Equality of Energy Efficiency for Low-Income Housing in the Mississippi DeltaEmily M. McGlohn, AIA, NCARBMississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi

Emily Roush-Elliott, AIA, NCARBDelta Design Build Workshop, Greenwood, Mississippi

March 06, 2017AIA Housing Knowledge Community 1 HSW

Learning Objective #1To understand the air infiltration rates of as-is conditions of a sample of low-income housing in the Mississippi Delta to determine the average dollar amount a family spends on heating due to air infiltration.

Learning Objective #2To learn if current efforts to improve low-income housing in this community are paying off in terms of energy and monetary savings.

Learning Objective #3To consider a strategy for improving energy efficiency rates and indoor air quality standards in existing low-income housing.

Learning Objective #4To discuss the long-term goal of this research: a complete strategy for home energy efficiency improvements for low-income housing in Mississippi that is available to non-profits, housing authorities and others.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/us_2001/mississippi_ref_2001.pdf

http://www.ipl.org/div/images/stateknow/usmap-ms.jpg

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/science/mississippi_map_1999265.jpg

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/mississippi/ya-zooMS1901/yazooMS1901.pdf

http://www.agweb.com/arti-cle/116-farms-and-68000-acres-farmland-partners-grows-portfolio-naa-alison-rice/

https://daughterofthedelta.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/green-wood024.jpg

http://thebluesblogger.com/2964/greenwood-mississippi-ms-del-ta-tour-part-5

http://cdn.lightgalleries.net/4b-d5ebf721640/images/LA_Missis-sippi025-1.jpg

http://cdn.lightgalleries.net/4b-d5ebf721640/images/LA_Missis-sippi025-1.jpg

Live below the United States poverty line.

25.5% more than the national average.

40%

(US Census Bureau, 2014)

30% of one’s income should be spent on housing, including utilities, to be affordable.

no more than...

for rent/morgage and utilites for a 4 person family. $608

nationally, no more than...

for rent/morgage and utilites for applicants of Katrina Cottages.

$229in Baptist Town,no more than...

DOES HOUSING IN GREENWOOD SATISFY

THE DEFINITION OF EFFICIENCY AND

AFFORDABILITY?

Three samples of low-income housing, 27 houses in total.

Blower door tests were performed to determine how many air changes per hour (ACH) are occurring in real living conditions.

Compare air infiltration rates to each type and to nationally accepted standards.

$$ $$$ $$$$Funded by the Greenwood Leflore Carroll Economic Development Foundation and Enterprise Community Partners

-50pa

depressurized house

window frames

seal plate

outlets

joints

can lights to attic

Air InfiltrationUnderstanding air leaks and the tools to save energy and money.

For more information about this study contact:Emily McGlohn

School of ArchitectureMississippi State University

emcglohn@caad.msstate.edu662-325-0567

To see if you qualify for full house weatherization contact Mississippi Department of Human Services

Weatherization Assistance Program:

Division of Community Services800-421-0762 | 601-359-4768

750 North State Street | Jackson, MS 39202

http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us/weatherization-assistance-program/

Study funded by:Greenwood Leflore Carroll Economic Development

Foundation in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners.

For more information about GLCEDF contact:Emily Roush-Elliott

662-453-5321

What’s air infiltration? It’s the air that passes from one side of a wall to another through cracks and crevices in a building. Heating and cooling are lost which costs money.

How do you test for air infiltration? To find the hidden cracks and crevices in a building that allow heating and cooling to escape a blower door test is performed. Once found, cracks and crevices can be filled to stop air infiltration.

What’s blower door test?To test the integrity of an enclosure (walls, roof, and floor) a blower door tester is used to depressurize a building so that Air Changes per Hour (ACH) can be measured. A large fan is placed in a doorway. It “sucks” air out and maintains a target pressure of 50 Pascals. Air leakage can then be measured. Air leakage is a result of tiny cracks and crevices around windows, doors, corners, and wall outlets. If blower door tests are done during construction, mistakes can be corrected so that the building has less air leakage.

What tools are needed to stop air infiltration? Simple things like caulk, spray foam, door sweeps, weatherstripping, window insulating kits, and air conditioning window unit covers make a big difference! Fill any gaps and crack you see. Make sure to take your window AC unit out during the winter. If you can’t remove the unit, cover it to stop cold air from entering the house.

This brochure reviews this step by step process.

Fewer air leaks = Higher efficiencyHigh efficiency = $ Cost savings!

