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Energy Audit of BZU (Multan)

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Submitted to:
Engr. Touheed-ur-Rehman
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Submitted by:
Wajahat Hussain
Tariq Iqbal
Sajid Ali Gill

2008-EE-07
2008-EE-41
2008-EE-57

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Acknowledgment

First of all we are thankful to Allah Almighty who enabled us to


make this project. Secondly we are very grateful to our respectful
teacher Engr.Touheed-ur-Rehman as he provided us with the
guidelines to complete this project. We are also very thankful to
our friends who helped us in completion of the following report.

Introduction:
Energy auditing refers to an inspection of a home with an emphasis on reviewing a home
owners current energy consumption and making recommendations on how to reduce that
consumption and save money in the most cost-effective way. There has become a newly
generated push for environmentally friendly practices or becoming green.
Energy auditing plays a roll because the reduction in energy consumption leads to a
reduction in greenhouse gases which are bad for the earth. With new and old state and
federal incentives everyone should and will want an energy audit of their home.
Energy audit is similar to medical diagnosis. During medical diagnosis, the doctor
physically examines and interviews the patient, checks the temperature and pressure of
the patient and may follow up with some laboratory tests, all in an attempt to establish
what is wrong with the patient and prescribe appropriate treatment. Similarly, energy
audit is employed as a tool for determining what measures can and should be taken to
save energy in a facility. Energy audit is the first step in understanding how a facility uses
energy and how energy could be saved in the facility. The purpose of the energy audit is
to identify, quantify, describe and prioritize cost saving measures relating to energy use in
the facility.
When the object of study is an occupied building then reducing energy consumption
while maintaining or improving human comfort, health and safety are of primary
concern. Beyond simply identifying the sources of energy use, an energy audit seeks to
prioritize the energy uses according to the greatest to least cost effective opportunities for
energy savings.

Chapter # 1
(Energy Audit and its types)
Definition:
An energy audit is an inspection, survey and analysis of energy flows for energy
conservation in a building, process or system to reduce the amount of energy input into
the system without negatively affecting the output(s).
Benefits of receiving an energy audit include:

Increased comfort
Improved quality to the home
A healthier home
Increased property value
Reduced energy bills
Lower environmental impact

Potential Energy Saving Measures


For most facilities, the potential energy saving measures are electric and thermal
measures. For residential and educational facilities, thermal measures are of less
importance Thermal measures are geared towards reducing the amount of fuel consumed
by laundry, kitchen, showers and process heat. However, thermal measures have smaller
savings impact on residential and educational facilities. In residential and educational
facilities, typical electrical measures include:

Lighting
Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system
Appliances (Plug loads)

Lighting. Typical lighting efficiency measures include the use of efficient lamps and
ballasts, addition of reflectors to enhance lumen output, delamping in over lit spaces, and
use of day lighting and day lighting controls.
HVAC System. Typical measures include the replacement of old equipment with new,
energy-efficient models, manually turning off appliances when not in and the use,
automatic power management devices to control HVAC.
Appliances (Plug loads). The appliances include audio-visuals, personal computers,
printers, photocopiers fax machines, etc. Typical energy efficiency measures are similar
to HVAC system.

Evaluation of Energy Saving Measures


Any energy saving measure that is recommended for implementation it will guarantee
sufficient energy savings to pay for the implementation cost within a reasonable period of
time. Therefore, energy saving measures must be subjected to some form of evaluation in
the form of economic analysis. The economic analysis is usually based on simple
payback calculations that take into consideration the cost of implementing the energy
saving measure (ESM) and the cost savings resulting from the implementation of the
ESM.
Generally, the payback period is the length of time required for the returns on an
investment to exceed the investment cost. The basic idea is that the shorter the payback
period the more attractive the investment (Eastop &Croft, 1990). The simple payback
period (in years) is determined by dividing the investment cost by the annual returns on
the investment. In the context of our energy audit, the implementation cost represents the
investment cost and the energy cost savings represents the returns on investment. Thus,
Simple Payback period (in months) = Implementation Cost/ Monthly Cost Savings or the
Simple Payback Period (in years) = Implementation Cost/ Annual Cost Savings.

