Reports

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TechNote - Humidity Control: Supplemental Dehumidification in Hot-Humid Climates

This TechNote provides an overview of strategies for improving humidity control in hot-humid climates (applicable as well in other humid climates). The focus is on supplemental dehumidification methods using commercially available equipment. Supplemental dehumidification is not intended to be used as a means for compensating for over-sized HVAC equipment or excessive building leakage rates.

Moisture Performance of High-R Wall Systems

File Under: Moisture Management

This research examines the moisture characteristics of high-R wall systems as part of a broader effort to offer solutions that increase builders’ confidence with the adoption of energy-efficient technologies. The high-R walls feature increased wall insulation levels, reduced wall air leakage, and often reduced permeance of material layers. Wall assemblies are subjected to various moisture loads, such as bulk water, built-in moisture (construction moisture), water vapor, and capillary transport through materials in contact with water or in contact with the ground.

Characterization of the Moisture Performance of Energy Efficient and Conventional Light Frame and Wood Wall Systems

File Under: Moisture Management

The recent changes in the minimum energy codes (2012 IECC) resulted in increased wall insulation levels and reduced wall air leakage for all light-frame wood systems (relative to 2009 IECC). The long-term moisture performance of these new wall systems is not well understood with regard to vapor drive, condensation risk, and drying capability. With moisture performance increasingly becoming a design consideration in the selection of wall systems, home builders and designers need practical guidance for construction of walls that ensure durability of wood buildings. This type of design guidance is particularly needed as various industry groups are advocating specific wall design solutions based on incomplete information.

TechNote - Vapor Retarders: Reducing Moisture Risk in Frame Walls

File Under: Moisture Management

This TechNote provides an overview of building code requirements and design considerations for vapor retarders. The focus is on climate-specific recommendations for selecting interior vapor retarder products for frame walls.

Moisture Performance of Walls in Energy Efficient Homes

File Under: Moisture Management

Recent changes in the minimum energy code (2012/2015 IECC) significantly increased wall insulation levels and reduced wall air leakage targets for light-frame wood walls, relative to the 2006 and 2009 IECC. The long-term moisture performance of these new wall systems is not well understood with regard to vapor drive, condensation risk, and drying capability. With moisture performance increasingly becoming a design consideration in the selection of wall systems, home builders and designers need practical guidance for construction of walls that ensure durability of residential buildings.

Percent Energy Savings: 2009 IECC Analysis

File Under: Air Sealing & Building Envelope, Building Codes & Standards, Energy Efficiency & High-Performance Building, Moisture Management, Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality

A strong push was made by many advocacy groups, including the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE), to increase the stringency of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). This effort resulted in a number of major changes which impact both energy savings and construction costs for residential construction. As part of the federal effort to encourage state and local adoption of the more stringent code, provisions were also included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to persuade states to adopt the 2009 IECC.

Rainwater Intrusion in Light-Frame Building Walls

File Under: Moisture Management, Structural Performance

The design of light-frame buildings to resist damage from rainwater intrusion is an art guided by the know-ledge, experience, and opinions of practitioners. Confusion encountered by designers could be reduced by developing a consensus on the terms relating to rainwater management in building walls and by developing an engineering approach to the design of light-frame buildings with respect to preventing leakage-induced damage. Development of an engineering approach will require consensus on 1) means to characterize rain/ wind exposure for design purposes, 2) means to evaluate the leak resistance, moisture tolerance, and moisture dissipation potential of constructions, 3) ways to determine or estimate reasonable limit states, and 4) identification of a desirable level of “robustness” for light-frame buildings with regard to their ability to resist water-induced damage.

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Featured Reports

Trusted Building Industry Data

Consult our market research, financial insights, and performance evaluations

TechNote - Humidity Control: Supplemental Dehumidification in Hot-Humid Climates

Moisture Performance of High-R Wall Systems

Characterization of the Moisture Performance of Energy Efficient and Conventional Light Frame and Wood Wall Systems

TechNote - Vapor Retarders: Reducing Moisture Risk in Frame Walls

Moisture Performance of Walls in Energy Efficient Homes

Percent Energy Savings: 2009 IECC Analysis

Rainwater Intrusion in Light-Frame Building Walls

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Full-Service Product Testing Capabilities to Serve the Building Industry