Building Analysis - Effective R Value

[karimom]

Hi All,

I'm looking for some guidance. I've been asked by the building department locally to do an analysis of an existing building for energy efficiency.

Essentially, the walls are missing an effective R value of R3 and we are proposing to add insulation to the roof to maintain the overall building efficiency.

Can anyone provide any guidance on where to look into doing this?

 

[nuuvox000]

Depends on what they're looking for. Are they just looking for ideas on how to be more efficient? That's easy; add insulation, replace inefficient equipment with efficient equipment, better windows, etc. But if they're wanting to know what the effects of all of this is, i.e., actual numbers, then you'll need to get energy modeling done. This is pretty expensive and there are firms that do this type of thing all day long.

 

[HVAC-Novice]

Walls are missing insulation and the solution is to add insulation to the roof? Why not add insulation to walls?

Even if there is some energy benefit to add roof insulation and not to the wall, it would be terribly uncomfortable to be in a house with ice-cold walls (radiant heat transfer etc.). Add condensation and so on.

Review ASHRAE 55.

 

[MintJulep]

Building Science

https://www.buildingscience.com/

has a lot of very good reference articles.