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Insulation/Ventilation/Interiors > Insulation > Flashcards

Insulation Flashcards

1
Q

Define “Degree Days”

A

Degree days is a measure of total demand for cooling or heating during a season.

Degree days are calculated by subtracting the daily average temperature by 18C (65F).

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2
Q

What is the function of insulation?

A

To restrict heat flow (heat flow cannot be fully stopped)

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3
Q

List the characteristics of insulation

A
  1. Thermal insulator
  2. Solid enough to restrict heat flow via radiation
  3. Inexpensive
  4. Durable
  5. Completely fills cavities
  6. Air barrier
  7. Vapour barrier
  8. Moisture & rot resistant
  9. Non-combustible
  10. Chemically inert
    Not all insulation types have all characteristics
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4
Q

Define “R-value”

A

Measurement of a material’s thermal resistance per inch

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5
Q

Define “Wind washing”

A

When moving air passes through insulation. This results in a reduction of the material’s R-value.

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6
Q

What causes voids in insulation?

A
  1. Shrinkage
  2. Settlement of insulation
  3. Obstruction
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7
Q

What forms can insulation be in?

A
  1. Loose fill
  2. Batts
  3. Blankets
  4. Rigid boards
  5. Foamed-in-place
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8
Q

What type of material can insulation be made of?

A
  1. Fiberglass
  2. Mineral Wood
  3. Cellulose Fibre
  4. Plastic board
  5. Spray foam
  6. Urea formaldehyde
  7. Vermiculite
  8. Wood shavings
  9. Polystyrene
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9
Q

What form(s) does fiberglass insulation come in?

A
  1. Batt
  2. Blanket
  3. Rigid board
  4. Loose fill
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10
Q

What are the characteristics of fiberglass insulation?

A
  1. Moisture, mildew, fungus resistant
  2. Some types are non-combustible
  3. Skin & eye irritant
  4. Inhalation of small threads is not healthy
  5. May come with an air barrier
  6. Looses R-value when wet
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11
Q

What form(s) does mineral wool insulation come in?

A
  1. Batt
  2. Blanket
  3. Rigid board
  4. Loose fill
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12
Q

What are the characteristics of mineral wool insulation?

A
  1. R-value similar to fiberglass
  2. Fire, rot, water resistant
  3. Offer soundproofing benefits
  4. inexpensive
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13
Q

What form(s) does cellulose fibre insulation come in?

A
  1. Loose fill
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14
Q

What are the characteristics of cellulose fibre insulation?

A
  1. Rot resistant
  2. Low cost
  3. Similar texture to lint
  4. More dense, better air barrier than fiberglass
  5. Less susceptible to wind washing
  6. Made of wood fibres; naturally combustible
  7. Absorbs water readily
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15
Q

What is the controversy around urea formaldehyde?

A

Previously though to contain cancer-causing agents, although it was never proven.

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16
Q

What is the controversy around vermiculite and how can you identify it?

A

Some products contain asbestos. Vermiculite can be identified as small rectangular shapes.

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17
Q

What are the two forms of polystyrene insulation?

A
  1. Expanded
  2. Extruded
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18
Q

True or False: Ductwork in attics should be insulated

A

True

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19
Q

Can insulation surround masonry chimneys? If so, what type?

A

Yes. Non-combustible insulation

20
Q

Can insulation surround metal chimneys?

A

No

21
Q

What are the methods to insulating flat & cathedral roofs?

A
  1. Treat as an attic
  2. Completely fill the roof space
  3. Insulate above sheathing
  4. Insulate below the roof structure
22
Q

What types of insulation are suitable for the exterior?

A
  1. Semi-rigid fiberglass
  2. Polystyrene
  3. Polyurethane boards
23
Q

What are the methods to insulating a crawlspace?

A
  1. Create a heated crawlspace (heated)
  2. Insulate the floor above (unheated)
24
Q

What are the advantages of creating a heated crawlspace?

