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ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings

ACOUSTICAL SEALANT CHOICES
AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
AIR BYPASS LEAKS
AIR CHANGE RATE ACH HEAT SAVINGS
AIR CLEANER PURIFIER TYPES
AIR FILTER EFFECTIVENESS
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
AIR FILTERS, OPTIMUM INDOOR
AIR FILTERS, SOURCES FOR
AIR FILTERING STRATEGIES
AIR FILTERING CONTINUOUS FAN OPERATION
AIR FLOW MEASUREMENT CFM
AIR HANDLER / BLOWER UNITS
AIR POLLUTANTS, COMMON INDOOR
AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS
AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION
AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE
AIR SEALING STRATEGIES
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings
ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD
ATTIC VENTILATION

BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER
BASEMENT HEAT LOSS
BASEMENT LEAKS, INSPECT FOR
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
BATHROOM VENTILATION
BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION
BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING
BLOWN-IN INSULATION
BRICK LINED WALLS
BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?

CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION
Ceramic Insulation
CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT buildings
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE
CRAWL SPACES

DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DRYER VENTING
DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS

ELECTRIC HEAT
ELECTRIC POWER, PHOTOVOLTAIC, REMOTE SITE
ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings
  AFUE DEFINITION, RATINGS
  AIR BYPASS LEAKS
  AIR CHANGE RATE ACH HEAT SAVINGS
  AIR CONDITIONING HEAT PUMP SAVINGS
  AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE
  APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
  ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD
  COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
  DRYER VENTING
  ENERGY AUDIT - How to Use a Free One
  ENERGY SAVINGS MAXIMIZE RETURNS ON
  ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES
  ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY
  ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE
  ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS
  ENERGY STAR PROGRAM
  ENERGY USE MONITORING, SOLAR
  GLASS vs HEAT MIRROR SOLAR GAIN/Loss
  HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS
  HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
  HIGH MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING
  HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be
  INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
  INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT
  RADIANT BARRIERS
  REFLECTIVE INSULATION
  ROOF COLOR RECOMMENDATIONS
  Skylight Energy Efficiency
  SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  THERMAL MASS in buildings
  TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS
  VENTILATION, BALANCED HEAT COST SAVINGS
  WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
  WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings
  WOOD, COAL STOVES & FIREPLACES
ENERGY STAR PROGRAM
EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMS

FIBERGLASS INSULATION
FINANCIAL AID
FIREPLACES & HEARTHS
FLAT ROOF MOISTURE & CONDENSATION
FLOOR CHOICES OVER CONCRETE SLABS
FLOOR RADIANT HEAT Mistakes to Avoid
FLOOR TYPES & DEFECTS
FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING
FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES
FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB

GEOTHERMAL HEATING SYSTEMS
GREEN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CODES GUIDES
GREENHOUSE DESIGN for SOLAR HEATING
GREENHOUSE / SUNSPACE GLARE

HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS
HEAT LOSS RATE CALCULATIONS
HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS
HEAT LOSS INDICATORS
HEAT LOSS PREVENTION PRIORITIES
HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION
HEAT PUMPS
HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams

HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
HEATING OIL USAGE RATE
HEATING SYSTEMS
HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-BOILERS
HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-FURNACES
HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTION PROCEDURE
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS
HOUSEWRAP at SILLS, SOLES, TOP PLATES
HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be
HOT ROOF DESIGNS: Un-Vented Roof Solutions
HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET

ICE DAM PREVENTION
INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
INSULATION CHOICES
Insulation Air & Heat Leaks
INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE
INSULATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM
INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT
INSULATION MOLD
INSULATION R-Values & Properties

KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others
KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN GUIDE

LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION
LEED Building Designation & IAQ
LIGHT, GUIDE to FORENSIC USE
LIGHTING, EXTERIOR GUIDE
LIGHTING, INTERIOR GUIDE
LOG HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LOG HOME WALL INSULATION VALUES

