Airflow

AIRFLOW
Weatherization Assistance Program Indiana Field Guide

Chapter 5 Airflow

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AIRFLOW
STANDARD - AIRFLOW
Controlling airflow for Weatherization requires establishing a strategy that reduces infiltration, yet ensures safe, healthful and efficient operation of the building and the systems within the building.

Procedure - Airflow
Establish a site specific minimum ventilation rate (MVR) and express in CFM 50.

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Determine pre-weatherization airflow rates using Blower Door and express in CFM 50. If structure is below the MVR, determine if adding mechanical ventilation is appropriate. If structure is below the MVR, airsealing should only be completed where bulk moisture could be delivered to the attic. Perform site specific diagnostics. Perform Blower Door assisted, cost-effective air sealing. Do not airseal below the established MVR. Concentrate efforts on major air leakage such as attic leakage sites, duct systems, interstitial connections, and obvious large holes. Determine post-weatherization airflow rates. Conduct post inspection and detailed health and safety tests including DSTO. Perform client education as needed.

STANDARD - SITE SPECIFIC AIRFLOW

A site specific airflow standard shall be established for every unit slated to receive weatherization. This standard is the minimum ventilation rate (MVR) as measured by blower door testing. It is determined by selecting one of the following three methods, whichever provides the highest airflow rate:

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Procedure - Determine MVR

1200 CFM@50 Pa is the baseline MVR. A whole building air change per hour (ACH) rate not less than .35 ACH (.4 ACH if building volume is used for combustion air) converted to CFM 50. An occupancy rate of not less than 15 CFM per person converted to CFM 50. Occupancy is generally considered to be number of bedrooms plus one. Use actual number of persons if higher than number of bedrooms plus one. Converting from CFM 50 to CFM Natural depends on several factors including climate, building height and wind shielding. Climate factors differ somewhat across Indiana. The following is an average for Indiana in determining natural infiltration rates: CFM 50 N = CFM Natural One Story House: N = 23 Two Story House: N = 18.5 Three Story House: N = 16 CFM 50 23 = CFM Nat CFM 50 18.5 = CFM Nat CFM 50 16 = CFM Nat

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Site Specific Airflow Standards

1. Baseline MVR Standard = 1200 CFM 50

2. .35 ACH (or .4 ACH) = House Volume (cu. ft.) x .35 = cu. ft. building volume aiflow standard per hour cu. ft. hour 60 = CFM Natural CFM Nat x N = CFM 50 3. 15 CFM per person occupant airflow standard = Bedrooms + 1 or Actual # of persons = Occupancy Occupancy x 15 CFM per person = CFM Nat CFM Nat x N = CFM 50 Use the larger of the above four as your airflow standard.

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VENTILATION
STANDARD - VENTILATION
Building performance retrofit strategies may include a mechanical ventilation to protect the building and the occupants in the case of an excessively tight building. Ventilation strategies should protect the occupants health and safety while at the same time enabling optimization of building thermal performance. Adding ventilation shall not be a substitute for source control of pollutants - i.e. moisture, CO, etc.

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STANDARD - MECHANICAL VENTILATION

Mechanical ventilation should be used where force is needed to temporarily exhaust pollutants from the building. It is the active process of supplying or removing air from an indoor space by powered equipment. There is no fail-safe solution that can assure good indoor air quality. It will require proper building operation and good building maintenance. The change to mechanical ventilation eliminates long periods of the year where houses are under-ventilated if infiltration is the only source of ventilation.

Procedure - Mechanical Ventilation

Use bathroom exhaust fans to exhaust moisture. Use kitchen range hoods to exhaust moisture and combustion products while oven/stove is in use. Consider sealed combustion appliances to prevent CAZ depressurization problems or to overcome poor draft conditions. Installing power vent kits may be an option as well on existing units. Consult manufacturers literature before making modifications. Consider installing continuous rated mechanical ventilation fans in buildings which are tighter than the calculated minimum ventilation rate (MVR) or have unacceptable indoor air quality, especially where infiltration is the only source of ventilation.
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 Size fan and select operating speeds that reflect infiltration and mechanical ventilation interaction. Choose a control appropriate for a specific building and client. Perform client education.

Exhaust Fans

Insulate exhaust ducts in unconditioned space

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Kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans provide ventilation where it is needed.

