Solplan Review No 126

6.6 MB·English

by  Richard Kadulski

No. 126 — — ^ January 2006
/©I plan review
the independent ■ journal of energy conservation, building science & construction practice
Inside...
Insulation: How much is enough?........................3 Field Performance of Integrated Mechanical
Reflective Insulation.............................................6 Systems...........................................................10
Reflective Insulation Materials Used Under Con­ Points To Consider When Laying Out a
crete Slabs.............................................................7 Heating System...............................................12
Heat Loss in Pictures.............................................7 Re: P2000 Insulation.............................................13
You Asked Us: Why we don’t see many Trombe Building Practice Notes.........................................14
walls in our climate?.............................................8 Wheatboard Production Ceases ...........................15
Technical Research Committee News...................9 Indoor Air Quality & Housing Durability
Indoor Air Quality Assessement Tool; Courses.............................................................15
P R-Value Labelling Energy Answers.....................................................16
r* NRC-IRC Guidelines for Basements Released ..18
CN
2 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 3
From The Editor... Insulation: How much is enough?
Our world view is shaped by our experiences. Like others that performance improvements that are built in will provide
here, I am an immigrant to the West Coast who has also had the returns for many years into the future. at peak production for petroleum-based fuels.
good fortune to live in and visit others parts of Canada. I am On the West Coast we may live in a bubble, isolated from The need to reduce greenhouse gas production
aware of and have experienced the climatic extremes for which the cold Canadian winters, but we still need to heat our homes. (using less energy to condition buildings) means
Canada is noted. However, I realize that I’m still influenced by The energy bill of the average home in the Vancouver area, in that the pressure to reduce energy use in build­
the relatively balmy climate conditions we experience here in dollar terms, is not that much lower than in any other part of ings is also here to stay. An important part of this
British Columbia. Canada - even though it should be. is to build in passive energy conservation, which
Residents here quickly become locals and forget their past. I was involved with one energy efficient home project a few effectively means higher performance construc­
Insulation is an important component of
They fall in love with the setting and quickly go native. After years ago which brought home to me the fact that we can have tion with higher insulation levels.
buildings to keep them warm and comfortable in
all, when you see palm trees in the parks (there are some species houses that do not require any heating system. The owner, Spray foam suppliers focus on the air-sealing
winter and cool in summer heat. Many types of
that grow on the West Coast), the exotic flora has the effect of who is the second owner, thought there might have been a value of their products, which although very im­
material can be used as insulation, but the prime
lulling one into the belief that we don’t really need to deal with problem with the mechanical system. It was discovered that portant, leaves the impression that if you air seal
requirement is that the material resists heat flow.
energy efficiency. This makes promoting energy conservation a the first owner left in a huff and in the process tore out some the house with a thin continuous layer of foamed
How much insulation is enough? Product
seemingly difficult task. wiring, including heating system control wiring. It turned insulation, you will not need as much insulation.
suppliers stress the positive features of their
Home energy efficiency upgrades can be a tough sell here. out that the house had been operating without a functioning Reducing the air leakage across the envelope
product and downplay any negatives. Because of
Builders remind me that homebuyers aren’t really interested heating system, since the discovery was only made after the will reduce the energy loss, but the impact of air
the variation in product pricing, some suppliers
in such mundane things as better windows, more insulation, or current owner had lived in the house for a full year. The house sealing is going to be influenced by what areas of
downplay reasonable insulation levels and use
a more efficient mechanical system. Those things are OK for was well insulated, had high performance windows, and took the house are air-sealed. Although we want to air
arguments that may be misleading for purchas­
Calgary or Winnipeg, where it gets cold, but not for the balmy maximum advantage of solar gains, which was enough to keep seal the entire envelope, air leakage in the upper
ers. In the process they often create confusion,
West Coast. Buyers here, I am constantly informed, are more the home comfortable. part of the house, through ceiling penetrations,
making it difficult for builders, designers or own­
interested in granite countertops and marble or hardwood floors. Every new house could be that well built. The house might can have serious consequences not only because
ers to make a decision
They never ask about heating systems or better windows. Of still need a bit of supplementary energy, but it would be a of heat loss (driven by the buoyancy of warm air)
Some suppliers rationalize using less insula­
course, builders do not offer upgrade packages either. At most much smaller portion than the average new house today. If we but also on the building’s durability. Warm air
tion because of the diminishing return from each
the options offered are for floors, countertops and the colour of are going to tackle the serious climate change issue confront­ leaving the house is the driving force in moving
increased increment of it. It is a fact that the
wall paint. ing us, and wean ourselves off fossil fuels, we need to get significant quantities of moisture.
impact of more insulation decreases with each
I suspect that most buyers assume that they’re getting the serious and take action now. The amount of insulation to be used will
additional increment. If you start with an uninsu­
best technical components for energy efficient homes, so why If we are committed to leaving a better world for our chi depend on a number of factors, including the
lated building and add one inch of insulation, you
do they need to ask for them? After all, haven’t we been telling dren, we need to remember that small individual actions wi types of insulation products available in a given
get big savings. As you keep adding insulation,
them about how wonderful the product we produce is? grow cumulatively and have a big impact on the country an location, the house design and structure, and how
you get fewer savings from each additional layer.
While making a presentation in the Okanagan valley recently ultimately on the earth.
However, adding insulation always reduces en­
1 was surprised when a builder said that he was at the session
ergy consumption. The debate is engaged when What is the impact of air sealing on energy consumption?
because he was feeling pressure from purchasers who were
this turns to what may be an optimum level of A quick HOT-2000 review of a basic production house design shows
asking about energy efficiency options in his new homes. They
insulation. Decisions are usually based on insula­ what impact air sealing may have on energy consumption. Simulations
wanted energy efficient homes. The buyers understood that Richard Kadulski,
tion levels that are cost effective. The challenge were done for a house in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto. The base
energy prices are not coming down; that there are options that Editor
can be chosen to improve home performance. They understand h is to use appropriate energy costs. case was a construction package that essentially met the R-2000 energy
Decisions on insulation levels are often based performance target, except for the air sealing. The base case assumed
on an economic analysis or on perceived pay­ the house had 4.55 air changes at 50 Pascals, and the upgraded air seal­
/olplan review Publications Mail Agreement No. 40013363 CHANGE OF ADDRESS: include a mailing label backs. There was a time, not that long ago, when ing was done to R-2000 standards.
Postage paid in Vancouver, BC. or copy all information off label for faster, accurate even modest levels of insulation and multiple Heat loss by air leakage changed from 18% to 10% of total in
V* intepandor* I journal ot ewpy conUfvMon btakiog tOooco A cor.ttnrzton prozicc Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to processing.
Editor-Publisher: Richard Kadulski PO Box 86627, North Vancouver, BC V7L 4L2 CONTRIBUTIONS: Unsolicited contributions and pane windows were considered uneconomical. Vancouver, and in the Calgary and Toronto climate from about 26%
Illustrations: Terry Lyster COPYRIGHT 2006 by The Drawing-Room Graphic manuscripts welcome. Include self-addressed That is why so many older buildings are woeful­ to 15% of total. In terms of reduced energy consumption, energy use
Contributors: Andre Fauteux, Don Johnston, David Services Ltd. All rights reserved. pre-stamped mailer if return requested. Publisher ly under insulated; because analyses were done would drop by 10% in Vancouver (6.1 GJ), 15.5% in Calgary (15.1
Yarbrough, Peter Edwards, Mike Swinton, John Reproduction without written permission of the not responsible for loss or damage of same.
