weatherization tech 101

1 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010 eere.energy.gov

WEATHERIZATION TECH 101NASCSP 2011

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM


Basic Audit Tools

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX

Photos courtesy of The US Department of Energy


Tool CaseAUDITOR’S TOOLBOX



Vision Enhancers

Sony digital camera Boroscope

Flir Infrared

Testo Video Pro

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX



Combustion Appliance Testing

Above (left to right):• Thermometer.

• Draft Gauge.

• Inspection mirror.

• Gas leak detection bubbles.

• Smoke pump and smoke test filter paper.

• Combustion analyzer.

Above counter-clockwise from lower left:• Pipe wrenches.

• Long lighter.

• Gas leak detector.

• Inspection mirror.

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX



Smoke

Wizard Stick

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX



Manometers & Gauges

Magnahelicgauges

DG-700(Energy Conservatory)

DM-2(Retrotec)

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX


Blower Door with Infrared

Without Blower Door With Blower Door Running

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX


Pressure PanAUDITOR’S TOOLBOX

Photo courtesy of The US Department of Energy


Diagnosing Ducts

Common mobile home duct pattern

Bedroom 0.8 PaBedroom 1.2 PaBath 2.4 PaFurnace Closet (living rm) 2.6 PaLiving Room 2.0 PaKitchen 1.2 PaKitchen 0.5 Pa

Total: 10.7 Pa = seal ducts

2.4 Pa at bath register & 2.6 Pa at living room register indicate a large leak between them, most probably at the furnace plenum.

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX

Photo Source: US Department of Energy


Duct BlasterAUDITOR’S TOOLBOX

Photo courtesy of The US Department of Energy


Measuring Exhaust Fan Flow

Energy Conservatory Exhaust Fan Flow Meter with DG-700 Pressure & Flow Gauge

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX



Moisture Assessment

Sling psychrometer.

“Pin” or “Non contact” moisture meters

Indoor/outdoor reads RH.

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX


Circuit Testing & Tracing

Tells auditor percent overload on circuit, among other outputs.

Circuit tracer determines which fuse/breaker controls

which circuit.

Live wire tester, especially useful for determining if knob

& tube wiring is still live.

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX


Base Load Analysis

Watt meter.

Newer model watt meter -

BrultechKit60 with 1220B.

Indoor/outdoor thermometer, useful in measuring refrigerator/freezer

compartment temperatures.

AUDITOR’S TOOLBOX


Typical Weatherization MeasuresIn no particular order


Air Sealing and Attic PrepWEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICIAN INTERMEDIATE

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – August 2010


• Air flow is measured in cubic feet per minute.

• Also written as ft3/min, or CFM.

• 1 CFM OUT = 1 CFM IN.

• Air flow takes the path of least resistance.

• Air moves from high-to low-pressure areas.

• Air moves from high-to low-temperature areas.

Air Leakage ReviewAIR SEALING & ATTIC PREP


Primary Air Infiltration Sites

Data courtesy of the California Energy Commission

5% Fans & Vents

12% Windows

13% Doors

15% Plumbing PenetrationsFireplace 16%

Electric Outlets 2%

Floors, walls, and Ceilings 36%

AIR SEALING & ATTIC PREP


12

11

109

8

76

54

3

1. Urethane foam (spray foam) 2. Foam board3. Sheet metal/foil4. Mastic and gloves5. High-temperature caulk6. Utility flags7. Insulation rulers8. Tin snips and zip ties9. Stapler10. Weatherstripping11. Zip tie tightening tool12. Utility knife

Common Tools for Attic Prep

21



Check typical hot-spots:• Flues and plumbing vents.

• Wire pathways.

• Recessed fixtures (lights and fans).

• Chimney penetrations.

Signals:• Blower door, smoke.

• Dirty or discolored Insulation.

Finding Air LeaksAIR SEALING & ATTIC PREP

Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy


GAPS ≤ 1/4”Caulk

General Guidelines

Energy Blast ServicesThe Daily Green

GAPS 1/4” – 3”

Spray foam

OTHERFoam board, fiberglass in plastic bags,

etc.



Sometimes sealing air leaks requires repairing damaged drywall.

Drywall RepairAIR SEALING & ATTIC PREP



Recessed Light Fixtures

High Temperature Issues

Flues

Maintain appropriate clearances

High-temp caulk

IC Rated Fixture

Non-IC Rated Fixture




• No insulation over knob & tube wiring.

• All home electrical systems should be properly grounded.

