Insulation Technologies and Installation Specifications ... - WoodWorks

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