Sealed-Combustion Heater
Exhaust gases

Combustion air

Sealed-combustion heaters are less affected by depressurization and can reduce the need for ventilation.
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STANDARD - VENTILATION SAFETY

Anytime a ventilation system is installed in a building, a worst case CAZ depressurization test shall be conducted. (see Health & Safety chapter)

Procedure - Ventilation Installation

Always follow the manufacturers installation instructions. Operation instructions should be posted in the vicinity of the installation to avoid occupant override or misuse.

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Occupants shall be instructed in the use and maintenance of installed ventilation equipment. Vented air must be exhausted totally outside of the building. Exhaust connects should be properly pitched to avoid condensate buildup. Exhaust connects should be insulated where passing through cold areas to avoid condensation. All intake and exhaust openings should be screened to prevent foreign objects from entering. Electrical wiring used to install ventilation equipment will comply fully with current electrical codes.

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Ventilation System Using Existing Exhaust Fans

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Automatic cycling or continuous operation along with passive vents makes standard exhaust fans into a ventilation system.

Central Ventilation System with Ducts

Vent ducts running through unconditioned spaces should be insulated.

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STANDARD - LOW AIRFLOW HOUSING

When actual pre-retrofit airflow rates are lower than the established airflow standard for the building, further evaluation must be done to ensure that indoor air quality is not jeopardized. If post-retrofit airflow is measured below the minimum ventilation rate (MVR), mechanical ventilation is recommended.

Procedure - Low Airflow Housing

Check for obvious sources of moisture. Check building for signs of moisture degradation.

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Determine if the occupants complain or show symptoms of building-related illnesses such as upper respiratory problems. If conventional (atmospheric) combustion appliances are in use in the building, perform worst case backdrafting test. (See Health and Safety Chapter) If combustion appliances are present in the living space, consider building walls to partition off a CAZ. Check for smokers living in the building. Encourage outdoor smoking or ventilation of designated smoking rooms.

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Sources of Indoor Air Contaminants

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1. Auto exhaust, chemicals stored in garage. 2. Combustion appliance by-products. 3. Smoke, food odors, moisture. 4. Particulates from solid fuel. 5. Moisture; chemicals.

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STANDARD - WHEN NOT TO AIRSEAL

When there is obvious threat to the occupants health, the installers health, the buildings integrity, or to the effectiveness of the materials installed, the building should not be airsealed until the problems are corrected.

Procedure - When Not to Airseal

Do not airseal when: Moisture has caused structural damage, dry rot, mold or mildew growth.

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Fire hazards jeopardize the building. Carbon monoxide levels exceed suggested action levels. Measured drafts of combustion appliances do not meet standards. (See Health & Safety Chapter) Unvented space heaters are in use. Infestations, vermin, or sanitary issues place occupant and crew workers health in danger. The building meets or is lower than the calculated MVR.

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Issues To Be Resolved Before Airsealing

Depressurization from mechanical exhaust devices

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Combustion Appliance Zone Safety Tests

Unvented combustion appliances

Combustion appliance zone depressurization

Poor appliance draft

Mold, mildew and dry rot

Insect Infestation

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MEASURING AIRFLOW
STANDARD - CFM 50 TEST
A single point blower door test will be conducted on all units at the original building analysis and at the post inspection to quantify airflow, as well as during the retrofit to determine the cost effectiveness of air sealing.

Procedure - Blower Door Testing

Conduct initial health and safety inspection (See page 5-2).

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Configure the unit in winter modewindows, exterior doors, vents closed, all air registers open. Conduct a building survey and determine the thermal boundary. Identify and repair large problem areas that would hamper blower door test (i.e. - missing window, hole in ceiling). Ensure that all combustion appliances are turned off. Turn off all exhaust systems. Pressure relieve any suspended ceilings. Open all interior doors within the thermal boundary of the house. Close all solid fuel appliance dampers. Select an appropriate exterior doorway and install blower door. Assure that children and pets remain clear of the fan operation area at all times. Perform blower door test. (Refer to Blower Door Manufacturers manual for specifics.)

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Procedure - Blower Door Depressurization Test

Install blower door frame, shroud, and fan in exterior doorway. The fan is calibrated in one direction only. Position the fan with the air inlet inside, flow direction out. Install manometers as illustrated. Keep hose measuring outdoor pressure away from the influence of the fan action. Calibrate (zero) pressure gauges. If using the DG-3 or DG-700 digital gauge, measure baseline pressure difference and consider that when calculating 50 pascal pressure difference. Activate fan and record corresponding house and fan pressures/CFM flow. Make sure combustion appliances are operational when Blower Door testing is completed.

