Thermal performance of fiberglass and cellulose attic insulations
Conference
·
OSTI ID:6980715
A series of experiments has been completed on the thermal performance of fiberglass and cellulose attic insulations under winter conditions using an attic test module in a guarded hot box facility. Experiments with one type of loose-fill fiberglass insulation showed that the thermal resistance at large temperature differences (70 to 76{degrees}F) was about 35 to 50% less than at small temperature differences. The additional heat flow, attributed to natural convection, was effectively eliminated by applying a covering of fiberglass batts or a combination of a polyethylene film and fiberglass blankets. No significant convection was found either with fiberglass batts or with one type of loose-fill cellulose. Using the experimental data along with an attic model, the additional energy costs due to convection in the coldest climate investigated were estimated to be $$0.025/ft{sup 2}yr to $$0.028/ft{sup 2}yr at the R-19 level and $$0.014/ft{sup 2}yr at the R-38 level. For the same conditions, annual energy savings due to upgrading insulation from the R-19 to the R-38 level were estimated to be $$0.046/ft{sup 2}yr to $0.070/ft{sup 2}yr.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6980715
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-921203-3; ON: DE92040714
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320107* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360606 -- Other Materials-- Physical Properties-- (1992-)
AIR FLOW
ATTICS
CEILINGS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CONVECTION
COST ESTIMATION
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY TRANSFER
FIBERGLASS
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
NATURAL CONVECTION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
TESTING
THERMAL ANALYSIS
THERMAL INSULATION
320107* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360606 -- Other Materials-- Physical Properties-- (1992-)
AIR FLOW
ATTICS
CEILINGS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
CONVECTION
COST ESTIMATION
ECONOMICS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY TRANSFER
FIBERGLASS
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
NATURAL CONVECTION
PERFORMANCE TESTING
TESTING
THERMAL ANALYSIS
THERMAL INSULATION