Burrows, Rob Dumont, Jim Stewart publisher is strictly forbidden. Transgressors who While every effort is made to provide accurate showing why adding insulation was not eco­ GJ), and 13% in Toronto (10.1 GJ).
ISSN: 0828-6574 don’t take heed not e: those visitors in white cowboy and complete information, we do not warrant or nomical! However, it is important to recognize With natural gas prices hovering around S12 per GJ, air sealing does
Date of Issue: February 2006 hats will not just be curious cowboys. guarantee the accuracy and completeness of that most economists’ long-term forecasts about represent a significant savings for the homeowner.
SOLPLAN REVIEW is published 6 times per year A license for photocopying or other reprographic such information.
by: copying can be also be obtained from Access ADVERTISING POLICY: Publisher’s discretion energy costs done even one year ago are obsolete In all cases, the heat loss through the walls was about 30% of the
the drawing-room graphic services ltd. Copyright (Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency, in the acceptance of any advertisement. as a result of the sharp increase in energy prices total, through the ceiling 5%, through windows and doors 30%, and the
PO Box 86627, North Vancouver, BC V7L 4L2 #1900 - 1 Yonge St, Toronto ON M5E 1E5). No endorsement is stated or implied by the in the past few months. basement about 20%, so walls, windows and basement still represent
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] SUBSCRIPTIONS: In Canada 1 year $51.45 (incl publisher.
e-mail: [email protected] GST) (NB, NS, NF $56.35 includes HST); 2 years PRINTED IN CANADA In today’s world there is one certainty - cur­ significant sources of energy loss and should be well insulated.
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4 SQLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 5
well a specific product can be integrated into the other. An example of conduction is the way
so any moisture trapped within insulation can
the fabric of the house. If there is one thing we heat moves from an electric stove when a pot is
reduce its insulating properties.
know today, it is that making decisions only on put on it and the stove is turned on.
The thermal resistance of insulation materi­
the basis of today’s energy and material costs is Conduction is the major heat flow mechanism
als varies depending on the cell structure, the
questionable. From a long-term point of view, across the building envelope. To reduce conduc­
gas contained in the insulation and the moisture
insulation levels should be as high as is practical. tion most insulation products contain many tiny
content. Generally, the smaller the cells, the more
It is always cheaper to install more insulation at air pockets, which are small enough that they from one body to the cold glass by radiant heat
effective the insulation material. Some foamed
the time the building is being built, than it is to reduce the possibility of convection air flows. flow. The amount of radiant energy emitted by a
insulation products are blown with gases that may
retrofit a building at a later time. material depends on the material’s temperature.
be more effective than air at reducing heat trans­
Convection
fer. However, these gases may also dissipate over
The Mechanics of Heat Flow Heat transfer by convection occurs in flu­ All three heat transfer mechanisms are at work
time, reducing the insulating properties, which is
Measuring heat flow and the resistance to heat ids such water or air. As the fluid is warmed it at any given time. In a house, most heat is lost why we are interested in aged R-values. O
flow is complex because heat flows via three becomes less dense and, as it rises, it is displaced through the building envelope by conduction and
mechanisms: by conduction, convection, and by cooler fluid surrounding it. This is how a through the loss of heated air due to air leakage
Insulation Products
radiation. All three mechanisms can also occur baseboard heater heats up the air in a room as and ventilation - a portion of which is influenced
simultaneously. the air is slowly circulated around it. Convec­ by convention currents in the house. Most con­
A variety of products is used for insulation.
tion currents in the air space between two panes struction and insulation materials are opaque to
Each insulation type has its unique properties,
Conduction of glass means that the cool air in the cavity radiant heat flow. Radiant heat flows across the
and will do a good job when used appropriately.
Conduction occurs when will settle near the bottom of the window. That building envelope primarily occur through trans­
Batt type insulation is the most commonly
the molecules within a solid explains why condensation usually starts at parent surfaces - that is why windows are good
used product in residential construction. It is
object are excited by a heat the bottom of windows in winter. Similarly, in solar collectors when in the sun and thermal
usually made from glass or mineral fibres. Batts
source applied to one part uninsulated or poorly insulated walls, the air in holes when out of the sun, on the north side, or
are used indoors and must be protected from
of the object. The molecules the dead space sets up thermal currents - as the at night. New window coatings are designed to
moisture. Recently, new materials used for batts
pass the energy from one to warm interior warms, the air rises and is replaced address some of these heat transfer issues.
include cotton and wool.
by falling cool air against the exterior side. Heat transfer by conduction through the build­
Loose fill insulation can be a variety of
ing envelope is dependent on the surface area,
products that are blown into place. Typically,
the temperature difference and the thermal resist­
these are chopped glass fibres, mineral wool and
ance. As a formula, it is expressed as:
cellulose. Other loose fill products are vermicu-
Manufacturers of reflective insulation have long claimed miraculous lite (which is an expanded mineral) and pearlite.
Q = A x dT
value for their products. Aluminum foil does offer reasonable insulat­ Spray cellulose insulation is available in a variety
R
ing value in some applications when installed correctly. However, the of formulations. Some are sprayed with a small
Where:
radiant component of heat loss in the temperature range seen in houses of quantity binder to glue the fibres together.
Q = heat transfer
in most cases is a very small part of total heat loss. A variety of rigid foam products is available.
A = area of the element
In some cases test results are extrapolated from a test for a specific Their rigidity and R-value depends on the density
dT = temperature difference between inside
application under one set of conditions with the implication that this will and nature of the material.
and outside
work the same way across the total envelope of the house in all climate Extruded polystyrene (XPS) is manufactured
R = thermal resistance of the material or as­
conditions. This, of course, is not correct. by extruding a hot mass of polystyrene using a
Radiation sembly
For example, a floor over an uninsulated crawl space that is insulated refrigerant gas which expands at atmospheric
Radiation is heat transfer through the space
with only a foil sheet on the bottom side of the floor joists can provide pressure. This typically has an R-value of 5 per
between a warm body and a cooler object. Radi­ R-value is a measure of the ability of a mate­
fairly effective insulation. This is because of the nature of heat flows. inch thickness.
ant heat transfer is blocked by opaque materi­ rial to resist heat flow. R-values are determined
The reflective foil, which has a low emissivity, does not emit much heat. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is made by
als between the source and the receiving body. by a laboratory test under defined conditions.
Being exposed to an air space, on the underside of the floor the reflective expanding polystyrene beads in a mould. The R-
For example, the sun’s heat energy reaches us Actual heat loss will depend on how well
property will work. value depends on the product density.
through the vacuum of space to heat the earth. the insulation has been installed, the air leakage
However, if the foil is applied to the wall, the wall must be strapped Polyisocyanurates are rigid boards made with
We are warm in the direct sunshine, but if a through the insulation and its moisture content.
to create an air-tight space; otherwise the reflective properties of the a chemical reaction. These have a higher R-value For information on the R-
cloud crosses over or we move into the shade of The more gaps and cavities there are in the
foil will not be effective. If the wall is strapped vertically, the vertical but also lose some insulating value because the 2000 Program, contact
a tree or building, it becomes significantly cooler. space, the lower the insulation value. That is why
channels between the interior finish and the foil offer the opportunity for blowing agent gases escape over time. your local program
The heat given off by a wood stove is trans­ building designers are interested not only in the
convective loops to be generated, especially if the outside of the foil is Spray-in-place foam insulation products office, or call
ferred by radiant energy. The discomfort we R-value of the insulation material itself, but also
cold, so mass insulation must be installed on the exterior. combine two ingredients in a chemical reaction 1-800-387-2000
feel in front of a large picture window on a cold in the construction of the whole assembly. As
at the time of installation. These products require www.R-2000.ca
winter night is caused by the radiant heat loss well, water is an excellent conductor of heat.
