Comments on: Let’s Stop Using the Word “Breathe” for Buildings https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/ Building science knowledge, HVAC design, & fun Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:17:12 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 By: Michelle https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-10946 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 07:42:30 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-10946 We are designing a house to
We are designing a house to be built in a warm temperate mediterranean type climate, dry summers and wet winters, in South Africa. I really want to do it right, and am an engineer myself. But I am so confused. I really want to implement the best strategy but everythng on the net seems to be for colder climates. How much airtightness and vapour control is really required for milder climates? Is there any documentation out there for us to read?
HRV systems are not commonly used and would it really be necessary? Just want to walk around in a t-shirt all year round……

]]> By: Jerry Flach https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-10611 Thu, 08 Jun 2017 17:37:05 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-10611 I was so blown away with ‘air
I was so blown away with ‘air in equals air out’ that all I could think of was breathing BUT your recommendation is well received here; clarity in communications contributes to the success of goals and I want us to control our buildings!

]]> By: Jimmy A https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-10248 Thu, 05 Jan 2017 03:24:22 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-10248 In reply to Jurij Podolak.

Good point. Another aspect
Good point. Another aspect many here are missing is the fact that all this stuff looks great in text books and data sheets and drawings but remember, that’s a static representation of the condition of the building after the last nail is hammered in. If left exactly as it was intended then these “super tight” buildings should perform as intended. But that’s not real life. People use their homes. 2 days after they move in the cable company starts whacking holes everywhere trying to get Wi-fi up and running. Kids punch holes in the wall. The wife hangs mirrors, pictures, and shelving. Eventually there will be some renovations which leaves gaps and cracks in the once perfectly sealed exterior walls leading to exactly what Jurij spoke about. I’m guessing many on this forum are designers but I’ve ripped apart hundreds of homes ranging from 2 to 150+ years old. Not much moisture problems in the old ones and you’d be surprised at how low of an energy bill a homeowner can have with a 100 year old house with virtually zero insulation but new windows and doors.

]]> By: Allison Bailes https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-9847 Wed, 16 Nov 2016 22:42:52 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-9847 Tony, there’s no need to get
Tony, there’s no need to get yourself all worked up over this. No one is “trying to control language” here. I simply made a suggestion because the word “breathe” when used in the context of buildings is confusing. You don’t agree. That’s fine. Use whatever words you want.

But someday, when you’ve gotten yourself into a state of kenopsia, you may wish for a bit of tuttadit. From there, the usual progression leads to kairosclerosis. That’s all I’m saying.

]]> By: David Butler https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-9849 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 01:03:54 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-9849 @Bob, you’ll find other
@Bob, you’ll find other articles on this site that focus on this question, but consider that in cold weather, a vented attic won’t be any colder than the outside, and in fact, it’s often quite a bit warmer than the outside due to solar radiation on the roof. On the other hand, as long as ceiling is properly sealed and ducts located inside conditioned space, a conditioned attic will actually increase the seasonal heat load since there’s more surface area exposed to the cold. Conversely, if you don’t do a good job sealing the ceiling, or there’s no other way to get the ducts inside, then a conditioned attic solves these problems. It’s as simple as that.

you wrote: “is increased breathabilty a by-product of increased heat loss?”

If by breathability you mean infiltration, then I would say just the opposite: increased heat loss is a by-product of increased breathability.

]]> By: Bob Wilson https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-9848 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 00:33:24 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-9848 Can anyone help me with my
Can anyone help me with my knowledge of cold attics vs warm attics spaces and which is best? In Europe and England, attic spaces are bitterly cold in winter. I view these bitterly cold roof spaces as a ‘magnet’ that draws heat out of a property. I claim no matter how thick a layer of fiberglass insulation laid on the attic floor does not stop heat loss and this is a myth. When a house breathes it loses valuable heat, and these costly heat losses are out of proportion to the so called gains and benefits. All views and comments will be appreciated that question for/or against whether a cold attic space is preferable to a warm attics space with some consensus of which is best? and is increased breathabilty a by-product of increased heat loss?

]]> By: Dale Sherman https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-9834 Sun, 13 Nov 2016 23:06:57 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-9834 Michael – Yes, leaving a
Michael – Yes, leaving a house leaky enough to “breathe” works, sort of. The problem is over ventilation during extreme hot or cold or windy weather, and under ventilation during calm 72 degree days. This is why balanced ventilation in a tight home is best for comfort and energy savings. However, in poor housing stock, many houses are tightened up just enough to avoid adding whole house mechanical ventilation, especially when the occupants are unlikely to service the equipment.

If our country adopted the old school ventilation habits of countries like Sweden and Norway, we would be practicing vädra. Vädra is the habit of opening the windows of a house one or more times a day to exchange the air. It is performed in many homes in Scandanavian countries year round. They make their homes quite warm and tight, but if they don’t have an HRV, they regularly upgrade their indoor air.

]]> By: Artisan Tony https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-9846 Sun, 13 Nov 2016 22:45:01 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-9846 Anytime I see someone trying
Anytime I see someone trying to control language I am suspect of their intent. I am sure at some point in JLC’s history the term “breath” was acceptable so let us get to the issue which this article never actually did. All you did was talk about controlling language and not what the problems of moisture being held in walls really create.

So how about talking about how we control moisture transfer in lieu of language.

I have been in the industry for almost 40 years and mostly what I have heard is talk. Thankfully companies like Dupont (Tyvek) are contributing with solutions. As usual, the internet just likes a good discussion while the real world moves.

]]> By: Lex https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-9845 Sun, 13 Nov 2016 21:48:16 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-9845 An ERV allows fresh air in:
An ERV allows fresh air in: breathe in. Fans in bathrooms remove moisture: breathe out. …. what’s the problem with the analogy? I like it. Build tight/ breathe right.

]]> By: Graham Irwin https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings/#comment-9844 Sun, 13 Nov 2016 20:26:13 +0000 http://energyvanguard.flywheelsites.com/?blog_post=lets-stop-using-the-word-breathe-for-buildings#comment-9844 Hurrah Allison!
Hurrah Allison!

I’ve been saying for a long while that “Houses don’t need to breathe but they do need to be able to sweat!” i.e., there’s no upside to air infiltration in building assemblies, but drying potential is crucial.

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