Achieving a moisture balance within the home !?

for 2018

Energy Design Conference By

MikeD.WilsonDakotaSupplyGroup

In accordance with the Department of Labor and Industry’s statute 326.0981, Subd. 11, “This educational offering is recognized by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry as satisfying 1.5 hours of credit toward Building Officials and Residential Contractors continuing education requirements.” For additional continuing education approvals, please see your credit tracking card.

1

•  Learnthebasicprinciplesofbuildingscience.Howheat,airandmoistureimpacttheoccupantsandthecomponentsofthehome.

Why is Moisture Important?

¨ Moisturedamagecontributestoover90%ofallbuildingandbuildingmaterialfailures(ASHRAE)

¨ Exceptforstructuralerrors,moistureistheleadingcauseofbuildingproblemscosKngmorethan9billiondollarannuallyintheUS.(ASTM)

¨ Moisture-relatedproblemsleadthelistoftopcallbacksformostbuilders.

¨ Severalconsumersurveys,listmoistureproblemsasaprimaryconcern

Moisture Flows • Gravity

•  Rain&soilpressure• Capillary

•  Materialwicking

• Diffusion•  Vaporpressuredrive

• Airtransport•  Pressureinducedflowsofmoistureladenair

The Rules of Building Performance

• Moisturemovesfrommoretoless• Moisturemovefromwarmtocold• Heatflowsfromwarmtocold

Stack Effect PosiKvepressure(relaKvetooutdoors)

NegaKvepressure(relaKvetooutdoors)

NeutralPressurePlane

Problem: Ice Dams, Frost in Attics ¨ SoluKon:–  ConKnuousair/vaporbarrierin

ceiling–  Sealedfixtures–  AllpenetraKonssealed

¨ Benefits:–  Reducesheatloss&moisture

flowthroughtheceilingwhichhelpsreduceicedamsandfrost.

Siding failure, cavity pressurization

Humidity and Building Science

• Bulkmoisture•  Sourceofhumidity• Highhumiditygoestolowhumidity• Vaporpressuredrive•  RH%rangeinwinter25%to40%• AstempgoesdownRH%goesup1.7rule…setback

• LIFESTYLE ?

• VENTILATION ?

• HUMIDIFER OPERATION ?

• TEMP. OUTSIDE AND INSIDE ?

• RH% RELATIVE HUMIDITY?

Condensation

This is a Infar-red picture of a window the darker color shows colder surfaces, by the nature of how all windows are built the edges are going to be colder

Foundation • Keepthegroundwaterout• Keepthesoilgasout• Keepthewatervaporout• Keeptheheatinduringthewinter

Condensation in the Building Assemblies

• Canleadtomoldandrot• Cancausebuildingfailuresin,siding,rimjoists,walls,frostandmoistureinabc

• CanleadtoliKgaKonandsomevery$expensesrepairs•  ThehighertheRH%isinthewinterthemorethestructurehasapotenKalforproblems

• ProperRH%andairsealing/insulaKngcansolvetheseproblems• FollowSystemsApproach

Info on line

VAPOR BARRIER…SEALED LIKE A PLASTIC BAG

Tools you need •  Equipmentthatiscalibratedto

doductleakagetesKng

•  FormulaorsofwaretodothecalculaKons

•  EquipmentthatIuse

•  DuctBlaster,TheEnergyConservatoryØ  DG-700digitalmanometerØ  DuctBlasterfanwithringsØ  InstrucKonsandsofware•  DuctmasKc•  Ductmaskorplugs•  Lights(troubleandflash)•  Smoke(foggerorhandheld)

Duct mastic UL 181, new code

A little busy

Job site coordination

2

•  LearnwhytheselecKonofbuildingproductsandbuildingshelldesigncanhaveasignificantimpactonsurfacecondensaKon,icedams,comfort,andenergyefficiency

Design and Durability

Wetanddry

Angles,roofdetails

Boxvsalotofdifferentplanes

Window selection

Air flow damper selection

Open damper in fireplace ?