Purpose
An energy audit is a service where the energy efficiency of a house is evaluated by a
person using professional equipment (such as blower doors and infra-red cameras), with
the aim to suggest the best ways to improve energy efficiency in heating and cooling.
An energy audit of a building may involve recording various characteristics of the
building envelope including the walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, and skylights.
For each of these components the area and resistance to heat flow (R-value) is measured
or estimated. The leakage rate or infiltration of air through the building envelope is of
concern which is strongly affected by window construction and quality of door seals such
as weatherstripping. The goal of this exercise is to quantify the building's overall thermal
performance. The audit may also assess the efficiency, physical condition, and
programming of mechanical systems such as the heating, ventilation, air conditioning
equipment, and thermostat.
An energy audit may include a written report estimating energy use given local climate
criteria, thermostat settings, roof overhang, and solar orientation. This could show energy
use for a given time period, say a year, and the impact of any suggested improvements
per year. The accuracy of energy estimates are greatly improved when the homeowner's
billing history is available showing the quantities of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, or
other energy sources consumed over a one or two-year period.
Some of the greatest effects on energy use are user behavior, climate, and age of the
home. An energy audit may therefore include an interview of the homeowners to
understand their patterns of use over time. The energy billing history from the local utility
company can be calibrated using heating degree day and cooling degree day data

obtained from recent, local weather data in combination with the thermal energy model of
the building. Advances in computer-based thermal modeling can take into account many
variables affecting energy efficiency. An energy audit is often used to identify cost
effective ways to improve the comfort and efficiency of buildings. In addition, homes
may qualify for energy efficiency grants from central government.

Major Steps of Energy Audit


The following steps should be taken to conduct the energy audit, as appropriate to the
facility being audited, and data should be entered onto the relevant worksheets:

Collect and review electricity and fuel use records for the facility; records
for the previous 16 months are preferred.

Collect and review facility drawings showing details of electrical and


mechanical systems
drawings to find

as

well

as building construction details. Use

the size/type of systems used and level of building

envelope insulating value.

Use information gathered as well as interviews with facility maintenance


staff to determine age and general conditions of the facility and its systems.
Determine, from interviews, if any major system or facility upgrades are
planned or have been recently completed.

Physically

inspect

and

record information on all large and small

electrical appliances used in the facility.

This

should

include, for

example, computers, printers, photocopiers, refrigerators, small kitchen


appliances and televisions. Try to determine the approximate number

of

operating hours per week. If not, make suitable approximation and


take approval of the local representative.

Physically inspect and record information provided on electric motors


in the facility. If the motors are integrated into equipments such as air
conditioners or refrigerators, obtain information on the equipment. For

motors that are not included with equipment, record motor information
on the audit data sheet. For each motor, record sufficient information about
motor size, duty and location to uniquely identify it. Also record information
about how the motor is controlled such as simple on/off control or automatic
control. If motor is in use, obtain running amperage at motor starter using a
clip on ammeter if one is available.

Inspect and record information about all light fixtures in the facility. In each
room or area that can be uniquely identified, measure and record the light
level at working surfaces. In each area, determine the number and type of
fixtures as well as fixture age, number of lamps and fixture control.

Inspect and record information on all individual unitary and split-air


conditioners in the facility. Determine electrical load information or unit
capacity or both. For small split systems, remember to obtain information
from both the internal evaporator section and the external condenser/
compressor section. Also record information about unit location and if it is
blocked by furniture or other equipment. Also record information about the
thermostat setting, how each unit is controlled and the location of the
controller.

Inspect and record information on central air conditioning systems in the


facility. Record location, area served (sq.ft.), unit type and capacity,
condenser location, ductwork size, unit controller type and location,
condition of equipment, filters, ductwork and controls. Ask building
occupants served by each system to describe the level of comfort provided
by each system. Determine weekly operating hours of each system. Check
level and condition of ductwork insulation.

Inspect and record information on fuel using appliances in the facility such
as boilers, domestic hot water heaters, emergency generators and kitchen
appliances. Determine appliance capacity, age condition and fuel

consumption. Check the fuel storage tanks, piping systems, pumps etc. Look
for signs of leakage or system restrictions or blockages that can reduce
efficiency.

Inspect and record information about other electrical equipments such as


elevators, water pumps, exhaust fans, domestic hot water heaters and
transformers. Record information related to equipment age, condition, capacity
and weekly operating hours. Also determine and record how the equipment is
controlled.

Main issues of an audit process:

The analysis of building and utility data, including study of the installed
equipment and analysis of energy bills;
The survey of the real operating conditions;
The understanding of the building behaviour and of the interactions with weather,
occupancy and operating schedules;
The selection and the evaluation of energy conservation measures;
The estimation of energy saving potential;
The identification of customer concerns and needs.

Types of energy audit


The term energy audit is commonly used to describe a broad spectrum of energy studies
ranging from a quick walk-through of a facility to identify major problem areas to a
comprehensive analysis of the implications of alternative energy efficiency measures
sufficient to satisfy the financial criteria of sophisticated investors. Three common audit
programs are described in more detail below, although the actual tasks performed and
level of effort may vary with the consultant providing services under these broad
headings. The only way to insure that a proposed audit will meet your specific needs is to
spell out those requirements in a detailed scope of work. Taking the time to prepare a
formal solicitation will also assure the building owner of receiving competitive and
comparable proposals.

