Geothermal Alliance of Illinois

Consider the Entire Package…

“HVAC and Building Shell Working Together”

1. Building Shell – (first priority)! Complete thermal & pressure boundaries

2. Mechanicals – (sized to building shell) Heating, air conditioning & duct systems

3. Ventilation – (controlled air leakage) Bath and kitchen exhaust Moisture source control 35 to 40% humidity in the winter

What Makes a Comfortable Home?

3

Tightest Home in the World

“Net Zero Energy Ready”

Home In Dillingham,

Alaska

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R140 Ceiling

R90 Walls

R35 Under Slab

R20 Perimeter

R90 Walls, R140 Attic…..

• Convection through the insulation• Air leakage through the insulation • Density of the insulation• Gaps and voids• Thermal bridging across the envelope• Humidity

Factors that Affect Insulation Performance

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Thermal Bridging

Thermal bridging is conductive heat loss through a solid assembly with a temperature difference on each side causing heat to flow. House framing is a good example.

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Wall Cavities with Six Sides

1. Top plate

2. Bottom plate

3. Left side

4. Right side

5. Ext. sheeting

6. Drywall

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Fiberglass Batt Insulation

Fiberglass batt insulation is an air permeable insulation that must be installed in reasonable air tight vertical wall cavities to perform close to its advertised R-value.

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Batt Insulation Installation

Voids mean less R-value!

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Fiberglass Batts Not Installed Properly

Air permeable insulation be in full contact with the warm side of the drywall!

Damp Spray Cellulose – New Const.

Damp spray is a new construction application when the walls are open. Water is injected into the stream of cellulose as it comes out of the hose. Causing it to stick in the wall cavities.

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Industry Solution to Air Sealing(Knauf Insulation's EcoSeal spray)

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Horrible Insulation!

50% reduction in R-value at design temperatures!

Under Performing “Overblown” Fiberglass R42 fiberglass on a 45° day 70° inside

Convective heat loss through the overblown fiberglass attic insulation

Convection Within Attic Insulation

Overblowing or “Fluffing” fiberglass insulation will cause convective heat loss through the insulation no matter the thickness

Fluffed Fiberglass Attic Insulation

Heated Living Space

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Insulation Chutes & Wind Blocks

EXTERIOR STUD WALL

INTERIOR DRYWALL

WIND BLOCK

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Wind Washing in the Eaves

Insulation blown out of the eaves leaving the drywall ceiling uninsulated.

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Wind Washing in the Eaves

Insulation blown out of the eaves leaving the drywall ceiling uninsulated.

Standard Truss R50 (w/ tapered insulation)

Average Height

Full Height

Minimum Height

Energy Truss R38 (w/ full height insulation)

Full Height

Never Use Batts on the Attic Floor!!

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Gap in Pressure Boundary

Air Leaks in through spaces between Drywall

and Top Plate Convective Loop occurs in wall cavity and warm air leaks out into attic carrying moisture

Electrical Penetrations from Basement

Dirty Insulation is a Tell Tale Sign of Air Leaks

“Complete pressure boundary”Stop the convective loop

Thermal BoundaryThermal Boundary

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Sealed Top Plates Short Knee Wall

Perfectly sealed top plates with 2-part spray foam

Sealed and insulated short knee wall and top plates

IC Rated Recessed Light Fixtures

“Incomplete pressure boundary”

“Complete pressure boundary”

IC RatedAir-Loc

Conditioned Attic Space, or is it????

Incomplete Wall Assembly

75% reduction in R-value!

Bonus Room Trusses – Problems!

• No top plate• No bottom plate

• Usually no sheathing on the attic side of wall• No blocking under the knee wall in the floor joists• Batts in the sloped ceiling

Insulated Basement, or is it????

Conductive Heat Transfer

Q = U x A x ΔT(Q = Heat Flow in btu’s / hr)

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Conductive Heat Loss in One Hour

Q = U x A x ΔT(U-value x Area x Temperature Difference)

Example: 1,200 sq/ft attic with an 8 sq/ft pull down ladder

(R50) .02 x 1,192 sq’ x 60º = 1,430 btu/hr (R.5) 2 x 8 sq/ft x 60º = 960 btu/hr Total heat loss 2,390 btu/hr

60% loss from ceiling 40% loss from pull down ladder!

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Uninsulated Attic Hatch

Uninsulated 2’ x 2’attic hatch R30 insulated attic hatch

2 x 4 x 70 = 560 btu/hr.033 x 4 x 70 = 9 btu/hr

551 btu/hr

Attic hatch 551

551

Wind Blown Insulation

2 x 10 x 70 = 1,400 btu/hr

Attic hatch 551Missing insulation 1,400

1,951

Poorly Insulated Rim

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R4 rim joist (reduce by 70%)R13 rim joist .25 x 200 x 70 = 3,500 btu/hr .076 x 200 x 70 = 15 btu/hr

3,485 btu/hr

Attic hatch 551Missing insulation 1,400Rim Joist 3,485

5,436

Attic Insulation

R25 Insul-Safe insulationR50 Insul-Safe insulation

.04 x 2100 x 70 = 5,880 btu/hr

.02 x 2100 x 70 = 2,940 btu/hr 2,940 btu/hr

Attic hatch 551Missing insulation 1,400Rim Joist 3,485Attic insulation 2,940

8,376

Knee Wall Insulation

R4 knee wall insulationR13 knee wall insulation

.25 x 160 x 70 = 2,880 btu/hr

.076 x 160 x 70 = 851 btu/hr 2,029 btu/hr

Attic hatch 551Missing insulation 1,400Rim Joist 3,485Attic insulation 2,940Knee walls 2,029

10,405

32 - Recessed Lights

32 recessed lights (12 sq/ft)

.2 x 32 x 70 = 448 btu/hr

.02 x 32 x 70 = 45 btu/hr 403 btu/hr

Attic hatch 551Missing insulation 1,400Rim Joist 3,485Attic insulation 2,940Knee walls 2,02932 recessed lights 403

10,808

Thermal Bypasses

20 sq’ bypasses R520 sq’ bypasses R50

1 x 20 x 70 = 1,400 btu/hr.02 x 20 x 70 = 28 btu/hr 1,372 btu/hr

Attic hatch 551Missing insulation 1,400Rim Joist 3,485Attic insulation 2,940Knee walls 2,02932 recessed lights 403Thermal bypasses 1,372

Total btu/hr loss 12,180

Is Your Mirror Foggy After A Shower?

4” Dia. Duct6” Dia. Duct

You Should Never Have a Foggy Mirror

Prescriptive Duct Sizing for Ventilation

Source: ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2007This table assumes no elbows. Deduct 15 ft of allowable duct length for each elbow.NL = no limit on the duct length of this size

Brian KumerThermal Imaging Services, Inc.

Peoria, IL 309-547-5000 office309-251-1719 cell

brian_kumer@yahoo.comwww.improvinghomeperformance.com

THERMAL IMAGING SERVICESof Central Illinois, Inc.

“Improving Home Performance”