11 Katrina Cottages

c. 2006Single familyPre-manufacturedCentral air or ductless mini-split2x6 stick construction

6 Fuller Center Houses

c. 1980Single FamilySlab foundationCentral air conditioningStick frame construction

10 Neighborhood Houses

c. 1950Single familyTypically raised foundationTypically cooled with window unitAnd heated with furnaceTypically stick frame construction

It’s also the truth.

July - September, 2015

1 Gain permission to test.2 Introduction to the team, explanation of study, and exchange of gift card.3 Measure the house, and sketch a floor plan.4 Calculate the square footage and volume of the house. 5 Install the blower door frame and fan. 6 Open all interior doors, and close exterior doors and windows.7 Turn gas appliances to pilot light.8 Record measurements. 9 Breakdown and thank you.

# ACH50A1 12.4 A2 9.42 A3 10.75A4 11.3 A5 16.6A6 7.76 A7 8.22 A8 9.04 A9 9.42 A10 8.22 A11 12.1

Average 10 ACH50

# ACH50B1 15B2 14.9B3 18B4 23.3 B5 20.4 B6 24.1

Average 19 ACH 50

# ACH50C1 -C2 -C3 51.15C4 36.05C5 43.25C6 -C7 84.55C8 -C9 -C10 25

Average 48 AHC50

Katrina Cottage Fuller Center Neighborhood

The 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) requires the enclosure to be tested

and that air infiltration rates not exceed 3 ACH50 for Mississippi’s climate zone.

Projected consumption due to air infiltration. Assume 65°F indoors for December.

914 Btu 2,318 Btu 4,655 Btu* .26kW .68kW 1.36 kW* 199 kWh Dec. 505 kWh Dec. 1,015 kWh Dec.*$23.93 $60.66 $121.81*

*Lower value than reality because 50% of Type C houses were too leaky to hold pressure during blower door test, therefore not included in the average.

Good Performance Fair Performance Poor Performance

INFILTRATION RATE16X HIGHER THAN

2015 IRC STANDARD

Neighborhood

$122 FOR DECEMBER HEATING

COSTSNeighborhood

6% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME

Neighborhood

16% OF THE MONTHLY INCOME KATRINA COTTAGE

APPLICANTS

Neighborhood

101,500 kWh WASTED IN BAPTIST

TOWN DURING DECEMBER

Junction between the original house and additions

Cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings

Holes due age and to a lack of maintenance

Window air conditioning units that are not covered or removed

-50pa

depressurized house

window frames

seal plate

outlets

joints

can lights to attic

Air InfiltrationUnderstanding air leaks and the tools to save energy and money.

For more information about this study contact:Emily McGlohn

School of ArchitectureMississippi State University

emcglohn@caad.msstate.edu662-325-0567

To see if you qualify for full house weatherization contact Mississippi Department of Human Services

Weatherization Assistance Program:

Division of Community Services800-421-0762 | 601-359-4768

750 North State Street | Jackson, MS 39202

http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us/weatherization-assistance-program/

Study funded by:Greenwood Leflore Carroll Economic Development

Foundation in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners.

For more information about GLCEDF contact:Emily Roush-Elliott

662-453-5321

What’s air infiltration? It’s the air that passes from one side of a wall to another through cracks and crevices in a building. Heating and cooling are lost which costs money.

How do you test for air infiltration? To find the hidden cracks and crevices in a building that allow heating and cooling to escape a blower door test is performed. Once found, cracks and crevices can be filled to stop air infiltration.

What’s blower door test?To test the integrity of an enclosure (walls, roof, and floor) a blower door tester is used to depressurize a building so that Air Changes per Hour (ACH) can be measured. A large fan is placed in a doorway. It “sucks” air out and maintains a target pressure of 50 Pascals. Air leakage can then be measured. Air leakage is a result of tiny cracks and crevices around windows, doors, corners, and wall outlets. If blower door tests are done during construction, mistakes can be corrected so that the building has less air leakage.

What tools are needed to stop air infiltration? Simple things like caulk, spray foam, door sweeps, weatherstripping, window insulating kits, and air conditioning window unit covers make a big difference! Fill any gaps and crack you see. Make sure to take your window AC unit out during the winter. If you can’t remove the unit, cover it to stop cold air from entering the house.

This brochure reviews this step by step process.

Fewer air leaks = Higher efficiencyHigh efficiency = $ Cost savings!

Use caulk to fill gaps along baseboards, outlet covers, tub inserts, door jambs, and other obvious cracks. Latex caulk can be cleaned up with water and painted with latex paint.

Spray foam insulation can be used to fill large gaps around pipes that go through floors, walls, and ceilings. Spray foam expands so use very little and wait to see its full size. Foam should not be sprayed inside of light switch or outlet boxes. Be sure to look inside utility and HVAC closets for areas to fill.