6 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 7
Reflective Insulation Materials Used
qualified applicators. Two types of spray foam Natural products such as straw bales are also
Under Concrete Slabs
are commonly used. A closed-cell polyurethane, used as insulation. However, the low insulation
which is airtight and has a low permeability with level per unit thickness (an R-value of about 2
A heated basement floor slab requires insula­ between the concrete and the gravel, the system
an R-value of about 6 per inch thickness. The per inch thickness) means that they require spe­
tion underneath it to keep the heat in. A com­ R-value is R-1.95 which results in a heat loss
second is an open cell foam which has an R- cial design considerations, as walls will be thick
mon detail is 3 to 4 inch thick concrete floor slab reduction of 56% when compared to the same
value of about 3.5 per inch thickness. - typically the thickness of a bale of hay, which
on 4 to 6 inches of gravel, with in-floor radiant concrete floor system without insulation. This is
Low density, open-cell spray foam insula­ is about 2 feet. Two-foot-thick walls are not like­
heating. In BC, the Building Code requires a the source of some of the extravagant claims for
tion products (such as Icynene or Demilec) are ly to be considered for compact urban sites. O
minimum of R-12 under the slab. foil insulation products. However, the total R-
airtight but vapour permeable, so they require
Some suppliers are promoting the use of value for the floor system is still less than 2.
vapour diffusion retarders.
reflective insulation materials. However, these It is important to note that the calculation
floor systems do not incorporate an air space used to generate the example described above
adjacent to the aluminum foil surface(s) of the does not include any additional thermal benefit
Reflective Insulation
reflective insulation material, so the reflective resulting from the aluminum surface(s) of the
Reflective insulations offer an alternative Reflectance and emittance are expressed in component of the insulation cannot work. reflective insulation material, since there is no air
to conventional bulk materials used to reduce numbers between 0 and 1. In the case of opaque The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers As­ space under the slab. In other words, the reflec­
heating and cooling loads in buildings. Howev­ materials, the reflectance plus emittance always sociation (RIMA) set out to clarify the expected tive insulation material is performing similar to a
er, they require one or more enclosed air spaces. equals 1. performance of reflective insulation materials non-reflective insulation material.
When a low-emittance surface is posi­ Aluminum foils or metallized films have an used in under slab applications. ASTM C 168, ASTM C 727, and ASTM C
tioned perpendicular to the direction of heat flow emittance of about 0.03 to 0.1. The correspond­ Calculations were done based on steady state 1224 define a reflective insulation as a thermal
it can reduce the thermal radiation across the ing reflectances are 0.97 to 0.9. A good reflector conditions for a heated slab with an assumed insulation consisting of one or more surfaces
adjacent air space and the R-values can be meas­ must remain clean and dust free. Accumulation ground temperature of 55 °F and temperature of having an emittance of 0.1 or less, which equates
ured or calculated. of dirt and dust lowers the foils’ effectiveness. the water in the heating pipes at 125 °F. When a to a reflectance of 0.9. 0
The reflectance of a surface on an opaque The R-value of a reflective insulation reflective insulation material (R-1.10) is located
material is the fraction of incoming thermal system depends on the distance across the air
radiation that is reflected and not absorbed by space in the direction of heat flow, the tempera­
Infra-red cameras can be a good diagnostic
Heat Loss in Pictures
the surface. ture difference across the air space, the emittance
tool to identify locations of heat loss, poorly
Emittance is a measurement of how ef­ of the surfaces facing the enclosed air space, the installed or missing insulation, thermal bridg­
ficiently a surface gives off heat in the form of average temperature of the air space, and the ing through framing and even hidden moisture
thermal radiation. Thermal emittance is the ratio direction of heat flow. locations. We pointed an infra-red camera at two
of radiant energy leaving a surface at a given The direction of heat flow is important randomly selected houses in North Vancouver
temperature to that of the radiant energy from a because natural convection can occur in the and observed where heat is leaking.
“black body” at the same temperature. A perfect enclosed air space. The amount of the convec­ A common heat loss area is the foundation.
black body gives off 100% of the possible radia­ tive heat transfer will depend on the direction of Continuous foundation insulation is often over­
tion at a given temperature. heat flow because it is the result of differences in looked, yet it is an important area for heat loss.
air density (buoyancy) that are caused by differ­
ences in temperature. Heat transfer by convec­
tion is less significant for heat flow down than
The R-value for a single reflective air space at an average temperature
for heat flow up. As a result the R-values for
of 75°F, with a temperature difference of 30°F:
reflective insulations are greatest for heat flow
^for an air space of 0.75” the R-value for heat flow up is 1.73, for down and least for heat flow up when all other
House built about 5 years ago. It has a slab-on-
heat flow down is 3.55 factors are equal.
grade, with in-floor radiant heating. The slab is
^for an air space of 1.5” the R-value for heat flow up is 1.90, for heat This is why they are especially effective
insulated with rigid insulation under the slab, as
flow down is 6.05 in roof spaces, on the underside of roof rafters,
required by the BC Building Code. The white areas
and in hot climate conditions when cooling is a
show maximum heat loss. Heat loss occurs at the
consideration. O
ceiling, probably the result of air leakage. The
second area of considerable heat loss is at the grade
From: Reflective Insulation for Residential and Commercial
line, as the slab edge seldom is insulated.
Applications by David W Yarbrough, R&D Services Inc. on • sixty year old house. Uninsulated basement
the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers’ Association web site:
and poorly insulated and sealed ceiling are major
www.rima.net
locations of heat loss, as are the single glazed
windows.
8 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 9
You Asked Us: Technical Research Committee News
Why we don’t see many Trombe walls in our
climate? Indoor Air Quality Assessment
Tool
Trombe walls, named after Felix Trombe, Keith Funk, a Saskatoon builder, incorporated M
a French solar pioneer, are south-facing heavy Trombe walls into the design of modest passive Many building materials and furnishings emit tion. It can also be used to find out how long it
mass walls located inside just behind south­ solar energy homes on the prairies. The monitor­ chemicals called volatile organic compounds will take for the emission concentration to fall
facing windows. The mass walls are intended ing of these and other projects throughout the US (VOCs), which can adversely affect the health of below the guideline.
to store solar heat collected during the day to showed the importance of designing buildings to building occupants. VOCs are present in varying The software should be ready for downloading
provide heat at night. Trombe popularized match the climate of the location. degrees in all building products. They are also from the IRC web site soon. It will not be some­
the concept in the 1960s, although it was first It became evident that in northern latitudes, emitted from many consumer products such as thing that everyone will need to rush out and get Canadian
patented in the US in 1881. The south-facing with the short winter days and low sun angles cleaning solvents and aerosols. a copy of, but it will be another tool for those
Home Builders'
mass structure is a concept that has been well and (especially on the prairies) the extremely How people react to VOCs varies from person who need to address specific issues on a project.
