WEATHERIZATION INSTALLER/TECHNICIAN INTERMEDIATE
Loose-Fill Insulation:
Preparation and Installation
WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
1 | WEATHERIZATION
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Learning Objectives
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
By attending this session, participants will be able to:
• Summarize basic principles of air leakage.
• Identify typical air leakage sites in attics.
• List the various tools and materials used in air sealing and
attic preparation.
• Explain high-temperature issues and how to treat them prior
to insulating them.
• Discuss safety concerns related to wiring.
• Describe exhaust fan ducting and termination requirements.
• Describe how to leave an attic air sealed and prepared
for insulation.
2 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Learning Objectives
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
By attending this session, participants will be able to:
• State the importance of following cost-effectiveness guidelines
when insulating attics.
• Describe how proper attic treatment can save up to 20% of
home heating and cooling bills.
• Explain how, combined with air sealing, attic insulation
reduces the likelihood of structural damage due to
condensation on the roof deck.
• Outline the process for insulating attics with loose-fill insulation
on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.
• Demonstrate comparing material use to coverage required.
3 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Air Leakage Review
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
• Air flow is measured in cubic feet per minute.
o Also written as ft3/min, or CFM
o 1 CFM out = 1 CFM in
• Air flow takes the path of least resistance.
• Air moves from high-to low-pressure areas.
• Air moves from high-to low-temperature areas.
4 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Air Leakage Review
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Ventilation =
Controlled
air leakage
Infiltration =
Exfiltration =
Air leaking in
Air leaking out
Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula
5 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Air Leakage Review
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Direct Leakage
occurs at direct
openings to outdoors.
Leakage enters and
exits at same location.
Indirect Leakage
enters at one location,
moves through building
cavities, and exits at a
different location.
Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula
6 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Floor Plan Sketch
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Kitchen Range Hood
Bath Fan
Before going into
the attic, note
common issues.
Recessed Lights
Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula
7 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Common Tools for Attic Prep
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
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8
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11
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Urethane foam (spray foam)
Foam board
Sheet metal/foil
Mastic and gloves
High-temperature caulk
Utility flags
Insulation rulers
Tin snips and zip ties
Stapler
Weatherstripping
Zip tie tightening tool
Utility knife
10
Photo courtesy of US Department of Energy
8 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Rigid Foam Board Insulation
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
R-Values
Expanded polystyrene:
R-3.8/in.
Extruded polystyrene:
R-5/in.
Polyisocyanurate:
R-6.8/in.
9 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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High Temperature Issues
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Flues
Recessed Light Fixtures
High-temp caulk
IC Rated Fixture
Maintain appropriate clearances
Non-IC Rated Fixture
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
10 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Hatches and Dams
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
General carpentry
comes in handy for
constructing an
attic hatch dam like
this one.
Photo courtesy of Bill Van der Meer
11 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Wiring
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
• No insulation over
knob and tube wiring
Knob and tube wiring is
common in old homes.
• All home electrical
systems properly
grounded
• Wiring splices
enclosed in junction
boxes and marked
with a flag visible
above attic insulation
Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy
12 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Exhaust Fans and Ducting
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Is this getting the
stale air out?
Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy
13 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Ducting and Terminations
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
• Smooth materials
• Straight, short runs
vent outside
• Smooth, tight
connections
• Insulate ducts
• Exclude pests
Photo courtesy of Reader’s Digest
14 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Cost-Effective Insulation Levels
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Table based on US Dept. of Energy recommendations
15 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Not Enough Insulation
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula
16 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Too Much Insulation
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Graphic developed for the US DOE WAP Standardized Curricula
17 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Measuring Blown-In Insulation
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Photos courtesy of the US Department of Energy
How much is in that
back corner?
Staple rulers every 15 feet
for even coverage.
18 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Vertical Insulation
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
This photo shows loose-fill
insulation on a knee wall, held
in with hose wrap and stapled
to the studs.
Photo courtesy of Bill Van der Meer
19 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Leave Attic Ready for Insulation
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
• Place shields around
fixtures and flues.
Flags indicate juncture
boxes, recessed lights.
• Anticipated
ventilation installed.
• Be sure wiring is safe.
• Juncture boxes and
recessed lights
marked.
Dam maintains
clearance around flue.
Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy
20 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Dos and Don’ts
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
Do
• Follow manufacturer instructions
• Ensure even coverage
• Ensure proper density
Don’t
• Install in a leaky attic
• Ignore existing problems
• Compress or leave voids
• Get too close to high-temperature fixtures
21 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Summary
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
• Insulating and air sealing attics can reduce home heating and
cooling costs by 20%.
• Insulation provides the thermal envelope or boundary around
conditioned living space.
• Follow cost-effective guidelines to determine the target for the
installed R-value.
• Maintain appropriate clearances from high-temperature
building components.
• Mark junction boxes and fixtures before insulating.
• Use rulers stapled to rafters to measure depth of blown-in attic
insulation.
• When installing blown-in insulation in a vertical application, backing
must not sag or bend.
22 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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Summary
LOOSE FILL INSULATION: PREP AND INSTALLATION
• Blower doors and smoke sticks help locate air leaks.
• Dirty insulation is a sign of air leakage.
• Check typical hot spots, including duct and wiring chases,
flues, and plumbing penetrations.
• Use appropriate air sealing materials for the job.
• Maintain clearance from combustibles.
• Do not insulate over unsafe wiring.
• Ensure exhaust fans vent directly outside with proper
terminations and ducts sealed and insulated as appropriate.
23 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – July 2012
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