Sealed and Insulated Attic Hygrothermal Performance in New California Homes Using Vapor and Air Permeable Insulation—Field Study and Simulation

Abstract

Company -were selected to administer the EPIC funds and advance novel technologies, tools, and strategies that provide benefits to their electric ratepayers.The Energy Commission is committed to ensuring public participation in its research and development programs that promote greater reliability, lower costs, and increase safety for the California electric ratepayer and include:• Providing societal benefits.• Reducing greenhouse gas emission in the electricity sector at the lowest possible cost.• Supporting California's loading order to meet energy needs first with energy efficiency and demand response, next with renewable energy (distributed generation and utility scale), and finally with clean, conventional electricity supply.• Supporting low-emission vehicles and transportation.• Providing economic development.• Using ratepayer funds efficiently. ABSTRACTThis project investigated the thermal and moisture performance of a low-cost approach to sealing and insulating attics using glass fiber insulation. The work included a combination of:(1) field measurements of attic and HVAC system performance in two new, high performance homes in California's Central Valley (Fresno), and (2) hygrothermal simulations of attic performance. Each field study attic was continuously monitored at multiple locations for over a year for wood moisture content, air humidity, condensation, temperature, and heat flux, together with on-site weather and solar conditions. The Fresno test home showed periodic condensation and high surface wood moisture content, but no surface mold or degradation upon visual inspection at the end of the test period. The Clovis test home showed less indication of high moisture levels-either from surface condensation or wood moisture content-but did have visible suspected mold growth on the inside of the North sheathing at the end of the field testing. These results show the limitations of current moisture measurement techniques focused on wood moisture content, rather than potential for mold growth. From a thermal/energy perspective the attics were close to indoor conditions thereby realizing the design intent for reducing duct system losses. Simulated site HVAC energy savings for sealed vs. vented attics averaged 18% across California climate regions (8% TDV energy savings). Savings were dominated by heating energy reductions; cooling savings were substantially lower. The moisture issues are investigated in greater detail in the simulations.First, we identified the climate regions and house characteristics that are associated with increased risk of mold growth or wood rot in new CA homes. Climate region was very important in determining risk, as were house features that reduced outside air exchange (e.g., 1story homes, very tight envelopes, very tight attics, no IAQ fan), along with those that increased flow of moist air from the living space to the attic (e.g., supply ventilation fans, larger ceiling leaks, duct leakage). Second, we investigated several approaches to reduce moisture risks, and the best appr...