Air Sealing Mixed Use Multifamily Buildings Exterior Shell

Air Sealing Mixed Use & Multifamily Buildings: Exterior Shell & Unit-to-Unit Compartmentalization Steven Winter Associates Erica Brabon, BPI MFBA, LEED AP O+M 307 7 th Ave, Suite 1701, NY ebrabon@swinter. com

Efficiency Vermont is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request. This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Learning Objectives At the end of this program, participants will be able to: Discuss the concept of air sealing and how it affects stack effect and leads to energy savings Understand how we evaluate mid-rise buildings for this measure and what we look for Understand how air sealing is not only an energy saver but helps with indoor air quality (smoke and smell migration), pest problems, and sound issues Understand how air movement in a multifamily building greatly affects energy usage

Course Evaluations In order to maintain high-quality learning experiences, please access the evaluation for this course by logging into CES Discovery and clicking on the Course Evaluation link on the left side of the page.

Who We Are n n Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) is a 38 yearold architecture and engineering consulting firm specializing in building performance. SWA has trained over 2000 managers, architects, engineers and maintenance staff on how to run and maintain multi-family buildings in the last five years SWA works with many other types of high performance buildings including Energy Star, LEED, Building America, PATH, and numerous regional performance specifications. Offices: NYC; Norwalk, CT; Washington DC

Air Leakage – Basic Ideas n Where is the air coming in? n How does it move through the building? n How does it leave?

Whole Building Energy Loss: Infiltration & Ventilation – – – Air movement in and out of conditioned spaces Stack and wind effects, shafts & bypasses Exhaust & supply fans It’s all in the envelope 7

Unit to Unit Infiltration • Majority of MF apartment enclosures are adjacent to other units

Infiltration & Stack Effect What is “Stack Effect”? Stack effect occurs naturally in buildings as air which is warmer and more buoyant tends to rise above cooler, denser air. The greater difference between inside and outside temperature and the taller the building, the greater the stack effect. Source: American ALDES

Infiltration – Data Collection n n Unit air leakage vs whole building Equipment and procedure What is acceptable leakage? How is this number different with MF? What do you do with this number?

Blower Door Disco

Infiltration – Certification Criteria n n EPA National Energy Star Multifamily High Rise Program will require 1. 75 ELA square inches ELA @ 4 pascals/100 SF Enclosure (0. 315 CFM 50/SF) EPA Energy Star Labeled Homes requires 3 ACH 50 n n LEED NC, EB, etc requires 1. 25 square inches ELA @ 4 pascals/100 SF Enclosure LEED Homes requires 7 ACH 50, 4 gets you a point

Air Leakage – Basic Ideas n Where is the air coming in? n How does it move through the building? n How does it leave?

Sample Air Sealing Checklist n n n n n Pipe Insulation Framing layout, demising walls and interior Window to rough opening Window to interior gypsum board Air conditioner sleeve sealed to drywall (cover is installed if A/Cs provided by building) Outlet/Electrical Box - Exterior and Demising Walls Gypsum board to concrete floor plank connection - Exterior walls and all interior partition walls Gypboard to bottom track of demising wall Heating pipe penetrations through exterior walls Heating pipe penetrations through interior partitions n n n Plumbing / Sprinkler Pipe Penetration Range Gas Line Penetration Gypsum board to concrete ceiling plank connection - Exterior walls and all interior partition walls Gap between take off duct and gypsum board Electrical Panel HVAC Access Doors Thermostats Intercoms Lighting Fixtures Door Latch Hole Medicine Cabinet

Air Sealing and Health & Safety n Air leakage pathways are also pathways for: Smoke n Pests n Moisture n Sound n VOCs and Other Indoor Pollutants n n Air sealing not only saves energy but prevents the spread of pollutants and pests

Air Sealing & Asthma Attacks n n Things that cause asthma attacks are called “triggers”. “Triggers” include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Secondhand smoke Cockroaches (and their remains) Dust mites (and their remains) Rodents (and their remains) Pets with fur Nitrogen dioxide Mold