• Wiring splices enclosed in junction boxes and marked with a flag visible above attic insulation.

Wiring

Knob and tube wiring is common in old homes.


Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy


Attic InsulationWEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICIAN INTERMEDIATE



Cost-Effective Insulation LevelsATTIC INSULATION


Not Enough InsulationATTIC INSULATION


Too Much InsulationATTIC INSULATION


Measuring Blown-In Insulation

How much is in that back corner?

Staple rulers every 15 feet

for even coverage.

ATTIC INSULATION



Properly Insulated Attic

Dam maintains clearance around flue

Flags indicate juncture boxes, recessed lights

Even layer of appropriate depth

ATTIC INSULATION



Dense-Pack Sidewall InsulationWEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICIAN INTERMEDIATE



It Works

“It is not unusual to reduce overall house leakage by 30% to 50% by dense-packing

walls and other closed-in cavities.”- Home Energy Magazine, Nov/Dec 1995

DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION


1. Siding remover

2. Eye protection and dust mask

3. Hose cut at 45 degree angle

4. Drill bit

5. Plugs

6. Mister (for LSW)

7. Corded, 1/2” drill

8. Cellulose

Typical Tools Used

3

1

2

7

64

8

5



• Maintain equipment.

• Inspect walls.

• Determine fill strategy.(attic or wall, interior or exterior)

• Remove siding (if exterior).• Drill.

• Fill.

• Replace/repair.

Order of OperationsDENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION


• Blow in from attic if you can.

• Interior.

• Exterior.

• Drill at top, bottom, middle?

Determine Fill StrategyDENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION


Remove Siding

Aluminum Vinyl

Wood Asbestos

If it can be avoided, remove asbestos siding! Interior blow




Aluminum Siding

Pry and slide / May need metal cutter.




Vinyl Siding

Easier to work with than metal.




Wood Siding

Remove clapboards and pressed board.

Remove enough shingles to re-cover holes.




• Properly size bit to accept fill tube and movement.

• Drill at angle fill-tube will enter.

• Address large cavities first to get blower busy before tackling details.

• Probe around hole.

DrillDENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION



• Probe cavities for blocks - request holes where needed.

• If holes are drilled in the middle of the wall, fill top then bottom.

• Feed hose to farthest point from hole, then pull back 12”.

• Cellulose-only blower: pull hose out 1’ at a time (Faster blower: pull out 2’).

• Adjust air gate: 8’ Cavity should fill in 2 - 4 minutes.

FillDENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION


• Check fill holes: Shouldn’t be able to stick your finger in.

• Check material-to-Volume ratio: One 30 lb. bag should almost fill 3 8’ cavities with 2x4 16” O.C. framing.

Proper DensityDENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION



If you’ve blown for overfour minutes without reaching proper density, find out where cellulose is going!

Trouble-Shooting or Shooting Trouble?DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION



Replace and Repair

The job isn’t done until the house is put back together.




MOBILE HOME TRAINING

Duct Diagnostics and Repair



A typical mobile home downflow distribution system

Forced Air System Operation #1DUCT DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR


Forced Air System Operation #2

Furnace Duct

Vents

Return Air

DUCT DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR


Problems and Opportunities

Photos courtesy of PA WTC

New factory installation includes

duct tape

Failed duct tape



Visual Checks #1


Duct registers are common leakage sites



Desperate times call for desperate measures…

…when the crawl space is the warmest room of

the house!


Visual Checks #2DUCT DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR


Visual Checks #3


Large holes

Branch duct leakage



The old flashlight and mirror trick

Visual Checks #5

Is that a squeegee down there?!




Furnace Connection

DuctTermination

Crossover Duct

Branch Duct

Register Boot

TRUNK DUCT

Visual Checks #6

Typical Air Leakage Locations



• Depressurize the home to 50 pascals

• Pressure pan each register location

• Record pressure differences

• Repair ducts and retest

Pressure Pan Testing

The goal is to reduce pressure pan readings at each register location to less than 1 pascal.

Remember this number!