Preliminary Audit
The preliminary audit alternatively called a simple audit, screening audit or walk-through
audit, is the simplest and quickest type of audit. It involves minimal interviews with site

operating personnel, a brief review of facility utility bills and other operating data, and a
walk-through of the facility to become familiar with the building operation and identify
glaring areas of energy waste or inefficiency.
Typically, only major problem areas will be uncovered during this type of audit.
Corrective measures are briefly described, and quick estimates of implementation cost,
potential operating cost savings, and simple payback periods are provided. This level of
detail, while not sufficient for reaching a final decision on implementing a proposed
measures, is adequate to prioritize energy efficiency projects and determine the need for a
more detailed audit.

General Audit
The general audit alternatively called a mini-audit, site energy audit or complete site
energy audit expands on the preliminary audit described above by collecting more
detailed information about facility operation and performing a more detailed evaluation
of energy conservation measures identified. Utility bills are collected for a 12 to 36
month period to allow the auditor to evaluate the facility's energy/demand rate structures,
and energy usage profiles. Additional metering of specific energy-consuming systems is
often performed to supplement utility data. In-depth interviews with facility operating
personnel are conducted to provide a better understanding of major energy consuming
systems as well as insight into variations in daily and annual energy consumption and
demand.
This type of audit will be able to identify all energy conservation measures appropriate
for the facility given its operating parameters. A detailed financial analysis is performed
for each measure based on detailed implementation cost estimates, site-specific operating
cost savings, and the customer's investment criteria. Sufficient detail is provided to justify
project implementation.

Investment-Grade Audit
In most corporate settings, upgrades to a facility's energy infrastructure must compete
with non-energy related investments for capital funding. Both energy and non-energy
investments are rated on a single set of financial criteria that generally stress the expected
return on investment (ROI). The projected operating savings from the implementation of
energy projects must be developed such that they provide a high level of confidence. In
fact, investors often demand guaranteed savings.
The investment-grader audit alternatively called a comprehensive audit, detailed audit,
maxi audit, or technical analysis audit, expands on the general audit described above by
providing a dynamic model of energy use characteristics of both the existing facility and
all energy conservation measures identified. The building model is calibrated against
actual utility data to provide a realistic baseline against which to compute operating
savings for proposed measures. Extensive attention is given to understanding not only the
operating characteristics of all energy consuming systems, but also situations that cause

load profile variations on both an annual and daily basis. Existing utility data is
supplemented with submetering of major energy consuming systems and monitoring of
system operating characteristics.

Chapter # 2
(Energy Audit of BZU (Multan))
Energy Audit of IMS

Rooms

Ceiling
Fans

Tubes

Computers A.C

Universal
Sockets

Lecture Rooms 144

256

32

48

Examination
Hall
Comp Lab

28

36

14

18

22

30

Teachers
Rooms
Libraries

26

24

18

16

32

80

128

47

Total

292

462

46

66

135

Total # of socket

135(each 5A)

Total socket current


=135X5=675A
Total capacity of sockets
=675X220X.75=111.375kW
Diversity factor=0.3
Total power=111.375*0.3=
33.412kW

Replace FTL Choke


Name of Item

Load
withLoad
with
Electronic Ballast Magnetic Ballast
FTL (Tube Lights) 38 W
42.5 W

Total No of Tube Lights (FTL) in IMS

= 578

Load of Single FTL with Magnetic Choke = 42.5 w


Total Energy per Year for UCE&T = 578 * 42.5 * 8 * 300
= 196.52 MWH
Total No of Tube Lights (FTL) in IMS

= 462

Load of Single FTL with Electronic Choke = 38 w


Total Energy per Year for UCE&T = 578 * 38 * 8 * 300
= 175.712 MWH
Energy Saving in IMS =196.52-175.71=
20.81MWH

Total No of Ceiling Fans in IMS

= 292

Load of Single Fan with Resistance Regulator = 63 w


Total Energy per Year = 292 * 63 * 20 * 240
= 88.30 MWH
Total No of Ceiling Fans in IMS = 292
Load of Single Fan with Electronic Regulator = 49 w
Total Energy per Year =292* 49 * 20 * 240
=68.68 MWH
Total saving Per Year =

19.62MWH

Total No of Tube Lights (FTL)

= 5316

Load of Single FTL with Magnetic Choke = 42.5 w


Total Energy per Year for UCE&T = 5316 * 42.5 * 8 * 300
= 542.232 MWH

Total No of Tube Lights (FTL)

