EarthCraft:EarthCraft:Insulating StrategiesInsulating Strategies

Energy Efficient Insulation Energy Efficient Insulation Systems by Systems by

Church Hill HomesChurch Hill Homes

What is an EarthCraft House?What is an EarthCraft House?

Green Building Certification ProgramGreen Building Certification Program• Based on a point systemBased on a point system• 33rdrd party certification party certification• Gives builder’s flexibility Gives builder’s flexibility • Adopted by HBAVAdopted by HBAV• Local/National marketing supportLocal/National marketing support• Brand recognitionBrand recognition• Heavy emphasis on Energy EfficiencyHeavy emphasis on Energy Efficiency• 150 points: 75 min, 85 max on Energy Efficiency150 points: 75 min, 85 max on Energy Efficiency

Your Home Loses and Gains Heat Your Home Loses and Gains Heat In 3 WaysIn 3 Ways

Convection- The transfer of heat by Convection- The transfer of heat by moving air moving air

Conduction- The transfer of heat Conduction- The transfer of heat through a solid material through a solid material

Radiation- The transfer of heat in the Radiation- The transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves form of electromagnetic waves

R-value is a laboratory measurement of only R-value is a laboratory measurement of only one heat transfer mechanism (conduction) one heat transfer mechanism (conduction) and does not effectively measure all 3 of and does not effectively measure all 3 of the above methods, therefore R-value the above methods, therefore R-value alone will not tell you how well the alone will not tell you how well the insulation will perform in your home.insulation will perform in your home.

Heat Gain / Loss (cont.)Heat Gain / Loss (cont.) +50% of a homes energy loss is due to random air leakage +50% of a homes energy loss is due to random air leakage

(convection)(convection) +50% of a homes energy loss occurs in overhead areas (ceilings, +50% of a homes energy loss occurs in overhead areas (ceilings,

vaults, overhangs, etc…)vaults, overhangs, etc…) Batts come in a handful of standard sizes while only 30% of Batts come in a handful of standard sizes while only 30% of

framing cavities are standard. Batts (whether made from framing cavities are standard. Batts (whether made from fiberglass, cotton, blue jeans, etc…) are not effective in controlling fiberglass, cotton, blue jeans, etc…) are not effective in controlling random air leakage (convection)random air leakage (convection)

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

1. Control random air leakage (convection) w/ use of a custom fit, 1. Control random air leakage (convection) w/ use of a custom fit, spray applied insulation (open or closed cell foam, cellulose, or spray applied insulation (open or closed cell foam, cellulose, or fiberglass)fiberglass)

2. Address ceilings FIRST! This is the most critical component of the 2. Address ceilings FIRST! This is the most critical component of the building envelope.building envelope.

3. Control radiant heat loss w/ use of unvented attic assembly.3. Control radiant heat loss w/ use of unvented attic assembly.

Unvented AtticsUnvented Attics Air-impermeable insulation Air-impermeable insulation

requiredrequired Insulation applied to Insulation applied to

underside of roof deck w/ no underside of roof deck w/ no insulation separating attic insulation separating attic from living areafrom living area

ICC-ES Legacy report required ICC-ES Legacy report required for exposed insulation in roof for exposed insulation in roof deckdeck

Eliminate all passive Eliminate all passive ventilation (gable, soffit, and ventilation (gable, soffit, and ridge vents)ridge vents)

Mechanical ventilation is Mechanical ventilation is requiredrequired

Reduce HVAC equipment Reduce HVAC equipment sizingsizing

Brings HVAC equipment and Brings HVAC equipment and duct work into conditioned duct work into conditioned spacespace

Improved indoor air qualityImproved indoor air quality Eliminate condensing surfacesEliminate condensing surfaces Section 806.4 of 2006 IRCSection 806.4 of 2006 IRC

Conditioned Crawl SpacesConditioned Crawl Spaces Brings HVAC equipment, Air Brings HVAC equipment, Air

Handler, and Ducts into Handler, and Ducts into conditioned space.conditioned space.

Duct leakage is lost into building Duct leakage is lost into building envelope.envelope.

Eliminate moisture intrusion and Eliminate moisture intrusion and control relative humidity.control relative humidity.

