1. 1 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Loose-Fill Insulation: Preparation and Installation WEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICIAN INTERMEDIATE WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012

2. 2 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov By attending this session, participants will be able to: Summarize basic principles of air leakage. Identify typical air leakage sites in attics. List the various tools and materials used in air sealing and attic preparation. Explain high-temperature issues and how to treat them prior to insulating them. Discuss safety concerns related to wiring. Describe exhaust fan ducting and termination requirements. Describe how to leave an attic air sealed and prepared for insulation. Learning Objectives LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

3. 3 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov By attending this session, participants will be able to: State the importance of following cost-effectiveness guidelines when insulating attics. Describe how proper attic treatment can save up to 20% of home heating and cooling bills. Explain how, combined with air sealing, attic insulation reduces the likelihood of structural damage due to condensation on the roof deck. Outline the process for insulating attics with loose-fill insulation on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. Demonstrate comparing material use to coverage required. Learning Objectives LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

4. 4 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Air flow is measured in cubic feet per minute. o Also written as ft 3 /min, or CFM o 1 CFM out = 1 CFM in Air flow takes the path of least resistance. Air moves from high-to low-pressure areas. Air moves from high-to low-temperature areas. Air Leakage Review LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

5. 5 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Ventilation = Controlled air leakage Air Leakage Review Exfiltration = Air leaking out Infiltration = Air leaking in LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

6. 6 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Direct Leakage occurs at direct openings to outdoors. Leakage enters and exits at same location. Air Leakage Review Indirect Leakage enters at one location, moves through building cavities, and exits at a different location. LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

7. 7 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Floor Plan Sketch Before going into the attic, note common issues. Kitchen Range Hood Bath Fan Recessed Lights LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

8. 8 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov 12 11 10 9 9 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 1.Urethane foam (spray foam) 2.Foam board 3.Sheet metal/foil 4.Mastic and gloves 5.High-temperature caulk 6.Utility flags 7.Insulation rulers 8.Tin snips and zip ties 9.Stapler 10.Weatherstripping 11.Zip tie tightening tool 12.Utility knife Common Tools for Attic Prep 2 2 1 1 LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Photo courtesy of US Department of Energy

9. 9 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Rigid Foam Board Insulation R-Values Expanded polystyrene: R-3.8/in. Extruded polystyrene: R-5/in. Polyisocyanurate: R-6.8/in. LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

10. 10 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Recessed Light Fixtures High Temperature Issues Flues Maintain appropriate clearances High-temp caulk IC Rated Fixture Non-IC Rated Fixture Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

11. 11 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov General carpentry comes in handy for constructing an attic hatch dam like this one. Hatches and Dams Photo courtesy of Bill Van der Meer LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

12. 12 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov No insulation over knob and tube wiring All home electrical systems properly grounded Wiring splices enclosed in junction boxes and marked with a flag visible above attic insulation Wiring Knob and tube wiring is common in old homes. Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

13. 13 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Exhaust Fans and Ducting Is this getting the stale air out? Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

14. 14 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Smooth materials Straight, short runs vent outside Smooth, tight connections Insulate ducts Exclude pests Ducting and Terminations Photo courtesy of Reader’s Digest LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

15. 15 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Cost-Effective Insulation Levels LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Table based on US Dept. of Energy recommendations

16. 16 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Not Enough Insulation LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

17. 17 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Too Much Insulation LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula

18. 18 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Measuring Blown-In Insulation How much is in that back corner? Staple rulers every 15 feet for even coverage. Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

19. 19 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov This photo shows loose-fill insulation on a knee wall, held in with hose wrap and stapled to the studs. Vertical Insulation Photo courtesy of Bill Van der Meer LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

20. 20 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Place shields around fixtures and flues. Anticipated ventilation installed. Be sure wiring is safe. Juncture boxes and recessed lights marked. Leave Attic Ready for Insulation Dam maintains clearance around flue. Flags indicate juncture boxes, recessed lights. Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

21. 21 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Do Follow manufacturer instructions Ensure even coverage Ensure proper density Don’t Install in a leaky attic Ignore existing problems Compress or leave voids Get too close to high-temperature fixtures Dos and Don’ts LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

22. 22 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Insulating and air sealing attics can reduce home heating and cooling costs by 20%. Insulation provides the thermal envelope or boundary around conditioned living space. Follow cost-effective guidelines to determine the target for the installed R-value. Maintain appropriate clearances from high-temperature building components. Mark junction boxes and fixtures before insulating. Use rulers stapled to rafters to measure depth of blown-in attic insulation. When installing blown-in insulation in a vertical application, backing must not sag or bend. Summary LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION

23. 23 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012eere.energy.gov Blower doors and smoke sticks help locate air leaks. Dirty insulation is a sign of air leakage. Check typical hot spots, including duct and wiring chases, flues, and plumbing penetrations. Use appropriate air sealing materials for the job. Maintain clearance from combustibles. Do not insulate over unsafe wiring. Ensure exhaust fans vent directly outside with proper terminations and ducts sealed and insulated as appropriate. Summary LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION