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Residential Insulation: Michael J. Currie 10 October 2007
Residential Insulation: Michael J. Currie 10 October 2007
Michael J. Currie
GrotonLocal.org
10 October 2007
Why we insulate?
R-value
Temp Difference
Amount of
energy you Area
must
supply per This is the basis for your insulation strategy!
hour
Example - Your front door
1
"Heat = (THOT # TCOLD ) Area
R
1
170 = (65 " 25) 21
BTU/hr
3.7 (3’ x 7’)
49
38
25
11 to 22
30
Band Joist
19 10 11
Types of Insulation
R per inch
3.1
2.1
2.2 - 3.7
4-6.5
various
Extreme Cold Air and Moisture degrade R-value performance of batt and loose
fill insulation
Moisture -7.5% per 1% moisture
Extreme Cold
Heating and cooling days
Degree day captures Heating Days
the average 6000 degree days
temperature below Cooling Days
the typical heating 500 degree days
set-point of 65° F 1400
Example: 10° F
1200
1000
average temperature
800
2005
600
2006
200
0
Jan Mar May Jun Aug Oct Nov
-200
For 1300 square feet of floor (R-value = 1.6), the heating load is
equivalent to 300 gallons of fuel oil ($750). The actual value is higher if
the basement has drafts, i.e. the underground temperature is higher.
How to insulate?
Do not use fiberglass if the
area is moist. Your
investment will be ruined.
Ceiling -- basement is
unheated, attacks the problem
at the source.
Walls -- basement is heated,
fairly dry.
Always insulate band joist R-
30
External Foam under clapboarding
Can you economically add foam over siding, if you intend to
change siding?
Material Old R- New R-
value value
Outside Air Film 0.2 0.2
Siding Wood Bevel - 0.8
1” Rigid Insulation - 5
Air Pocket - 1.0
Siding Wood Bevel 0.8 0.8
1/2” Plywood Sheathing 0.6 0.6
Fiberglass Batt 11.0 11.0
1/2” Drywall 0.5 0.5
Inside Air Film 0.7 0.7
Total Wall 13.8 20.6