Air Sealing to Control Moisture n Controlling indoor MOISTURE is a major step for controlling: n n n n Mold Cockroaches Rodents Rust Bacteria Building degradation Air sealing can help control

Primary Air Infiltration Sites 5% Fans & Vents 12% Windows Floors, walls, and Ceilings 36% 13% Doors Electric Outlets 2% 15% Plumbing Penetrations Central Shafts 16% Data Source: California Energy Commission 18

Common Air Sealing Opportunities • Electrical penetrations Plumbing penetrations Window framing Wall to floor connection Doors and vestibules Basement ceiling In unit ventilation grills • Radon…? • Outlet • • • Plumbing Penetration – Check concentration before sealing 19

Where is air coming into the building?

Vented Mechanical Rooms

AC Sleeves n n n Not always a perfect fit Even when sealed still leak Interior cover is one solution

AC Sleeves - IR

Leaky Windows

Leaky Windows - IR

Interior Framing Layout – Demising Wall

Framing at Perimeter

Wall Floor Connection

Wall Ceiling Connection

Heating Pipe Penetrations

Outlets

Holes From Pipe and Plumbing Penetrations 34

Sealing Below Bathtub Before After 35

Sprinkler and Plumbing Penetrations

Plumbing Penetrations - IR

Door Latch Hole

Light Fixtures - IR

Leakage at Sheetrock Connection

Leakage at Sheetrock Connection Leakage Pathway Assuming a 1/16” gap along perimeter (red): 8 x 8 duct 2. 0 square inches of leakage area per exhaust grille 6 x 6 duct 1. 5 square inches of leakage area per exhaust grille

How does air leave the building?

Roof Curb Leakage

Ice Damming

Ice Damming n n Inadequate insulation and leakage lead to a warm roof Melting snow hits the cold roof edge and freezes Once enough ice and pooling forms, ice backs up into the wall and shingles Moisture damage leads to mold, which is an indoor air quality issue and can cause asthma attacks

Ice Damming Solutions n n n If you already have moisture damage, those materials (sheetrock and insulation) must be removed Air seal the attic to prevent further heat from escaping to the roof Insulate the attic n You must air seal BEFORE you insulate PROPERLY

General Air Sealing Guidelines The Daily Green GAPS ≤ 1/4” Caulk 48 Energy Blast Services GAPS 1/4” – 3” Spray foam OTHER Foam board, fiberglass in plastic bags, etc.

Yorktown Square n n n Two story buildings comprised of one and two bedroom flats Constructed in early 70’s – renovation 2007 Slab on grade, stick built, wood cladding Occupants are families and individuals receiving housing and utility subsidies Tenants directly metered for all utility consumption excluding water SAVE ON AVG $130 A YEAR PER UNIT IN ELECTRIC COSTS 49

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Scope of Work n n n High Efficiency Heating and Cooling Equipment n New air source heat pumps n Cleaning of units Sealing of duct work Replacement in-unit water heaters n n Adding attic insulation Low-Emissivity coating for the windows Energy Star refrigerators and dishwashers Whole building air sealing 51

Jennings Hall n n n n 150 units, 7 -story west wing and 9 story east wing 19 BTU/sf/HDD! Steam boilers w/ heat complaints Old windows Old elevators No roof insulation Central ventilation 52

Scope of Work 24% Total Energy Usage Savings! 53

Ashes to Green: Cambridge MA Energy Retrofit Building Envelope • Walls Polyicynene R-19 in walls • Roof – R 40 • Low E Glass windows • HERS 34 • PV & Solar Domestic Hot Water 54

Retrofit (Blue Line) Achieves Reductions 55

Conclusion Compartmentalization from floor to floor greatly decreases stack effect and leads to energy savings Use a checklist when evaluating for air sealing opportunities Closing off these unseen pathways not only saves energy but stops migration of moisture, pests, smoke, sound and indoor pollutants Air movement in a mixed use or multifamily building is hard to control but can be done when the whole building is looked at as a system

Thank You Questions? Erica Brabon ebrabon@swinter. com