to person, but we do know that there can be reac­ Association
understood for centuries by traditional builders in cold climate, the amount of energy available
tions. As awareness of VOCs has increased in
many parts of the world. from the sun was not enough to properly charge a
Trombe’s early examples were built in the thermal mass. It was found that the thermal mass recent decades, there were two problems facing R-value Labelling
designers and builders. The first was the lack of
Pyrenees in southern must be carefully sized for the climate and avail­ The US Federal Trade Commission has
standards for consistently quantifying the nature
France, a climate with able solar resource. explicitly defined how home insulation product
and concentrations of these compounds, of which
some resemblance to In addition, in cold climates, large windows R-values can be advertised (Rule for Labelling
there are hundreds. The second was the diffi­
that of the Southwest­ should have good movable insulation to protect and Advertising of Home Insulation - “R-value
culty in linking the compounds to health effects.
ern United States, such against nighttime heat loss; otherwise some heat
Rule”). The FTC requires manufacturers and
Although it has been known that VOCs could
as in Arizona and New from the mass wall will be lost outward. Add­
adversely affect air quality, there has been little suppliers to use specific test procedures for
Mexico. These are ing movable insulation, a mechanical element
guidance to help designers select materials that measuring the R-value of reflective insulations
climates with intense subject to maintenance and occupant opera­
would reduce harmful emissions. with single and multiple sheets. It also contains
sunshine, relatively uni­ tion, is asking for trouble because it will not be
A consortium organized by the NRC Institute requirements for measuring and labelling insula­
form hours of daylight, maintained over time. This is one observation
for Research in Construction in the late 1990s tion materials with foil facing.
with hot days and cold that has been made in the case of the Vancouver
nights. This means there townhouses. sought to address this lack of data. The research­ Manufacturers must provide the R-value
is fairly constant solar intensity and a need for There is also a design constraint imposed by ers started by identifying 90 VOCs emitted information for their insulation on labels, in fact
from building materials, about half of which are
daytime shade to reduce overheating and night­ the need to have south-facing windows with a sheets, and in advertising.
known to be potentially harmful to human health.
time heating. mass element behind them, thus limiting the The FTC has noted that some suppliers have
More research is needed to determine safe expo­
The principle of the Trombe wall is simple. views, light, and direct sunlight into the home. marketed foil-faced bubble-pack or foam prod­
sure levels for each type of VOC, taking into ac­
South- facing windows are placed in front of a So while the Trombe wall works well in some ucts for use in concrete floor systems claiming
count the variations in human sensitivity. In the
mass wall. The mass wall may also incorporate regions, we have learned that it is not the most
that such products provide a high R-value (R-5 to
meantime, it is generally accepted that it is good
vents at top and bottom to allow convection air appropriate approach for Canadian climates.
10), largely on account of their reflective quali­
practice to keep VOC emissions in buildings as
currents to rise up the wall and move heat into Good energy conservation strategies, improve­
low as possible. ties. Such claims are misleading and could harm
the house when heat is needed during the day. ments in window technology, along with opti­
The research team developed test standards so the ability of builders and other consumers to
Dampers prevent nighttime reversal of cold air. mizing a home’s passive solar design go a long
that emissions could be measured consistently. make appropriate insulation choices. They note
At night, when heat is needed, the back of the way to addressing energy needs without the
mass wall itself acts as a radiant surface for the design constraints provided by a south-facing The new test protocols were used to test the that “It is well accepted that reflective insulations The Technical Research
interior. composition of emissions from commonly used must have an air space adjacent to the reflec­ Committee (TRC) is the
mass wall. O
building materials. This information became the industry’s forum for the
In the 1970s efforts to improve performance tive material to be effective. Such air spaces
exchange of information
starting point for a database, which has become
included the design and installation of insulating are unlikely to exist under concrete slabs. We on research and devel­
a part of a software package called MEDB-IAQ.
curtains to roll down in front of the mass wall are unaware of data to suggest that the reflective opment in the housing
to reduce the heat loss from the mass wall to the The database now contains more than 2,600 qualities of these products will yield any signifi­ sector.
outside. combinations of materials and chemicals. Canadian Home Build­
cant benefits when they are installed under slabs. ers’ Association, Suite
MEDB-IAQ software is a tool that can pre­
Many buildings and houses with Trombe Foil-faced material installed in such a way is 500, 150 Laurier Ave.
walls were built in North America in the later dict the chemical concentrations in a room for West, Ottawa, Ont. K1P
1970s and 1980s during the flush of enthusiasm given materials and ventilation conditions. For unlikely to function as a reflective insulation”. 5J4
instance, it can be used to determine whether the FTC guidelines published in 1980 state that Tel: [phone]
for solar applications and energy conservation as
a result of the oil shock of the 1970s. In Canada, designer’s choice of materials and ventilation a reflective product installed without the benefit eF-maxa:i l:( 6c1h3b)a [email protected]
a townhouse project was built in Vancouver, and strategies can meet a specific air quality guide­ of an adjacent airspace will have what can be www.chba.ca
line such as that of the World Health Organiza­ termed its “material R-value.” This is simply the
10 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 11
R-value of the mass insulation material, as tested the conditions under which the stated system
Key findings are:
in accordance with standard procedures testing. R-value can be attained in connection with any
Combination Space & Water Heating Systems
If the same foil-faced product is installed with system R-value claim. A simple description of Surveys of homeowners indicate that the users Combination space and water heater systems (“combos”) were first in­
an adjacent airspace, it may have what is called the system R-value, such as “system R-value of are happy with the systems, and that the installed troduced into Canada about twenty years ago. Early combo systems were
a “system R-value” which includes the benefits 6.2” does not comply with the Rule. Similarly, systems are working with no major problems. available from a small number of manufacturers as packaged systems or
of the material’s reflective qualities plus its mass the simple notation that the system R-value is “as They provide the required output for space heat­ (more often) as field-assembled systems where the installer assembled
insulation properties. per ASTM C518” is not enough. Manufacturers ing and water heating. The installers indicated and packaged an air handler with a water heater or tank, circulating pump
FTC’s R-value Rule recognizes that mass • must specifically disclose the thickness of the they would install the equipment (and similar and related controls. At the time they were promoted as a way to reduce
insulation materials with reflective facings can airspace, the specific installation conditions and
generic equipment) again in other customers’ costs and increase the overall energy utilization and potentially increase
have two different R-values, depending on the the configuration necessary to obtain the system
homes. the efficiency of space and domestic water heating systems.
manner of installation. Insulation materials with R-value.
Homeowners generally believed they were Problems with combo systems were quickly noted, mostly relating to
foil facings must first be tested for the R-value Suppliers or manufacturers who violate
benefiting from state-of-the-art equipment. the system capacities, thermal comfort, and service warranties. Water
of the material alone (excluding any airspaces). the FTC Rule are subject to penalties of up to
Almost all believed that the indoor air quality of heaters were often inadequate and distribution systems were not properly
Then, a second test can be done to determine the $11,000 per violation. 0
their homes had improved because of the inte­ sized. As a result, the industry tried to develop design guidelines. One
system R-value by adding the tested R-value of
grated ventilation systems. However, many did of the first widely distributed guideline documents that covered the use
the material plus the R-value of the airspace. A letter explaining the FTC requirements is posted
not know how to adjust the ventilation rates of of combo systems was developed in British Columbia with support from
Because the system R-value of these materi­ on the Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association
their system. BC Gas in 1994.
web site: www.rima.net
als will depend on a number of factors, such as
Details of the FTC R-value Rule are available on The way that heating equipment system loads These guidelines became the core of current design standards for com­
the thickness and configuration of the air space
the FTC web site: nninu ftc. eov/enenn’ are normally sized needs to be reexamined bination mechanical systems.
and the direction of the heat flow, the manu­
because adequate credit is not given for internal
facturer must state clearly and conspicuously
gains associated with appliances and other inter­
nal gains. Overall the integrated systems were
Site audits revealed problems at some installations. These include:
found to operate at average daily system loads
Field Performance of Integrated Mechanical Systems
that amounted to between 10 and 29 percent of
♦ Controls to activate the high-speed ventilation mode had not been
their design capacities.
installed.
