 Floor Closed + 2'' Foam on Wall

Moisture Control 100 90 Outside Wall Vented Closed 80 Relative Humidity (%) 70 60 50 40 30 Jun-03 Jul-03 Aug-03 Aug-03 Sep-03 Oct-03 Nov-03 Dec-03 Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04

Closed Crawlspace Standard 2.6. All crawlspaces shall be closed in accordance with www.crawlspaces.org

Closed Crawl Designs

SV Builders Initial Reactions Slab only (3 builders) Dropped program (1 builder) Skeptical of Closed Crawls Excited to see this as a requirement

What SystemVision Provided ½ Trainings on Closed Crawlspaces Suggestions for materials Proposed a process Linked Builders Sent out Closed Crawl Books Technical Support Phone Onsite Blog

What are builders experiencing?

Closed Crawl Lego Land Your Goal: Build a closed crawl space incorporating all essential elements

Closed Crawl Lego Land Do not open envelopes until you are prompted Be gentle when putting together legos Do not build unless you are told to

Step 1 Build the Foundation

What is a Closed Crawlspace? Drainage Air Sealing Vapor Retarder Insulation Drying Mechanism

Build a Closed Crawl See what your team can get done in the next 3 minutes

Challenges

SystemVision Builder A Only knowledge is of D.A.V.I.D.

Open hint #1 in your bag

Build a Closed Crawl See what you team can get done in the next 3 minutes

Hint #1: Materials List Air Sealing Vapor Retarder Insulation Sill Seal Wall & Floor Rigid Foam Drying Mechanism Drainage Stand Alone Dehumidifier Floor Drain

Challenges

SystemVision Builder B Only knowledge is of D.A.V.I.D. Materials selected prior to construction

Open Hint #2 in your bag

Build a Closed Crawl See what you team can get done in the next 3 minutes

Hint #2 The Process

Challenges

SystemVision Builder C Only knowledge is of D.A.V.I.D. Good grasp on what Materials to use Well integrated Closed Crawl Process

Wake HFH Closed Crawls

SystemVision Builders A Basic Knowledge- D.A.V.I.D. B Trained D.A.V.I.D. & Materials C Process, Materials, D.A.V.I.D. D Subcontracted out

Envelope #3

Issues from the Field Issues not covered by the controlled lego land exercise

Other Issues MISSING

Other Issues

Other Issues Recap Missing inside drainage Crawl door is not air tight Crawl not separated from porch Pre-closing moisture issues Missing drying mechanism Incorrectly installed floor insulation No termite inspection gap

Success

Common SV Closed Crawl Drainage Drain to daylight Air Sealing Components Foam/caulk & sill seal Vapor Retarder 6-8 mil poly sealed with flashing tape/house wrap tape

Common SV Closed Crawl Components Insulation Fiberglass batts / Thermax Drying Mechanism Supply

Typical Cost Self-performed $0.50 to $1.00/SF 1200SF Crawlspace= $600-$1200 Subcontracted Out $2.00 to $2.25/SF 1200SF Crawlspace= $2400 - $2700 Cost Includes Insulation

Take Aways for Success All components of D.A.V.I.D are selected prior to construction Materials/Tools identified prior to construciton Integration into construction process = success

SystemVision Builders A Basic Knowledge- D.A.V.I.D. B Trained D.A.V.I.D. & Materials C Process, Materials, D.A.V.I.D.

THANK YOU David Treleven dtreleven@advancedenergy.org Maria Mauceri Closed Crawlspace Research mmauceri@advancedenergy.org