MID-CONSTRUCTION BLOWER DOOR TESTING February 15, 2017 1 This webinar was made possible with a financial contribution from Natural Resources Canada through the Driving BC Demand for Energy Star for New Homes Program
Housekeeping I Organizers: Chris Birchall + Torsten Ely Attendees: More than 32 builders, energy advisors and building officials signed up and most are on-line Duration: 1 hour webinar Please complete brief feedback survey (comes up after webinar ends) Slides will be available along with any Q&As 2 *This webinar was made possible with a financial contribution from Natural Resources Canada through the Driving BC Demand for Energy Star for New Homes Program
Housekeeping II Audio/Video problems If the above doesn t help, call Citrix support (tollfree): 1-877-582-7011, press 1, then 1 3 *This webinar was made possible with a financial contribution from Natural Resources Canada through the Driving BC Demand for Energy Star for New Homes Program
Torsten Ely, Dipl.-Ing., CEM Senior Building Energy Analyst, German trained Civil Engineer, Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Energy Advisor (EA), Trainer for Energy Advisors for City Green, Certified Thermographer (ASNT Level 2), Over 20 years of experience in the building energy efficiency field, Over 15 years of experience with teaching building science. 4
Working with an Energy Advisor
About City Green A non-profit A+ Rating with Better Business Bureau Operating since 1999 Over 30,000 home and business energy evaluations Services include: education, research, diagnostic testing, quality assurance, and more. 6
7 Common Leakage Sites
Why Air Sealing? 1 metre 1 metre 1 metre 2 x 2 cm hole 1 metre Transport via air leakage through 2 x 2 cm hole 30 litres Transport via diffusion through 1 sq. metre 1/3 litre 8 Figure 2.10 Source: CHBA Builders Manual Moisture Transport Over One Heating Season (Ottawa Conditions)
Condensation in Wall Assemblies 21 C -18 C (50% RH, 21 C) 9 Source: BSI-049 Confusion About Diffusion
10 Why Air Sealing?
11 Why Air Sealing?
Why Air Sealing? Unintentional airflow through holes and cracks in the building envelope leads to a number of problems, including comfort issues from drafts, mould and moisture problems, outside noise transmission, uncontrolled heat loss/gain from interior air being replaced by exterior air. 12
Air Changes per Hour @ 50 Pa Local Standards for Airtightness 5.5 Average New Home In B.C. 3.5 City of Vancouver 2.5 ENERGY STAR 1.5 R-2000 0.6 Passive House 13
14 Step Code Standards for Airtightness
Too Airtight? A house can never be too airtight but it can be under-ventilated! 15
16 BC Building Code
BCBC: 9.36.2.9. Airtightness An air barrier system installed to meet the requirements.. shall be continuous a) across construction, control and expansion joints, b) across junctions between different building materials and assemblies, and c) around penetrations through all building assemblies. 17
9.36.2.10. Construction of Air Barrier Details Where the air barrier system consists of flexible sheet material, all joints shall be a) lapped not less than 50 mm, b) sealed, and c) structurally supported. 18
19 Sandwich Effect
A-9.36.2.10.(5)(b) Sealing the Air Barrier System with Sheathing Tape One method of sealing air barrier materials at joints and junctions is to apply sheathing tape that has an acceptable air leakage characteristic, is compatible with the air barrier material and resistant to the mechanisms of deterioration to which the air barrier material will be exposed. 20
21 The Secret of Choosing the Right Tape
The Secret of Choosing the Right Tape What do you need it for (Seaming, Flashing)? Know your construction materials. Know your conditions. 22
A-9.36.2.10.(9) Sealing the Air Barrier around Windows, Doors and Skylights A continuous seal between windows, doors and skylights and adjacent air barrier materials can be achieved by various means including applying exterior sealant, interior sealant, low-expansion foam or sheathing tape in combination with drywall, polyethylene, a closed-cell backer rod, or a wood liner. 23
A-9.36.2.10.(14) Sealing Duct Penetrations Article 9.32.3.11. requires that joints in all ventilation system ducting be sealed with mastic, metal foil duct tape or sealants specified by the manufacturer. Sentence 9.36.2.10.(14) requires that penetrations made by ducts through ceilings or walls be sealed with appropriate sealant materials and techniques to prevent air leakage. 24