Integrated mechanical systems that provide The performance assessment of the units once Current practice is to size a system to provide
♦ The ventilation systems were not operational because dampers had not
heating, ventilation and space heating in a single installed was carried out over two years in homes at least 100% of the design-heating load (plus
been properly connected.
system are becoming increasingly common. A in different regions of the country to assist each an extra allowance) regardless of whether any
♦ In most locations, the ventilation airflows were not balanced within
number of manufacturers are now putting pack­ manufacturer in refining their products. supplemental heating appliance such as a gas
the manufacturers’ specifications. This may have been the result of the
aged systems on the market. Although the intent was to evaluate system fireplace or a woodstove is available. If the siz­
manufacturers’ unfamiliarity with the efficient variable-speed program­
Because of the need to improve energy ef­ installation in real-world applications, most of ing practice for a central system were revised to
mable blower motors that they had incorporated in their products. All
ficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the installations were performed at “friendly” reduce or eliminate the contingency factor and to
of the integrated systems used a single blower motor to provide air
the residential sector, the federal government has sites, and in most cases the “installer” was also take other heat sources into account, the central
circulation and at least one of the ventilation airflow.
been supporting the development and deploy­ the manufacturer. While installing the first pro­ system could be downsized, and the overall oper­
♦ Differences in the duct resistance between the laboratory and the field
ment of new technologies. The eKOCOM­ duction products in friendly sites makes a great ating efficiency of the system would increase.
affected the flows as well as the balance between the circulation flow
FORT™ name and trademaik was developed by deal of sense, in order that any problems with the The existing furnace and boiler AFUE (an­
and ventilation flow.
the manufacturers for product branding, licens­ systems could be quickly and quietly resolved, nual fuel utilization efficiency) ratings do not
♦ Two of the integrated products did not operate correctly using a com­
ing, and marketing to identify this new class the number of “friendly installations” reduced to reflect the efficiency losses under part load
monly available HVAC thermostat until the system control boards were
of H VAC products. (Solplan Review No. 124, the effectiveness of the survey. operation. The laboratory test procedures for
upgraded. This problem had not been identified in the test laboratory.
(Sept. 2005). Despite these shortcomings, the study pro­ integrated (and other) HVAC systems need
duced valuable findings that are applicable not to place greater emphasis in part-load system
Do these products really work as only for the manufacturers, but also provide performance. A new CSA R10 standard that is
intended?
lessons for designers, installers and builders. being developed for Integrated Mechanical Sys­
eKOCOMFORT™ Field
Assessment Program CMHC and NRCan carried out a joint study Installers who do site integration of disparate tems will include a part load performance testing
Prepared for CMHC to evaluate the performance of early production components will also benefit. section.
National Office by Peter samples of these integrated systems developed
Edwards Co. by several independent Canadian manufacturers.
12 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 13
Sir Sir,
Points To Consider When Laying Out a Did You Know? I have been in the construction trade since the Re: Air Tightness Testing (Solplan Review
Heating System early 1960s. Over the years I have seen many No. 125, November 2005)
changes. I have also been fortunate enough to I’ve read Solplan Review for years and always
Although the need for as well as the use of
The physical location of the system in the home and the duct layouts residential ventilation systems has not been work in BC, where I was very disappointed with felt that it makes a positive contribution to the
the construction skills I saw. building industry. As a building scientist I was
can affect the performance of a heating and ventilation system. as widely accepted in the US as it has been in
In the mid 1980s I was in rural Ontario and pleased to see your article on “Air Tightness
A central installation is desirable to optimize the distribution effec­ Canada and Europe, US codes are increasingly
tiveness of heating and ventilation ducts. recognizing that ventilation systems are needed became interested in the R2000 concept. I can Testing” in the November 2005 edition. Letters to
honestly say it was well worth the investment, However, I should point out an error in your
Although ventilation duct energy losses are not currently incorpo­ as homes become more energy-efficient.
but trying to educate others was to no avail. discussion of ACH50 in the section “What do Air the Editor
rated into the performance ratings for HRVs, long ventilation duct runs One indication of the emerging recognition Other contractors convinced their clients to build test Numbers Mean”. The statement: “Another
increase energy losses from the basement zone to both the supply air and of the need for ventilation in the US (and the houses approaching the R2000 standard and got way to Convert ACH at 50 Pa to “natural” air
exhaust air ducts. A location near an external wall that minimizes the success that the Canadian HRV suppliers have themselves into big difficulties. I have been in changes per hour is to multiply the airflow at 50
length of “cold side” ventilation ductwork will improve the performance achieved) was the decision by US-based Broan many houses where I could sense mould in the Pa by 60 minutes per hour and divide the product
of the ventilation heat recovery system. While this is an issue for HRV Industries to purchase Venmar ventilation in air. However, 1 can honestly say I have never by the total heated building volume (including
installations, the ventilation duct lengths may be longer in integrated 1995. Further industry consolidation occurred once had any mould problems or air quality the basement) measured in cubic feet.” is not
systems than for stand alone HRVs. Thus integrated systems may need when Broan’s owner, Nortek, acquired Nutone. concerns. correct.
to have higher levels of insulation applied to their ventilation ducts than As a result, a single company now controls most I am convinced R2000 is the way to go, but In fact ACH at 50 Pa is equal to the CFM50
conventional HRVs. of the recognized ventilation brand names in because of the additional cost to build an R2000 x 60 minutes divided by the conditioned build­
house I have not been able to convince many ing volume. Converting an ACH50 to an ACH
A location close to a side-wall may also simplify the combustion North America.
people. Unfortunately, too many people don’t natural is as you indicated elsewhere quite prob­
venting of the integrated system.
understand the concept. I believe that even many lematic, but using Persily’s method of dividing
local municipal authorities have not understood by 20 is a reasonable first order approximation.
the concept. Your “Another way” is not. It is the formula for
Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE): Energy Factor (EF): A measure of a water I have also had the opportunity to travel the calculating ACH50 given a CFM50 test result.
A measurement of the performance of a fur­ heater system’s overall efficiency expressed as world and I am still proud of the way we con­
nace or boiler operating as a space heater. It is the ratio of the energy supplied for heating water struct buildings here in Canada. David Hales
determined using a standard test procedure with to the total daily energy consumption of the wa­ Washington State University Energy Program
Murray Hebblethwait Spokane, WA
the heater operating at maximum capacity and at ter heater. It is based on a standard daily hot wa­
Dura-Built Enterprises
steady-state conditions. The test conditions used ter load of 243 litres with a standard temperature
Thanks for the correction. Ed.
for AFUE ratings are different from the way a rise of 42.8 C. An application rating is provided
Sir,
typical operates. Many boiler-based systems are with the same daily hot water draw volume, but
I’d like to express my appreciation for work
designed to cycle when operating in space-heat­ with the inlet water temperature lowered to pro­ you have done. I’ve been able to make good
OOPS! Re: P2000 Insulation
ing mode. duce a standard temperature rise of 50 C. use today of information from your Nov 2000
issue of Solplan Review (Ventilation in Existing
Houses). In Solplan Review 125 (November 2005) issue we discussed foil faced
r \ You have benefited many of us, so thanks insulation products, and made reference to P2000 insulation. We mentioned
\ energy efficient, sustainable, and healthy buildings Solplan Review Back issues Richard. that the product is not listed with CCMC. It has been brought to our at­
f \ design & consulting services Hope all is well with you. tention that this product has indeed been listed. There are two listings:
f
) R-2000 File Management A limited number of back issues are avail- 13180C (P2000 Silver Insulation) and 13202C (P2000 Bronze Insulation).
