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In these classes, we will learn how to assess the most common commercial building envelope assemblies for energy saving opportunities. We will also discuss challenges and potential risks with envelope improvements, how to identify and mitigate them. Finally, we will discuss the tools used to evaluate and prioritize building envelope opportunities in an existing commercial or institutional building.
June 14, 2023 NOON – 2:00pm
Session 1 – Identification of Building Envelope Opportunities
- R-value and diminishing return
- Identifying insulation types
- Water vapor
- Air tightness, stack effect, wind, and HVAC pressurization
- Solar gain and orientation, high internal loads
- Surface area
- Below grade areas
- Mass effects
- Local climate – Heating or cooling dominant
June 21, 2023 Noon to 2:00pm
Session 2 – Typical Opportunities for Improvement
- Exterior insulation, walls and foundation
- Interior insulation, walls and foundation
- Attic air sealing
- Air sealing – general
- Attic insulation
- HVAC equip in attic
- New and retrofit windows- single pane glass and glass block, solar gain and high internal loads
- Insulating basements and crawlspaces
- Roof insulation
- Uninsulated concrete or CMU above grade
- Opportunities at End of useful life, capital improvements, upcoming renovations, reuse materials (new avenue vapor barrier)
June 28, 2023 Noon to 2:00pm
Session 3A – Obstacles and Potential Risks to a Retrofit
- Unresolved water leaks
- Active or potential condensation
- Existing Masonry or Stone
- Changes in air tightness
- Existing conditions
- Specialized spaces
- Hazardous materials
- Access to implement the retrofit
- High or low cost of fuel, concurrent HVAC upgrades
Session 3B – Approach and Tools for an Envelope Audit
- Visual inspection
- Additional tools
- Filling out the weatherization spreadsheet