Thermal Bypass Checklist: How We Got There?

NORTH CAROLINA ENERGY STAR CONFERENCE NOVEMBER 16, 2007 Thermal Bypass Checklist: Lessons Learned

ENERGY STAR FOR HOMES OLD SPEC Tight Air Advanced d Efficient i Field Ducts Sealing Windows Equipment Verified

ENERGY STAR FOR HOMES NEW SPEC Insulation Installation ti Thermal Bypass Right Sizing

NEW SPEC: TRULY ENERGY EFFICIENT AEC Study: ~7,000 homes (1998 and 2004) ~3,300 baseline (est. 20% > MEC 93) ~3,000 ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes ~800 Guaranteed Performance Homes 16% 33% ENERGY STAR 2 x 6 Guar. 24 o.c. Perform. Energy Savings Compared to Baseline Source: Measuring Public Benefit from Energy Efficient Homes [2005], Advanced Energy Corp.

NEW SPEC: COST-EFFECTIVE Monthly Annual Utility Savings $40 $480 Added Mortgage $15 $180 Cost Savings $25 $300 = $1,000 s for typical ownership period

Thermal Bypass Checklist: Link to Building Science

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE: KEY OBJECTIVES Control Air Flow Control Moisture Flow (Vapor, Bulk) High- Performance Homes Control Thermal Flow

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE DRIVING FORCES PREDICTABLE More Pressure Hot Moisture to Less Pressure Hot Moisture

LINK BUILDING SCIENCE ALL ACTION HAPPENS AT SURFACES Without Insulation: Potential No Problem!! Outside: Inside: 30 o F 70 o F, 45 0 F Dew Pt. 55 34 o F Warm Cold Surface Therefore, must control air leakage!!!

LINK BUILDING SCIENCE WHY CONTROL AIR FLOW? Courtesy of Building Science Corp.

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE TWO CONDITONS FOR AIR LEAKAGE Holes Driving Dii Forces air Air will take path of least Resistance through largest hole: So seal big holes first!

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE BIG HOLES Access Panels Ceiling fixtures Sill Plates Vents Door Openings Chases Dropped Ceiliings Window Openings Plumbing Penetrations Ducts

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE WHY WE CARE ABOUT THE BIG HOLES 4 x 8 Sheet of Gypsum Board Interior at 70 o F and 40% RH 1 in. sq. hole 30 quarts water vs. 1/3 quart water

AFFORDABILITY PROBLEMS: THERMAL BYPASS: CHIMNEY CHASE

AFFORDABILITY PROBLEMS: THERMAL BYPASS: DUCT CHASE

AFFORDABILITY PROBLEMS: THERMAL BYPASS: OPEN SOFFIT

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE WATCH FOR TRICKY HOLES

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE INSULATION IS NOT AN AIR BARRIER Resists Heat Flow Air Flow need Air Barrier any solid material that blocks air flow including sealing at edges and seams

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE AIR BARRIER EXPERIMENT

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE WHY COMPLETE AIR BARRIER 30 o F 50 70 o F 30 o F 70 o F

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE WHY COMPLETE AIR BARRIER

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE EFFECTIVE THERMAL ENVELOPE Eliminate Holes Incomplete Air Barrier Complete Air Sealing Misalignment with Air Barrier Wind d Intrusion Complete Air Barrier Gaps Voids Compression Compression Properly Installed Insulation

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: HOW Moisture Flow (vapor, bulk) Air Sealing Tight Ducts Complete C l t Air Barrier Moisture Control Right-Sized AC Spot/WH Ventilation Air Flow Air Sealing Tight Ducts Complete Air Barrier Pressure Balancing High- Performance Homes Thermal Flow Air Sealing Tight Ducts Complete Air Barrier Proper Insulation Advanced Windows Internal Ducts Radiant Barriers Efficient Equipment

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: WHY Performance Advantage: Lower Utility Cost Improve Comfort Improve IAQ Improve Durability Control Moisture Flow (Vapor, Bulk) Control Air Flow High- Performance Homes Cost Advantage: Cash-Flow Investment Return Resale Value Control Thermal Flow

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE: ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED HOMES Tight Ducts Air Sealing Advanced Windows Efficient Equipment Field Verified = Insulation Installation Complete Air Barrier Right Sizing

LINK TO BUILDING SCIENCE: ENERGY STAR INDOOR AIR PACKAGE Radon Control + + Moisture Control Pest Management = HVAC Systems Combustion Systems Materials INDOOR AIR PACKAGE

Thermal Bypass Checklist: Lessons Learned

Lesson Learned: Most homes only have 10to 12 applicable items

1. OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL BARRIER ALILGNMENT

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT COMPLETE AIR BARRIER Continuous Full contact with insulation on six sides Fully enclose conditioned space Courtesy of Southface Institute

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT INSULATION INSTALLATION PROBLEM

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT PROBLEM: INSET STAPLING

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT PROBLEM: POOR ALIGNMENT

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT INSULATION INSTALLATION PROBLEM No Slab Edge Insulation

Courtesy: Tremco Barrier Solutions, Inc.