V J
HOT-2000 Analysis able at a special price of $5.50 each (plus 7% Our apologies to the manufacturer.
Roger Olson.
SuperE™ House Program Design Professional
GST).
Richard Kadulski Architect Bundle special: a random selection of back Thanks for the note. It’s always nice to hear that We note, however, that these listing are for the product as Expanded
issues (minimum 22 copies) are available for
our work is appreciated. Ed • Polystyrene Insulation Board, so the applicable properties are the same as
only $60.00 (plus 7% GST)
#204 - 1037 West Broadway for other EPS products. No additional credit is attributed to the foil fac­
Solplan Review
Vancouver, B.C. V6H 1E3 ing. We assume that if strapping is applied over the foil-faced side, the
Box 86627
Tel: [phone] North Vancouver, BC V7L 4L2 insulation upgrade for a wall system may be comparable to that of the of
Fax: [phone] e-mail: [email protected] the foil in the Reflectix system (CCMC 12342).
e-mail: [email protected]
vy
14 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 15
Building Practice Notes No. 31 Thermal Envelope Houses (1982, 1.41 mb)
IAQ Resources Canada will be offering their indoor Indoor Air Quality and Housing
No. 32 A Study of the Construction Process (1982,
air quality and housing durability workshop series in
Between 1976 and 1986 the National Research Council of Canada issued 946kb)
Vancouver, Kelowna, Nanaimo, and Victoria, BC and Durability Courses
a series of notes that presented observations, explanations and guidelines No. 33 Not available
in Markham, ON.
No. 34 Improvement of Airtightness in Four Schools
on a wide variety of everyday building issues and concerns. Although the
The workshop series will help housing practitio­
(1982, 1.06mb) fied, systematic, building science-based investigation
series has been discontinued for a long time, much of the information remains ners to improve their decision-making and on-the-job
No. 35 Recommendations for Improving the Safety of to identify IAQ and housing durability concerns.
relevant today. Copies of the notes (in Adobe .pdf format) available from the skills. The sessions will be of interest to renovators;
Stairs (1982, 2.89mb) Through visual case studies and small group sessions,
NRC web site: http://irc.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/pubs/bpn/index_e.html builders; housing inspectors and building officials;
No. 36 Not available participants will learn how to conduct a brief, effective
property and housing managers; HVAC profession­
No. 1 Not available No. 37 Building Envelope Design Using Metal and Glass investigation, consider their observations and create an
als; home maintenance and repair practitioners; public
No. 2 A Survey of Some Problems with Brick Masonry Curtain Wall Systems (1982, 2.92mb) action plan for the client.
health professionals; real estate and insurance profes­
No. 38 Low Energy Prairie Housing: A Survey of Some Mould Assessment and Clean-Up: Residential,
Buildings (1976, 3.52mb)
sionals; and other housing practitioners.
No. 3 Adding Insulation to House Attics (1976, 655kb) Essential Features (1982, 1.55mb) The Essentials focuses on breaking down the process
Each session offers practical approaches and re­
No. 4 The Effect of Increased Insulation on Exposed No. 39 Building Drawings Checklist: Structural Drawings of assessing and cleaning up residential mould con­
sources that can be used immediately. The sessions can
Bituminous Roofing Membranes (1977, 1.01 mb) for Housing (1982, 2.51 mb) tamination into 13 manageable tasks.
be taken individually or as a series.
No. 5 Quality Control in Preparing Masonry Mortar No. 40 Building Drawings Checklist: Mechanical Draw­ Session dates are:
Resolving IAQ and Housing Durability Con­
(1977, 1.27mb) ings for Housing (1982, 3.43mb) Feb. 15-17,2006 Vancouver, BC
cerns: The Essentials looks at causes of and solutions
No. 6 Energy Conservation and Roofs (1977, 3.55mb) No. 41 Building Drawings Checklist: Electrical Drawings Feb. 20-22,2006 Kelowna, BC
for indoor air quality and housing durability concerns.
No. 7 Damage to Brick and Stone Veneer on Tall Build­ for Housing (1983, 2.57mb) March 1-3,2006 Nanaimo, BC
Visual case studies are used to explain basic building
ings (1978, 332kb) No. 42 Rain Leakage ofResidential Windows in the Lower March 6-8, 2006 Victoria, BC
science (how a house “works” as a system), pollut­
No. 8 The Use of Vapour Barriers Under Concrete Slabs Mainland of British Columbia (1984, 1.33mb) April 25-27, 2006 Markham, ON
ant sources (e.g., building materials, house operation
on Ground (1978, 622kb) No. 43Not available
issues, mechanical system deficiencies), health issues,
No. 9 Fire Detectors for the Home (1978, 1.53mb) No. 44 How to Reduce Noise Transmission Between More details:
moisture, mould and other biological or chemical
No. 10 How Dry is your Basement Floor? (1978, Homes (Apartments) (1983, 2.27mb) IAQ Resources Canada
problems.
637kb) No. 45 Not available www. iaqresourcescanada. com
Investigating IAQ and Housing Durability Con­
No. 11 Not available No. 46 Building Drawings Checklist: Landscape Draw­ Tel. [phone]
cerns: An Efficient Method demonstrates practical
No. 12 Rain Penetration and Masonry Wall Systems ings (1984, 3.48mb) Fax. [phone]
tools, techniques and checklists to perform a simpli-
(1979, 934kb) No. 47 Surveying an Older House: Inspection Checklist
No. 13 Rain Penetration and Design Detail for Masonry (1984, 1.95mb)
Walls (1979, 1.6mb) No. 48 Stair Calculator (1984, 565kb) Wheatboard Production
No. 14 Accessible Pedestrian Systems For Those With No. 49 Field Visits to Moisture Troubled Housing in a
Ceases
Maritime Climate (1984, 1.7mb)
Physical Disabilities (1979, 7.51 mb)
No. 15 Building Your Own House: Some Useful Tips No. 50New Roofing Materials (1984, 3.19mb)
Dow Chemical Canada Inc. has announced
(1979, 2.56mb) No. 51 Installation Practice and Reliability of Add-On
that Dow BioProducts, a division of Dow
No. 16 Workmanship and Rain Penetration of Masonry Heat Pumps (1985, 1.92mb)
Walls (1980, 1.27mb) No. 52The Principles and Dilemmas of Designing Canada, will no longer operate and will cease ENEREADY
Durable House Envelopes for the North (1985, manufacturing operations of Woodstalk™
No. 17 Insulated Window Shutters (1980, 699kb)
No. 18 Wind Loads on Low Buildings (1981, ].49mb) 5.65mb) brand products from its plant in Elie, Manitoba
No. 19 Not available No. 53 Accessibility Requirements in theNational Build­ by December 31, 2005. Motor Replacement Kits for Saskatoon-built van EE®
No. 20 Estimating Energy Savings from Reinsulating ing Code of Canada 1985 (1985, 1.15mb) In June 2001, Dow BioProducts was created and ENEREADY vanEE® Heat Recovery Ventilators:
Houses (1981, 5.24mb) No. 54The Difference Between a Vapour Barrier and an through the acquisition of a majority of the • Model R200 • Model 10OO • Model 2000
No. 21 Insulation Retrofitting : A Case History (1981 Air Barrier (1985, 3.04mb) assets of Isobord Enterprises and produced
2.91 mb) No. 55 Energy Considerations in the Design ofNorthern
WOODSTALK, a more environmentally-
No. 22 Termites and Carpenter Ants (1981, 5.16mb) Housing (1985, 2.2mb)
friendly, high quality alternative to wood-based
No. 23 Not available No. 56Controlling Sound Transmission into Buildings
medium density fiberboard (MDF) and particle
No. 24 Performance of Add-On Heat Pumps in Various (1985, 1.87mb)
Parts of Canada (1981, 1,37mb) No. 57The Ventilation of Insulated Roofs (1985, board, using straw as the principal ingredient.
