Innovative Retrofit Insulation Strategies for Concrete Masonry Foundations
- Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN (United States). NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership
This study was designed to test a new approach for foundation insulation retrofits, with the goal of demonstrating improved moisture control, improved occupant comfort, and reduced heat loss. Because conducting experimental research on existing below-grade assemblies is very difficult, most of the results are based on simulations. The retrofit approach consists of filling open concrete block cores with an insulating material and adding R-10 exterior insulation that extends 1 ft below grade. The core fill is designed to improve the R-value of the foundation wall and increase the interior wall surface temperature, but more importantly to block convection currents that could otherwise increase moisture loads on the foundation wall and interior space. The exterior insulation significantly reduces heat loss through the most exposed part of the foundation and further increases the interior wall surface temperature. This improves occupant comfort and decreases the risk of condensation. Such an insulation package avoids the full-depth excavation necessary for exterior insulation retrofits, reduces costs, and eliminates the moisture and indoor air quality risks associated with interior insulation retrofits. Retrofit costs for the proposed approach were estimated at roughly half those of a full-depth exterior insulation retrofit.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308; KNDJ-0-04338-03
- OSTI ID:
- 1215046
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/SR-5500-63139; DOE/GO-102015-4538
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Work performed by NorthernSTAR, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
NORTHERNSTAR
BUILDING AMERICA
CMU'S
CONCRETE BLOCK FOUNDATIONS
CORE FILL
MOISTURE IN CONCRETE BLOCKS
FOUNDATION HEAT LOSS
WET BASEMENTS
COLD BASEMENTS
FOUNDATION EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
NUMBER OF BASEMENTS IN COLD CLIMATES