Building America Case Study: Project Overcoat: Airtightness Strategies and Impacts for 1-1/2 Story Homes, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Fact Sheet)

Program Document · Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014

OSTI ID:1164095

In this second study on solutions to ice dams in 1-1/2 story homes, five test homes located in both cold and very cold climates were analyzed for air leakage reduction rates following modifications by independent contractors on owner-occupied homes. The reason for choosing this house type was they are very common in our area and very difficult to air seal and insulate effectively. Two projects followed a roof-only Exterior Thermal Moisture Management System (ETMMS) process. One project used an interior-only approach to roof air sealing and insulation. The remaining two projects used a deep energy retrofit approach for whole house (foundation wall, above grade wall, roof) air leakage and heat loss reduction. All were asked to provide information regarding project goals, process, and pre and post-blower door test results. Additional air leakage reduction data was provided by several NorthernSTAR Building America industry partners for interior-applied, roof-only modifications on 1-1/2 story homes. The data represents homes in the general market as well as homes that were part of the state of Minnesota weatherization program. A goal was to compare exterior air sealing methods with interior approaches. This pool of data enabled us to compare air tightness data from over 220 homes using similar air seal methods.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership, St. Paul, MN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Building Technologies Office (EE-5B) (Building America)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 1164095
• Report Number(s): DOE/GO-102014-4432; KNDJ-0-40338-00
• Resource Relation: Related Information: Technology Solutions for New and Existing Homes, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE); Work performed by NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
NORTHERNSTAR
BUILDING AMERICA
AIR SEAL
1 1/2 STORY BUNGALOW
KNEE WALL
ATTIC INSULATION
SPRAY FOAM
ADHERED APPLIED MEMBRANE
EXTERIOR INSULATION
ICE DAMS
ENERGY HEEL
VAULTED CEILINGS
ROOF-ONLY EXTERIOR INSULATION OVER-LAY
ROOF DECK VENTILATION