by Charles Hendricks | Jul 20, 2010 | Building Science, Green Building, green term defined, Indoor Air Quality, LEED, resources
Mixed Humid Climate – Closed Cell vs Open Cell Foam
I posed a question this week about mixed humid climates – closed cell vs open cell foam. In a mixed humid climate, do you use open cell foam exclusively or can you use closed cell in some limited places?
In speaking to a very experienced architect on the subject, he hands down believes that closed cell is the answer for the typical wall system design. My problem – I can only find science that refutes his claim.
Closed cell foam is a vapor barrier that will not let moisture flow through the wall system.
In our climate, where we have two seasons, we cannot have a vapor barrier. This is because it will produce moisture issues in the wall. The only way to prevent moisture issues is to include a dehumidification system as part of the HVAC design.
While I do want a dehumidification system in every project, we know they don’t always get installed due to budget cuts. However, the bigger issue is when the building is shut down for a few days. When people go on vacation and cut back the thermostat or schools are out for the summer the system is not running as designed. When this happens, you are going to have a mold problem. I cannot find any science to back up the claim that closed cell foam can be used here in our climate. If you want to give me some data, I would love to be able to achieve the higher R values that the product offers.
by Charles Hendricks | Jul 19, 2010 | Building Science, Green Building, Indoor Air Quality, resources
There is a tremendous amount of information about going green on the news, television shows, and coming from corporate America. So how do you decide if “green” is right for you? Simple, do you like to save money, want to do less to maintain your home, want to use fewer resources to achieve the same goals? If you answered yes, then you are ready to go green. There are simple things that you can do to get started. Here are 10 steps to help you “go green.”
- Turn off the overhead lights and use lamps. Even better use LED or CFL bulbs.
- Use rechargeable batteries.
- Adjust your fridge temp to 37 degrees and your freezer to 0 degrees. While you’re at it, turn your thermostat back 1 degree.
- Recycle – it cost more to send something to a landfill than it does to recycle it. Do your locality a favor, don’t put it in the trash can.
- Print on both sides of the page.
- Fix any drips and install aerator on your faucets.
- Carpool or plan your trips to minimize driving – or even better, walk.
- Use reusable grocery bags – this will reduce the overhead of your favorite places to shop which will reduce their need to raise prices.
- Unplug or use a power strip – a television draws as much electricity turned off as a 60 watt light bulb does turned on.
- Shop local for everything from your food to your architect! Less driving is good on the pocketbook and putting money back into your local economy makes your community stronger.
