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How water gets into a structure, why it doesn't leave, and how these architectural flaws become HVAC headaches. This two-part article was first published in HPAC Engineering, December 2001 and… Read More
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Here we explore issues unique to Veterans Era Housing and present three cases where moisture problems were successfully addressed. Originally published in Home Energy November/December 2001, pages 33… Read More
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Multifamily public and low-income housing have particular problems when it comes to moisture and air pollutants. In this first of a two-part series, we look at one particular type of multifamily… Read More
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A multi-zone, single-gas, tracer gas decay measurement technique was used to test the ventilation systems of a single-story, slab-on-grade 1350 sq. ft. house in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a two-story,… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of undercutting bedroom doors to provide return airflow from bedrooms resulting in risks such as insufficient airflow, pressure imbalance, energy-inefficient loss of… Read More
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Info-803: What's Wrong With This Practice? Unsealed Conditioning Equipment Outside Conditioned Space
This article addresses the issue of unsealed conditioning equipment and ducts located outside the conditioned space in a vented attic, unconditioned crawlspace or basement resulting in risks such as… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of unsealed wall stud cavities used as a return air plenum located in a wall between a garage and living space resulting in risks such as indoor air quality issues… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of unsealed wall stud cavities or panned floor joists used as a return air plenum resulting in risks such as indoor air quality issues due to negatively pressurized… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of extra framing used unnecessarily around window openings resulting in extra costs of both time and materials that could potentially be avoided. Corrective measures… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of interior wall at exterior wall connection with excessive framing resulting in extra costs of both time and materials that could potentially be avoided by using… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of framing non-load bearing doors and windows using the same methods as load bearing walls resulting in extra costs of both time and materials that could potentially… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of supporting framing around windows resulting in extra costs of both time and materials that could potentially be avoided by using alternate construction techniques… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of horizontally layered site-made beam resulting in extra costs of both time and materials that could potentially be avoided by using alternate construction… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of site-made beam made by laying framing lumber down on the flat and building it up resulting in extra costs of both time and materials that could potentially be… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of interior door framed with an excessive amount of wood resulting in extra costs of both time and materials that could potentially be avoided by using alternate… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of inset flanged windows in a 2x6 wall resulting in a significant amount of extra wood around window opening resulting in extra costs of both time and materials that… Read More
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This article addresses the issue of top chord bearing truss in conventional residential construction framing in Phoenix AZ consuming considerably more wood than should have been used resulting in… Read More
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High performance homes—due to superior insulation, better performing windows and more efficient lighting and appliances, can be expected to have smaller sensible cooling loads than typical new homes… Read More
Hot-Humid
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Why a Ventilation System?All buildings require controlled mechanical ventilation, or the controlled, purposeful introduction of outdoor air to the conditioned space. Building intentionally leaky… Read More
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Why a Ventilation System?All buildings require controlled mechanical ventilation, or the controlled, purposeful introduction of outdoor air to the conditioned space. Building intentionally leaky… Read More
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On System Charging, Superheat and SubcoolingCheck charge on fixed orifice metering systems (piston or capillary tube) by measuring superheat. Superheat degrees are figured by taking the difference… Read More
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The performance of the cooling system will be evaluated and assured through a series of measurements including: air flow, pressures, temperatures, humidity levels, and power draw. To get off to the… Read More
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Ventilation system intakes must be sufficiently separated away from potential contaminant sources, and locations of dust and debris. Mechanical sealed combustion equipment intake should also be… Read More
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The Manual J (i.e. heating and cooling load) calculations typically yield the airflow requirements to the various rooms to meet those design loads. These airflow volumes are then used to size and lay… Read More
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Ductwork, furnaces and air handlers should be sealed against air leakage. The only place air should be able to leave the supply duct system and the furnace or air handling unit is at the supply… Read More
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The location of the duct system can have a significant impact on the overall performance of the system—both the utility use and the ability to provide comfort. The energy loss from the ducts for… Read More
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These systems are completely decoupled from the interior environment through the use of dedicated outdoor air intake and exhaust ducts connected directly to the unit. This change completely… Read More
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In climates where the average monthly temperature for the coldest month of the year goes below 45°F, the temperature of the slab perimeter may be below the dew point of interior air for a significant… Read More
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Crawlspaces should be designed and constructed as mini-basements. Crawlspaces should not be vented to the exterior (see FAQ on Crawlspace Venting). They should have their floors uninsulated, the… Read More
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Basements are part of a home, within the building boundary—despite repeated attempts over the years to disconnect them from the living space. Because of this, basements should be designed and… Read More
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Polyisocyanurate insulation is a common commercial and residential roof and wall insulation. It has one of the highest R-values per inch of thickness among common insulations.
However, labeled R-… Read More
Very Cold, Cold
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Cavity insulation combined with insulating sheathings are common in residential wall construction. Cavity insulations can be categorized as rolled batt; blown-in or loose-fill (fibrous insulation—… Read More
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The information presented has been compiled from:ASHRAE Fundamentals - 2001Moisture Control in BuildingsCMHCNRC/IRCIEA Annex 24Manufacturer dataWhen using this information, it MUST be done in the… Read More
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In building air barriers, the field of the opaque wall typically does not contribute strongly to the building’s overall air leakage. Instead, details that connect building components are often the… Read More
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Some common locations for large holes in the air barrier include bathtubs, showers, fireplace enclosures, and chimneys. Holes behind tub and shower enclosures are common, as these enclosures are… Read More
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Windows are elements of the building enclosure system that perform many building enclosure functions. One of the building enclosure functions that windows must fulfill is that of an air barrier. As a… Read More
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Typical penetrations through the primary components of the air barrier system include plumbing pipes and vents, electrical wires and conduits, electrical fixtures, other mechanical services, and, in… Read More
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Gypsum board drywall is, itself, a suitable air barrier material. The taping of drywall seams results in a plane of airtightness at the field of the wall. However, several steps must be taken to use… Read More
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Good design and practice involve controlling the wetting of building assemblies from both the exterior and interior and different climates require different approaches.Vapor Permeance… Read More
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As they are typically used in buildings today, vapor barriers are a cold climate artifact that has migrated into other climates more from ignorance than need. However, they often prevent assemblies… Read More
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The requirements in the code can be used for wood framed structures with temperature and humidity conditions typical of residential occupancy.Three classes of vapor control are defined depending on… Read More
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Managing exterior sources of liquid water, i.e. rainwater and groundwater, are one of the principal functions of the building enclosure system, and site work (refer to Information Sheets 101, and 301… Read More
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Claddings made of wood, fiber cement, stucco, concrete, and masonry all absorb water to varying degrees. Once the reservoirs get wet, the stored water can migrate elsewhere and cause problems.… Read More
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It is common practice to install a complete WRB on a wall assembly before attaching a deck ledger. Then, when the deck ledger is attached, structural connections at this location breech this water… Read More
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Gravity is the driving force behind drainage. The “down” direction harnesses the force of gravity and the “out” direction gets the water away from the building enclosure assemblies, openings,… Read More
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Window and doors are typically installed using one of two approaches: 1) barrier system installation or 2) a drained system installation. Barrier installations do not provide for forgiveness to water… Read More
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“Rain is the single most important factor to control in order to construct a durable structure.” - Dr. Joseph LstiburekDrainage planes (also referred to as “water resistive barrier” or WRB) are… Read More
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