ENERGY STAR BUILDING with MODULAR CONSTRUCTION

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ENERGY STAR BUILDING with MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
Best Construction Practices
By Larry Armanda
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Objectives

• Understand the importance of properly installed
  insulation.
• Understand the importance of air sealing

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Why Worry?

• Customer Complaints of Comfort Problems.
• Customer Complaints of High Energy Usage.
• Structural Damage / Moisture Problems.
• Liability Issues.
• House does not pass the Energy Star Verification
  Test.

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Energy Star Verification Test
Blower door test to verify the tightness of the
building. Duct blaster test to verify that the
HVAC ducts are tight.
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The Analysis

• Depressurizing the buildings with a blower door
  to test air leakage rates.
• Infrared analysis for insulation performance.

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Blower Door Testing
Blower door tests are used to reverse pressure in
a structure to better analyze and assess
potential air infiltration affecting the energy
efficiency of the structure. Here you see the
blower door installation using an exterior door
by a professional energy consultant.
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Duct Blaster Test
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Air infiltration at drywall molding
Regular Photo
Infrared Image
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Insulation stuffed into opening and caulk or use
minimal expansion foam. Seal trim to drywall with
caulking
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Electrical Receptacle Base Plate ofSecond
Floor Bedroom
(Garage below this second floor bonus room)?
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Air seal all holes in the building shell
This exterior receptacle will be difficult to
seal due to the large hole in the sheeting.
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Seal holes in switch boxes when located on
exterior walls
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Air seal all electrical boxes
Cold air at ceiling
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Seal top base plates on all exterior walls
exterior wall intersections.
Top plate
Base plates
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Electrical Receptacle Base Plate ofSecond
Floor Bedroom
(Garage below this second floor bonus room
poorly fitting insulation on wall)?
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Incorrectly Installed Insulation
Insulation not in contact with drywall
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Insulation Voids
Contractor removed insulation to add smoke
detector.
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Insulation problems
Insulation must fit tight to drywall of living
area
Insulation must fit around the pipe and not be
compressed.
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Insulation Voids
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Compressed insulation
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Improper fit insulation around plumbing vent pipe
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Insulation VoidsSite Built Construction
This entire roof structure was built on site by
the contractor.
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Built in Chase Ways
Looking up through a flue/HVAC chase. HVAC
Supply Chimney
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Snow Melt - Chaseways
This could cause ice dams and structural damage.
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Heating Ductwork in Hall Chase Way
This is the same chase way causing the snow melt
patterns on roof.
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Large built in chaseways to accommodate
mechanical systems
Contractor should air seal these chaseways in the
attic as well as in the basement
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Air Movement Between Floors
Insulation
Cold air
Insulation was installed on the exterior band
joist across the ceiling three feet. This did not
stop or reduce the amount of air flow across the
ceiling to the marriage wall.
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Cold Air Movement Between the Floors
Cold Air Infiltration moves across ceiling,
through recessed light areas and ceiling vents.
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Air flow across insulation to ceiling between
floors
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Insulation Void
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Recessed Can Lighting
Cold Air moving across ceiling
Cold air at recess can lights
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Install Air Tite recess can lights or box in with
drywall
Keep at least 3 inches of air space around the
fixture.
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Wiring caseways should be sealed.
Compressed insulation
Electrical panel located on exterior wall. Allows
air movement and moisture movement as well as
limits the amount of insulation in the wall
cavity.
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Bump Outs / Additions
This dark area is where the modular first floor
bump out was attached to the first floor rear
section. Air is infiltrating at the connection of
these two boxes which indicates a lack of proper
sealing between units. (L)?
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Bump Out Locations of Air Infiltration
(Bump out Photo)?
R
L
1
Cold air moving to center marriage wall from
between mod 1 2
2
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The success of an Energy Star qualified home is
dependent on

• Air sealing the building envelope.
• Air sealing the HVAC duct work.
• Proper installation of the insulation.
• Air sealing electrical penetrations including
  recess can lights.