RESEARCH PLAN FOR DETERMINING THE IMPACT OF
PRESCRIPTIVE AIR SEALING ON VENTILATION AND
INFILTRATION RESULTING FROM THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RTF RESIDENTIAL
WEATHERIZATION MEASURE SPECIFICATIONS
Submitted to
REGIONAL TECHNICAL FORUM
Submitted by
Residential Weatherization Subcommittee
January XX, 2012
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. OVERVIEW.......................................................................................................... 2
2. PHASE I RESEARCH .............................................................................................. 2
2.1. Sampling ............................................................................................................................. 3
2.2. Data Collection ................................................................................................................... 3
2.2.1. Data Source......................................................................................................................... 3
2.2.2. Training and Coordination .................................................................................................. 4
2.2.3. Data Requirements ............................................................................................................. 4
2.3. Data Analysis and Reporting .............................................................................................. 6
2.3.1. Dataset................................................................................................................................ 6
2.3.2. Ventilation Analysis ............................................................................................................ 6
2.3.3. Reporting ............................................................................................................................ 6
2.3.4. PHASE I Estimated Budget .................................................................................................. 7
3. PHASE II RESEARCH ............................................................................................. 7
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1. OVERVIEW
The RTF approved new residential weatherization specifications that are in effect 2012 through 2015.
The specifications require air sealing to accompany installation of individual weatherization measures
(e.g. floors and attics) that previously did not have specific air sealing specifications. Please refer to the
RTF Residential Weatherization Specifications for more information.
The purpose of including air sealing with weatherization measures is to reduce infiltration. While this
may improve overall energy efficiency, air sealing with weatherization measures has the potential to
affect ventilation and corresponding compliance with mechanical ventilation requirements. However, no
empirical data currently exists to indicate how air sealing with individual weatherization measures
impacts infiltration and ventilation. The RTF is interested in potential infiltration and ventilation impacts
and required follow up research to explore the impact.
This research plan outlines the data collection required to examine the change in infiltration due to
implementation of weatherization measures meeting the RTF weatherization specifications. This
research requires pre and post project blower door tests and other basic data collection in homes where
one or more individual weatherization measures, with air sealing, are installed. This plan does not apply
to residences weatherized using whole house air sealing measures or duct sealing nor does it estimate
energy savings related to weatherization measures.
The research is split into two Phases. Phase I outlines targeted initial data collection to obtain a
preliminary understanding of the infiltration impacts. The data collection will focus on collecting quality
data in volunteer utility service territories. Phase I research will determine whether follow up research is
needed. If initial findings indicate more data collection and research is needed, Phase II research will be
developed and informed by these findings.
2. PHASE I RESEARCH
The objective of Phase I research is to collect initial data on infiltration to determine if further data
collection is warranted, and if so, what the additional research must accomplish. Three (?) utilities have
volunteered to participate in Phase I data collection. This section provides specific guidance on Phase I:

Sampling

Data Collection Requirements

Data Analysis and Reporting
Phase I will require a small amount of funding for a research coordinator to pool data, conduct analysis,
and report findings.
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2.1. Sampling
Not much empirical data currently exists to indicate how air sealing with individual weatherization
measures impacts infiltration and ventilation. Previous studies are flawed or do not match RTF air
sealing requirements. Because of this, the initial sample will comprise data from X (Number TBD) utilities
that have volunteered to collect data from 20 homes in their service territory that have weatherization
measures implemented consistent with the RTF specifications. The initial sample provides anecdotal
insight into whether there is a significant change in infiltration or ventilation that warrants further
research. It is not intended to be statistically significant.
The utilities will select the 20 homes/weatherization projects at random. Because research coincides
with program implementation and requires pre and post project measurements, true random selection
may be difficult. To limit bias in site selection, the utilities can pick an interval (e.g. every fifth project) or
rotate project selection among weatherization contractors.
Measure Mix
Table 1. Phase I Sample Targets
Total Projects
Utility #1 (confirm who)
20
Utility #2 (confirm who)
20
Utility #3 (confirm who)
20
Total Projects
60
Other IOUs and the Energy Trust of Oregon are encouraged to augment the Phase I research plan
sample with data from their utility service territories as they adopt the RTF Weatherization
Specifications. Additional data will improve the confidence in any findings on the impact air sealing has
on infiltration and ventilation across the region. The quality and applicability of the augmented data will
be dependent on the extent to which the data is collected consistent with Section 2.2 of this plan and
the extent to which weatherization measure air sealing practices conform to the new RTF
Weatherization Specification. Utilities or organizations providing a data augmenting this research are
asked to detail conformance with these conditions.
2.2. Data Collection
2.2.1. Data Source
A majority of data will come from the pre and post project site visits. Primary data requirements are
described in Section 2.2.3. If needed, the research will be informed by secondary studies1, though few
inputs are expected to come from secondary sources.
1
For example, Residential Building Stock Assessment data can provide ceiling height estimates for ventilation calculator inputs.
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Data collection requirements are designed to:

Quantify the change in infiltration and ventilation through pre and post project blower door
tests

Provide information on the extent and quality of air sealing that took place for a projects

