Weatherizing Ranch and Colonial Style Homes1. Identifying Weatherization

Opportunities and Challenges in a Ranch or Colonial

2. Using Mass Save to make these homes more energy efficient!

Green Needham CollaborativeIn 2012, Green Needham and Next Step Living have: Signed up 850 residents for home

energy assessments 524 completed Energy Assessments in

2012 These assessments resulted in 155

weatherization jobs, which saved homeowners on average $500/year

Mass Save

WEATHERIZATION

A comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient home requiresContinuous thermal boundaries and air barriers that are in contact with one another. (US.DOE)

Ranch Style Homes

• Many Built from 1940’s to Today• Easy To Install cost effective Insulation and Air

Sealing• Good Solar PV Potential!

Wall Insulation in a Ranch Pre 1950: Possible that

only a 1” sheet of aluminum foil like insulation present

This can be improved through blown in cellulose

Post 1950, most likely have a 3” Fiberglass batt, which can’t be improved on through Mass Save and blown in cellulose

Dense pack Cellulose: Air and Thermal Barrier

Source:http://www.energysmartvt.com/media/dense-pack-insulation-exterior-preparation-3-400x300.jpg

Interior Dense Pack Insulation

Split Level Ranch Features 2 Attic Spaces

2 Attic Hatches or Doors

Changes in Ceiling Height

Changes in Ceiling Height

ConditionedSpace

ConditionedSpace

Attic

Not only is the top of the wall uninsulated...

Not only is the top of the wall uninsulated...

IDENTIFYING & AIR SEALING THE BUILDING ENVELOPE

Graphic courtesy of Anthony Cox

Changes in Ceiling Height

The interior wall cavities act as a chimney that robs the house of heat and conditioned air.

The interior wall cavities act as a chimney that robs the house of heat and conditioned air.

IDENTIFYING & AIR SEALING THE BUILDING ENVELOPE

Graphics courtesy of Anthony Cox

Attic or Wall Hatches

Thermal Boundary

Air Barrier

An uninsulated attic hatch is a gap in the attic’s thermal boundary.

Insulating Wall Hatches and Attic Hatches

www.oldhouseweb.com

Pull Down StairsThermadome free with Air Sealing (Value $200) Yearly Savings $60 and Up!

Thin plywood only barrier to cold attic. Big area of heat loss!!

Whole Home Fan Boxes

• Good for cooling in summer• Can be Health and Safety

Concern (Combustion Safety and BackDrafting)

In the winter, even with vents closed, area of great heat loss! Treat with Fan Box (Thermadome)

ColonialWeatherization Areas to Focus on: Wall Insulation Unfinished Attic

Insulation + Air Sealing

Treating walk up stairs to Attic

If the homeowner uses the attic fairly often:

Walk-Up Attics

• The air and thermal boundaries must be established at the stairs, stairwell walls, and door to the attic stairs.

• This approach leaves the stairwell open to the attic and outside the conditioned space.

IDENTIFYING & AIR SEALING THE BUILDING ENVELOPE

Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

Walk Up Stairs to Attic

Door

Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy

Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy

The door is insulated and weather-stripped.The door is insulated and weather-stripped.

Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy

Attic Spaces in a Colonial

Un-floored Floored

Open Blown cellulose OBC up to 11” R 30

Dense Pack Cellulose 6” R 18 + Air sealing at same time

Air Sealing An Attic

Attic Insulation: Open Blown Cellulose

Source:http://www.buildinggreentv.com/files/images/atticInsulAweb.preview.jpg

IDENTIFYING & AIR SEALING THE BUILDING ENVELOPEAir Barrier

A mechanical chase containing ducts can break the attic’s air barrier.

Thermal Boundary

Air Barrier

Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

Air sealing Chimney Chases

Before After

1-2” Gap All Around Chimney: Allowing energy to escape from inside home

Add metal flashing and fire caulking to seal up the gap

Ventilation Types Mushroom Vent Roof Vent

Ridge vent Soffit vents

Ventilation Bath fans Improperly

vented will cause moisture problems in attic

Will also recommend adding an insulated ventilation pipe cover. Why?

1sf of ventilation for every 300sf of attic space

Propavents

Heat Loan Helps Support High Efficiency Heating Systems: Oil

Customers can save 40% in heating costs by switching

Single Pane to Double Pane Windows Conversion: Least Cost Effective but may be necessary with older homes

Heat Pumps

Why use a Total Climate Control:• CONTROL: Room-by-room heating and cooling in a single

unit

• AIR QUALITY: Filtered air circulation that improves indoor air quality

• SAVINGS: Up to 40% less expensive to heat your home than oil and more efficient cooling than central air or window units

• EASY INSTALL: No duct work or need to remove your current heating system

NSL has partnered with Mitsubishi to offer their ductless mini-split heating and cooling system

The Total Climate Control System Integrates Into Your Home’s Decor

Questions and CommentsMichael Cucchiara

Community Programs ManagerNext Step Living917-612-9190

Michael.cucchiara@nextstepliving.com