METHANE GAS SOURCES
MOBILE HOME INSPECTIONS
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER

ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE

PASCAL CALCULATIONS
PLASTER & BEAVERBOARD & DRYWALL

RADIANT BARRIERS
RADIANT HEAT
RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid
RADIANT HEAT TEMPERATURES
RADIANT SLAB FLOORING CHOICES
RADIANT SLAB TUBING & FLUID CHOICES
REFLECTIVE INSULATION
RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS
ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
ROT RESISTANT LUMBER
ROT, TIMBER FRAME
ROT, TIMBER ASSESSMENT

SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  BLOCKBED RADIANT FLOORS - SOLAR DESIGN
  FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB CHOICES
  FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB POURED FINISH
  GLASS vs HEAT MIRROR SOLAR GAIN/Loss
  GREENHOUSE DESIGN for SOLAR HEATING
  GREENHOUSE / SUNSPACE GLARE
  PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN HANDBOOK - PDF
  PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN KEY ELEMENTS
  PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD
  PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY MONITORING
  PASSIVE SOLAR FLOOR TILES, PHASE CHANGE
  PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT PERFORMANCE
  PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST
  PASSIVE SOLAR PERFORMANCE PROBE
  PASSIVE SOLAR Roof & Window Overhangs
  PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
  POLYCARBONATE GLAZING
  REMOTE ELECTRIC POWER, PHOTOVOLTAIC
  ROCK-BED SOLAR HEAT STORAGE DESIGN
  SLAB INSULATION, PASSIVE SOLAR
  SLATE THERMAL MASS for SOLAR HEAT STORAGE
  SOLAR COLLECTOR AIR or GAS COLLECTION
  SOLAR COLLECTOR EFFICIENCY COMPARISONS
  SOLAR COLLECTOR FILMS
  SOLAR COLLECTOR OUTGASSING
  SOLAR COLLECTOR WOOD HOUSINGS
  SOLAR GAIN CALCULATION
  SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM DESIGNS
  SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS
  SOLAR HOUSE EVALUATION
  SOLAR MODULE MANUFACTURERS
  SOLAR SHADES & SUNSCREENS
  SOLAR SHADES, LOW-E EFFECTIVENESS
  SOLAR WATER DISINFECTION
  SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS
  SUNSPACE DESIGN for SOLAR HEATING
  SUNSPACE GLAZING for SUNTANNING
  STORM WINDOW INTERIOR
  STORM WINDOW PLASTIC CHOICES
  STORM WINDOW WEEP HOLES
  SUNGAIN, FILMS, LOW-E GLASS
  SUNSPACE GLAZING for SUNTANNING
  SWIMMING POOL SOLAR HEAT, INDOOR
  SWIMMING POOL SOLAR HEAT, OUTDOOR DIAGNOSIS
  THERMAL MASS in buildings

STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE
STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS
STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION
SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS

Thermal Expansion Cracking of Brick
THERMAL EXPANSION of HOT WATER
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL IMAGING, THERMOGRAPHY
THERMAL IMAGING MOLD SCANS
THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS
THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING

VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS
VENTILATION in BUILDINGS
VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO
VINYL SIDING
VINYL Siding or PLASTIC Window ODORS
Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs

WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES
WALL FINISHES INTERIOR
WALL CONSTRUCTION BARRIER vs CAVITY
WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING
WATER ENTRY in buildings
WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING
WIND WASHING INSULATION At EAVES
WINDOWS & DOORS
WINTERIZE A BUILDING
WOOD, COAL STOVES & FIREPLACES
WOOD STOVE SAFETY

ZONE DAMPERS
ZONE VALVES

More Information

Energy savings retrofit house  (C) Daniel Friedman Energy Savings Retrofit on a 1920's Home
     