= 5316

Load of Single FTL with Electronic Choke = 38 w


Total Energy per Year for UCE&T = 5316 * 38 * 8 * 300
= 484.81 MWH

Total light Energy Saving of all hostels = 57.41MWH


Total Energy Saved in All Hostels = 212.88+0.282+57.41
= 270.572 MWH (per year)

Chapter # 3
(Building insulation)
Introduction
Building insulation refers broadly to any object in a building used as insulation for any
purpose. While the majority of insulation in buildings is for thermal purposes, the term
also applies to acoustic insulation, fire insulation, and impact insulation (e.g. for
vibrations caused by industrial applications). Often an insulation material will be chosen
for its ability to perform several of these functions at once.
Building insulation materials are thermal insulation used in the construction or retrofit
of buildings. The materials are used to reduce heat transfer by conduction, radiation or
convection and are employed in varying combinations to achieve the desired outcome
(usually thermal comfort with reduced energy consumption).
Most of us spend the majority of our time in our homes (and for those of us who spend
the majority of our time at work, we wish we spent more time at home.) So, of course, we
want it to be as comfortable as possible and affordable to maintain. Insulation is one of
the most important components of a home that can help to affordably keep you and your
family comfortable year-round. In the "Insulation and Air Quality" article, we talked
about how insulation is like a home's clothes. Just like you need to bundle up on a cold
day, so your home needs to also be bundled up against the elements.
For example, if the air temperature outside the home is 95 degrees F, and you've cooled
the inside air temperature to 72 degrees F, proper insulation will help to keep the hot air
outside and the cool air inside. This keeps you comfortable and keeps the air conditioning
bill to a minimum. While the concept may sound simple, a home's insulation system is
quite complex entire books have been written about the subject. So, in this article we'll
give you the basic facts so that you can talk knowledgeably with your builder about how
your new home will be insulated. And if you're planning on remodeling the home and
want to know more about insulation, this article will give you an overview to start you
out.

Thermal Insulation:
Thermal insulation in buildings is an important factor to achieving thermal comfort for its
occupants. Insulation reduces unwanted heat loss or gain and can decrease the energy
demands of heating and cooling systems. It does not necessarily deal with issues of
adequate ventilation and may or may not affect the level of sound insulation. In a narrow
sense insulation can just refer to the insulation materials employed to slow heat loss, such
as: cellulose, glass wool, rock wool, polystyrene, urethane foam, vermiculite, perlite,
wood fibre, plant fibre (canabis, flax, cotton, cork, etc.), plant straw, animal fibre (sheeps
wool), cementitiousand earth or soil, but it can also involve a range of designs and
techniques to address the main modes of heat transfer - conduction, radiation and
convection materials.[1][2]
The effectiveness of insulation is commonly evaluated by its R-value. However, an Rvalue does not take into account the quality of construction or local environmental factors
for each building. Construction quality issues include inadequate vapour barriers, and
problems with draft-proofing. In addition, the properties and density of the insulation
material itself is critical. For example, according to Leah Twings, Quality Compliance
Manager of Textrafine Insulation, fiberglass insulation materials made from short strands
of glass layered over each other is not as durable as insulation made from long entangled
strands of glass.
How Heat Moves
The main function of insulation is to control heat flow. So in order to understand how
insulation works, you need to first understand how heat moves.
In addition to heat from the sun and burning fuel, heat is also generated by people,
animals and lights. In fact, as much as 30 percent of heat produced inside a home can be
caused by lights and appliances.
The heat generated by all of these sources moves from place to place by three basic
principles:

Radiation
Convection
Conduction

For ease of understanding, we'll discuss these concepts one at a time. In reality, however,
radiation, convection and conduction typically are working simultaneously.

Radiation
One way heat can move is by radiation. "Radiate" literally means "to send out waves; to
shine brightly." When heat moves by radiation, it's moving in the form of waves. Imagine
you're camping in the mountains. The evening air is cool, so you decide to build a
campfire. As you stand in front of your campfire, your face and arms begin to warm. The
heat you feel is moving by radiation from the flames to your body.
Convection
Another method of heat transfer is convection. Convection uses the principle that warm
air rises and cool air falls to transfer heat via the flow of air. To continue with our
camping scenario imagine it's dinner time. You begin to prepare dinner by placing a
metal pan over the campfire grill. In a few moments, the metal pan is hot, even though it's
not directly touching the flames. How has this happened? Flames have heated the air, and
the heated air has risen to heat the bottom of the pan. This heat transfer occurs via
convection (with some help from radiation).
Conduction
A third method of heat transfer is conduction. Conduction is the method heat uses to
move through a solid material. For heat to transfer from one surface to another by
conduction, the surfaces must be in direct contact with each other. Back to our camping
scenario to cook your dinner, you throw a fish into the hot metal pan over the
campfire. The heat transfers by conduction from the pan to the fish, cooking it.