Photo Source: US Department of Energy



Duct repair and sealing techniques• Inspect ducts and boots• Repair or replace ducts and

boots • Clean ducts• Seal with mastic and

fiberglass mesh tape

• Seal ends of trunk line• Repair and seal furnace base DUCT INSPECTION AND

MODIFICATION TOOLS

Repairing & Sealing Ducts #1




Inspect for blockage and

loose seams

Check the flanges and inspect for

damage





Make sure to clean ducts before sealing






Repair or replace the boot




Aluminum coil stock and boot fabrication

Photo courtesy of PA WTC

Repairing & Sealing Ducts – Materials #1




Butyl-backed tape




Image Source: http://www.hardcast.com/PRODUCTS/pr_detail.asp?pid=3



Mastic sealant



Image Source: http://www.rcdmastics.com/pd6.asp


Use fiberglass mesh tape to span gaps larger than

¼ inch

Latex gloves are often your mastic

brush

Sealing with Mastic #1




Seal the duct,then patch the belly

board

Mechanically fasten and seal with butyl-backed

aluminum tape or mastic

Repairing and Sealing Ducts #1

Photo courtesy of PA WTCPhoto courtesy of WV GOEO



Repairing and Sealing Ducts #2

Re-attach disconnected ductwork




Results!

Post Pressure Pan Testing




Basements and Crawl Spaces

WEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICIAN INTERMEDIATE



• Basements– Intentionally or unintentionally

conditioned

– Unconditioned

• Crawl Spaces– Vented

– Unvented

– Conditioned

Foundation Types

• Pier and beam (exposed floor)

• Concrete Slabs− Insulated − Uninsulated

BASEMENTS & CRAWL SPACES


Slab on Grade Foundation

Basement or Crawl Space Foundation

Photo courtesy of PA WTCPhoto courtesy of Wikipedia

Pier and Beam Foundation


Foundation Types



ConditionedBasement

UnconditionedBasement

ConditionedMain Level

ConditionedBasement BELOW

GRADE

ConditionedMain Level

UnconditionedBasement

Conditioned or Unconditioned?

ABOVEGRADE

Thermal BarrierAir Barrier



Conditioned• More than 50% below

grade.

• Relatively tight or unvented foundation.

• A living space.

• Intentional or unintentional space conditioning.

Unconditioned• Less than 50% below grade.

• Leaky, vented, or severely degraded foundation.

• Not a living space.

• No intentional or unintentional space conditioning.

Conditioned or Unconditioned?

Guidelines



Basement Diagnostics

Zonal Pressure Diagnostics (ZPD)

• Determine interconnectivity of basement or crawlspace WRT house.

Pressure Pan Testing • Determine relative leakiness

of ducts to outside.

CAZ Testing • Diagnose problems caused

by negative pressures.




Unconditioned Basements· Air seal all air pathways between the basement and house.· Seal all return and supply ducts.· Insulate all duct work to the recommended R-value. · Insulate open floor joists to the recommended R-value with

fiberglass batt insulation. Be sure to fit insulation batts tightly to the bottom of the sub-floor and attach them with wire supports.

· Insulate enclosed floor cavities with dense-pack insulation.· Pressure pan measurements on duct registers should read

close to 0 Pa.

Basement Retrofit OptionsBASEMENTS & CRAWL SPACES


Conditioned Basements• Air seal perimeter mud sill, band joist and all air pathways

between the basement and the house.

• Seal return plenum and all return ducts for safety.

• Seal major leaks in supply ducts by mechanically reconnecting boots to register transitions.

• Insulate band joist area to recommended R-Value.

• Consider insulating basement walls.

• Use ZPD to verify that the conditioned crawl space with reference to the house is close to 0 Pa.

Basement Retrofit OptionsBASEMENTS & CRAWL SPACES


2 ft

5 ft

Manual J HTM (Btu/hr/sq ft)

43.5

10.6

7.4

Butte,Montana

35.7

8.7

6.1

15.3

3.7

2.6


Heat Loss by Soil Depth

Kokoma, Indiana

Tampa,Florida

>6 ft


• Basements and Crawlspaces

Photo courtesy of INCAP


Basements and Crawlspaces



Foaming the Band JoistBASEMENTS & CRAWL SPACES



Materials, Tools & EquipmentWEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICAN FUNDAMENTALS



MATERIALS, TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

Photo courtesy of NRCERT



Hoses

Insulation Hoses & Hose Reel

3” Hose Wall Tube Hose Reel



Sidewall Drills & Bits



Drill Shroud




Air Respirator

Positive Pressure Supplied-Air Respirator




Duct Mastic




Combustion Safety Equipment




Vent Pipe

B-Vent L-Vent Single-WallBlack Pipe



Trucks & Trailers

Photos courtesy of NRCERT



NRCERT Truck Side Hatch



Thank you!Kelly [email protected]

weatherization tech 101

Documents

energy audit

us department of energy

energy conservatory

lower left

inspection mirror

weatherization tech

upper left

infrared camera