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Blower Door Depressurization

Blower door depressurization is the most common type of air leakage test for a home.

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Ensure negative

Channel A measures negative pressure during blower door depressurization.

fan WRT house

Channel B measures airflow through the blower doors fan.

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Procedure - Blower Door Pressurization Test

Choose a pressurization test when fireplace or wood stove has been in use or when testing mobile homes with loose fitting jalousie windows without interior storms. Note: Use extreme caution in this mode. Install blower door frame, shroud, and fan in exterior doorway. The fan is calibrated in one direction only. Position the fan with the air inlet outside, flow direction in. Install manometer measuring indoor pressure WRT outdoor pressure. Install manometer measuring outdoor pressure WRT fan pressure. Calibrate magnahelic type gauges. Activate fan and record corresponding house and fan pressures. Make sure combustion appliances are operational when Blower Door testing is completed.

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STANDARD - BLOWER DOOR TEST POOR IAQ

Blower door testing should be suspended if it is determined that harmful pollutants will be introduced into the living space by the operation of the blower door. In these circumstances switching to a pressurization test often mitigates these concerns.

STANDARD - BLOWER DOOR TEST LARGE BUILDINGS

Blower door tests shall be conducted on all buildings with internal volumes up to 60,000 ft3. Conduct one blower door test of the whole building, if possible. More than one blower door can be utilized at the same time for the testing of large buildings or buildings with zones that cannot be opened to a common doorway. If more than one test is required to evaluate the whole building, then configure the building to accomplish this evaluation using as few blower doors as possible.

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Blower Door Pressurization

Analog manometers measure house pressure and airflow during blower door pressurization.

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Channel A measures a positive pressure during blower door pressurization.

house WRT outdoors

Channel B measures airflow through the blower doors fan.

fan WRT outdoors

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Procedure - Testing With Multiple Blower Doors

Set up blower doors in zones selected to test the entire internal volume. Set blower doors to the same mode depressurization/pressurization. Coordinate pressures established WRT outdoors of both blower doors before recording data points. Conduct standard single point test. Add the flow rates of the tests at 50 Pascals for a whole building flow rate.

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STANDARD - BLOWER DOOR ASSISTED AIRSEALING

All airsealing work will be blower door assisted. Before commencing airsealing activities conduct a general investigation utilizing the blower door.

Procedure - Blower Door Assisted Airsealing

Segregate conditioned area of the house from surrounding zones by closing doors to the attics, cellars, garages or storage areas. Depressurize main body of the house to -50 Pa. Survey room by room for indications of air leakage. Investigate connections between main body of house and surrounding zones. Establish strategies to airseal these connections.

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STANDARD - COST EFFECTIVE AIRSEALING

The most cost effective airsealing involves addressing the largest leakage paths first. Confirm effectiveness of airsealing strategies using interim blower door tests. Always conduct a daily safety test out following air sealing work. Airsealing activities begin in General Heat Waste Reduction measure in both Waiver Audit Priority lists and are categorized as major. Activities include: Duct sealing, Interstitial connection sealing, and Major holes located high and low in the building. Minor air sealing, such as caulk and weatherstripping, should be kept to a minimum and performed only after major air sealing is finished and house remains above the MVR. Minor air sealing should be Blower Door assisted and should stop when no longer cost effective.

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Procedure - Sidewall Insulation

Install high density insulation to exterior wall cavities and band joist areas between floors. Conduct blower door test and record results. Verify that vented appliances draft properly (DSTO).

Procedure - Attic Airsealing - Open Attics

Depressurize conditioned area of building with the Blower Door. From within the attic, locate leakage from the living space and other zones with diagnostic smoke and pressure differentials. Infrared scanning may be helpful if t permits and Blower Door is switched to Pressurization mode. Specifically check for leakage along exterior wall connects, interior wall top plates, around chimneys, interior vent penetrations, around plumbing vent pipes, at electrical penetrations and interstitial framing areas, i.e. stairways and attic hatches. Airseal identified bypasses with appropriate materials.
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Around chimneys

Plumbing penetrations

Seal ducts and ductwork penetrations

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Electrical penetrations Open wall cavities Around hatches

Recessed lights

Inspect attics for bypasses and airseal before insulating. Ensure proper clearance to combustible materials.