How Heat Flow Affects?


Heat transfers through walls, windows, and roof of a home using a combination of
radiation, conduction, and convection. Heat moves from warm to cold. In the summer,
when it's warm outside, heat transfers through exterior walls, roof, and foundation of a
home to the inside of the home. This process is referred to as heat gain. In the winter, the
opposite will happen. Heat generated by the HVAC system moves through the building
enclosure and is lost to the outside of the home. This process is referred to as heat loss.
In the summer, uncontrolled heat gain can cause you to be uncomfortably warm. Your
thermostat will react to the warm temperatures, and the air conditioning system will have
to run more often and for longer periods of time, resulting in higher utility costs. The
same thing can happen in the winter, when uncontrolled heat loss can make your home
drafty and chilly. To keep warm, you'll need to turn up the thermostat, and the heating
system will have to run more often and for longer periods of time, again resulting in
higher utility costs.

How Insulation Works


A carefully considered insulation strategy that takes into account the house's
characteristics and the climate it's in is essential for controlling heat gain and loss through
the building enclosure, which includes the roof, walls, and foundation. It does this by
slowing the rate of heat flow through the building enclosure which has a significant
influence on how comfortable you and your family are in the home.
Insulation is typically referred to by its R-value. R-value is the measure of a material's
resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more resistant a material is to heat
flow. If you lived in Minnesota, for example, you'd want R-19 insulation in the walls
instead of R-13, because R-19 insulation is more resistant to heat flow, and will hold in
the heat longer. If you're remodeling the home, you'll want to find out the ideal levels for
your region. A good resource is the Department of Energy (DOE).
The building enclosure should be insulated continuously without gaps. Having gaps in
the building enclosure is similar to wearing a warm coat, but no gloves or hat. But
keeping the insulation continuous is tricky. There are numerous openings in the building
enclosure, like for windows, doors, electrical outlets, plumbing pipes, and lighting
fixtures. All gaps or openings need to be sealed so that the insulation is continuous.
Choosing an insulation material and installing it right are critical steps in the insulation
strategy. Now that you know the basics about how insulation works, and why it's critical
in your home, start talking with your builder about the insulation strategy they're
choosing for your home, and why. You should do this in the planning and design phases
of your home.

Planning

How much insulation a house should have depends on building design, climate, energy
costs, budget, and personal preference. Regional climates make for different
requirements. Building codes specify only the bare minimum; insulating beyond what
code requires is often recommended.
The insulation strategy of a building needs to be based on a careful consideration of the
mode of energy transfer and the direction and intensity in which it moves. This may alter
throughout the day and from season to season. It is important to choose an appropriate
design, the correct combination of materials and building techniques to suit the particular
situation.

To determine whether you should add insulation, you first need to find out how much
insulation you already have in your home and where. A qualified home energy auditor
will include an insulation check as a routine part of a whole-house energy audit.

Climate
Cold climates
In cold conditions, the main aim is to reduce heat flow out of the building. The
components of the building envelope - windows, doors, roofs, walls, and air
infiltration barriers are all important sources of heat loss[5][6]; in an otherwise well
insulated home, windows will then become an important source of heat transfer.[7].
The resistance to conducted heat loss for standard glazing corresponds to an Rvalue of about 0.17W/m2/Ko[8] (compared to 2-4W/m2/Ko for glasswool batts[9]).
Losses can be reduced by good weatherisation, bulk insulation, and minimising
the amount of non-insulative (particularly non-solar facing) glazing. Indoor
thermal radiation can also be retarded with spectrally selective (low-e, lowemissivity) glazing. Some insulated glazing systems can double to triple R
values.

Hot climates
In hot conditions, the greatest source of heat energy is solar radiation. [10] This can enter
buildings directly through windows or it can heat the building shell to a higher
temperature than the ambient, increasing the heat transfer through the building envelope.
[11][12]
The Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient (SGHC) [13] (a measure of solar heat transmittance)
of standard single glazing can be around 78-85%. [14]. Solar gain can be reduced by
adequate shading from the sun, light coloured roofing, spectrally selective (heatreflective) paints and coatings and various types of insulation for the rest of the envelope.
Specially coated glazing can reduce SHGC to around 10%[8]. Radiant barriers are highly
effective for attic spaces in hot climates [15]. In this application, they are much more
effective in hot climates than cold climates. For downward heat flow, convection is weak
and radiation dominates heat transfer across an air space. Radiant barriers must face an
adequate air-gap to be effective.
If refrigerative air-conditioning is employed in a hot, humid climate, then it is particularly
important to seal the building envelope. Dehumidification of humid air infiltration can
waste significant energy. On the other hand, some building designs are based on effective
cross-ventilation instead of refrigerative air-conditioning to provide convective cooling
from prevailing breezes.

