Air Sealing Mixed Use & Multifamily Buildings: Exterior Shell & Unit-to-Unit Compartmentalization

1. Air Sealing Mixed Use & Multifamily Buildings: Exterior Shell & Unit-to-Unit Compartmentalization Erica Brabon, BPI MFBA, LEED AP O+M 307 7th Ave, Suite 1701, NY, NY ebrabon@swinter.com Steven Winter Associates

2. Efficiency Vermont is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

3. Learning Objectives At the end of this program, participants will be able to: • Discuss the concept of air sealing and how it affects stack effect and leads to energy savings • Understand how we evaluate mid-rise buildings for this measure and what we look for • Understand how air sealing is not only an energy saver but helps with indoor air quality (smoke and smell migration), pest problems, and sound issues • Understand how air movement in a multifamily building greatly affects energy usage

4. Course Evaluations In order to maintain high-quality learning experiences, please access the evaluation for this course by logging into CES Discovery and clicking on the Course Evaluation link on the left side of the page.

5. Who We Are • Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) is a 38 year-old architecture and engineering consulting firm specializing in building performance. • SWAhas trained over 2000 managers, architects, engineers and maintenance staff on how to run and maintain multi-family buildings in the last five years • SWA works with many other types of high performance buildings including Energy Star, LEED, Building America, PATH, and numerous regional performance specifications. • Offices: NYC; Norwalk, CT; Washington DC

6. Air Leakage – Basic Ideas • Where is the air coming in? • How does it move through the building? • How does it leave?

7. Whole Building Energy Loss: Infiltration & Ventilation • Air movement in and out of conditioned spaces • Stack and wind effects, shafts & by-passes • Exhaust & supply fans It’s all in the envelope

8. Unit to Unit Infiltration • Majority of MF apartment enclosures are adjacent to other units

9. Infiltration & Stack Effect What is “Stack Effect”? Stack effect occurs naturally in buildings as air which is warmer and more buoyant tends to rise above cooler, denser air. The greater difference between inside and outside temperature and the taller the building, the greater the stack effect. Source: American ALDES

10. Infiltration – Data Collection • Unit air leakage vs whole building • Equipment and procedure • What is acceptable leakage? • How is this number different with MF? • What do you do with this number?

11. Blower Door Disco

12. Infiltration – Certification Criteria • LEED NC, EB, etc requires 1.25 square inches ELA @ 4 pascals/100 SF Enclosure • LEED Homes requires 7 ACH50, 4 gets you a point • EPA National Energy Star Multifamily High Rise Program will require 1.75 ELA square inches ELA @ 4 pascals/100 SF Enclosure (0.315 CFM50/SF) • EPA Energy Star Labeled Homes requires 3 ACH50

13. Air Leakage – Basic Ideas • Where is the air coming in? • How does it move through the building? • How does it leave?

14. Sample Air Sealing Checklist Plumbing / Sprinkler Pipe Penetration Range Gas Line Penetration Gypsum board to concrete ceiling plank connection - Exterior walls and all interior partition walls Gap between take off duct and gypsum board Electrical Panel HVAC Access Doors Thermostats Intercoms Lighting Fixtures Door Latch Hole Medicine Cabinet • Pipe Insulation • Framing layout, demising walls and interior • Window to rough opening • Window to interior gypsum board • Air conditioner sleeve sealed to drywall (cover is installed if A/Cs provided by building) • Outlet/Electrical Box - Exterior and Demising Walls • Gypsum board to concrete floor plank connection - Exterior walls and all interior partition walls • Gypboard to bottom track of demising wall • Heating pipe penetrations through exterior walls • Heating pipe penetrations through interior partitions

15. Air Sealing and Health & Safety • Air leakage pathways are also pathways for: • Smoke • Pests • Moisture • Sound • VOCs and Other Indoor Pollutants • Air sealing not only saves energy but prevents the spread of pollutants and pests

16. Air Sealing & Asthma Attacks • Things that cause asthma attacks are called “triggers”. • “Triggers” include: • Secondhand smoke • Cockroaches (and their remains) • Dust mites (and their remains) • Rodents (and their remains) • Pets with fur • Nitrogen dioxide • Mold

17. Air Sealing to Control Moisture • Controlling indoor MOISTURE is a major step for controlling: • Mold • Cockroaches • Rodents • Rust • Bacteria • Building degradation • Air sealing can help control

18. Primary Air Infiltration Sites 5% Fans & Vents 12% Windows Floors, walls, and Ceilings 36% 13% Doors Electric Outlets 2% 15% Plumbing Penetrations Central Shafts 16% Data Source: California Energy Commission

19. Common Air Sealing Opportunities • Electrical penetrations • Plumbing penetrations • Window framing • Wall to floor connection • Doors and vestibules • Basement ceiling • In unit ventilation grills • Radon…? • Check concentration before sealing Outlet Plumbing Penetration

20. Where is air coming into the building?

21. Vented Mechanical Rooms

22. AC Sleeves • Not always a perfect fit • Even when sealed still leak • Interior cover is one solution

23. AC Sleeves - IR

24. AC Sleeves - IR

25. Leaky Windows

26. Leaky Windows

27. Leaky Windows - IR

28. Interior Framing Layout – Demising Wall

29. Framing at Perimeter

30. Wall Floor Connection

31. Wall Ceiling Connection

32. Heating Pipe Penetrations

33. Outlets

34. Holes From Pipe and Plumbing Penetrations

35. Sealing Below Bathtub Before After

36. Sprinkler and Plumbing Penetrations

37. Plumbing Penetrations - IR

38. Door Latch Hole

39. Light Fixtures - IR

40. Leakage at Sheetrock Connection

41. Leakage at Sheetrock Connection Leakage Pathway Assuming a 1/16” gap along perimeter (red):8 x 8 duct  2.0 square inches of leakage area per exhaust grille 6 x 6 duct  1.5 square inches of leakage area per exhaust grille

42. How does air leave the building?

43. Roof Curb Leakage

44. Roof Curb Leakage

45. Ice Damming

46. Ice Damming • Inadequate insulation and leakage lead to a warm roof • Melting snow hits the cold roof edge and freezes • Once enough ice and pooling forms, ice backs up into the wall and shingles • Moisture damage leads to mold, which is an indoor air quality issue and can cause asthma attacks

47. Ice Damming Solutions • If you already have moisture damage, those materials (sheetrock and insulation) must be removed • Air seal the attic to prevent further heat from escaping to the roof • Insulate the attic • You must air seal BEFORE you insulate PROPERLY

48. General Air Sealing Guidelines GAPS ≤ 1/4”Caulk Energy Blast Services The Daily Green OTHERFoam board, fiberglass in plastic bags, etc. GAPS 1/4” – 3”Spray foam

49. Yorktown Square • Two story buildings comprised of one and two bedroom flats • Constructed in early 70’s – renovation 2007 • Slab on grade, stick built, wood cladding • Occupants are families and individuals receiving housing and utility subsidies • Tenants directly metered for all utility consumption excluding water SAVE ON AVG $130 A YEAR PER UNIT IN ELECTRIC COSTS