  • Superinsulating & air leak seals give big heating cost reduction in a 1926 Down East Home
  • Guide to finding & sealing air leaks to gain major energy savings in an older building
  • Evaluation of the effects of sealing air and heat losses in buildings
  • "House Doctors" survey buildings to find and fix energy losing air & heat leaks
  • Questions & answers about how to cut home energy bills for heating, cooling, electricity, in an older home using energy audit & energy retrofit methods
  • Solar Age Magazine Articles on Renewable Energy, Energy Savings, Construction Practices
  • References

Click to Show or Hide Related Topics

  • ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings - home
  • AFUE DEFINITION, RATINGS
  • AIR BYPASS LEAKS
  • AIR CHANGE RATE ACH HEAT SAVINGS
  • AIR CONDITIONING HEAT PUMP SAVINGS
  • AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS - home
  • AIR SEALING STRATEGIES
  • BASEMENT HEAT LOSS
  • BTU USAGE MONITORS
  • CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
  • COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by VENTS
  • DRYER VENTING
  • DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS
  • ENERGY AUDIT - How to Use a Free One
  • ENERGY SAVINGS MAXIMIZE RETURNS ON  
  • ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES
  • ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY
  • ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE
  • ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS
  • ENERGY STAR PROGRAM
  • ENERGY USE MONITORING, SOLAR
  • EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMS
  • FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
  • GLASS vs HEAT MIRROR SOLAR GAIN/Loss
  • HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS - home
  • HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS
  • HEATING COST APPORTIONMENT, BTU MONITORS
  • HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
  • HIGH MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING
  • HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be
  • INDOOR AIR QUALITY & HOUSE TIGHTNESS
  • INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
  • INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT
  • INSULATION R-Values & Properties
  • LOG HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  • RADIANT BARRIERS
  • RADIANT HEAT
  • REFLECTIVE INSULATION
  • RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS
  • ROOF COLOR RECOMMENDATIONS
  • SKYLIGHT ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  • SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  • THERMAL IMAGING, THERMOGRAPHY
  • THERMAL MASS in buildings
  • THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS
  • TIMERS for ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS
  • VENTILATION, BALANCED SAVINGS
  • WALL CONSTRUCTION BARRIER vs CAVITY
  • WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
  • WINDOW EFFICIENCY Features & Ratings
  • WOOD, COAL STOVES & FIREPLACES
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

Energy savings retrofit case study report gives examples of what works and what doesn't: this article discusses the importance of finding and sealing elusive air leaks to gain major energy savings in a well-insulated 1926 building. The history and sequence of energy savings retrofit steps taken and their success are reported. Photo at page top and accompanying text are reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.

Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.

Energy Savings Retrofit Case Study - Down East Retrofit

Adding wall insulation (C) Daniel Friedman - Steven Bliss"Down-East Retrofit - Superinsulating a sprawling fuel-gobbling building was not enough: finding and sealing elusive air leaks was a vital second step in gaining major energy savings". The text below paraphrases, quotes-from, updates, and comments an original article from Solar Age Magazine and written by Steven Bliss - with permission.

History of an Old House Energy Savings Retrofit to Produce Significant Reductions in Heating Cost

In the summer of 1981, mechanical engineer and air-quality researcher William Turner bought a heat-leaking house 40 miles northwest of Portland, Maine. Built in 1926 as a summer home for a Broadway playwright, the 3600-square foot wood-frame house had never been insulated. The builder's effort went instead into grand design and distinctive finishes: most rooms sport floor-to-ceiling wainscoting and tongue-and-groove wooden ceilings.

Adding Super-Insulation to a 1926 Home

Readers should also see these related articles: HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS and INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT for energy saving retrofit detailed guides. To track down energy leaks see AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS and AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION and AIR SEALING STRATEGIES. Also see SUPERINSULATION RETROFIT. And see HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be.

To reduce heating costs by attention to heating equipment itself, see HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS. Also see WINDOW / DOOR ENERGY EFFICIENT, DOE. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution.