Construction
Building envelope
The thermal envelope defines the conditioned or living space in a house. The attic or
basement may or may not be included in this area. Reducing airflow from inside to
outside can help to reduce convective heat transfer significantly [16].
Ensuring low convective heat transfer also requires attention to building construction
(weatherization) and the correct installation of insulative materials[17][18].
The less natural airflow into a building, the more mechanical ventilation will be required
to support human comfort. High humidity can be a significant issue associated with lack
of airflow, causing condensation, rotting construction materials, and encouraging
microbial growth such as mould and bacteria. Moisture can also drastically reduce the
effectiveness of insulation by creating a thermal bridge (see below). Air exchange
systems can be actively or passively incorporated to address these problems.

Thermal bridge
Thermal bridges are points in the building envelope that allow heat conduction to occur.
Since heat flows through the path of least resistance, thermal bridges can contribute to
poor energy performance. A thermal bridge is created when materials create a continuous
path across a temperature difference, in which the heat flow is not interrupted by thermal
insulation. Common building materials that are poor insulators include glass and metal.
A building design may have limited capacity for insulation in some areas of the structure.
A common construction design is based on stud walls, in which thermal bridges are
common in wood or steel studs and joists, which are typically fastened with metal.
Notable areas that most commonly lack sufficient insulation are the corners of buildings,
and areas where insulation has been removed or displaced to make room for system
infrastructure, such as electrical boxes (outlets and light switches), plumbing, fire alarm
equipment, etc.
Thermal bridges can also be created by uncoordinated construction, for example by
closing off parts of external walls before they are fully insulated. The existence of
inaccessible voids within the wall cavity which are devoid of insulation can be a source
of thermal bridging.
Some forms of insulation transfer heat more readily when wet, and can therefore also
form a thermal bridge in this state.

The heat conduction can be minimized by any of the following: reducing the cross
sectional area of the bridges, increasing the bridge length, or decreasing the number of
thermal bridges.
One method of reducing thermal bridge effects is the installation of an insulation board
(eg. foam board EPS XPS, wood fibre board, etc) over the exterior outside wall. Another
method is using insulated lumber framing for a thermal break inside the wall.

Where to insulate
Where to insulate depends on where your living or conditioned space (the space that you
heat and air-condition) ends and where your unconditioned space begins. Treat
unconditioned space as if it were outdoors, minus the rain and snow. Insulate the living
space as if you were insulating from the outdoors. For example, if your crawlspace is
unheated, and you want it to stay that way, then make sure it has adequate ventilation,
and insulate the floor above. If your attic is unheated, and you want it to stay that way,
also make sure it has adequate ventilation, and insulate between and over the floor joists.
If you occasionally want to heat only some sections of the living space, you should
insulate the walls between the sections you want to heat and the sections you dont want
to heat.
If the basement space is unheated, it may be best to insulate between floor joists
(basement ceiling) instead of around the foundation (basement floor and walls). There is
no harm done in insulating both the ceiling, and the floor and walls.
Generally, you should insulate:

Attic, especially the attic door hatch.


Doors and windows (see weatherization).
Floors over unheated spaces.
Ceilings with unconditioned spaces above.
Knee walls and rafters of a finished or conditioned attic.
All exterior walls.
Walls between conditioned spaces (such as living room) and unconditioned spaces
(such as unheated garage or storage area).
Floors over unconditioned or outside spaces.
Around the perimeter of a concrete floor.
Around the slab (if present), close to grade level on the outside.
Walls of finished, conditioned basement.
Foundation walls above ground area.
Foundation walls in heated basements
At top of foundation, where foundation meets mudsill.
Around perimeter of house at band joist.
Between rafters, but leave an air space for ventilation between the insulation and
the roof deck.

Floors above cold spaces, such as vented crawl spaces and unheated garages.
Any floor section that is cantilevered beyond the exterior wall below.
Around slab floors built directly on the ground.
Foundation walls of crawl spaces (people often insulate crawl spaces so poorly
that the insulation is ineffective).

If you are curious what kind of insulation already exists, here are some ways to inspect
your walls for insulation:

Remove electrical cover plates and look through gap on side of electrical box.
Remove piece of siding and sheathing.
Drill hole in interior or exterior wall and extract sample.

