Technology Solutions Case Study: Excavationless: Exterior-Side Foundation Insulation for Existing Homes

Program Document · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2014

OSTI ID:1220304

Building science research supports installing exterior (soil side) foundation insulation as the optimal method to enhance the hygrothermal performance of new homes. With exterior foundation insulation, water management strategies are maximized while insulating the basement space and ensuring a more even temperature at the foundation wall. This project describes an innovative, minimally invasive foundation insulation upgrade technique on an existing home that uses hydrovac excavation technology combined with a liquid insulating foam. Cost savings over the traditional excavation process ranged from 23% to 50%. The excavationless process could result in even greater savings since replacement of building structures, exterior features, utility meters, and landscaping would be minimal or non-existent in an excavationless process.

• Research Organization: NorthernSTAR
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office (EE-5B) (Building America)
• OSTI ID: 1220304
• Report Number(s): DOE/GO-102014-4488; 6893
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

Building America
NorthernSTAR
Residential Buildings
Thermal enclosure
foundation insulation
hydrovac excavation technology
liquid insulating foam
residential
walls below grade