No. 25 The Soundproof Basement (1981, 1.31 mb) 935kb) While Dow BioProducts refined the manu­
No. 26 Estimating Temperature Gradients and Dew No. 58 Benchmark Procedure to Evaluate Computer- facturing process and improved the quality of
Point Temperatures for Building Envelopes Aided Design and Drafting Systems for Building the product over the past five years, the de­
(1982, 4.37mb) Industry Applications (1985, 1.12mb) mand for a high-quality, low VOC fiberboard
No. 27 Mark XI Energy Research Project: Summary of No. 59 Conformance to Barrier-Free Design Criteria : product did not develop enough to generate
Results, 1978-1981 (1982, 2.91 mb) Accessibility Compliance Checklist for Office
the returns necessary to sustain the business.
No. 28 Factors Affecting Efficiency in the Production of Buildings (1985, 967kb)
This, coupled with higher operating costs due
Architectural Drawings (1982, 3.04mb) No. 60Not available
No. 29 Building Drawings Checklist : Architectural No. 61 Shear Resistance of Wood Frame Walls (1985, to increased natural gas and oil prices made it E#N4 E-R 6E4A2D0 YB ePrReOsfoDrUd CSTt.S, LBTuDrn. abTye, l B(6ri0tis4h) 4C3o3lu-5m6b9ia7, CFaAxN (A6D04A) V4358E- 819B066
Drawings (1982, 3.33mb) 813kb) difficult for Dow to justify continued operation
No. 30 Design and Construction of Low Energy Houses No. 62Guide to the Most Effective Locations for of the business and the plant. O
in Saskatchewan (1982, 1.34mb) Smoke Detectors in Residential Buildings (1986,
486kb)
16 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 17
Energy Answers
What would be the very best window for tallic spacer bar with an excellent air and vapour low conductivity spacer bar and low conductivity Generic Window Properties
a south orientation for passive solar heating seal would be my choice. frame.
And if money were truly no object, I would Windows are arranged in descending order of Solar Heat Gain Coefficients
in the southern parts of Canada?
6. Low conductivity frame
put two quadruple glazing units in series, and Solar Heat Gain R Value
To my knowledge, no manufacturer makes A non-metallic material would be my choice. vent the space between the two units to the Coefficient (h-ft2-°F/BTU)
such a window, but below is the window that Glass fibre extruded sections filled with polyure­ outside. Single glazing, uncoated 0.90 1.06
I would choose if money were no object and a thane would likely be my pick.
Double glazing, uncoated, air 0.76 2.08
manufacturer would assemble it. The window is 7. Modest frame dimensions What are some heat transfer properties Triple glazing, uncoated, air 0.68 2.94
also assumed to have good visual properties. (An
The narrower the frame size, the greater the for commercially available windows?
Double glazing, low-e = 0.1, argon 0.65 2.85
aerogel sandwiched between two sheets of glass
amount of solar radiation that can enter the
fibre would not be visually acceptable.) The two heat transfer properties of great­ Triple glazing, two low--e =0.1, air 0.41 4.00
window.
With a south-facing window optimized for est interest are the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient Triple glazing, two low-e=0.1, argon 0.41 4.35
passive solar gain, you want to maximize the 8. Operable Windows (SHGC) and the overall window R-value. The Quadruple glazing, two low-e =0.1, argon 0.26* 5.26
Rob Dumont solar gain while minimizing the heat losses. If operable, the window should have excellent values shown in the table below are for the entire
Quadruple glazing, two low e-=0.1, krypton 0.26* 5.26
There are many parts to an outstanding win­ air tightness characteristics. window including both the glass and the frame.
dow. Here’s my choice for the very best: Also very important is the air leakage value for
* Estimated from the table in the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, Ch 31,
The attached figure shows a window that has a the window, but it assumed that this will be very Table 13, 2005
1. Glazing
number of the above characteristics. The graphic low. ** Quadruple glazing with krypton is assumed to have 1/4 inch spaces between
The glass would be low-iron to ensure high is from the Saskatchewan Advanced House The following table is from the ASHRAE the panes.
transmittance of solar radiation. (Conventional *** To convert R-values to metric quantities, divide the values in the above table
booklet produced by Sunridge Residential. Handbook of Fundamentals (Chapter 31, Tables
by 5.678.
glass when viewed from the edge has a green
4 and 13, 2005 Edition.) Generic SHGC and R- **** For best winter performance, the low-e coatings should be positioned to yield
tint to it because of iron impurities.) Each
values are presented for various types of vertical a higher SHGC coefficient. Thus on a double glazed window, the low- e coating
glass layer would also have an anti-re­ Interior I ! Exterior windows with solar radiation at normal incidence should be on the surface 3, where surface 1 is on the outside of the outside
flection coating facing the outside to Gselaalzainngt with insulated fiberglass or vinyl frames, with a pane, surface 2 is on the inside of the outside pane. Surface 3 is on the outside
of the inner pane.
minimize reflection of the sun’s rays and
half-inch space between panes, and a fixed win­
improve transmittance. Some eyeglasses
dow (non-opening) type. The panes of glass are
and camera lenses use anti-reflection assumed to be 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick using clear For the non-south windows, the quad glazing
coatings. glass with and without low-e coatings. R-values would be the best, given that solar gains are low
2. Multiple glazing layers are quoted for winter, nighttime heat losses. on these orientations.
The window would likely have three There is a tradeoff, in that going for a high I don’t have any definitive information about
glazing layers, although 2 layers might be SHGC such as an uncoated doubleglazing yields the advantages of going to low-iron glass, but I
optimum in the warmer parts of southern a relatively high 0.76, but the R-value is not very would expect that the SHGC would increase a
Canada. high at 2.08. At the other extreme, a window few percentage points with that type of glass. O
with a low SHGC (quadruple glazed SHGC =
3. Low emissivity coatings
0.26) can have a much higher R-value of 5.26.
