Minnesota retrofit insulation in situ test program
The use of cellulose, glass fiber, rock/slag fiber and urea formaldehyde installed as retrofit insulation materials in residential walls and ceilings was studied. Homes were selected for testing according to the type of retrofit insulation, age of retrofit insulation and whether the retrofit was in the wall or ceiling. The total project was comprised of 22 wall and 48 ceiling samples. Samples of retrofit insulation were taken from an area of three to four square feet in the ceiling or wall of the home. The sample volume was measured, the sample removed and double-sealed in polyethylene bags. The samples were shipped to the laboratory for testing. Laboratory measurements were made of density, moisture content, thermal resistance, and relative flammability of each sample. Additionally, the friability and compressive strength of each urea-formaldehyde foam sample was measured. The following results were obtained. Cellulosic loose fill insulation tests indicated that settling and moisture build-up are not serious problems. Flammability is a concern. Age did not affect the properties of the cellulosic loose fill, but fungal growth was evident. Shrinkage, ranging from 2.5 to 9 percent, averaging 4.5 percent, was exhibited. Degradation of the foam samples with time did not occur. Density was the most critical property affecting the other properties. The higher the density, the higher the thermal resistence per inch, the lower the friability and the higher the compressive strength. The accurate prediction of the fiber diameter, amount of unfiberized mineral, and extent of modular clumping thermal resistance of loose fill mineral fiber insulations is related to and is not solely a factor of density. The materials in this sample did not noticeably affect the structure or wiring of the retrofitted homes. (LCL)
- Research Organization:
- Minnesota Energy Agency, St. Paul (USA); Dynatech R/D Co., Cambridge, MA (USA); Weidt (John) Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6889289
- Report Number(s):
- HCP/W2843-01
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Minnesota Retrofit Insulation In-Situ Test Program: extension and review
Thermal insulation
Related Subjects
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
BUILDINGS
CONSTRUCTION
ENERGY CONSERVATION
GREAT LAKES REGION
HOUSES
MINNESOTA
NORTH AMERICA
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RETROFITTING
TESTING
THERMAL INSULATION
USA