A-9.36.2.9.(6) Exterior Air Barrier Design Considerations Any airtight assembly whether interior or exterior will control air leakage for the purpose of energy efficiency. However, the materials selected and their location in the assembly can have a significant impact on their effectiveness with regard to moisture control and the resistance to deterioration of the entire building envelope. 25
Air Barrier Approaches for Wood-Frame Construction SP AD HW SS 26 Source: Building Science Corporation
27 Sealed Polyethylene
28 Airtight Drywall
29 House Wrap
30 Sealed Sheathing
When is a home ready for the test? For Sealed Polyethylene Approach, when: The air barrier (Polyethylene) is installed and fully sealed The home is ready for the insulation inspection, prior to the installation of drywall For Airtight Drywall Approach, when: The air barrier (drywall) is installed and fully sealed 31
When is a home ready for the test? For House Wrap Approach, when: The air barrier (sealed-sheathing membrane) is installed and fully sealed Prior to the installation of insulation and drywall For Sealed Sheathing Approach, when: The air barrier (sheathing) is installed and fully sealed Prior to the installation of insulation and drywall 32
33 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Slab Foundation Wall
Foundation to Sill Plate and Rim Joists 34 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia
35 Source: Building Enclosure Design Guide Foundation to Sill Plate and Rim Joists
Foundation to Sill Plate and Rim Joists 36 Source: R22+ Effective Walls in Wood-Frame Construction in British Columbia
37 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Interior Wall Interface
38 Source: CHBA Builders Manual Interior Wall Interface
39 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Rim Joist
40 Rim Joist
41 Rim Joist
42 Rim Joist
43 Rim Joist
44 Rim Joist
45 Source: Building Enclosure Design Guide Rim Joist Wrap
46 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Cantilevered Floor
47 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Window Head/Jamb/Sill
48 Windows
49 Windows
50 Source: BSC Stuck on You Windows
51 Source: BSC Stuck on You Windows
52 Source: BSC Stuck on You Windows
53 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Mechanical Flues and Chimneys
54 Mechanical Flues and Chimneys
55 Mechanical Flues and Chimneys
Mechanical Flues and Chimneys 56 Source: BC Standards of Practice Guide for Air Sealing and Insulation Retrofits
57 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Plumbing Stacks
58 Source: CHBA Builder s Manual Plumbing Stacks
59 Source: BC Standards of Practice Guide for Air Sealing and Insulation Retrofits Plumbing Stacks
60 Plumbing Stacks
61 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Skylights
62 Skylights
63 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Attic Hatches
64 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Pot Lights
65 Pot Lights
66 Source: BC Standards of Practice Guide for Air Sealing and Insulation Retrofits Pot Lights
67 Pot Lights
68 Source: BC Standards of Practice Guide for Air Sealing and Insulation Retrofits Bathroom Fans
69 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Wall to Ceiling
70 Source: R22+ Effective Walls in Wood-Frame Construction in British Columbia Wall to Ceiling
71 Source: CHBA Builder s Manual Wall to Ceiling
72 Wall to Ceiling
73 Source: Energy Efficiency Requirements for Houses in British Columbia Electrical Penetrations in Walls
74 Electrical Penetrations in Walls
75 Airtight Electrical Boxes
76 Electrical Penetrations in Walls
77 Electrical Penetrations in Walls
78 Electrical Penetrations in Ceilings
79 Electrical Penetrations in Walls
80 Electrical Penetrations in Ceilings
81 Air Sealing Problems
82 Air Sealing Problems
83 Air Sealing Problems
84 Spray Foam
85 Spray Foam
86 Spray Foam
87 Identifying Air Leakage: Smoke Pencils
88 Identifying Air Leakage: Thermal Imaging
89 Identifying Air Leakage: Good old days and ways
90 Smoke Machines
91 Marking of Air Leakage Areas
Air Sealing Materials o Spray Foam o Acoustical Sealant o Tape 92
93 Resources
Thank you! Torsten Ely, City Green Solutions torsten.ely@citygreen.ca 250-381-9995 www.citygreen.ca 94