skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Innovative Retrofit Insulation Strategies for Concrete Masonry Foundations

Abstract

Basements in climates 6 and 7 can account for a fraction of a home's total heat loss when fully conditioned. Such foundations are a source of moisture, with convection in open block cavities redistributing water from the wall base, usually when heating. Even when block cavities are capped, the cold foundation concrete can act as a moisture source for wood rim joist components that are in contact with it. Because below-grade basements are increasingly used for habitable space, cold foundation walls pose challenges for moisture contribution, energy use, and occupant comfort.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. NorthernSTAR, St. Paul, MN (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
NorthernSTAR, St. Paul, MN (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
OSTI Identifier:
1220448
Report Number(s):
DOE/GO-102015-4538
7058
DOE Contract Number:  
AC36-08GO28308
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; residential; Residential Buildings; NorthernSTAR; Building America; CMU's; concrete block foundations; core fill; moisture in concrete blocks; foundation heat loss; wet basements; cold basements; foundation experimental research; number of basements in cold climates

Citation Formats

Huelman, P., Goldberg, L., and Jacobson, R. Innovative Retrofit Insulation Strategies for Concrete Masonry Foundations. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.2172/1220448.
Huelman, P., Goldberg, L., & Jacobson, R. Innovative Retrofit Insulation Strategies for Concrete Masonry Foundations. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1220448
Huelman, P., Goldberg, L., and Jacobson, R. 2015. "Innovative Retrofit Insulation Strategies for Concrete Masonry Foundations". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1220448. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1220448.
@article{osti_1220448,
title = {Innovative Retrofit Insulation Strategies for Concrete Masonry Foundations},
author = {Huelman, P. and Goldberg, L. and Jacobson, R.},
abstractNote = {Basements in climates 6 and 7 can account for a fraction of a home's total heat loss when fully conditioned. Such foundations are a source of moisture, with convection in open block cavities redistributing water from the wall base, usually when heating. Even when block cavities are capped, the cold foundation concrete can act as a moisture source for wood rim joist components that are in contact with it. Because below-grade basements are increasingly used for habitable space, cold foundation walls pose challenges for moisture contribution, energy use, and occupant comfort.},
doi = {10.2172/1220448},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1220448}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Fri May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}