To make the house heatable for the first winter, Turner started on the inside. He tore down the wooden cladding on walls and ceilings and added heavy insulation. With a crew of three, he added 2x2's to the studs, and stuffed the wall cavities with 6-inch fiberglass insulation batts.

Next, the crew rolled poly out on the walls - lapping it one full stud at seams - and installed an inch of Thermax rigid insulation, horizontal strapping 16 inches on-center, and 1/2-inch drywall. They ran the wiring in the 3/4-inch strapping space.

All the walls got this R-26 superinsulation system, except a few spots where bookshelves and built-ins were in the way. These areas were blown with cellulose insulation and caulked on the interior.

The house had a sweeping cathedral ceiling on the north side, and a full attic below the main roof. On the cathedral ceiling, the 2x6 rafters were deepened with 1x2s, then insulated with R-19 fiberglass insulating batts, leaving a small air channel above the insulation. In the attic, a 10-inch layer and a 6-inch layer of fiberglass batts were installed at right angles to one another.

Turner placed strips of aluminized building paper and poly between the joists, believing at the time that foil strips would serve as an adequate vapor barrier. "I got conflicting advice on whether to install a continuous ceiling vapor barrier or not. And I didn't want to enclose the ceiling joists in poly," said Turner. "A house has to breathe,"I was told at the time.

All floors got R-19 fiberglass insulation batts stapled to the joists - kraft paper facing down into a vented crawlspace. The crew punctured the kraft-paper backing to let any moisture escape, but the interior side of the cavity received no vapor barrier. At the time, Turner saw no practical way to create a vapor barrier on the warm side of the floor insulation, short of removing the hard-pine finish flooring. [DJF note: normally we place the vapor barrier on the warm side - that is, up towards the floor above over a crawl. There is a risk of forming a moisture trap between the joists if it faces down, even though installation is easier in that position.]

Of the house's 34 windows, a few were replaced with double glazing and storms. The rest got triple-track exterior storms and inexpensive sheet-vinyl glazing on the interior - a poor-man's triple-glazing window design. The family installed high-R window-insulation panels on subfreezing nights. They left some panels in all winter. "If I did it over," said Turner, I'd use triple glazing, maybe with night insulation in bedrooms and baths."

Heating Equipment Updates to Reduce Energy Costs

Woodstove heat (C) Daniel Friedman Steven BlissTo house the new furnace and water heater they built a small 6-by-12 foot concrete block basement under the first floor bath, and wrapped it in 4 inches of beadboard. Four inches of beadboard was also added around the base of a large chimney where it protruded into the crawl space.

Heating during the first winter was divided roughly in half between the oil-fired furnace and an air-tight woodstove (left).

Watch out: be careful not to place combustible insulation against a chimney where sparks or heat could cause a fire, or where a chimney leak might be hidden: don't insulate over a chimney cleanout door, for example.

See HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS for energy saving suggestions focused on the heating equipment itself.

Energy Saving Building Retrofits: Expectations vs. Reality

[Also see ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE a sidebar to this article]: heating cost energy saving retrofit realities rarely match textbook diagrams. Pipes and wires get in your way, spaces are inaccessible, and the building details you discover often boggle the mind. And because textbook buildings rarely match real ones, real energy savings often fall short of predictions.

Surprising heating costs in a super-insulated building

The work completed, Turner moved in and fired up the oil-fired furnace and the woodstove, only to find that the house at up almost 20 MMBTU more fuel than expected - based on an estimated load of 4 BTU/ (ft2 degree day). That first winter, total energy use for heating, half wood and half oil, was about 13t MMBTU, rather than the 117 MMBTU estimated.

When Turner realized that the house's performance was not up to snuff, he called in a crew of house doctors to investigate. With a blower door and infrared scanner (thermography shows areas of heat loss), they quickly spotted massive air flows up through the slatted wood ceilings on the second floor. And this was on a relatively mild 35 degF. day.