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT BATT INSULATION Fiberglass

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT BLOWN-IN INSULATION

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT SPRAY FOAM

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS (SIPs)

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT INSULATED CONCRETE FORMS (ICF) Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT INSULATION PROBLEM

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT RIM JOIST PROBLEM Courtesy of Fort Collins Utilities

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT BAND JOIST BEST PRACTICES Spray Foam

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT BAND JOIST BEST PRACTICES SIP Panel

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT ATTIC EAVE PROBLEM

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT ATTIC EAVE SOLUTION baffle insulation wind-washwash

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT ATTIC EAVE SOLUTION Baffles at every bay Image courtesy of MaGrann Associates

OVERALL AIR BARRIER AND THERMAL ALILGNMENT EXCEPTION TO SIX-SIDED SIDED AIR BARRIER Source: David South Enviro-Seal Foam Insulation

2. WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR WALLS OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES EXEMPTION FOR EXTERIOR WALLS Climate Zones 4-8 Climate Zones 1-3

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES BEHIND TUB INSULATION/AIR BARRIER

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES BEHIND TUB INSULATION/AIR BARRIER Courtesy of Building Science Corp.

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES TUB WITHOUT AIR BARRIER Bathtub on Exterior Wall w/o Air Barrier

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES TUB WITHOUT AIR BARRIER Courtesy of Fort Collins Utilities

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES SHOWER/TUB AT EXTERIOR WALL

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES BEHIND TUB: INSULATION/AIR BARRIER Courtesy of Building Science Corp.

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES ATTIC KNEE WALL PROBLEM: WINTER Courtesy of D.R. Wastchak

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES ATTIC KNEE WALL PROBLEM: SUMMER

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES AIR BARRIER: KNEE WALL Hot Wall Courtesy of Building Science Corp.

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES ATTIC KNEE WALLS Images courtesy of Energy Services Group

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES SKYLIGHT SHAFT Air Barrier Skylight Attic Air Barrier Insulation

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES SKYLIGHT SHAFT

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES TUBULAR SKYLIGHT Exception: Note required if does not meet manufacturer installation requirements 14 Exposed area = ~30 sq.ft. Need insulation and air barrier

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES FIREPLACE WALL PROBLEM Courtesy of EnergyLogic

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES FIREPLACE WALL PROBLEM

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES FIREPLACE WALL PROBLEM?

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES FIREPLACE PROBLEM Courtesy of Fort Collins Utilities

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES FIREPLACE SOLUTION Courtesy of Building Science Corp. Courtesy of IBACOS

WALLS ADJOINING EXTERIOR OR UNCONDITIONED SPACES PORCH ROOF

3. FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED AND EXTERIOR SPACES

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES INSULATED FLOOR OVER GARAGE Conditioned Room Garage Ceiling Summer

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES INSULATED FLOOR OVER GARAGE Conditioned Room Garage Ceiling Winter

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES INSULATED FLOOR OVER GARAGE QA/QC Challenge!!! Conditioned Room Garage Ceiling Option 1: Fill framing space with insulation and blocking

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES INSULATED FLOOR OVER GARAGE Blocking at Footprint

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES INSULATED FLOOR OVER GARAGE Improper insulation! It must touch the surface it is intended to insulate

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES INSULATED FLOOR OVER GARAGE

Insulation gap with subfloor

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES INSULATED FLOOR OVER GARAGE Conditioned Room Garage Ceiling Option 2: Batt or Blown-in Insulation aligned with sub-floor Only acceptable until July 1, 2008

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES INSULATED FLOOR OVER GARAGE Conditioned Room Garage Ceiling Option 3: Spray foam

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES INSULATED FLOOR OVER GARAGE Conditioned Room Garage Ceiling Option 4: SIP Floor

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES THE PERFECT STORM Solution: align insulation add air barriers 140 o F Bonus Room Over Garage Thermal Bypass Bonus 120 o F Room 120 o F 100 o F Garage Thermal Bypass

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES BONUS ROOM SOLUTION

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES CANTILEVER FLOORS Solution: align insulation add air barriers Cantilever Thermal Bypass Thermal Bypass

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES CANTILEVERED FLOOR PROBLEM Courtesy of Fort Collins Utilities

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES CANTILEVERED FLOOR SOLUTION? Not a recommended solution!

