Comments on: ENERGY STAR Version 3 Requires Grade I Insulation

By: Trina Mastran

Trina Mastran — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:46:32 +0000

I am working with several
I am working with several contractors to certify their homes as Energy Star. In reading the requirements for insulation grading I think it difficult at best to explain to the contractor. Some contractors want to know how I came up with the Grade other than a visual interpretation and typical comment of "batts never achieve a Grade I, maybe a Grade II and mostly a Grade III". This is not a good enough answer. How can I as a new HERs Rater (with little experience in grading insulation) calculate the grade of insulation (on a job that isn't obviously bad)? One reason I am perplexed is the compression of 2% area. How does this translate when working with volumes, ie the cavity. Can you provide an example of how to calculate a grade or at least clarify the grading instructions when discussing areas versus volume?

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 07:37:14 +0000

Walt, thanks for posting that
Walt, thanks for posting that link to the Owens-Corning document. It's got a lot of good info & photos. It looks like either they borrowed material from ENERGY STAR or ENERGY STAR borrowed material from them because there document has some identical features to the ENERGY STAR materials we used in our Version 3 class this week.

For those wondering how to find it on that page, you have to choose 'R-13 Fiberglass Insulation' from the drop-down menu. (I've tried to make a clickable link in here, but for some reason it's not working.)

By: Walter Stachowicz

Walter Stachowicz — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:58:01 +0000

The challenge many of us face
The challenge many of us face is educating the installers. Owens-Corning has provided this document to help installers understand what is required. Good pictures and checklists. Thay can’t say that they don’t understand what is needed.

http://insulation.owenscorning.com/professionals/technical-resources/index.aspx

By: Carl D. Clark

Carl D. Clark — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:06:03 +0000

Good artical made even better
Good artical made even better with the addition of the pictures.

Keep it up

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:11:04 +0000

Great point, Matt! I should
Great point, Matt! I should've put that in the article. Being ensconced in the world of building science, though, I sometimes forget that what seems reasonable to me may cause another person to wonder if I'm off my rocker.

For those interested, here are several articles related to this topic:

Flat or Lumpy - How Would You Like Your Insulation?

Attic Stairs - A Mind-Blowing Hole in Your Building Envelope

A Dramatic Illustration of a Compromised Building Envelope

By: Matt Marshall

Matt Marshall — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 18:48:09 +0000

To people outside the world
To people outside the world of building science these guidelines would seem like nonsense. This includes many of the insulation contractors out there. Less than 2% of the area uninsulated just to get above a grade II!? So that the non-believers can get a sense of the energy loss through only 2% gaps, I recommend reading your article about the attic stairs. http://tiny.cc/cn1qt