The added air and heat infiltration losses, reasoned Turner, could easily account for the missing BTUs. Calculations revealed that in a house that size, an extra 0.2 air changes per hour (over the estimated 0.5 ACH) would make the difference. (See HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS and HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS and HEAT LOSS INDICATORS for details.)

Ice Dam Leaks in a Newly Insulated Building

Another problem Turner faced the first winter was a large ice dam on the sloping north roof that caused minor flooding in the wall. The retrofit team had yet to install soffit or ridge vent, so the 1-inch air space above the insulation was blocked off. That and two northeasters (storms) that dumped 3 feet of snow on the roof were to blame.

[DJF note: wall leaks from plumbing or ice dams not only end the effectiveness of insulation by making it wet, there is a risk of potentially significant mold damage and longer term, rot or insect damage. See ICE DAM PREVENTION for details.]

Fixing Air & Heat Leak Losses in the Super-Insulated Home - Taking the Building Doctors' Advice

Adding a Top Floor AIr/Vapor Barrier

Having pinpointed the attic as a major source of air and heat leaks, Turner and crew went back and temporarily removed the 16 inches of attic insulation. They laid in a continuous poly air/vapor barrier in the ceiling (below the attic floor).

The new vapor barrier ran across the ceiling, going up and over each ceiling joist [a common retrofit approach], and all the joints in the vapor barrier were caulked and stapled. Then they reinstalled the insulation over the new vapor barrier. "It was a job I hope never to repeat." said Turner.

Stopping the ice dams

As for the ice dams, Turner chose not to install top and bottom vents, given the complexity of venting a shed roof. Instead he used heat tapes timed to run one hour a day -- they seem to work satisfactorily. (See HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams
for details.)

[DJF note: while this solution may prevent leaks by melting water escape channels through the ice dams, it won't prevent attic condensation, trapped moisture, or mold in the future. (See ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD for details.)

Suggestions for Sealing Air & Heat Leaks in the Insulated Building at Six Trouble Spots

Heat and air leak seal (C) Daniel Friedman Steven Bliss Heat and air leak seal (C) Daniel Friedman Steven Bliss Heat and air leak seal (C) Daniel Friedman Steven Bliss

Our sketches shown here provide details of how a number of air and heat leaks were identified and sealed in the home. These sketches are enlargements taken from Energy Retrofit of an Older Building - part 2. In a typical leaky attic floor, common leak points are through chimney chases, plumbing vent stacks (above left), ceiling light fixtures, bath fans (below center), and partition wall tops.

The attic hatch was sealed using rigid foam insulation (above center), and metal flashing combined with fireproof caulk were used to seal around the chimney chase (above right).

Heat and air leak seal (C) Daniel Friedman Steven Bliss Heat and air leak seal (C) Daniel Friedman Steven Bliss Heat and air leak seal (C) Daniel Friedman Steven Bliss

These sketches show additional air and heat loss sealing methods for ceiling electrical boxes (above right), the bath exhaust fan (above center), and the top of building partition walls (above right).

Sealing Air Leaks in Building Floors

How to seal attic and basement air and heat leaks (C) Daniel Friedman Steven BlissThe other major step the house doctors recommended was to seal air leaks in the floors. A cantilevered section of the second floor, which projects over the porch, was sealed with housewrap (Tyvek). The main floor, built over a vented crawl space, was not yet sealed. These details of the floor air and heat leak sealing procedures are described at ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE and are shown in the sketch at left.

Said Turner, "On windy or very cold days, it's still uncomfortably drafty on the first floor - but there's no way to seal it." In some places the crawl space is just a foot height. Options that were being considered at that time included Tyvek, rigid foam insulation, and rigid fiberglass insulation.

[DJF Note: That comment was in the mid 1980's. Current (2009) best construction practices have shifted from venting crawl spaces to sealing the crawl space from outside, drying it out, and converting the crawl area to "conditioned space".