3

• GooverMechanicalEquipmentselecKonandlookatwhatisnewonthemarket,abroaddiscussiononhowtheequipmentinteractswithwhatthehumiditywillbeinthehouse

New HVAC Technology

•  ImproveComfort• MaximizeEnergySavings•  EnhanceSafety• ProvideAddiKonalConvenience• AddressDesign/AccessIssues

Mechanical Equipment selection

• Discussionwiththemechanicalcontractorwhatthecomfortpackageincludes

• What’snewandifitworks• Valuevs.cost• Howdosystemsworktogether•  Longtermissues,operaKonandmaintenance

AIAMinnesotaHVACSeminarShelterCompanies

Heating systems

• Airsourceheatpumps•  2-Stagefurnaces• Duelfuel• Plenumheaters• Woodfurnaces• ModulaKngsystems• Geoground

Ductless Cooling & Heating

• Verycost-effecKvemethodofaddingcoolingtoexisKnghomewithoutforcedairoraddiKon

• Uptothree-zonecapability• WithnewInverterHeatPumptechnology,heaKngcanbeaddedtoanaddiKonwithelectricbaseboardbackupwhereothermethodswillnotwork

Small mechanical room, u turn was ok

Radiant Heating

•  RadiantHeaKngisthemostcomfortabletypeofheat,especiallyforbasements

•  Othermethodsofkeepingabasementorslabon-gradehomeincludezoning,gasfireplaces,spotelectricbaseboard,butNOTundergroundductsystems!

•  UndergroundductsystemshavetoomanypotenKalissuesandifitgetswet,theconsequencesarejusttooserioustowarrantitsuse!

Variable Speed DC Blowers •  Blowercanspeedupandslowdowntodelivertherequiredairflow–maybesoluKontochallengingductaccess/designissues

•  OperaKngcostafracKonofconvenKonalblowers•  Saves$150peryearinoperaKoncostvs.convenKonalblower•  CosttooperateconKnuouslylessthanconvenKonalbloweroperaKngintermimently•  IfblowerisrunconKnuously,paybackisabout2years–upto$400annualsavings

Advantages of Continuous Blower Operation • MinimizestemperaturestraKficaKon• KeepsAirCleaningandHumidificaKonSystemrunningforopKmalperformance

• HelpstodelivervenKlaKonairtoallrooms•  Freshfeeling

New Control Systems

• Neweasytouseprogrammablethermostats•  AmracKve•  Easiertouse•  ProgrammableFan•  CirculateFanMode• Wi-Fi

4

• UnderstandwhatistherelaKonshipbetweenthevenKlaKonstrategyandhowtohumidifythehomeinthecoldweathermonths

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HRV AND ERV • HRVarebyfarmostcommontypeinstalledunits• HRVisbesttoreducewindowcondensaKon•  ERVwillretainmorehumidityinhomeinthewinter•  ERVwillbringinlesshumidityinsummer• Climate,costandapplicaKonisthedrivingfactoronwhattypeisselected

Methods of Ventilation

• ConKnuous:SomeKmesreferredtoasgeneral,central,orwhole-housevenKlaKon.Shouldbequiet,lowvolume,andconKnuousvenKlaKon

•  Intermiment:SomeKmesreferredtoasspot,local,orsourcepointvenKlaKon.Commonlyusedinbathroom,kitchen,laundry,hobby,andhomeoffice.Shouldremoveexcessivemoistureandpollutantsquickly

Ideally,anairKghthomedesignedwithbothconKnuousandIntermimentvenKlaKonwillcontributetoahealthyandcomfortablelivingenvironmentfortheenKrefamily

Equal pressure Balanced Supply air flow is equal (C.F.M.) to exhaust Balancing is required to all units

