Energy Losses in Buildings

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Heat Flow Principles

Topics: Detecting heat loss; Insulation; Environmental considerations; Windbreaks; Foundation plantings; Building orientation

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation.
• Explain the importance of infiltration in a building's heat loss/gain.
• Define thermal conductance, overall coefficient of heat transmission, and thermal resistance and how they relate to each other.
• Explain the concept of the building envelope
• Tell how environmental factors can affect the loss of gain of heat in a building.

Chapter 2: Heat Loss/Gain Through Roofs

Topics: Roof construction and insulation; Vapor barriers; Ventilation; Types of insulation, applications; Checking heat leaks; Infrared scanner

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate how to arrive at the R value of a roof section.
• List the principal types of roof and ceiling insulation and the applications for which each is best suited.
• Name the two most effective precautions to take against moisture damage and give examples of their proper installation.
• Explain how and under what circumstances heat leaks can be detected in roof structures.
• the facts needed for payback calculations and tell how to use them to determine payback periods.

Chapter 3: Minimizing Heat Flow Through Walls

Topics: Totaling R values; Insulating materials; Vapor barriers; Cold-side venting; Convective looping; Insulating foundations; Metal walls; U values

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the merits of the common forms of insulation as applied to wall construction.
• Identify at least two types of vapor barrier and tell when each would be used.
• Explain convective looping and how to prevent it.
• Tell why metal buildings have special insulation needs and describe the techniques developed for them.
• Use payback calculations to determine which of two alternatives conservation measures is the more profitable.

Chapter 4: Heat Loss/Gain Through Windows and Doors

Topics: Infiltration; Caulking; Weather-stripping; Air locks; Sealed windows; Storm windows; Draperies; Solar heat gain; Shading

Learning Objectives:

• Identify two forms of infiltration.
• Explain the valves of an air lock and describe a typical installation.
• Name at least three means of reducing conductive heat loss through windows.
• Tell why the angle of the sun is important in efforts to increase or minimize solar heat gain.
• State the reason for the lengthy payback period on most window retrofits.

Chapter 5: Controlling Losses Through Floors

Topics: Above-, below-, and on-grade floors; Vapor barriers; Ground cover; Crawl spaces; Surface drainage; Floor coverings; Pipes; Duct work; Retrofits

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the principal methods of insulating existing above-ground floors.
• Tell how to test for capillary rise ion a crawl space.
• Point out the value of a ground-cover vapor barrier.
• List two ways to insulate on-grade or below-grade floors
• Explain the special problems involved in calculating heat losses and payback periods for on-grade and below-grade floors.

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