air sealing

In order to get to scale and rapidly decarbonize the energy use of homes, we need information on the performance and costs of potential home upgrade measures. The costs for different performance levels are vital for energy savings and decarbonization program planning and to focus R&D activities on measures that could achieve significant cost reductions. This study obtained data from over 1,700 projects that aimed to achieve advanced levels of energy use and related carbon emissions reductions.

Purpose of the work

The load-bearing structures of historical wooden buildings have a large number of joints and penetrations that are difficult to seal. For reasons of preservation of historical monuments, wooden buildings often have to be sealed at the interior of the load-bearing structure. The existing substrates in these areas are not well suited for proper execution and, as a complicating factor, the load-bearing structures or parts of these should often remain visible.

Method of approach

Energy losses from forced air distribution systems have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of buildings. Little work has been done to quantify these losses in apartment buildings. In this paper we will discuss field measurements made on four forced air heating systems to evaluate the duct system energy losses to unconditioned basements. The apartments were heated by natural gas furnaces located in the basements. The systems had bare sheet metal ductwork exposed to the basement conditions.

Energy losses from forced air distribution systems have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of buildings. Little work has been done to quantify these losses in apartment buildings. In this paper we will discuss field measurements made on four forced air heating systems to evaluate the duct system energy losses to unconditioned basements. The apartments were heated by natural gas furnaces located in the basements. The systems had bare sheet metal ductwork exposed to the basement conditions.

Describes the results of the experimental evaluaton of two precast concrete sandwich panels. States that for best results for precast concrete walls, the air barrier must be sufficiently airtight to achieve static pressure equalization and there must be sufficient venting to achieve dynamic pressure-equalization. Similar results were obtained from research conducted on other wall systems. For precast concrete walls, these results are best obtained by minimizing the cavity volume and decreasing air barrier leakage before increasing vent area.

The low-slope roofs of ten cold storage buildings in the Dallas area were examined visually and thermo graphically (Tobiasson and Korhonen 1985) from above and below. Two inch (51 mm) diameter cores were taken to verify infrared findings and to determine moisture contents for estimating wet thermal resistances (Tobiasson et al. 1991 ). Twelve inch (0.3 m) square specimens of many of the insulations were removed for laboratory studies of their thermal properties and structure.

In an effort to optimize the energy performance of existing single-family housing, the Advanced Retrofit pilot program was sponsored by Massachusetts Electric and administered by Conservation Services Group. The intent of the program was to advance the direction of energy conservation by achieving the highest energy savings possible, by combining field experience with innovative technologies in electrically heated homes. Cost-effectiveness was not a constraint in this pilot program.

Now a widely used diagnostic tool, blower doors have revolutionized the way most professionals approach retrofit work. This introduction explains how blower doors work, what can be gained from their use, and what a typical blower door test involves.