Reviewed and Revised on 11/12/2013
Reviewed and Revised on 10/10/2013
Knee walls are found in houses with finished attics and multiple ceiling heights. The knee wall is the short wall that reaches from the sloped ceiling to the floor, or connects the upper ceiling to the lower ceiling inside the attic. Not only are air leaks common in these areas, but they are frequently not insulated properly.
Insulation itself does not stop air flow. For wall insulation to do its job, …
Reviewed and Revised on 10/17/2013
Reviewed and Revised on 11/13/2013
On an average lighting represents 10-15% of a home’s electricity bill. Switching from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps/lightbulbs (CFLs) is the simplest way to save on this bill.
A CFL bulb uses only 1/4th of the energy used in a incandescent bulb and last 10 times longer. It does cost about $2 or more in comparison to incandescent bulbs however, if …
Reviewed and Revised on 11/13/2013
Construction gaps and resulting air leakages can increase heating and cooling costs, create comfort and moisture problems, draw in pollutants, reduce fire safety, and serve as an entry for rodents and insects. Windows, doors, and outside walls can contribute to air leakage, but the greatest losses occur in gaps and holes that are hidden from view and cause a continuous air exchange between the interior and the attic, crawl space, and outdoors.
Homes should have …
Reviewed and Revised on 10/29/2013
Below are brief descriptions of alternative building systems used in residential construction. Important energy related features are specifically mentioned.
Standard Framing. Most homes in the USA are wood framed with 2×4 lumber spaced 16 inches on center. Typical practices include using extra studs at corners to support wallboard, double top plates, uninsulated headers made from double 2×10 lumber over all windows, doors, and other traditional methods.
OVE/Advanced Framing. Optimum Value Engineering spaces and aligns floor, …
Reviewed and Revised on 11/12/2013
Air tries to equalize between higher and lower air pressure areas. If there is a pathway (a gap) and a pressure difference, it will move through that pathway whether we want it or not.
To be an effective air barrier or air flow retarder, a material must not only block airflow through it, it must also be installed in a way that eliminates even small gaps, be continuous all around the conditional space and …
Reviewed and Revised on 11/12/2013
Water vapor is one of the many gases that makes up the air we breathe. A little water vapor is good; too much is trouble.
An important term to understand moisture issues in a home is Relative Humidity (RH). Relative humidity is a measure of how much water vapor is in the air compared to how much it could hold at a given temperature. 100% RH means the air can’t hold any more water …
Reviewed and Revised on 11/06/2013
The purpose of an exhaust vent is
Remember, when air is exhausted out of a building, replacement air needs to come in. If this can’t happen, because …
Reviewed and Revised on 11/12/2013
Proper Installation of Home Insulation is very critical to ensure that the desired Home Energy Efficiency gets achieved.
Installation: Compressing (squeezing) of insulation erodes its R-value and should be always avoided. Batt and roll insulation should be slit and trimmed to fit around wiring, electrical boxes, etc. If using paper-faced batts, staple the paper on the ends, not inside, the studs. Insulation should be trimmed to fit into voids around rough openings, chimneys, etc. Even …
