Condo Media - October 2017 - 50

The

SCIENCE of ENERGY SAVINGS

reduction in air transfer rate is directly
proportional to a reduction in the consumption of BTUs required to maintain
the interior temperature.
To verify energy efficiency and cost
savings, a second blower door test is
performed after building envelope
replacement is complete. Determining
cost savings is a simple calculation.
Take these numbers from a recent SPS
building envelope replacement project,
for example:
A blower door test conducted on an
existing building envelope produced an
air transfer rate of 2,000 CFM, which
is considered high and indicative of a
loose building envelope. The follow-up
blower door test, performed after building envelope replacement, produced an
air transfer rate of 1,333-a reduction of
more than 30 percent-which translates
directly to a 30 percent cost savings in
BTU consumption.

SEAL INTERIOR AIR LEAKS
Homeowners can further boost building
envelope energy performance by hiring
a qualified contractor to seal air leaks
inside their home. Air sealing is more
involved than just weather-stripping
doors and caulking around windows.
Most utility companies offer free energy conservation audits and incentives
for multi-residential properties, which
typically include air sealing services.
Efforts should target a variety of critical
areas, including recessed lights, electric
outlets, basement crawl spaces, attic
access doors, and ductwork.
Air sealing is essential for an energy
efficient building. But if your building is
too tight, it won't breathe at all. That's
why air sealing must be combined with
proper ventilation to assure a consistent supply of fresh air and to exhaust
moisture, carbon monoxide, and other
indoor pollutants.

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50

CONDOMEDIA

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WHAT ABOUT

WINDOWS?
Want the best possible energy
savings for your community?
Replace older or failing windows
as part of your building envelope
replacement, along with skylights
and doors.
The obvious reason to upgrade-that advanced technology has made today's windows,
skylights, and doors far more
energy-efficient-is not the only
reason to upgrade. Installing new
windows, skylights, and doors
during a building envelope replacement is also the best way to
assure the highest quality weatherproofing and cost-savings.
Building envelope replacement
requires removal of existing
siding and roofing material, making it possible to identify and
repair any water damage caused
by failed flashing details. New
windows, skylights, and doors
can then be tied into walls and
roofing systems using waterproof
barriers, house wrap, flashing
materials, and sealants. The result
is a fully-integrated building envelope system that is optimized for
weatherization, energy-efficiency,
and longevity.
And the bonus is replacing
windows, skylights, and doors at
the same time is also more costefficient because the crews are
already onsite. Replacing these
same components after the new
building envelope is completed
can easily cost 30 percent more.
Condo Media - October 2017

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