Door sweeps are attached to the bottom of exterior doors to prevent air and bugs from entering. Measure the door, cut the sweep to fit the bottom of the door, and then attach to where it just touches the floor. Make sure to pre-drill wood doors and use self tapping screws for metal doors.

Weatherstripping can be used in many places! It is self sticking and can be attached to door frames, window seals, and other places that need tightening.

Each window insulation kit comes with 9 sheets of heat-shrink plastic. The sheets are be attached to the interior frame of a window and once heat is applied, it pulls tightly and is transparent. Doing this does two things 1. adds a layer of insulation and 2. prevents air from coming and going. Windows cannot be opened once the plastic is attached.

Window AC units are handy in the summer but if they are not removed in the winter make a great source of air infiltration. The best option is to remove all AC units from windows and store them for the winter. If this is not possible, cover them with insulated material, including the side panels.

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Weatherization BasicsUnderstanding air leaks and the tools to save energy and money.

Spray foam is used to fill large gaps that are hidden from view. Look for gaps around pipes that go to

hot water heaters and HVAC units. Canned foam expands by 400%. A little goes a long way. Be sure to wear latex gloves when using

spray foam. It is not water soluble and will stick to your skin.

Tools Needed:Latex gloves - includedPaper towels for clean up Door sweeps are attached to the bottom of exterior doors. First, measure the bottom of the door and

then cut the sweep to fit if it need to be. Second, attach the sweep to the outside of the door. Pre-drill wood doors before using included

screws. If the door is metal, use self-tapping metal screws that are provided.

Tools Needed:Measuring tape

Drill

Metal saw

Screws - included

Weatherstripping is foam that is attached to door frames and window seals to block air from

passing through gaps - even small ones. Depending on the door frame type, select the correct

weatherstripping. If the door frame does not have grooves, use self sticking foam all the way around

the door. It should be attached in a matter that when the door is closed, the foam is compressed and

not seen. Weatherstripping can be used on window seals too. Open the window and place self sticking foam

where window will close on top of it. When the window is closed, the foam should be compressed

and not seen. Tools Needed:Measuring Tape

Utility KnifeWindow insulation kits should be installed using manufacturers instructions. Please see package.

Air Conditioning (AC) unit covers are for clients with AC units. If the client has a duct-less mini split

(cottages) or central HVAC, they will not receive this item.

If the client has AC units, they should cover the front of the unit with the insulated cover for the

winter. The foam side panels should be cut to fit the height of the unit and can be left in all year. First,

measure the distance from the window seal to the bottom of the open window. Second, cut the panel

to fit the height. The panel’s width may also need to be trimmed. If so, measure the distance from the side of the AC

unit to the side of the window jamb. Cut the panel to fit.

Tools Needed:Measuring Tape Utility Knife

Weatherization Checklist page 2

Items in each kit and what to look for in the home.

House Address:______________________________________________________

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Weatherization Checklist page 1

Items in each kit and what to look for in the home.

House Address:______________________________________________________

Installer’s Name:________________________ Date: ______________________

1. Schedule an appointment for installation. Each client should receive one weatherization kit.

Any supplies that are left over should be given to the client. If the client chooses to install the kit

themselves, leave the kit with them.

2. Each kit should include the following items.

6 Tubes of caulk

1 Caulk gun

3 Cans of spray foam

2 Door sweeps

2 Sets of weatherstripping

1 Package of widow insulation

If the home has AC Window Units

3 AC Window Unit Covers

3 Sets of AC Window Unit Side Panels

3. The following should be done while installing the weatherization kit.

Check for gaps at baseboards, switch plate covers, outlet covers, door trim, window trim, and at tub

inserts. If a gap is visible, fill with small caulk bead.

In cottages, be sure to caulk around water heater cover panel, washing machine drain insert, and

trim around tub insert. These are the problem areas identified in the blower door test.

Tools Needed:

Caulk gun - included

Utility knife- for cutting tip off of caulk

A steady hand - for neat application

Caulk

Retest weatherized homes.

Host meeting to share information about state funded weatherization program.

Look for alternatives to weatherization for homes that do not qualify for state support.

16 more homes will be tested and weatherized this summer.

GLCEDF continues to develop their apprentice program.

MSU and Delta Design Build Workshop are working together to develop cost effective air barrier strategies for older homes.

THANK YOU!

Homeowners and ResidentsEmily Roush-ElliottGLCEDFEnterprise Community PartnersMSU School of ArchitectureEdward Holmes, Ben Marshall, Ashtyn Bryant