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Procedure - Attic Airsealing - Floored Attics

Drill test holes over interior wall framing and probe for proper wall cap. If no cap exists, consider drilling the attic floored deck the length of interior walls and tubing the interior walls with high density cellulose. Pull a selection of floor boards over interior walls if possible. This will give better visibility to issues of framing technique, electrical wiring condition, or leakage paths. Airseal as many large leaks as practical. Install high density cellulose insulation between the floor and ceiling, never on top of the floor.

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Procedure - Interstitial Connection Airsealing

Joists between floors - airseal around perimeter of building at band joist areas with high density insulation or apply spray foam. Interior wall framing - airseal all interior walls to attic. This must be done before additional attic insulation is installed. If attic insulation already exists remove it from the area directly over the wall to properly identify problems and facilitate repairs. Walls with no cap or plate can easily be dense packed or capped with High-R board, wood, metal, and foam sealants, etc. (In compliance with National Fire Prevention Association) to tightly seal them off. Framed ventilator, laundry, dumbwaiter shafts can connect several levels of the house from cellar to attic. Locate and seal top and bottom of shaft. Seal at each floor level if appropriate. Locate and seal framing around chimneys with fire rated materials at the penetration through the attic floor and at the lowest level of framing around the chimney. (Usually the cellar ceiling).

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Sealing Interior Wall Framing

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Poly encases fiberglass to restrict airflow. Foam around edges to finish sealing process. Wood, sheetrock, foam, metal are all alternative blocking materials to use.

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Procedure - Duct Repair

Perform initial Pressure Pan test and prioritize duct sealing activities. Replace any deteriorated or missing ductwork. Evaluate where the building framing may be used as ductwork and repair as necessary. Ductwork can be found in basement, crawl space and attics. Secure ductwork at connections with metal screws and support long sections with hanger strap. Starting at the air handler and moving towards the registers, repair air leakage with latex based mastic. Use butyl backed tape and sheet metal patches under mastic as needed. Be sure to address the air handler cabinet as well as the ductwork. Perform a temperature rise test after duct repair has been completed to ensure adequate airflow. Perform follow up Pressure Pan test and re-prioritize remaining leakage. Always perform Daily Safety Test Out following any duct repair activities.

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Procedure - Basement Airsealing

Airseal large gaps in foundation. Airseal electrical and plumbing penetrations. Airseal around chimney with fire rated materials. Airseal bottom of open walls (balloon framing) and other open framing connections. Conduct comprehensive health and safety evaluation.

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Airsealing a Panned Floor Joist

Seal all joints in this area

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Seal between sheet metal and joist Panned floor joists leak through the many cracks and seams within the framed cavity. They are best sealed on their interior surfaces with the sheet metal removed.

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DIAGNOSTICS FOR FORCED AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

STANDARD - FORCED AIR DISTRIBUTION
When a forced air distribution system is present and any part of that system is located outside the homes conditioned space, diagnostics shall be utilized to locate and quantify duct leakage. CAZ depressurization testing will be used to verify that duct leakage does not exert negative pressure on combustion appliance zones. Pressure pan testing will be used to locate leakage and verify its reduction to acceptable limits.

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Procedure - Pressure Pan Duct Leakage Test

1. Put the house in winter conditions. 2. Make sure all supply registers and return grilles are open. 3. Pressure relieve the space the ducts are in. 4. Depressurize the house to -50 Pa or maximum possible. 5. Verify that duct zone is pressure relieved by getting house to duct zone pressure reading. Ideally reading will be within 5 pascals of house to outside pressure reading. 6. Place a pressure pan over each register and grille, one at a time, and record the pressure reading with reference to the house from a digital pressure differential gauge. 7. If covering a grille with duct mask to probe for reading, remove duct mask before proceeding to next grille or register. 8. Duct sealing should continue until pressure pan readings are below 1 Pa. Prioritize from highest to lowest reading. Re-test with pressure pan to validate results. A final reading of 3 Pa can be acceptable if reasonable effort has been made to seal a duct with difficult access.