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES CANTILEVERED FLOOR PROBLEM Courtesy of Advanced Energy

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES CANTILEVERED FLOOR PROBLEM

FLOORS BETWEEN CONDITIONED/UNCONDITIONED SPACES CANTILEVERED FLOOR SOLUTION Courtesy of Fort Collins Utilities

4. SHAFTS

SHAFTS PROBLEM Courtesy of Advanced Energy

SHAFTS PROBLEM Courtesy of Fort Collins Utilities

SHAFTS SOLUTION Courtesy of Advanced Energy

5. ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE NO AIR BARRIER AT DROPPED CEILING Courtesy of Building Science Corp.

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE DROPPED CEILING PROBLEM Courtesy of Maryland Energy Administration

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE DROPPED CEILING PROBLEM Courtesy of Advanced Energy

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE DROPPED CEILING PROBLEM

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE DROPPED CEILING SOLUTION Courtesy of Advanced Energy

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE DROPPED CEILING SOLUTION Courtesy of Building Science Corp.

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE ATTIC ACCESS STAIR PROBLEM Courtesy of Energy Innovators

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE ATTIC ACCESS STAIR SOLUTIONS

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE ATTIC ACCESS PANEL PROBLEM

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE ATTIC ACCESS PANEL SOLUTION Factory- installed weather- stripping

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE RECESSED LIGHTING PROBLEM Courtesy of Energy Services Group

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE RECESSED LIGHTING SOLUTIONS Eliminate this air leakage by locating fixtures inside the insulated envelope or using insulated can, air-tight (ICAT) fixtures.

ATTIC/CEILING INTERFACE RECESSED LIGHTING Unacceptable. Does not meet most codes because of multiple holes. Washington State Energy Code Approved. Still need to gasket or caulk at drywall.

Lesson Learned: Large variation in recessed can air tightness

6. COMMON WALLS BETWEEN DWELLING UNITS

COMMON WALLS BETWEEN DWELLINGT UNITS PROBLEM

COMMON WALLS BETWEEN DWELLINGT UNITS PROBLEM Courtesy of Energy Services Group

COMMON WALLS BETWEEN DWELLINGT UNITS SOLUTION Air seal here Framed wall Drywall Courtesy of EnergyLogic Air seal here

COMMON WALLS BETWEEN DWELLINGT UNITS SOLUTION Courtesy of Energy Services Group

COMMON WALLS BETWEEN DWELLINGT UNITS SOLUTION Lesson Learned: Confirm preferred material acceptable to local l code official. Fireproof spray caulk with special color now available. Courtesy of MaGrann Associates

General Lessons Learned

LESSONS LEARNED: MOST SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES Ceiling between conditioned room and garage Cantilevered floors Garage/conditioned house interface Solution: Advanced insulation products/systems

LESSONS LEARNED AREAS WITH LEAST CHALLENGE Shafts Staircase Walls

LESSONS LEARNED: REMOVE INSULATION TO INSPECT Sound insulation in place. Party wall properly p sealed. The wire hole is sealed, but the party wall isn t.

LESSONS LEARNED: LOOK FOR COMBINATIONS Plenty of caulk, but no air barrier at tub and no attic knee wall air barrier

LESSONS LEARNED: LOOK FOR COMBINATIONS Courtesy of Advanced Energy

LESSONS LEARNED: LOOK OUT FOR TRICKY DETAILS Kneewall Open to Attic Rafters

LESSONS LEARNED: LOOK OUT FOR TRICKY DETAILS Dropped Ceiling air barrier missing i

LESSONS LEARNED: LOOK OUT FOR TRICKY DETAILS Dropped Sloped Ceiling Missing Blocking

LESSONS LEARNED: LOTS OF WASTED CAULKING Caulk where not necessary = Wasted time and money.

HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION On the Web at: http://www.energystar.gov/homes