A
  • Floor above is more comfortable
  • Easier to insulate walls
  • Less material needed
  • Entire space is conditioned
25
Q

What are the disadvantages of an unheated crawlspace?

A
  • Prone to rot
  • Floor above feels cold
  • Pipes have the potential to freeze
26
Q

What is the function of a vapour barrier?

A

To restrict vapour diffusion

27
Q

What are the characteristics of a vapour barrier?

A
  • Doesn’t need to be continuous to be effective
  • In cold climates, best to install on the warm side of the assembly
  • Vapour diffusion resistant
  • Durable
  • Moisture & rot resistant
  • Chemically inert
  • Inexpensive
28
Q

How is a vapour barrier’s effectiveness measured?

A

Permeance (perms). Lower the better. Any material with a perm rating < 1 is considered a vapour barrier

29
Q

What type of material is considered a vapour barrier?

A
  • Polyethylene film (visqueen)
  • Kraft paper
  • Oil-based paints, varnishes, shellacs
  • Vinyl wallpaper
  • Aluminum foil
  • Plastic insulation
  • Plywood & OSB sheathing
30
Q

Should a vapour barrier be installed in crawlspaces if they have an earth floor? Why?

A

Yes. Exposed earth floors of a crawlspace can add more water to a house than the occupants at times

31
Q

What is the purpose of a air barrier?

A

To restrict air movement. Air carries heat & moisture. We want to retain heat indoors and avoid moisture from entering wall, floor, and ceiling assemblies.

32
Q

What are the characteristics of an air barrier?

A
  • Can be installed on either side of insulation
  • Must be continuous to be effective
  • water, rot resistant
  • Chemically inert
  • Restricts air movement
  • Durable and strong
  • Inexpensive
33
Q

What material is considered an air barrier?

A
  1. Polyethylene (visqueen)
  2. Housewrap
  3. Kraft paper
  4. Foam insulation boards
  5. Drywall, plaster, wood paneling
  6. Sheathing
  7. Sill gaskets
  8. Gaskets for electrical boxes
  9. Backer rods
  10. Caulking & weatherstripping
  11. Polyurethane foams
  12. Duct tape & mastic
34
Q

What are the characteristics of Housewrap?

A
  • Not a vapour barrier
  • Can deteriorate when exposed to sun
35
Q

Define “Heat”

A

Heat is thermal energy that moves from a place of high energy to low energy and is measured in BTU’s.

36
Q

Define “Temperature”

A

Temperature is the level of thermal energy and is measured in either C or F.

37
Q

How is heat transferred?

A
  1. Conduction (direct contact)
  2. Radiation (invisible light waves)
  3. Convection (convective loop)
38
Q

What makes a good thermal conductor?

A

High density

39
Q

What materials are good thermal conductors?

A
  • Steel
  • Lead
  • Copper
  • Plaster
  • Stone
  • Glass
  • Clay
40
Q

What makes a good thermal insulator?

A
  • Holds still air in small individual bundles
  • Low density
41
Q

What materials are good thermal insulators?

A
  • Cork
  • Sawdust
  • Plastics
42
Q

What areas of a house are air barriers commonly not continuous?

A
  • Basement to roof
  • Doors & windows
  • Wall penetrations
  • Joints and edges
43
Q

What are ways moisture moves?

A
  1. Bulk moisture (water leaks)
  2. Capillary action (wicking)
  3. Air-transported moisture (air leaks, stack effect)
  4. Vapour diffusion
44
Q

Define vapour diffusion

A

Water vapour moving from high to lower pressure areas with no air movement.

45
Q

What determines vapour pressure?

A

Absolute humidity levels (warm air holds more moisture than cool air)

46
Q

Define “Preferred nucleation sites”

A

Surfaces that are more conductive for condensation to occur

Insulation/Ventilation/Interiors (3 decks)

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