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Airflow

Insignificant Leak

Significant Leak
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Procedure - Mobile Home Diagnostic Smoke Leak Location Test

Locating duct leakage can be simplified, as in mobile homes where access to the duct is hindered by the belly board and insulation. Set up the home in the winter mode. Install blower door and put slight positive pressure on the living space; 5 - 10 Pa. Starting at one end of the supply trunk, puff diagnostic smoke into the register. The smoke will flow in the direction of the predominate leak. Move to the next register in line and repeat the smoke test. If the smoke now moves in the opposite direction, then the predominate leak has been isolated to between these two points. Verify that leaks are or are not associated with the furnace-to-base, and the base-to-trunk connection, by performing this procedure at the registers directly on either side of the furnace.

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Mobile Home Duct Leak Test

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Duct leaks in mobile homes are easily located using diagnostic smoke in a pressurized environment.

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Procedure - Temperature Rise Test

Airseal supply and return duct system. Operate furnace and allow it to reach steady-state. Measure temperature of supply air and return air. If the temperature difference remains within the recommended temperature rise stated on furnace information tag, throughout a continuous cycle, the system is moving enough air for reasonable heat transfer from exchanger to distribution. If the temperature difference increases beyond manufacturers temp rise range or burner is shut down by high limit shut off, the heat transfer from exchanger to distribution is inadequate. If no information from a manufacturers tag is available, use 160 F as a rule of thumb for maximum supply air temperature. Generally the temperature rise should be between 40 - 70 F. Consider for repairs: Possible inadequate supply ducts Possible supply restriction Possible inadequate return ducts Possible return restriction Adjusting distribution fan for more flow Over fired combustion Clean distribution fan vanes and filters

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Indiana Wx Field Guide

Temperature Rise Test

Test supply air temperature here

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Test return air temperature here

Temperature should be taken out of direct line from the heat exchanger. This will minimize high readings due to radiant energy.

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STANDARD - BALANCING DISTRIBUTION

When a forced air distribution system is present, steps may be required to insure that no parts of the house are strongly pressurized or depressurized when the air handler is turned on. The pressure to the outside should not change when interior doors are opened or closed. Negative pressure must be controlled in any zone containing natural or induced draft combustion appliances in any climate, and avoided in buildings in humid cooling climates. Above grade positive pressure due to air handler operation is to be controlled in heating climate buildings with normal or high interior moisture levels. Pressure balancing must be considered whenever there is a change in pressure greater than 2 Pascals with reference to the outside. Delivery and return of conditioned air must be adequate to maintain comfort and air quality in all occupied rooms. Since both house tightness and distribution system flows affect the final pressure, pressure balancing and worst-case safety testing should be performed after airsealing, insulation and duct sealing is complete. Note: The prevention of durability and safety problems may require additional work or more complete pressure control, and is beyond the scope of this guide. The 2 Pascal limit is based on current common measurement technology, not on the specific needs or risks in a given building.

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Procedure - Pressure Balancing Tests

Verify the filter is clean or removed, the registers are open and not obstructed, and both the A-coil and air handler fan are clear of accumulated dust and debris. Set up closed house conditions, with all exterior doors and windows closed and all equipment off. Open the interior doors. Record the baseline pressure from the main body of house to outside.

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 Activate airhandler fan, measure change in pressure from base condition, record as dominant duct test. A positive change in pressure indicates more return leakage from the exterior, and a negative indicates relatively more supply leakage to the outside. This indicates incomplete duct sealing work, or an intentional opening such as a fresh air intake cut into the return. Close all interior doors, activate air handler fan, measure main body to outside pressure change from base condition, and record. Measure each room to main body pressure, record. Pressure balancing must be considered whenever there is a change in pressure greater than 2 Pascals with reference to the outside. Perform combustion appliance zone depressurization and worst case draft test after any modifications.

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STANDARD - PRESSURE BALANCING ROOMS

Often with forced air distribution the main body of the house contains the only return air grilles while areas such as bathrooms and bedroom have only supply registers. In the event that the doors to such rooms are closed during the operation of the distribution system, the main body is likely to experience negative pressure while the individual rooms will experience positive pressure. Pressure balancing must be considered whenever there is a change in pressure greater than 2 Pascals with reference to the main body.

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Procedure - Techniques for Pressure Balancing Rooms

With distribution fan running establish manometer reading room pressure WRT main body pressure. To estimate the balancing effect of door undercut, open each door 1/4 to 1/3 inches to duplicate the free air opening of a 3/4 to 1. Undercut on the door. Measure the new pressure and record if acceptable. Undercutting the door is seldom adequate. Open the door 3/4 to 1 to duplicate the effect of a 10 x 14 transfer grille. Measure the new pressure and record if acceptable. Undercutting the door and adding a 10 x 14 transfer grille may be adequate. If further reduction is required, a return may be the best option. To estimate required flow in CFM or free air inches of a larger transfer grille, open the door until the pressure across the door drops to 1 Pascal and measure the size of the opening in square inches. Perform CAZ depressurization test and worst case draft test. (See Health & Safety chapter.)

