Insulate and Weatherize: Expert Advice from Start to Finish

by: Bruce Harley

Topics include: blowing cellulose, good air barrier, indoor humidity control, adhesive flashing, duct mastic, packed cellulose, air sealing, tight building envelope, background ventilation, central exhaust systems, weather shell, central ventilation system, drainage plane, building durability, poly vapor barrier, damp spray, seal air leaks, standby losses, rigid foam board, spot ventilation, duct board, chimney chases, sealed combustion, wiring holes, sealing the floor

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Book Description:

In this complete do-it-yourself guide to home insulation and weatherization, engineer Bruce Harley offers solutions that will make your home more comfortable in all seasons. Using his troubleshooting advice, you'll be able to identify the hidden energy wasters and moisture problems that can do serious damage in your home. Clear explanations, hundreds of photos, and detailed illustrations will guide you step by step through the process of upgrading both structures and systems. Implementing even a few of these sensible solutions can result in real savings in your energy bills. This book brings you information on: * finding and sealing sources of air leakage * choosing the best insulation materials * preventing costly moisture damage * troubleshooting windows, doors, and skylights * maintaining heating and cooling systems * using electricity and heating fuel efficiently * curing foundation problems About the author Bruce Harley is an engineer who has been involved in energy efficiency for the last decade. His field experience includes testing, diagnosis, and remediation of air leakage, duct leakage, airflow, combustion safety, and indoor air quality in residential buildings, as well as efficiency testing and troubleshooting of geothermal heat pumps. He has conducted training in energy-efficient residential construction, building science, mechanical systems, diagnostic techniques, and energy codes for designers, builders, building officials, and tradespeople. He currently lives in Stamford, Vermont, in an energy-efficient solar/electric house, which he designed and built.

First Sentence: "There is a lot of misconception, folklore, and conflicting information about the consequences of weatherizing a house: ""A house has to breathe-you don't want it too tight,"" ""Too much insulation will make your house rot,"" ""Insulate your attic because heat r"

Introduction:

Why is energy efficiency so important? You can't see energy efficiency, but it can make a big difference, both for your budget and for the environment. Here's how. First, increasing your home's energy efficiency puts money right back in your wallet. The average American family living in a single-family home spends $1,500 on energy for the home every year. How much of that can you save? From a few dollars per year to more than 50%, depending on the existing condition of your home and the level of weatherization you undertake. And an investment in energy savings not only reduces your operating costs but also helps shield you against future price increases. In addition, the money saved generally benefits the local economy, helping neighbors and local businesses rather than oil and utility companies. Of course, comfort is important, too. Weatherizing does not mean turning down the thermostat and freezing in the dark. It means using less energy for the same level of comfort -- or even more. My customers are often amazed to discover how much more comfortable they are when their energy culprits are found and fixed. Indoor air quality is a big deal. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency studies have found that indoor air pollution levels are typically two to five times worse than outdoor air pollution levels. This book emphasizes the concept of the home as a dynamic system. Chapters 1 and 3 cover the basics of energy, moisture, air quality, combustion safety, and ventilation in houses. Other books may focus only on energy savings, but careless weatherization can aggravate or create moisture, air quality, and combustion safety problems. I try to show you how to avoid those problems and provide guidance about when to get professional help. Building problems related to energy, moisture, and airflow can lead to chronic paint problems. Condensation in wall and roof cavities may lead to mold growth and structural damage. In cold climates, ice dams on roof eaves and freezing pipes are commonplace; they are often caused by hidden air leaks. The house system approach and weatherization techniques that form the foundation of this book can help you reduce or eliminate those problems. Energy, moisture, combustion safety, health, and indoor air quality are all interrelated. Although this book is intended to provide a balanced, overall view of managing the interactions among these factors, and to point out areas of concern, it is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that could lead to trouble -- including structural failure, carbon monoxide poisoning, or chronic indoor air problems. Because of the potential moisture issues involved, you should not undertake any of the projects outlined here unless you are sure that you have a sound, reliable roof and a solid structural frame. If you feel that the descriptions and background information offered here are not adequate to understand your situation or do not cover the specifics of your home, hire a professional who is skilled in building science, diagnostics, and/or building performance to evaluate your home. This book shows many practical ways to improve your home's energy efficiency, ranging from small, simple projects to comprehensive weatherization. The subject of energy conservation is too large to fit into one book. I hope that this volume provides enough information so the advanced do-it-yourself homeowner can make substantial improvements. I also hope it will steer you to professional help when that's appropriate. Weatherization can be very satisfying. Although the results are largely invisible, the increase in comfort and the decrease in monthly costs are well worth the effort.

