dense-pack sidewall insulation

1 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov

Dense-Pack Sidewall InsulationWEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICIAN FUNDAMENTALS

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012


By attending this session, participants will be able to:

• Explain the importance of achieving uniform density at the targeted R-value throughout the cavity.

• Name typical tools for the job, including safety equipment.

• Identify basic equipment maintenance protocols.

• Use the proper order of operations for blowing in dense-pack sidewall insulation.

Learning Objectives

DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION


It Works

“It is not unusual to reduce overall house

leakage by 30% to 50% by dense-packing

walls and other closed-in cavities.”

- Home Energy Magazine, Nov/Dec 1995



Proper (cost-effective) R-value

Uniform density throughout cavity

Pack to 3.5 – 4.5 lbs/ft3

It Works If…



1. Siding remover

2. Eye protection and dust mask

3. Hose cut at 45 degree angle

4. Drill bit

5. Plugs

6. Mister (for LSW)

7. Corded, 1/2” drill

8. Cellulose

Typical Tools Used

33

11

22

77

6644

88

55


Photo courtesy of US Dept. of Energy


• Maintain equipment.

• Inspect walls.

• Determine fill strategy (attic or wall, interior or exterior).

• Remove siding (if exterior).

• Drill.

• Fill.

• Replace/repair.

Order of Operations




Insulation Blowers and Generators

Photos courtesy of NRCERT


• Check belts and other moving parts.

• Add graphite to the first batch of cellulose at the beginning of each day to help prevent clogging.

• Check filters with every use.

• Check static pressure (2.9 psi at takeoff and end of hose).

• Ensure there is enough hose for the job, no leaks.

• Check seals.

Maintain Equipment


Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy


Insulation Blowing Tips

• Initially adjust your blowing machine settings at “high-air” and “low-material feed.”

• Gradually increase material feed to maximize production while minimizing clogs.

• Hose transitions should be gradual.

• Use at least 200 feet of hose for good maneuverability while working.

• Have someone on the crew continually check inside and underneath the home for spills. Photos courtesy of WV GOEO



Open the product gate for optimal material feed.

Adjust the air pressure to optimal flow.

Insulation Machine Settings

Photos courtesy of WV GOEO




Hose Pressure Gauge




Hoses

Insulation Hoses and Hose Reel

3” hose Wall tube Hose reel

Photos courtesy of various manufacturers



Sidewall Drills and Bits

Photos courtesy of various manufacturers



Drill Shroud



• Holes or weaknesses in interior walls

• Location of pocket doors

• Wiring

• Ducts and pipes

• Electrical fixtures

• Pre-1978 home? Lead-safe work practices

Inspect Before You Start



• Blow in from attic if possible.

• Interior

• Exterior

• Drill at top, bottom, middle?

Determine Fill Strategy



Remove Siding

Aluminum Vinyl

Wood Asbestos




Aluminum Siding

Pry and slide. You may need a metal cutter.




Vinyl Siding

Easier to work with than metal


Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy


Wood Siding

Remove clapboards and pressed board.

Remove enough shingles to re-cover holes.




Tips for an efficient job:

• Properly sized bit

• Drill at angle

• Get blower busy

• Probe

• Division of labor

Drill



2.5” self-feed “wood hog”

drill bit

2.5” self-feed “wood hog”

drill bit


• Probe cavities for blocks and request holes where needed.

• If holes are drilled in the middle of the wall, fill top to bottom.

• Feed hose to furthest point from hole, then pull back 12”.

• Cellulose-only blower: pull hose out 1’ at a time (faster blower: pull out 2’).

• Adjust air gate: 8’ cavity should fill in 2 - 4 minutes.

• Assure 100% coverage with no voids.

• Verify adequate coverage with IR imager or through accurate verifiable bag counts compared to wall arch at 3.5 lbs/ft3.

Fill



Check fill holesYou should not be able to stick your finger in.

Check material-to-volume ratio:

One 30-lb. bag should almost fill three 8’ cavities with 2x4 16” O.C. framing.

Proper Density




If you’ve blown for more than four minutes without reaching proper density, find out where cellulose is going!

Trouble-Shooting or Shooting Trouble?




Replace and Repair

The job isn’t done until the house is put back together.

The job isn’t done until the house is put back together.




• Dense-pack sidewall insulation is effective when installed correctly.

• Target = 3.5 to 4.5 pounds/cubic foot.

• Aim for uniform density throughout the wall cavity.

• Maintain equipment; inspect walls; and drill, fill, and repair.

• Avoid accidents; check the house frequently.

Summary


dense-pack sidewall insulation

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