HRV/ERV installation without dampers that close to the outside

SUPPLY- RETURN DUCT DESIGN, NO DAMPERS

OA

OAH ERVHRV

EA

EAH

•  SEASONSUMMER•  CALLFORCOOLINGORFANON•  ERVORHRVISOFF•  ACTUALMEASUREDFLOWS6INCHDUCT

1.  OUTSIDEAIRTOHOUSEDUCT,ISNOWREVERSEINFLOWANDISBLOWING110CFMOF50DEGREETOTHEOUTSIDE

2.  EXHAUSTAIRTOOUTSIDEDUCTISALSOINREVERSEFLOWITISSUCKINGIN65CFMOF85DEGREE58DEGREEDEWPOINTFROMOUTSIDE

APPLYTHISTOWINTEROPERATION#?!

Back flow demonstration

VENTILATION CONTROLS

WHAT IF SYSTEM IS NOT BALANCED ? • Comfortcomplaints,callbacks• Corefreezeupandblockage• Wasteofenergy• Housecangettodryinwinter,tohumidinsummer• Buildingpressureissues

StateofMinnesotaBuildingOfficials1-2007

EXHAUST-ONLY

Outside air ducted into the return

Condensation point

Supply only ventilation

THREE TYPES OF HUMIDIFIER

•  FLOWTHRUBYPASSSTYLE:MOSTCOMMONUSESALOTOFWATER• ROTARYDISCHUMIDIFIER:LESSENERGYANDWATERUSE•  STEAMHUMIDIFER:EFFECTIVE,MORECOSTLY

Bypass style with auto control

New Control Systems

•  TemperatureCompensaKngHumidityControls-AutomaKcallyadjusthumiditysetpointbasedonchangingoutdoorcondiKons

•  Idealhumiditylevelinthewinterisashighasyoucankeepitwithoutcausingmoistureonthewindows

• Withmanualhumidistats,thehumidityisalwaystoohigh,causingmoisturedamage,ortoolow,causingdiscomfort

5

•  LearnaboutnewsoluKonsonhowtoimprovecomfortandcontrolexcessivehumidityduringthesummermonths.

Minnesota Cooling Challenges •  Tobecomfortable,needtolowertemperatureandhumidity

•  Thermostatonlysensestemperature•  TypicalSummerdayislow80’sbuthighhumidity

• Needtohavethecapacityfortemperaturesinthe90’s

Inverter Technology

•  LowtempoperaKonOncoolingaround14degreesFOnheaKngaroundminus5degreesFsomemodelminus15•  Longerlinesets•  26to14SEERondifferentmodels•  SeveralmodesofoperaKon

High velocity AC

Ducted unit, dropped ceiling, bath room

Closet install, clean no vibration

Santa Fe and Ultra-Aire •  Removes 100 pints of water

per day •  Automatic defrost-effective

operation down to 55F •  Uses less electricity per pint

of water removed •  Drain hose directs water to

floor drain

Dehumidification High Capacity Humidity Control and Filtration

RH%, TEMP, DEWPOINT DATA FORMDATE 7/20/2008 EQUIPMENT ultra air 65 HCUSTOMER wilsonADDRESS hackensack mnOUTSIDE CONDITION 80 f 70 RH

1 TEST TD 2 TEST TD 3 TEST TDSENSOR LOCATION basement on counter 900 SQ FTRH% 65 45TEMP 71 75DEWPOINT 60 51PINTS, REMOVAL 8 HRS------ 14

SENSOR LOCATION WOOD SHOP 400 SQ FTRH% 76 51TEMP 68 68DEWPOINT 61 49PINTS, REMOVAL 9 HRS 20TESTO HUMIDITY STICKSENSOR LOCATIONRH%TEMPDEWPOINTPINTS, REMOVAL