Collect other information that may influence the change in infiltration and/or ventilation
2.2.2. Training and Coordination
Because utilities are measuring potentially small changes in infiltration, it is important that the utilities
use the same protocol with functioning blower door testers and TECTITE software. A research
coordinator will ensure all utilities have calibrated equipment and take consistent measurements. The
technicians conducting pre and post project blower door tests should be different from the contractor
completing the weatherization work as this prevents conflict of interest while measuring infiltration.
However, utilities will coordinate with the weatherization contractor to obtain a summary of specific
weatherization and air sealing measures completed and digital photos of the work.
2.2.3. Data Requirements
The minimum data collection requirements for homes before a contractor completes a weatherization
project are shown in Table 2 with a description of the data and the required measurement protocol.
Table 2. Pre-weatherization Project Data Requirements
Data
Description
Home construction type
Slab, basement,
crawl space
Home size
Square footage
Vintage
Year
Location (Address, City, State, Zip)
Number of bedrooms
Number of full bathrooms (i.e. with
shower, bath or other moisture source)
Number of occupants
Number of floors
Presence of whole house fan
Yes / No
Whole house fan rated CFM
Whole house fan operation
On/Off cycle time
(e.g. on 24 hours)
Type and number of spot ventilators:
Number of fans and
type
4

Bathroom

kitchen
Measurement Protocol
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Data
Description
Is there a dryer in the home?
Yes/No
Are spot ventilators operable?
Yes/No
Do spot ventilators vent to the outside?
Yes/No
Measured spot ventilator flow rate
cfm
Kitchen fan flow difficult to measure, will
likely need secondary source.
Worst Case Depressurization
Pascal
Refer to the RTF Residential Weatherization
Measure Specifications for approach
Date of the pre-project blower door test
Time and day
TECTITE time stamp
Blower Door Test
Measurement Protocol
Will provide training and use TECTITE
software1
1 TECTITE
software will improve the accuracy of the difference between pre and post project infiltration values. It will also
provide time stamps on the blower door test file.
Table 3 provides a summary of the post project requirements. The post project data requirements are
designed to confirm whether the home’s ventilation has changed during the time it was weatherized.
Table 3. Post-weatherization Project Data Requirements
Data
Description
Measurement Protocol
Date of post project blower door test
Time and Day
TECTITE time stamp
Program data including:
Include data required by program to
claim savings from eligible measures.
Utility records
Types of air sealing completed and
digital photos of the work
Develop a checklist based on
the RTF Residential
Weatherization Measure
Specifications


Installation Date
Measures types (wall, floor, or
attic insulation, and windows)
 R value, if applicable
 Window type
 Contractor name and contact
information
Air Sealing Actions Completed and
Photos
Whole house fan operation
On/Off cycle time (e.g. on 24 hours)
Type and number of spot ventilators:
Number of fans and type
 Bathroom
 kitchen
Are spot ventilators operable?
Yes/No
Do spot ventilators vent to the outside?
Yes/No
Heating Ventilating and Air
Conditioning (HVAC) System Type
Electric resistance no cooling;
Electric resistance with zonal
cooling; Central Heat Pump; Gaspropane or oil with no cooling; Gaspropane or oil with cooling; other
HVAC Distribution and Ventilation
Zonal, ducts in heated space, ducts
outside heated space, hydronic;
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Data
Description
Measurement Protocol
dedicated outside air – yes or no
Wood or pellet stove or boiler present
Yes or No, if Yes – estimated annual
space heating contribution in
percent
Worst Case Depressurization
Pascal
Blower Door Test
1 TECHTITE
Refer to the RTF Residential
Weatherization Measure
Specifications for approach
Will provide training and use
TECTITE software1
software will improve the accuracy of the difference between pre and post project infiltration values
2.3. Data Analysis and Reporting
A central contact and coordinator shall be appointed to aggregate data from the utilities, conduct
analysis, and make recommendations to the subcommittee for Phase II research. The deliverables from
this research effort shall include:

A clean, compiled dataset of required pre and post weatherization project data outlined in
Section 3.3 of this research plan.

An analysis of the infiltration change impact on ventilation and subsequent program mechanical
ventilation compliance

A report and presentation summarizing the research study findings and any recommendations
for Phase II research
2.3.1. Dataset
The research coordinator will need to collate and clean the utility data. The data should be an orderly
Microsoft compatible Excel or Access file with a data dictionary to ensure the RTF and other
stakeholders can use and interpret the data after the research project has concluded.
2.3.2. Ventilation Analysis
A key object of this research is to characterize the impact weatherization projects with air sealing
(excluding whole home air sealing measures) have on ventilation. The research coordinator will estimate
the ventilation impact using the RTF Ventilation Calculator and the pre and post project data for each
site as well as compare to ASHRAE 62.2 requirements. Results from the analysis will lead to conclusions
and recommendations on the ventilation impacts.
2.3.3. Reporting
The research contractor will provide a report that provides:
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
Data collection results and home characteristics

Change in infiltration and impact on ventilation

Conclusions and recommendations.
If the research contractor recommends further data collection for Phase II research, the
recommendation shall include which additional home characteristics or weatherization measures and
how many are needed for the sample. The report may provide recommendations on further data
collection, data collection methodology, mechanical ventilation compliance rates pre and post project,
weatherization measure specifications or installation procedures, and more.
2.3.4. PHASE I Estimated Budget
A small coordination, analysis, and reporting budget will be required for this work. The subcommittee
estimates $_____.
3. PHASE II RESEARCH
Phase II research will be determined pending the Phase I results. If the subcommittee and RTF find the
results from Phase I sufficient, Phase II will not be implemented. Otherwise, the subcommittee will use
recommendations from Phase I research to inform further research.
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