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Pressurized Bedroom

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Large positive pressures in an individual room with a closed door and distribution fan running is caused by the inability of air to return to the central return grille.

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ZONAL PRESSURE DIAGNOSTICS

STANDARD - AIRFLOW DIAGNOSTICS
After major air sealing measures have been completed, pressure diagnostics can be used to evaluate the pressure boundary between the main body of the house and attached zones such as basements and attics. This information can help crews determine whether they have effectively isolated them or if further air sealing is in order.

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Procedure - Basement Zone Pressure Differential Measurement

Install manometer reading basement pressure WRT outdoor pressure. Close doors to all zones outside of main body of house. This includes basements, attics, garages and storage areas. Bring main body of house to -50 Pa with the blower door. Note and record manometer reading of basement WRT outdoors. Results - low pressure difference indicates: The floor of the main body of the house is the more effective air barrier or The basement to outdoors is leakier than the basement to house or the effective leakage between house and the basement is less than effective leakage from basement to outdoors. Results - high pressures (above 25 Pa) indicate that the basement sidewalls are serving as the effective air barrier and that the leakage between the house and basement is greater than leakage between basement and outdoors. Note visual leakage from outdoors to basement for relative interpretation of this information.

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Basement Zone Pressure Testing

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Pressure testing the basement zone tells the relative air tightness of the floor versus the foundation walls. ( P) x (A) x (1.06) = CFM when A = square inches of opening and P = pressure. 1.06 = constant.

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Procedure - Attic Zone Pressure Differential Measurement

Install manometer - attic pressure WRT outdoor pressure. Close doors to all zones outside the main body of house. This include basements, attics, garages and storage areas. Depressurize main body of house to -50 Pa with blower door. Note and record manometer reading to attic.

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Results - no or low pressure difference means: the ceiling of the main body of the house is the more effective air barrier or the attic to outdoors is leakier than the attic to house or the leakage between the house and the attic is less than leakage from attic to outdoors. Results - high pressures (above 35 Pa) indicates that the attic roof is serving as the air barrier and that the leakage between the house and attic is greater than leakage between the attic and outdoors. Consideration - if you can approximate the size hole or collection of all holes from the outside to this zone in square inches, then applying P x A x 1.06 will indicate the relative leakage from this zone to the house.

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Attic Zone Pressure Testing

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Measuring the pressure difference between the attic and outdoors during a blower door test helps evaluate the ceilings airtightness.

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Procedure - Attic to Basement Communication Pressure Differential Measurement

Install manometer reading attic pressure WRT outdoor pressure. Close doors to all zones from main body of house, including basement, attic and garage. Depressurize main body of house to 50 Pa WRT outdoors. Note attic pressure WRT outdoor pressure. Open door to basement to include it in the test area. Re-set blower door to -50 Pa.

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Record pressures created in attic WRT outdoors. Results - If negative pressures within the attic increase from those noted in the attic WRT outdoors test, then bypasses from the basement to the attic are indicated. A modification of this test can indicate if side attics communicate.

Procedure - Quantifying Leakage - Add a Hole Differential Pressure Measurement Test

Bring main body of house to 50 Pa and note CFM flow. Record pressure of attic WRT outdoors. If attic pressure WRT outdoor pressure is below 15 Pa while maintaining 50 Pa on the house, slide open the attic hatch until the attic pressure WRT outdoor pressure doubles. (If the attic pressure is above 15 Pa in this configuration, ceiling leaks should be easy to locate.) Record CFM 50 Pa flow rate. (Example: 4 Pa increasing to -8 Pa). Note opening size, as this represents the equivalent leakage area: between attic and house. The increase in the CFM 50 Pa flow rate represents approximate leakage between attic and house.

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Add - a - Hole Test

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Using the attic hatch to add a hole to the ceiling during a blower door test helps estimate leakage area.

