Innovative Retrofit Insulation Strategies for Concrete Masonry Foundations

Technical Report · Wed May 06 04:00:00 EDT 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1215046· OSTI ID:1215046

Huelman, P. ^[1]; Goldberg, L. ^[1]; Jacobson, R. ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN (United States). NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership

This study was designed to test a new approach for foundation insulation retrofits, with the goal of demonstrating improved moisture control, improved occupant comfort, and reduced heat loss. Because conducting experimental research on existing below-grade assemblies is very difficult, most of the results are based on simulations. The retrofit approach consists of filling open concrete block cores with an insulating material and adding R-10 exterior insulation that extends 1 ft below grade. The core fill is designed to improve the R-value of the foundation wall and increase the interior wall surface temperature, but more importantly to block convection currents that could otherwise increase moisture loads on the foundation wall and interior space. The exterior insulation significantly reduces heat loss through the most exposed part of the foundation and further increases the interior wall surface temperature. This improves occupant comfort and decreases the risk of condensation. Such an insulation package avoids the full-depth excavation necessary for exterior insulation retrofits, reduces costs, and eliminates the moisture and indoor air quality risks associated with interior insulation retrofits. Retrofit costs for the proposed approach were estimated at roughly half those of a full-depth exterior insulation retrofit.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office (EE-5B)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1215046
• Report Number(s): NREL/SR--5500-63139; DOE/GO--102015-4538
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
BUILDING AMERICA
CMU'S
COLD BASEMENTS
CONCRETE BLOCK FOUNDATIONS
CORE FILL
FOUNDATION EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
FOUNDATION HEAT LOSS
MOISTURE IN CONCRETE BLOCKS
NORTHERNSTAR
NUMBER OF BASEMENTS IN COLD CLIMATES
RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
WET BASEMENTS