See CRAWL SPACE DRYOUT PROCEDURES and because we do not recommend use of fiberglass insulation in potentially wet or damp areas like hard-to-access crawl spaces, see CRAWLSPACE MOLD ADVICE.]

Evaluation of Energy Retrofit Savings: Results of Sealing Air Leaks

Although the house could not be thoroughly tightened, the next winter's energy consumption fell well below the original estimate - at around 90 MM BTU. "The major [heating cost] savings" said Turner, "may have resulted from sealing the building well on top." While the current performance doesn't hold a candle to the featherweight heating bills many superinsulators seek, it's quite respectable for a sprawling 3600-square foot antique in an 8500-degree-day climate.

Turner's future plans included a sunspace with 100 square feet of vertical south-facing glass, replacement windows for the hopelessly leaky French-style antiques, and a better air seal on the top floor. [DJF note: that top floor might have been better-sealed using a pumped-in insulating foam.] These improvements, plus Turner's continuing effort to caulk and seal against air leakage will result in further savings.

"Insulation alone will create a 'superinsulated' structure," said the weary but warm retrofitter, "but only meticulous attention to reducing air movement in and out of the structure will allow it to perform as an energy-efficient dwelling."

Links to the original article in PDF form immediately below are followed by an expanded/updated online version of this article.

  • Energy Retrofit of an Older Building - PDF form, use your browser's back button to return to this page
  • Energy Retrofit of an Older Building - part 2: PDF form, sketches of attic and basement air leak locations & their remedy
  • Energy Retrofit of an Older Building - part 3: PDF form, sealing air leaks at old floors
  • Energy Retrofit of an Older Building - part 4: PDF form, finding and sealing attic air leaks

Here we include solar energy, solar heating, solar hot water, and related building energy efficiency improvement articles reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.


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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

