Insulation Technologies and Installation Specifications for Better Energy Performance of Commercial Buildings WoodWorks West Wood Products Council is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-aia members are available on request. This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation. Steve Easley Copyright Materials This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written permission of the speaker is prohibited. Course Evaluations In order to maintain high-quality learning experiences, please access the evaluation for this course by logging into CES Discovery and clicking on the Course Evaluation link on the left side of the page. Steve Easley & Associates/Wood Products Council
Getting Enclosures Right Photo Mason Grant Consulting
Historically Speaking Priorities were cost, strength, esthetics. Enclosure thermal performance was primarily an after thought to the structure. Energy was cheap Environmental issues were not a priority. Objectives Select the best insulation system for a given application. Write better specifications regarding insulation and installation. Explain how insulation works and sort fact from fiction regarding manufacturer claims. Understand the relationships between air barriers, moisture vapor transmission, condensation, material permeability, and insulation selection. Steve Easley Energy Efficiency Energy Efficiency is a major component of LEED and all Green (GrEEn) Energy Efficiency is the easiest to quantify. The most likely to provide tangible results. Energy Efficiency starts with a good enclosure Steve Easley
Green House Gas Emissions 1 kwh = 1-1.5 lbs 1 Therm 100,000 BTU s = 11.7 lbs. Our Expectations for Building Enclosures They keep building components dry They maintain a temperate environment They are long lasting They do not make you sick Building Enclosures Manage Water flow Air flow Heat flow & surfaces temps Moisture as a vapor 4 - Enclosure Control Layers Water- WRB s & Rain Screens Air- Air barriers, building wraps, air sealing Thermal- insulation exsulation Vapor- vapor retarders
Why Focus on the Building Enclosure First Reduces the heating and cooling system energy use, size and costs Is likely to last for the life of the structure Energy savings do not diminish with age Reduces the loads thus reduces design risk factors for HVAC Can manage moisture and increase building durability Can enhance occupant comfort and building IAQ The Romans Built cavity walled structures Insulated heated water pipes with cork so they could be placed under floors Used cork to insulate ice houses Used fabrics for additional insulation Scraps of cloth tucked into window frames Rugs of animal furs Thick linen drapes as curtains Mongolian Nomads Used felted and woven sheep wool pads and an insulating layer on the walls and floors of their yurts The Vikings 10 th & 11 th century Vikings and other northern Europeans insulated their homes with mud chinking, plastering it in the cracks between the logs or hewn boards When mixed with horse/cattle dung and straw the mud was called daub and considered a stronger/better building material
R-4 R-4 Is not just about R value Promote building science and systems engineering / integration approach Do no harm : Ensure safety, health and durability are maintained or improved Accelerate adoption of high performance technologies www.buildingamerica.gov
Building Science Fundamentals Building Science, a definition: The understanding of the interworking relationships between climate, heat, air, and moisture flow with the various systems in a building and how those relationships impact energy use, comfort, indoor air quality and building longevity Steve Easley Systems in a building: Building or structural systems Space conditioning system Water heating and plumbing system Electrical, lighting Communication system Fire & safety systems Conduction Convection Radiation Heat Transfer Steve Easley Basics of Heat Movement Heat Transfer Heat always flows from warm to cold The greater the temperature difference the faster heat flows Temperature gradients cause air movement Air contains moisture Conduction Steve Easley
Fiber Insulation Wall Insulation: Wet-Spray Cellulose Wet-Spray Cellulose (Scrubbed)
Wet-Spray Cellulose (Scrubbed) Wet-Spray Cellulose: Drying Time Typical R-values of Insulation Materials
Courtesy B.S.C. Thermal Bridging
Solutions
Copyright, Steve Easley Copyright, Steve Easley
Copyright, Steve Easley Keys to a high performance system Factors Affecting Insulation Performance Stops air flow Not affected by moisture Stable R value Protects structure
The Goal Conductive losses (solved by proper insulation) Specification Tips Insulation No voids/spaces, complete alignment with air barriers No compression Cavities filled Air sealing All void sealed Air testing Installed R-Values of Fiberglass Compression
Effect of Gaps and Voids
Effects of Gaps at Insulation
Safety 1 st!!! Steve Easley Steve Easley Note Heat Loss Between Floors Steve Easley
Prime Areas for Spray Foam Band Joist areas Living spaces over garages Knee walls Behind tubs & showers Hard to insulate ceiling areas Below grade spaces Plumbing on exterior walls Crawl space by passes
Heat Loss at Band Joist
Convection Heat Transfer Enclosure Thermal Performance Thermal performance is a 2 component process Conductive losses Solution Insulation Convective losses.solution Air sealing High performance enclosure = less loads = lower costs purchase, operation, maintenance.forever Steve Easley
Heat Loss by Convection Cause of Air Infiltration in Buildings Wind Pressure Stack Pressure Mechanical Pressure (HVAC) Steve Easley & Associates Air Leakage Photo IR Thermogram Spectrum Infrared Ltd. Air Leakage along the corner joint Photo Mason Grant Consulting
Pour-stop Metal clip Curtain wall
Air gap Air Sealing Challenges: Ductwork
Blower Door Testing Thermal Performance Insulation Air sealing Reduce heat loss & Wind washing gain Moisture control Reduces condensation Thermal Comfort Warmer components Convective Loop Windwashing
Controlling Air Infiltration Thermal By-Passes Convective (solved by proper air sealing and a good air barrier system)
Thermal By-Passes This is not an effective air barrier An Air Barrier is a Systems Approach to Reducing Convective Thermal By-Passes Tape is Not a Reliable Air Seal
Air Transport Air Leakage Unplanned Unpredictable Unintentional Very Costly
Sealed Cans 70 Degrees F 30% Relative Humidity Dew Point Location INSIDE OUTSIDE Dew Point NOTE: Perm is a unit of water vapor transmission 0 Degrees F Extreme Consequences Air Sealing Challenge: Electricals
Change in Relative Humidity Questions? This concludes The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems Course steve@steveeasley.com