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Loose-Fill Insulation: Preparation and Installation

Learn the basic principles of air leakage, identify common air leakage sites in attics, and understand the tools and materials used in air sealing and attic preparation. Explore high-temperature issues and safety concerns related to wiring and exhaust fan ducting. Discover how to leave an attic air sealed and prepared for insulation.

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Loose-Fill Insulation: Preparation and Installation

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  1. Loose-Fill Insulation: Preparation and Installation WEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICIAN INTERMEDIATE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012

  2. Learning Objectives LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION By attending this session, participants will be able to: • Summarize basic principles of air leakage. • Identify typical air leakage sites in attics. • List the various tools and materials used in air sealing and attic preparation. • Explain high-temperature issues and how to treat them prior to insulating them. • Discuss safety concerns related to wiring. • Describe exhaust fan ducting and termination requirements. • Describe how to leave an attic air sealed and prepared for insulation.

  3. Learning Objectives LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION By attending this session, participants will be able to: • State the importance of following cost-effectiveness guidelines when insulating attics. • Describe how proper attic treatment can save up to 20% of home heating and cooling bills. • Explain how, combined with air sealing, attic insulation reduces the likelihood of structural damage due to condensation on the roof deck. • Outline the process for insulating attics with loose-fill insulation on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. • Demonstrate comparing material use to coverage required.

  4. Air Leakage Review LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION • Air flow is measured in cubic feet per minute. • Also written as ft3/min, or CFM • 1 CFM out = 1 CFM in • Air flow takes the path of least resistance. • Air moves from high-to low-pressure areas. • Air moves from high-to low-temperature areas.

  5. Air Leakage Review LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Ventilation= Controlled air leakage Exfiltration = Air leaking out Infiltration = Air leaking in Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

  6. Air Leakage Review LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Direct Leakageoccurs at direct openings to outdoors. Leakage enters and exits at same location. Indirect Leakageenters at one location, moves through building cavities, and exits at a different location. Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

  7. Floor Plan Sketch LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Kitchen Range Hood Bath Fan Before going into the attic, note common issues. Recessed Lights Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

  8. Common Tools for Attic Prep LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION 8 • Urethane foam (spray foam) • Foam board • Sheet metal/foil • Mastic and gloves • High-temperature caulk • Utility flags • Insulation rulers • Tin snips and zip ties • Stapler • Weatherstripping • Zip tie tightening tool • Utility knife 3 1 2 7 6 11 4 5 9 12 10 Photo courtesy of US Department of Energy

  9. Rigid Foam Board Insulation LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION R-Values Expanded polystyrene: R-3.8/in. Extruded polystyrene: R-5/in. Polyisocyanurate: R-6.8/in.

  10. High Temperature Issues LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Recessed Light Fixtures Flues High-temp caulk IC Rated Fixture Maintain appropriate clearances Non-IC Rated Fixture Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy

  11. Hatches and Dams LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION General carpentry comes in handy for constructing an attic hatch dam like this one. Photo courtesy of Bill Van der Meer

  12. Wiring LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Knob and tube wiring is common in old homes. • No insulation over knob and tube wiring • All home electrical systems properly grounded • Wiring splices enclosed in junction boxes and marked with a flag visible above attic insulation Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy

  13. Exhaust Fans and Ducting LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Is this getting the stale air out? Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy

  14. Ducting and Terminations Photo courtesy of Reader’s Digest LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION • Smooth materials • Straight, short runs vent outside • Smooth, tight connections • Insulate ducts • Exclude pests

  15. Cost-Effective Insulation Levels LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Table based on US Dept. of Energy recommendations

  16. Not Enough Insulation LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

  17. Too Much Insulation LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

  18. Measuring Blown-In Insulation LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy Staple rulers every 15 feet for even coverage. How much is in that back corner?

  19. Vertical Insulation LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION This photo shows loose-fill insulation on a knee wall, held in with hose wrap and stapled to the studs. Photo courtesy of Bill Van der Meer

  20. Leave Attic Ready for Insulation LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION • Place shields around fixtures and flues. • Anticipated ventilation installed. • Be sure wiring is safe. • Juncture boxes and recessed lights marked. Flags indicate juncture boxes, recessed lights. Dam maintains clearance around flue. Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy

  21. Dos and Don’ts LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Do • Follow manufacturer instructions • Ensure even coverage • Ensure proper density Don’t • Install in a leaky attic • Ignore existing problems • Compress or leave voids • Get too close to high-temperature fixtures

  22. Summary LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION • Insulating and air sealing attics can reduce home heating and cooling costs by 20%. • Insulation provides the thermal envelope or boundary around conditioned living space. • Follow cost-effective guidelines to determine the target for the installed R-value. • Maintain appropriate clearances from high-temperaturebuilding components. • Mark junction boxes and fixtures before insulating. • Use rulers stapled to rafters to measure depth of blown-in attic insulation. • When installing blown-in insulation in a vertical application, backing must not sag or bend.

  23. Summary LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION • Blower doors and smoke sticks help locate air leaks. • Dirty insulation is a sign of air leakage. • Check typical hot spots, including duct and wiring chases, flues, and plumbing penetrations. • Use appropriate air sealing materials for the job. • Maintain clearance from combustibles. • Do not insulate over unsafe wiring. • Ensure exhaust fans vent directly outside with proper terminations and ducts sealed and insulated as appropriate.

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