Improved indoor air qualityImproved indoor air quality Creating a mini basement, Creating a mini basement,

insulating the foundation walls insulating the foundation walls instead of crawl ceilinginstead of crawl ceiling

Supply air only (no return) to Supply air only (no return) to pressurize crawl at 1cfm per 50 pressurize crawl at 1cfm per 50 square feet.square feet.

ICC-ES Legacy report required for ICC-ES Legacy report required for exposure of foundation insulation.exposure of foundation insulation.

Cellulose Wall-SprayCellulose Wall-Spray

Cavity filling Cavity filling insulation systeminsulation system

Made from Made from recycled materialsrecycled materials

Great sound and Great sound and air infiltration air infiltration performanceperformance

Cost effective-Cost effective-minimal upgrade minimal upgrade expenseexpense

Open-Cell FoamOpen-Cell Foam Superior Air-sealSuperior Air-seal Total Project system- used Total Project system- used

in roof decks, walls, crawl in roof decks, walls, crawl spaces, overhangs, etc..spaces, overhangs, etc..

Low flame spread and Low flame spread and smoke developmentsmoke development

ICC-ES Legacy Report NER-ICC-ES Legacy Report NER-420 for use in unvented 420 for use in unvented atticsattics

Can be left exposed in Can be left exposed in attics or crawl spaces attics or crawl spaces w/out use of w/out use of ignition/thermal barrier.ignition/thermal barrier.

Open cell structure allows Open cell structure allows bulk water intrusion w/ bulk water intrusion w/ drying capabilitydrying capability

Closed-Cell FoamClosed-Cell Foam

Superior Air-sealSuperior Air-seal High R-valueHigh R-value Typically used in walls Typically used in walls

as part of a “flash and as part of a “flash and batt” systembatt” system

Requires use of an Requires use of an ignition/thermal ignition/thermal barrier (can NOT be barrier (can NOT be left exposed in left exposed in unvented attics or unvented attics or crawl spaces)crawl spaces)

Closed cell structure Closed cell structure does not allow bulk does not allow bulk water intrusion.water intrusion.

Hybrid Insulation SystemHybrid Insulation System

Open-Cell foam to condition attic areas. Includes garage ceilings, Open-Cell foam to condition attic areas. Includes garage ceilings, overhangs, jebs.overhangs, jebs.

Cellulose SprayCellulose Spray Wall System in exterior wallsWall System in exterior walls

Hybrid Insulation SystemHybrid Insulation System

Earns 63 of the 75 minimum EarthCraft points for Energy Earns 63 of the 75 minimum EarthCraft points for Energy Efficient features.Efficient features.

Including 35 points for Blower Door pressure test.Including 35 points for Blower Door pressure test. Addresses most critical envelope areas while controlling cost.Addresses most critical envelope areas while controlling cost.

EarthCraft mandatory insulation/envelope EarthCraft mandatory insulation/envelope requirements (NO points)requirements (NO points)

Conditioned attics eliminate the majority of theses requirements.Conditioned attics eliminate the majority of theses requirements.

Examples:Examples: -sealing/calking all interior drywall penetrations -sealing/calking all interior drywall penetrations (light fixtures, supply boots, can lights, etc…)(light fixtures, supply boots, can lights, etc…)-insulating and weather stripping attic accesses-insulating and weather stripping attic accesses-Insulating knee walls to R-19 w/ minimum R-5-Insulating knee walls to R-19 w/ minimum R-5 foam board sheathingfoam board sheathing

REM Design-PerformanceREM Design-Performance

Selling FeaturesSelling Featuresand Benefitsand Benefits

Up to 50% reduction in heating/cooling Up to 50% reduction in heating/cooling costscosts

Reduces HVAC equipment sizingReduces HVAC equipment sizing Exceeds DOE RecommendationsExceeds DOE Recommendations Improved Indoor Air QualityImproved Indoor Air Quality Improved Sound ControlImproved Sound Control Happy, Comfortable Homeowners (no callbacks)Happy, Comfortable Homeowners (no callbacks) Distinguishes you from competitionDistinguishes you from competition

(most other builders don’t offer it!)(most other builders don’t offer it!)

Questions and CommentsQuestions and Comments??

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