July 2006

 www.energystarhomesamerica.com

Issue 7 Volume 4

On-Site Construction Recycling
by Jennifer Boyle
  Waste is a global issue. Efficient use of our resources should be a primary concern for everyone. A relatively new technique on the market is on-site construction waste recycling. The equipment required to do this has only recenty become available.
  An estimated 136 million tons of building-related construction and demolition debris were generated in 1996 in the United States (10 years ago). The EPA estimates residential construction wood debris was generated at the rate of 4 tons per house in 1996. This is all wood waste. In an effort to curb this unnecessary waste, viable grinding equipment has been developed in the past decade. Grinding and reuse techniques gained exposure through a profile in the NAHB Research publication: Residential Construction Waste Management: A Builder’s Field Guide released in January 1997.
  The packer/grinder turns ordinary construction waste into usable material directly on the job site. Among the most commonly ground building components are: lumber, brick, shingles and drywall. Lumber waste can be deposited as is, and the packer/grinder’s magnetic system removes nails and metal debris. The wood chips generated can be used as mulch for landscaping, berms for erosion control or substrate for road stabilization. Brick may be ground into 2 inch pieces or smaller and used as sub-grade material under driveways and sidewalks. Shingle waste may be used in similar applications. Drywall’s chemical composition creates an excellent ground material for soil enrichment and agricultural conditioning. For more information, please contact GWS at 1-888-488-0206.

Inspector’s Corner
Fiberglass vs. Foam
by Bernardo Lopez, Operations Manager
  Which insulation is better, foam or fiberglass (batt)? Ask a representative for each type of insulation and you will probably receive two completely different answers. Following is an overview of each insulation type, based upon personal observation as a field inspector. Let’s start with a look at the benefits of foam and fiberglass.

  Fiberglass insulation is the most popular and commonly used insulation in new construction. Fiberglass is an appealing option due to low cost and lack of complicated installation equipment. Sprayers, compressors, or heaters are unnecessary. Additionally, there is no waiting period for the insulation to dry before installing the drywall.

  Foam insulation has a better R-value per inch than fiberglass and is not affected in hot walls exposed to extreme attic temperatures. The foam insulation has no voids, gaps, or misalignments when it expands. As the insulation expands, it fills the wall cavities completely and eliminates the need to spend extra time cutting around wires, pipes, and electrical boxes. Another benefit of foam insulation is that it acts as an air sealer to the exterior walls when applied directly. Now let’s examine the drawbacks of these two insulation products…

  Fiberglass installers are not always adequately trained in proper installation procedures. In many of the homes I have inspected, insulation is compressed in the walls, gaps are present around wires and pipes, and voids are present behind kitchen cabinet blocking. Each of these items reduces the effective R-value of insulation. For example, if the R-value of insulation is rated at R-13, but the aforementioned mistakes are present, the R-value may potentially decrease to R-9. Gaps, voids and compression all contribute to interior discomfort for the homeowner. Insulation installers are often paid by contract, which may result in less time spent cutting around wires and pipes. The common wall of an attached garage is also especially vulnerable to the elements during construction. In many recently insulated new homes, wind can blow through the unfinished structure and pull insulation away from the walls on the windward side of the home.

  From a cost perspective, foam insulation is generally more expensive than fiberglass. The cost of foam can be twice as much as fiberglass in some applications. The contractor must have sprayers, heaters, and usually a trailer with a compressor to apply the foam. Sometimes a contractor’s equipment fails on the job site and they must return the following day when the equipment has been serviced. Another factor to consider is that foam insulation requires an “off-gassing” period to allow the combination of chemicals to dissipate before occupancy.

  In conclusion, there is no clear-cut answer as to which insulation is best. Both of these products are great but, I believe that there are many factors to consider when determining which one to use. If cost is not an issue, foam insulation will yield the desired R-value, but correctly installed fiberglass will have similar results and cost less. The trick is making sure the fiberglass is installed correctly by trained professionals - the first time. For more information, please call GWS @ 1-888-488-0206

Announcements:
Thermal Bypass Checklist Training
Dallas HBA: Wednesday, July 26th 3:00-5:00pm
Houston HBA: Thursday, July 27th 3:00-5:00pm
For more information, please contact Alton Dugas at ADugas@icfconsulting.com

Home Energy Rater Training
August 21-25, 2006.
Take the first step in becoming certified by RESNET as a professional Home Energy Rater.
Register now for the comprehensive workshop to provide you all the information necessary for becoming a professional home energy rater.

Training will take place in Oklahoma City from August 21 - 25, 2006. Registration includes lunches, refreshments and snacks during training, complete Rater Manual and RESNET exam fee.

In this workshop you will:

• Learn about the house as a system
• Learn to produce energy ratings
• Learn to recognize construction flaws
• Learn to sell “energy upgrades”
• Learn to use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools
• Gain knowledge of infrared thermography
• Learn to use REM/Rate software
• Learn how to produce a code compliance report
• Learn to size HVAC systems
• Gain a firm grasp of building science principles and residential energy use

For more information, please contact us at GWS (405)-946-0206 or email bwelch@gwssi.com

EEBA Excellence in Building
Conference & Expo
Norfolk, VA: October 10 - 12, 2006
For more information, please visit www.eeba.org

Thermal Bypass Training
Las Vegas: October 17 - 19, 2006
For more information, contact GWS at bwelch@gwssi.com