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Procedure - Zone Pressure Diagnostics (ZPD) Calculation Utility

In 2000, the Chicago Regional office of the Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored a study of ZPD techniques and procedures with the goal of improving the accuracy, reliability and user friendliness of zone leakage estimates. The results of that study, published in 2002, include numerous improvements to the ZPD collection methods and air leakage calculation procedures. In response to the study findings, The Energy Conservatory (TEC) developed a ZPD Calculation Utility. The Utility is a simple software program which can be used to quickly perform ZPD calculations using many of the improvements recommended in DOEs study. The ZPD Calculation Utility assumes that the Blower Door test results and zone pressure measurements are being collected using a Minneapolis Blower Door and digital gauge both of which are in use at every Weatherization program in Indiana. The ZPD Calculation Utility is available free of charge from The Energy Conservatory website at www.energyconservatory.com/zpd.html. The Utility represents a welcome refinement of the previously cumbersome ZPD procedure; we recommend it to Indiana Weatherization program crews and auditors.

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Procedure - Attached Porch Attic Pressure Differential Measurement

Install manometer reading roof cavity pressure WRT outdoor pressure. Depressurize main body of house to -50 Pa with blower door. Note and record manometer response. Note visual leakage from outdoors to cavity for relative interpretation of test results. It is always best to visually inspect the house wall inside these spaces and not rely on pressure testing alone.

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Airflow

Measuring for depressurization of an attached porch attic.

Many porch roofs do not have sheathing here. This area can hide a major conduit for air leakage.

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AIRSEALING ECONOMICS
Cost Effective Airsealing - refers to the energy saved over the lifetime of the materials installed in relation to the cost of installing them. All of the previously mentioned air sealing procedures will most likely be performed in a high priority within our waiver audit protocol (furnace repair and efficiency, duct sealing or major air/bypass sealing) and have a high and long-lasting impact. However, additional air sealing may be beneficial if it is found to be cost effective. The last priority in our waiver audit protocol is Minor Air Sealing. It should be performed when appropriate and only if the measures installed are cost effective. FSSAs intention is that airsealing crews will proceed with Minor Air Sealing using the blower door both as a diagnostic tool and a device to measure the crews relative effectiveness.

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Procedure - Performing Cost-Effective Minor Air Sealing

Perform blower door CFM 50 test and record reading. Stop if you have reached MVR for this building. Do not seal lower level leaks in the building until you have first addressed leaks in the top part of the house, especially the ceiling. Concentrate on the largest leaks first before air sealing small cracks and penetrations. While performing minor air sealing, take periodic blower door readings to measure the effectiveness of your efforts. Based on the cost of the materials and the cost of labor to install those materials, establish a cost limit per 100 CFM 50 reduction measured by the blower door as minor air sealing continues. Also take into account the cost of heating fuel. The higher the cost for fuel, the higher the acceptable cost per 100 CFM 50.
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 Use manometers to test attic and crawl/basement areas WRT main body to assess relative connections to those areas. Air seal the building in relatively small increments of time, retesting with the blower door. Continue until the MVR is reached, or you are no longer getting CFM reduction, or the cost of sealing exceeds your limit. Document what you are doing, the materials used and the justification for either continuing or stopping. Take a final CFM 50 reading. Always perform a Daily Safety Test Out on combustion appliances once finished air sealing.

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EVALUATION/POST INSPECTION
STANDARD - POST INSPECTION
All completed airsealing work shall be evaluated for its effectiveness and its impacts on the buildings operation as a system.

Procedure - Post Inspection

1) Configure house to winter mode and perform single point blower door test. Record results. 2) Perform final pressure pan test to validate numbers.

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3) Perform heating systems final inspection and record findings in inspectors column.

STANDARD - OCCUPANT REVIEW (WEATHERIZATION CLIENT EDUCATION)

Following successful completion and evaluation of the airsealing/ventilation work, the results shall be reviewed with the building owner/occupants.

Procedure - Occupant Review

Review the results of the airsealing efforts explaining what responsibilities the occupants have in maintaining a safe, healthy indoor environment. Review general house operating instructions, showing locations of ventilation controls, HVAC air filters and maintenance schedules/procedures. Discuss the control of moisture build-up.

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Indiana Wx Field Guide

 Discuss the importance of not using unvented appliances for space heating. Demonstrate procedures for performing a rudimentary draft test showing occupant how to identify spillage and CO indicators. Review manufacturers literature of equipment installed. Review maintenance schedules for mechanical systems. Discuss smoking issues within airsealed houses.

Airflow

Chapter 5 Airflow

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Notes

Airflow
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Indiana Wx Field Guide