BAP Weatherization & Retrofit Measures Flashcards

Which insulation material is most commonly used for dense-packing existing closed wall cavities in US weatherization programs?

Answer: Cellulose

Cellulose is the dominant material for dense-pack wall retrofits because it flows easily through a fill tube, achieves required density, and provides good air resistance when properly installed.

What is the typical minimum attic floor insulation R-value recommended for Climate Zone 5 (northern US) in DOE/ENERGY STAR programs?

Answer: R-49

DOE and ENERGY STAR recommend R-49 to R-60 for attic floors in Climate Zone 5, reflecting the heating-dominated climate and significant energy savings potential.

What is the main energy benefit of insulating and air-sealing a crawlspace rather than the floor above it?

Answer: It brings pipes, ducts, and the crawlspace itself within the conditioned thermal envelope, reducing duct losses and pipe freeze risk

Encapsulating the crawlspace includes ducts and pipes in the thermal envelope, eliminating duct leakage losses to outside and protecting pipes from freezing in cold climates.

What does the term 'effective R-value' mean when describing a wall assembly?

Answer: The whole-assembly R-value accounting for thermal bridging through framing members

Effective R-value accounts for the reduced thermal performance caused by conductive framing members (thermal bridges), giving a realistic in-field performance value lower than the nominal cavity R-value.

Under ASHRAE 62.2-2016, what is the formula for calculating the minimum whole-building mechanical ventilation rate for a single-family home?

Answer: 0.01 × conditioned floor area + 7.5 × (number of bedrooms + 1)

ASHRAE 62.2-2016 requires a minimum ventilation rate of 0.01 cfm/ft² of conditioned floor area plus 7.5 cfm per person, where persons = number of bedrooms + 1.

What is the primary purpose of installing a ground-cover vapor barrier in a vented crawlspace?

Answer: To reduce moisture evaporation from the soil that can cause wood rot and mold in the floor assembly above

A ground-cover vapor barrier limits evaporation of soil moisture into the crawlspace air, reducing humidity that can cause wood decay, mold growth, and poor indoor air quality.