The purpose of the low-e coatings is to
For the south windows, assuming we have
reflect lower temperature long-wave ra­ chosen a window design with good spacers and K.W. DOORS & WINDOWS
diation back toward the warm side of the
frame material, there are several options that
window. A good low-e coating has high
could be chosen: double glazed with low-e and
transmittance to the higher temperature ♦Eclipse Folding Door Systems
argon, triple glazed with one low-e coated pane
shorter wave solar radiation.
and argon, triple glazed with two low-e coated ♦Douglas Fir Doors & Windows
4. Heavy gas fill. For non-south window orientations, what panes and argon. The double glazed unit has the
♦European Hardware Specialists
Krypton gas is the most practical available gas would be the very best choice? advantage of the higher solar heat gain; the triple
at present for the very best window, but argon is low-e argon unit has the advantage of a higher
For the non-south windows, I would opt Phone/fax: [phone]
used more frequently because of lower cost. Ar­ R-value. With the triple low-e the SHGC is 0.41
for a window that had the smallest heat loss.
gon, however, does not have as high a molecular vs. 0.65 for the double glazed unit with one low- 1-800-477-1577
The winter solar gains on east, west, and north
weight as krypton. Krypton has the performance e coating. This triple would admit only about
windows are modest compared with the south Visit us at
edge. 0.41/0.65 times or 0.63 times as much solar heat
window gains. A high R-value window would be
gain, and would thus have fewer problems with www.kwdoorsandwindows.com
5. Low conductivity spacer bar my choice.
overheating. VV
Most conventional windows use an aluminum My selection would be a quadruple glazed
spacer bar to keep the panes separate. A non-me- unit with three low-e coatings, krypton gas fill,
18 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 SOLPLAN REVIEW January 2006 19
tRCCtRC
NRC-IRC Guidelines for Basements
Released
Though they can be subject to greater struc­ conditions and indoor environments. This was with its intended use and occupancy. In most the materials’ and systems’ intended properties or
By Mike Swinton and John
tural, water and moisture loads than the above­ achieved by reviewing the performance require­ cases, exceeding minimum code requirements function.
Burrows
grade portions of a house, basements are often ments of the basement envelope and its related will be necessary to achieve acceptable levels of ♦ There are many different approaches
underrated or overlooked in terms of their systems, reviewing the performance capabilities performance corresponding to modem consumer to building a basement envelope and more are
construction. In fact, the basement is an integral of available constructions systems, and finally, expectations, especially for ’’Class A” finished emerging every year. Some may be more ap­
part of many North American homes. Today, sorting out the host of regulatory requirements basements. propriate than others to achieve the intended
consumers in Canada expect basements to pro­ that must be met by the building materials and ♦ Basement envelopes featuring mul­ performance at the lowest feasible cost to the
vide livable space of the same quality as the rest systems. tiple materials must generally be specified to consumer.
of the dwelling. The Guidelines record the technical rationale make sure that all of the functional requirements ♦ There is a balance to be achieved
Given the diversity of soil and climatic condi­ for specifying particular basement envelope expected are covered by at least one of those between first cost, cost of repair (including war­
tions faced by builders across Canada, it is not materials and systems based on the best informa­ materials or system of materials, and that all of ranty work), and cost of maintenance and opera­
always easy to achieve successful basement tion available today. In so doing, they provide a the materials are working together as a system. tion. That balance changes with conditions. The
construction. Problems can occur if construc­ communication link between materials manufac­ ♦ Designers and builders need to under­ Guidelines propose approaches for achieving a
tions are not well understood and not well suited turers and designers, specifiers, builders and their stand the intended roles of the materials and sys­ good balance.
to particular local conditions, as evidenced by the sub-contractors involved in the construction of tems to ensure assembly techniques don’t defeat
incidence of claims under new home warranty residential basements. Some of the major find­
programs. ings can be summarized as follows:
The Guidelines
Within the spectrum of site conditions across
the country, builders can come across ideal ♦ Performance expectations for environ­
The Guidelines are organized as follows:
situations for building basements. For example, mental separation have become higher as base­
there can be large lot sizes and natural slopes ments have been used more and more as living Part 1 - Performance Requirements for Basements - defines the general expectations of
that allow surface drainage away from the house space. The notion of classifying basements by basement function and performance, and introduces the concept of’’Basement Class” as a means
in all directions; local soils can be free draining their intended use and function is introduced to of identifying the intended use of the basement. This part also includes the technical performance
and stable; the water table can be well below the help designers identify which basement enve­ requirements - the structural requirements, the environmental separation functions, and the qualitative
footings; and the local climate can be relatively lope functions need to be stressed to achieve the properties of the envelope system such as buildability and durability.
dry most of the time. In such conditions a very intended use of the basement. As well, once the Part 2 - Basement Envelope System Selection - reviews the basement envelope systems that
basic basement configuration meeting minimum class of basement is identified, a consumer can can be selected to address the performance requirements. Environmental conditions (inside and out)
code requirements can perform adequately. understand the intent of original design. This and occupant expectations, combined with the selected envelope system, determines the performance
Nevertheless, it is improbable that all of those manages consumer expectations and permits requirements of the materials to be used within the construction system.
favourable conditions exist at every construction better basements to be valued properly. For
site. When the builder encounters challenging instance, ’’Class A’” basements are intended to be Part 3 - Selection of Materials and Equipment for the Basement System - identifies the roles
conditions in a given location, consideration finished livable spaces, and all of the functions of of the materials within the envelope system and indicates what performance characteristics have to be
should be given to additional measures that may the envelope need to be addressed well. A ’Class met by those materials for their given roles.
be needed beyond the code minimum to meet E” basement is a purely structural foundation Part 4 - Critical Design Details - addresses some key detailing issues such as the wall-soil inter­
those challenges. with essentially no environmental separation. face and window well detailing.
In order to provide better guidance and more Both can meet code, but the intended use defines
options for builders in this regard, the NRC the functional requirements, and the consumer Part 5 - Quality Assurance - reviews various quality control tools available to the Canadian con­
Institute for Research in Construction undertook can then understand how much was planned into struction industry.
a major study of basement design and construc­ the basement envelope to achieve its intended Part 6 - Basement System Cost/Benefit Analysis - introduces the concept of cost/benefit analysis
Mike Swinton is a group tion in the late 1990s. This work culminated in use. as a planning tool for achieving a balance between long-term basement performance and first cost, for
leader in the Building the development and recent release of a compre­ ♦ The National Building Code of Canada a range of scenarios and locations.
Envelope and Structure hensive document. Performance Guidelines for and applicable provincial codes cannot possibly
Program of the NRC Basement Envelope Systems and Materials. cover all the variations in conditions for base­ The Guidelines were developed under the guidance of a Steering Committee composed of industry
Institute for Research associations and government agency representatives. This committee oversaw the development of
ments. This leaves considerable decision-mak­
in Construction. He is Study Objective and General Findings ing responsibility to the designer or builder. The the Guidelines and ensured that they reflect the best collective knowledge of Canadian industry and
also research manager of The objective of the study was to develop Guidelines advocate that designers and build­ related public and private agencies. The NRC Institute for Research in Construction wishes to thank
the Canadian Centre for
design principles to assist in the development and ers carefully consider material and equipment all those who contributed to the project.
Housing Technology’. John
specification of basement envelope and mate­ selection within the context of the actual site and The complete report. Performance Guidelines for Basement Envelope Systems and Materials, has
Burrows is a freelance
technical writer in Ottawa. rial systems that perform better and last longer environmental exposure conditions where the been released and is available at no cost at: http:/ /ire, nre-enre. zc. ca/pubs/rr/rrl 99/index e. lit in I
for the broad range of Canadian climates, soil basement will be constructed, and in conjunction
l+l National Research Conseil national
Council Canada de recherches Canada