SENSOR LOCATIONRH%TEMPDEWPOINTPINTS, REMOVAL

SENSOR LOCATIONRH%TEMPDEWPOINTPINTS, REMOVALTD= TIME DURATION

6

• Beforearemodelingprojectstartswhattolookforthatmayimpactenergy,IAQ,andmoisturerelatedissues.Discussionwillberegardingenergysaving/greensoluKon,improvingindoorairquality,andbuildingshelldetails.Focuswillbeonfeaturesandequipmentwithinthehomethatmaycontributetomoistureproblems

SEASONAL HOMES AND ADDITIONS

Water in the ductwork below slab

Foundation detail

Seal crawl space floors

Negative opening to Mechanical room (filter slot)

Air inlet system ? Fresh air

Combustion Safety Test Procedures:

1. Measure Ambient CO Levels in the House. 2. Survey the Combustion Appliances. 3. Survey the Exhaust Fans. 4. Measure Worst Case Fan Depressurization. 5. Conduct Spillage Test. 6. Test Carbon Monoxide Production in Appliances (including under back drafting conditions - be careful) 7. Conduct Draft Test. 8. Test Heat Exchanger Integrity (Forced Air Only)

WHERE DO I GET MY AIR FROM ?

MAKE-UP AIR

MAKE-UP AIR

Combustion air

7

•  Learnthebasicsofhowtodiagnosisamoistureproblem,whattolookfor,toolstouse.Whattodoifyoufindmoldorwoodfloorfailure,stepstotake,quesKontoask.Howtopreventtheproblemfromreoccurring

Humidity gauge a must !

75

Ideal Levels of Relative Humidity

What is the ideal amount of relative humidity in the air? Based upon Outside Air Temp. & Inside Relative Humidity

-20ºF 15% Maximum -10ºF 20% Maximum 0ºF 25% Maximum 10ºF 30% Maximum 20ºF 35 to 40% Maximum

National Wood, Window, and Door Association

76

Wood Floor Failure Summary

1.Uncontrolledjobsitemoisture2.WrongParametersbyHVAC

3.UncontrolledRhbyhomeowner 4.RadiantHeatControls5.WrongProductChoice

High RH%, Bypass, lack of Ventilation

WATER STAINS

StateofMinnesotaBuildingOfficials1-2007

MOLD Growth

How can you help the homeowner

•  IfthereisnotenoughvenKlaKoninthebathroomthiscanleadtomildewandMOLD

• Alsotherecanbedamageintheabcandceilingwillneedtoberepaired

•  ThiscanbecostlytothehomeownerbutmoreimportantlymoldcanbeabeatriggertoallergicreacKonwhenyoubreath!

•  TestflowwithsmokebomleorbathKssue• Recommendnewfanorfixductwork

If you have mold

• Healthdepartment•  EPA• BuilderassociaKon

8

• Reviewduringfinalwalkthruhowtheequipmentworksandhowthatinteractswiththehouse/theirlifestyle.ExplanaKonofwhatshouldbemaintainedandwhyaplannedmaintenanceprogramfromtheHVACcontractorshouldberecommended.

• 

Homeowner education at walk thru and beyond •  Whattypeofmaintenanceprogramdoyouhave?•  Isthemechanicalcontractorgoingthruthe

equipmentwiththehomeowner?•  Manualsandwarrantyinfo•  AgenericDVDofhowtotakecareofyourhome•  Onlineandthirdpartyinfo•  Exteriordetails

Explain to the homeowner… how it works and maintenance

SIMPLE DIAL TO WIFI WOW

MAINTENANCE

• Generalguidelines

Every 2-3 months § Check and clean filters

Once per year § Clean HRV/ERV cores § Clean intake vents, grilles, hoods § Check operation of dampers / controls

Air intake needs to be cleaned

ShelterSupply

Furnace filter?#$!.... Basic stuff

Bath fans need cleaning

Thank you for your time

• MikeD.Wilson,presenter• DakotaSupplyGroup•  612-597-3395• mwilson@dsginc.biz