From Library Journal Taunton has created its new "Build Like a Pro" series to help serious do-it-yourselfers perform projects of greater complexity than are usually covered in books for amateurs. An engineer who trains builders in energy-efficient construction, Harley offers a wealth of information that will allow readers to improve their home's efficiency, saving both money and natural resources. After an introductory section that explains the underlying principles of heat transfer, insulation, and air quality, Harley demonstrates basics such as weather-stripping and moves forward through advanced projects including insulation and major upgrades. Short "Pro Tips" as well as sections labeled "Trade Secrets," "What Can Go Wrong," and "In Detail" provide a great deal of helpful information. Increasing energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways for homeownes to save money, so this book is sure to be used. Other titles in this series include Windows and Doors, Painting and Finishing, Trim Carpentry and Built-ins, and Building a Deck. They are all good choices for any public library wanting to increase the depth of its home improvement collection. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. Book Description From the most basic solutions to advanced, energy-saving projects, no book covers home insulation and weatherization like this one. With 35 drawings and 350 color photos guiding them, homeowners will learn how best to keep their homes warm in winter, cool in summer, and weather-tight all year long.

Table of Contents:

Introduction How to Use This Book 1. Energy Basics Understanding Heat Transfer Defining the Thermal Boundary Energy, Moisture, and Building Durability Air Barriers and Indoor Air Quality Weighing Costs and Benefits 2. Sealing Air Leaks Air-Sealing Priorities Attic Air-Sealing Basement/Crawl Space Air-Sealing Sidewall Air-Sealing Weatherstripping Doors and Hatches 3. Ventilation Systems Do I Need a Ventilation System? Simple Ventilation Systems Central Ventilation Systems 4. Insulating a House Attic Insulation Sloped Ceilings Insulating Walls Insulating Floors Insulating Foundation Walls 5. Windows Window and Energy Basics Replacing Windows Improving Existing Windows 6. Heating Systems Simple Conservation Furnaces Heat Pumps Electric-Resistance Heat Hot Water and Steam Boilers Upgrading or Replacing Heating Equipment 7. Air-Conditioning Cooling Basics Reducing Loads Maintenance and Upgrades New Air-Conditioning Systems 8. Heating Hot Water Hot Water Conservation Maintenance and Efficiency Upgrades Replacing Hot Water Systems 9. Renovations Air-Sealing Insulation Built-Up Walls and Roofs for High R-Values Moisture Control Mechanical Systems (Heat, A/C, Hot Water, Ventilation) 10. Appliances and Lights Determining Consumption Appliances Lighting Resources List of Contributors Index

Reviews:

Essential reading for every homeowner! Insulating your house is fraught with dangers and there are lots of sharks out there only too delighted to take your money and ruin your house. Although I am still learning this stuff, I'm still confident that I know more than most of the insulation contractors that have come through my door. Scary, isn't it? The dangers of doing it wrong aren't just a waste of money. There is a real risk of mold in the short term and rot in the long term. Read this book, but let it be your first step. See the Taunton forums at their web page, the Building Sciences Corp web page, and do your homework before you let anyone do anything to your house. I agree with a previous reviewer that a weakness of this book is its lack of step-by-step guides, and as a complete novice on house construction I had to look elsewhere for some of the terminology. But I'm still giving it 5 stars just because it has so much important information, to counteract all the misinformation and misconceptions out there.

Very useful overview, but not a step-by-step manual: This was one of the first books that I bought after purchasing an older, leaky home. And not having insulated a house for ten years or so, and knowing many people with rigid-insulated McMansions, it was a relief to see a book that treats insulation as something to be planned, like any other infrastructural component, not just done ad hoc. Like other Taunton publications, this one is nicely laid out and designed. However, as an amateur, I wanted to see a game plan that I could follow, including which tasks I could be expected to do reasonably well myself, and which things should be left to a professional. Sure, this advice is scattered in the content, but having something like a checklist and timetable would make this a great reference, not just a great overview.

Clears up common misconceptions about insulation: I am very pleased with this book. In addition to covering the basics of insulation and weatherization, the author shares the latest results of actual research in "building science". This book dispelled several myths about what really works. The book has numerous sidebars with expert tips and "what can go wrong." You can tell the author teaches seminars on his topic, because the material is very well organized and clearly presented. The advice of an expert is invaluable, and I am re-thinking my approach as a result of reading this book. Insulation and weatherization can be time-consuming and costly. If you want to tackle the projects that yeild the greatest bang for the buck, read this book.