Consideration of materials used


Factors affecting the type and amount of insulation to use in a building include:

Climate
Ease of installation
Durability - resistance to degradation
decomposition, etc.
Ease of replacement at end of life
Cost effectiveness
Toxicity
Flammability
Environmental impact and sustainability

from

compression,

moisture,

Often a combination of materials is used to achieve an optimum solution and there are
products which combine different types of insulation into a single form.

Energy Efficient Windows


U-factor
U-factor is also known as thermal transmission. It is a measure of the rate of heat loss
through a product. Therefore, the lower the U-factor, the lower the amount of heat loss. In
cold climates, where heating bills are a major concern, choosing windows with lower Ufactors will reduce the amount of heat that escapes through a window from inside your
house to the outside.

What is Solar Heat Gain


The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, also know as SHGC, measures the rate of heat gain
through a product. Therefore, the lower the SHGC, the lower the amount of solar heat

gain. In hot climates, where air-conditioning bills are a major concern, choosing windows
with lower SHGC will reduce the amount of heat that comes in through your windows
from the outside.

What are the Different types of Building Insulation?


Types of building insulation can be broken down in many different ways. From the
material used to how it is installed, building insulation is remarkably diverse. In many
cases, it is best to install insulation before a wall is completed, but even if this is not
done, there are types of insulation that can help. Choosing the best insulation will depend
on your particular circumstance.

1) Fiber Glass.
One of the cheapest and most effective types of building insulation is fiberglass. This
material is usually applied in rolls with a paper backing. For walls that have already been
completed, a small incision can be made and the fiberglass can be blown in. This is a
particularly effective method that does minimal damage to the walls.

2) Foam (Poly styrene)


Another type of insulation is foam. This usually takes the form of rigid boards of
polystyrene or some other similar material. While this material can only be applied in
unfinished walls, it is somewhat easier and less irritating to deal with than rolls of
fiberglass. Foam is also a good choice when trying to insulate in between concrete
blocks. It can be poured-in-place foam or come in pre-sized pieces.
The types of building insulation can also be broken down by where it will be used. Most
of the types of insulation discussed so far have been for walls, though some of these types
are also appropriate for ceiling or roof insulation, such as rolls of fiberglass. However,

many choose to give the ceiling special consideration, given how much energy can be
gained and lost through it.

Advantages of closed-cell over open-cell foams

Open-cell foam is porous, allowing water vapor and liquid water to penetrate the
insulation. Closed-cell foam is non-porous, and not moisture-penetrable, thereby
effectively forming a SEMI-permeable vapor barrier. (N.b., vapor barriers are
usually required by the Building Codes, regardless of the type of insulation used.
Check with the local authorities to find out the requirements for your area.)
Closed-cell foams are superior insulators. While open-cell foams typically have
R-values of 3 to 4 per inch (RSI-0.53 to RSI-0.70 per inch), closed-cell foams can
attain R-values of 5 to 8 per inch (RSI-0.88 to RSI-1.41 per inch). This is
important if space is limited, because it allows a thinner layer of insulation to be
used. For example, a 1-inch layer of closed-cell foam provides about the same
insulation factor as 2 inches of open-cell foam.
Closed-cell foam is very strong, and structurally reinforces the insulated surface.
By contrast, open-cell foam is soft when cured, with little structural strength.
Open-cell foam requires trimming after installation, and disposal of the waste
material. Unlike open-cell foam, closed-cell foam rarely requires any trimming,
with little or no waste.

3) Reflective insulation
Reflective insulation makes for a very good ceiling insulation. One side is a more typical
insulating material, but the insulation does not stop there. The other side is a reflective
surface, meant to reflect extremely hot or cold air back in the direction it came from.
Reflective insulation is most effective where the heat flow is in a downward direction and
the reflective portion is facing up.

4) Spray polyurethane foam (SPF)

For large to mid scale applications, a two component mixture comes together at the tip of
a gun, and forms an expanding foam that is sprayed onto concrete slabs, into wall cavities
of an unfinished wall, against the interior side of sheathing, or through holes drilled in
sheathing or drywall into the wall cavity of a finished wall.

Advantages

Blocks airflow by expanding and


sealing off leaks, gaps and
penetrations.
Can serve as a semi-permeable
vapor barrier with a better
permeability rating than plastic
sheeting
vapor
barriers
and
consequently reduce the build up of
moisture, which can cause mold
growth.
Can fill wall cavities in finished
walls without tearing the walls apart
(as required with batts).
Works well in tight spaces (like
loose-fill, but superior).
Provides acoustical insulation (like
loose-fill, but superior).
Expands while curing, filling
bypasses, and providing excellent
resistance to air infiltration (unlike
batts and blankets, which can leave
bypasses and air pockets, and
superior to some types of loose-fill.
Wet-spray cellulose is comparable.).
Increases structural stability (unlike
loose-fill, similar to wet-spray
cellulose).
Can be used in places where loosefill cannot, such as between joists
and rafters. When used between
rafters, the spray foam can cover up
the nails protruding from the
underside
of
the
sheathing,
protecting your head.
Can be applied in small quantities.

