Download - 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
2 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
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
3 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
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
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
4 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Proper (cost-effective) R-value
Uniform density throughout cavity
Pack to 3.5 – 4.5 lbs/ft3
It Works If…
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
5 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
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
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Photo courtesy of US Dept. of Energy
6 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
• Maintain equipment.
• Inspect walls.
• Determine fill strategy (attic or wall, interior or exterior).
• Remove siding (if exterior).
• Drill.
• Fill.
• Replace/repair.
Order of Operations
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
7 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Insulation Blowers and Generators
Photos courtesy of NRCERT
8 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
• 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
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
9 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
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
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
10 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Open the product gate for optimal material feed.
Adjust the air pressure to optimal flow.
Insulation Machine Settings
Photos courtesy of WV GOEO
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
11 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Hose Pressure Gauge
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
12 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Hoses
Insulation Hoses and Hose Reel
3” hose Wall tube Hose reel
Photos courtesy of various manufacturers
13 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Sidewall Drills and Bits
Photos courtesy of various manufacturers
14 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Drill Shroud
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
15 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
• 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
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
16 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
• Blow in from attic if possible.
• Interior
• Exterior
• Drill at top, bottom, middle?
Determine Fill Strategy
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
17 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Remove Siding
Aluminum Vinyl
Wood Asbestos
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
18 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Aluminum Siding
Pry and slide. You may need a metal cutter.
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
19 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Vinyl Siding
Easier to work with than metal
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy
20 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Wood Siding
Remove clapboards and pressed board.
Remove enough shingles to re-cover holes.
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
21 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
Tips for an efficient job:
• Properly sized bit
• Drill at angle
• Get blower busy
• Probe
• Division of labor
Drill
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
2.5” self-feed “wood hog”
drill bit
2.5” self-feed “wood hog”
drill bit
22 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
• 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
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
23 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
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
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy
24 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
If you’ve blown for more than four minutes without reaching proper density, find out where cellulose is going!
Trouble-Shooting or Shooting Trouble?
DENSE-PACK SIDEWALL INSULATION
Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy
25 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
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
Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy
26 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012 eere.energy.gov
• 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