Measured energy penalties from crawl space ventilation
While there is no convincing technical basis for current code requirements for crawl space ventilation, most codes still require operable vents and the practice is well established among builders and architects. While the evidence against venting is compelling to many if not most in the research community, builders and code officials apparently want to see hard evidence. In this research project the author measured weekly energy consumption for space heating for a 1150 square foot home in a climate with 5900 heating degrees days. The house was built to meet the 1992 Model Energy Code and the perimeter of the crawl space was insulated with R-10 foamboard. The supply ducts of the gas-fired, forced air system are located in the crawl space and were carefully sealed and pressure tested. Utilizing a flip flop research design, with the crawl space vents open one year and closed the next, the author measured the energy penalty resulting from leaving crawl space vents open during the vents was 21% (12 MMBtu/yr) in year two of the research. Savings were 32% (19 MMBtu/yr) in the most recent winter, in which the crawl space access cover was insulated and made airtight in addition to closing and insulating the vents.
- Research Organization:
- Ball State Univ., Muncie, IN (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20001981
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-980815-; TRN: IM0001%%418
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1998 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, Pacific Grove, CA (US), 08/23/1998--08/28/1998; Other Information: 10 volume set available for $200.00; PBD: 1998; Related Information: In: 1998 ACEEE summer study on energy efficiency in buildings: Proceedings, [3100] pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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