Disadvantages

The cost can be high compared to traditional


insulation.
Most of all, with the exception of
cementitious foams, release toxic fumes
when they burn.[13]
According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, there is insufficient data
to accurately assess the potential for
exposures to the toxic and environmentally
harmful isocyanates which constitute 50% of
the foam material.[14]
Depending on usage and building codes,
most foams require protection with a thermal
barrier such as drywall on the interior of a
house. For example a 15-minute fire rating
may be required.
Can shrink slightly while curing if not
applied on a substrate heated to
manufacturer's recommended temperature.
Although CFCs are no longer used, many use
HCFCs or HFCs as blowing agents. Both are
potent greenhouse gases, and HCFCs have
some ozone depletion potential.
Most, such as Polyurethane and Isocyanate
insulation, contain hazardous chemicals such
as benzene and toluene. These are a potential
hazard and environmental concern during
raw
material
production,
transport,
manufacture, and installation.[15][16]
Many foam insulations are made from
petrochemicals and may be a concern for
those seeking to reduce the use of fossil fuels
and oil. However, some foams are becoming
available that are made from renewable or
recycled sources.[17]
R-value will diminish slightly with age,

Cementitious foam is fireproof.

though the degradation of R-value stops once


equilibrium with the environment is reached.
Even after this process, the stabilized R-value
is very high.
Most foams require protection from sunlight
and solvents.
It is difficult to retrofit some foams to an
existing building structure because of the
chemicals and processes involved.
If one does not wear a protective mask or
goggles, it is possible to temporarily impair
one's vision. (25 days)

5) Structural insulated panels


Structural insulated panels (SIPs), also called stressed-skin walls, use the same concept as
in foam-core external doors, but extend the concept to the entire house. They can be used
for ceilings, floors, walls, and roofs. The panels usually consist of plywood, oriented
strandboard, or drywall glued and sandwiched around a core consisting of expanded
polystyrene, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, compressed wheat straw, or epoxy. Epoxy is
too expensive to use as an insulator on its own, but it has a high R-value (7 to 9), high
strength, and good chemical and moisture resistance.

Advantages

Strong. Able to bear loads, including


external loads from precipitation and
wind.
Faster construction than stick-built
house. Less lumber required.
Insulate acoustically.
Impermeable to moisture.
Can truck prefabricated panels to
construction site and assemble on site.
Create shell of solid insulation around
house, while reducing bypasses
common
with
stick-frame
construction. The result is an
inherently energy-efficient house.
Do not use formaldehyde, CFCs, or
HCFCs in manufacturing.
True R-values and lower energy costs.

Disadvantages

More expensive than other types of


insulation.
Thermal bridging at splines and lumber
fastening points unless a thermally
broken spline is used (insulated lumber).

6) Cotton batts (Blue Jean)

Cotton insulation is increasing in popularity as an environmentally preferable option for


insulation. It has an R-value of around 3.7 (RSI-0.65), a higher value than most
fiberglass batts. The cotton is primarily recycled industrial scrap, providing a
sustainability benefit. The batts do not use the toxic formaldehyde backing found in
fiberglass, and the manufacture is nowhere near as energy intensive as the mining
and production process required for fiberglass. Boric acid is used as a flame
retardant. A small quantity of polyolefin is melted as an adhesive to bind the
product together (and is preferable to formaldehyde adhesives). Installation is
similar to fiberglass, without the need for a respirator but requiring some additional
time to cut the material. As with any batt insulation, proper installation is important
to ensure high energy efficiency.

Advantage

Disadvantage

Higher R-Value
fiberglass batts

than

typical

Recycled content, no formaldehyde


or other toxic substances, and very
low toxicity during manufacture
(only from the polyolefin)

Fibers do not cause itchiness, no


cancer risk from airborne fibers

Difficult to cut. Some installers may


charge a slightly higher cost for
installation as compared to other
batts. This does not affect the
effectiveness of the insulation, but
may require choosing an installer
more carefully, as any batt should
be cut to fit the cavity well.
Even with proper installation, batts
do not completely seal the cavity
against air movement (as with
cellulose or expanding foam).
Still requires a vapor retarder or
barrier (unlike cellulose)
May be hard to dry if a leak allows
excessive moisture
into
the
insulated cavity

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