  • Solar Age Magazine was the official publication of the American Solar Energy Society. The contemporary solar energy magazine associated with the Society is Solar Today. "Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's leading association of solar professionals & advocates. Our mission is to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. We advance education, research and policy. Leading for more than 50 years. ASES leads national efforts to increase the use of solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. We publish the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, organize and present the ASES National Solar Conference and lead the ASES National Solar Tour – the largest grassroots solar event in the world."
  • Steve Bliss's Building Advisor at buildingadvisor.com helps homeowners & contractors plan & complete successful building & remodeling projects: buying land, site work, building design, cost estimating, materials & components, & project management through complete construction. Email: info@buildingadvisor.com
    Steven Bliss served as editorial director and co-publisher of The Journal of Light Construction for 16 years and previously as building technology editor for Progressive Builder and Solar Age magazines. He worked in the building trades as a carpenter and design/build contractor for more than ten years and holds a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Excerpts from his recent book, Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, Wiley (November 18, 2005) ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, appear throughout this website, with permission and courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Best Practices Guide is available from the publisher, J. Wiley & Sons, and also at Amazon.com
  • Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
  • Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
  • Energy Savers: Whole House Systems Approach to Energy Efficient Home Design [copy on file as /interiors/Whole_House_Energy_Efficiency_DOE.pdf ] - U.S. Department of Energy
  • "Energy Savers: Whole-House Supply Ventilation Systems [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Whole-House_Supply_Vent.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11880?print
  • "Energy Savers: Whole-House Exhaust Ventilation Systems [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Whole-House_Exhaust.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11870
  • "Energy Savers: Ventilation [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Ventilation.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy
  • "Energy Savers: Natural Ventilation [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Natural_Ventilation.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy
  • "Energy Savers: Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Energy_Recovery_Venting.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11900
  • "Energy Savers: Detecting Air Leaks [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Detect_Air_Leaks.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy
  • "Energy Savers: Air Sealing [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Air_Sealing_1.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy
  • Brick nogging used as soundproofing is mentioned in this article on Popular Forest
  • Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
  • John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
  • Carson, Dunlop &
Associates Ltd., TorontoCarson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
    • Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
    • Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
    • Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
      Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
    • The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
      Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
    • The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
      Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
    • The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
      Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
    • The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
  • Passive Solar Design Handbook Volume I, the Passive Solar Handbook Introduction to Passive Solar Concepts, in a version used by the U.S. Air Force - online version available at this link and from the USAF also at wbdg.org/ccb/AF/AFH/pshbk_v1.pdf
  • Passive Solar Design Handbook Volume II, the Passive Solar Handbook Comprehensive Planning Guide, in a version used by the U.S. Air Force - online version available at this link and from the USAF also at wbdg.org/ccb/AF/AFH/pshbk_v2.pdf [This is a large PDF file that can take a while to load]
  • Passive Solar Handbook Volume III, the Passive Solar Handbook Programming Guide, in a version used by the U.S. Air Force - online version available at this link and from the USAF also at wbdg.org/ccb/AF/AFH/pshbk_v3.pdf
  • The Passive Solar Design and Construction Handbook, Steven Winter Associates (Author), Michael J. Crosbie (Editor), Wiley & Sons, ISBN 978-047118382 or 0471183083 is available at Amazon.com and via the The Passive Solar Design and Construction Handbook, Steven Winter Associates (Author), Michael J. Crosbie (Editor), Wiley & Sons, ISBN 978-047118382 or 0471183083 is available at Amazon.com and via the InspectAPedia Bookstore
  • "Passive Solar Home Design", U.S. Department of Energy, describes using a home's windows, walls, and floors to collect and store solar energy for winter heating and also rejecting solar heat in warm weather.
  • "Solar Water Heaters", U.S. Department of Energy article on solar domestic water heaters to generate domestic hot water in buildings, explains how solar water heaters work. Solar heat for swimming pools is also discussed.
  • "Heat Exchangers for Solar Water Heating Systems", U.S. DOE describes the types of solar water heater heat exchange methods between the sun and the building's hot water supply
  • "Heat-Transfer Fluids for Solar Water Heating Systems", U.S. DOE, describes the types of fluids selected to transfer heat between the solar collector and the hot water in storage tanks in a building. These include air, water, water with glycol antifreeze mixtures (needed when using solar hot water systems in freezing climates), hydrocarbon oils, and refrigerants or silicones for heat transfer.
  • "Solar Water Heating System Maintenance and Repair", U.S. DOE
  • "Solar Water Heating System Freeze Protection", U.S. DOE,using antifreeze mixture in solar water heaters (or other freeze-resistant heat transfer fluids), as well as piping to permit draining the solar collector and piping system.
  • "Scaling and Corrosion in Solar Water Heating Systems", U.S. DOE
  • www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12850 is the base U.S. DOE website for these articles
  • "Active Solar Heating Systems", U.S. Department of Energy, including
  • "Radiant Heating Systems" U.S. DOE
  • "Absorption Heat Pumps & Coolers", U.S. DOE
  • "Solar Air Heating" U.S. DOE also referred to as "Ventilation Preheating" in which solar systems use air for absorbing and transferring solar energy or heat to a building
  • "Solar Liquid Heating" U.S. DOE, systems using liquid (typically water) in flat plate solar collectors to collect solar energy in the form of heat for transfer into a building for space heating or hot water heating. The term "solar liquid" is used for accuracy, rather than "solar water" because the water may contain an antifreeze or other chemicals.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson DunlopThe Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

    Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
  • America's Favorite Homes, mail-order catalogues as a guide to popular early 20th-century houses, Robert Schweitzer, Michael W.R. Davis, 1990, Wayne State University Press ISBN 0814320066 (may be available from Wayne State University Press)
  • ASHRAE resource on dew point and wall condensation - see the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, available in many libraries. The following three ASHRAE Handbooks are also available at the InspectAPedia bookstore in the third page of our Insulate-Ventilate section:
    • 2005 ASHRAE Handbook : Fundamentals : Inch-Pound Edition (2005 ASHRAE HANDBOOK : Fundamentals : I-P Edition) (Hardcover), Thomas H. Kuehn (Contributor), R. J. Couvillion (Contributor), John W. Coleman (Contributor), Narasipur Suryanarayana (Contributor), Zahid Ayub (Contributor), Robert Parsons (Author), ISBN-10: 1931862702 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862707
    • 2004 ASHRAE Handbook : Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning: Systems and Equipment : Inch-Pound Edition (2004 ASHRAE Handbook : HVAC Systems and Equipment : I-P Edition) (Hardcover)
      by American Society of Heating, ISBN-10: 1931862478 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862479
      "2004 ASHRAE Handbook - HVAC Systems and Equipment The 2004 ASHRAE HandbookHVAC Systems and Equipment discusses various common systems and the equipment (components or assemblies) that comprise them, and describes features and differences. This information helps system designers and operators in selecting and using equipment. Major sections include Air-Conditioning and Heating Systems (chapters on system analysis and selection, air distribution, in-room terminal systems, centralized and decentralized systems, heat pumps, panel heating and cooling, cogeneration and engine-driven systems, heat recovery, steam and hydronic systems, district systems, small forced-air systems, infrared radiant heating, and water heating); Air-Handling Equipment (chapters on duct construction, air distribution, fans, coils, evaporative air-coolers, humidifiers, mechanical and desiccant dehumidification, air cleaners, industrial gas cleaning and air pollution control); Heating Equipment (chapters on automatic fuel-burning equipment, boilers, furnaces, in-space heaters, chimneys and flue vent systems, unit heaters, makeup air units, radiators, and solar equipment); General Components (chapters on compressors, condensers, cooling towers, liquid coolers, liquid-chilling systems, centrifugal pumps, motors and drives, pipes and fittings, valves, heat exchangers, and energy recovery equipment); and Unitary Equipment (chapters on air conditioners and heat pumps, room air conditioners and packaged terminal equipment, and a new chapter on mechanical dehumidifiers and heat pipes)."
    • 1996 Ashrae Handbook Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Systems and Equipment: Inch-Pound Edition (Hardcover), ISBN-10: 1883413346 or ISBN-13: 978-1883413347 ,
      "The 1996 HVAC Systems and Equipment Handbook is the result of ASHRAE's continuing effort to update, expand and reorganize the Handbook Series. Over a third of the book has been revised and augmented with new chapters on hydronic heating and cooling systems design; fans; unit ventilator; unit heaters; and makeup air units. Extensive changes have been added to chapters on panel heating and cooling; cogeneration systems and engine and turbine drives; applied heat pump and heat recovery systems; humidifiers; desiccant dehumidification and pressure drying equipment, air-heating coils; chimney, gas vent, fireplace systems; cooling towers; centrifugal pumps; and air-to-air energy recovery. Separate I-P and SI editions."
    • Principles of Heating, Ventilating, And Air Conditioning: A textbook with Design Data Based on 2005 AShrae Handbook - Fundamentals (Hardcover), Harry J., Jr. Sauer (Author), Ronald H. Howell, ISBN-10: 1931862923 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862929
    • 1993 ASHRAE Handbook Fundamentals (Hardcover), ISBN-10: 0910110964 or ISBN-13: 978-091011096
  • The National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST (nee National Bureau of Standards NBS) is a US government agency - see www.nist.gov
    • "A Parametric Study of Wall Moisture Contents Using a Revised Variable Indoor Relative Humidity Version of the "Moist" Transient Heat and Moisture Transfer Model [copy on file as/interiors/MOIST_Model_NIST_b95074.pdf ] - ", George Tsongas, Doug Burch, Carolyn Roos, Malcom Cunningham; this paper describes software and the prediction of wall moisture contents. - PDF Document from NIS
  • ...

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