Home Fire Repair and Remodel

The following photos are images from the job site, highlighting areas that the prior weatherization crews missed -when they were insulating this building.  

The missing insulation in critical areas causes greater energy needs - adding to the carbon footprint of this home.

The Hemp Insulation Solutions to Thermal Bridging

Industrial Hemp Insulation stops thermal bridging!

Fire repair, gut rehab- property was one of the most insulated buildings I've worked on in StLouis (that wasn't mine). The prior so called "energy experts" who installed all the insulation, missed insulting the spots most needed.

In this home's lower floor is where a garage and storage rooms are located. There are two giant heat traps one of which extends thru the home to the roof area- the chimney & The other heat sink is the metal post and beam system that supports the second floor;floor.

Heat and cold transfer thru denser materials faster and more efficiently that a porous substance.

All the second floor boards are supported by this heat sink. This allows the heat and cold a way into the building thru conduction- thermal conductivity.

The homes chimney is also located in the coldest part of the home and thermally conducts all the absorbed heat & cold into the second floor.

To stop the thermal conductivity- building owner should insulate both of these areas and stop the heat or cold from ever reaching the heat sinks. By wrapping the chimney & metal it will never get cold or hot eliminating thermal conductivity.

My suggestion- stop Thermal Bridging with Hemp Insulation! Sustainable-Eco Friendly - Hemp is the Future of Green Buildings. pic.twitter.com/k2m26KjZ7N

— Scotty (@StLHandyMan) December 2, 2016

Thank You for stopping by the Green Blog. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know by posting a question or comment. Together we can make a difference and create a future that will benefit everyone.

CAD Drawing-Insulation -St Louis Brick Home-Examples

How insulation Saves Money- How Insulation Works-Typical-St Louis Brick Home used in Examples

How Insulation Works

Top View: Brick Home with Zero Insulation

Brick Home Wall Detail with Zero Insulation

Brick Home with Insulation in Wall Cavity

Why Insulate Your House?

Heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes. Insulation:

• saves money and our nation's limited energy resources
• makes your house more comfortable by helping to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the house, and
• makes walls, ceilings, and floors warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

The amount of energy you conserve will depend on several factors: your local climate; the size, shape, and construction of your house; the living habits of your family; the type and efficiency of the heating and cooling systems; and the fuel you use.

Once the energy savings have paid for the installation cost, energy conserved is money saved -saving energy will be even more important as utility rates go up.

This fact sheet will help you to understand how insulation works, what different types of insulation are available, and how much insulation makes sense for your climate. There are many other things you can do to conserve energy in your home as well. The Department of Energy offers many web sites(http://ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_07.html) to help you save energy by sealing air leaks, selecting more energy-efficient appliances, etc.

How Insulation Works

How Insulation Works

Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. In winter, the heat moves directly from all heated living spaces to the outdoors and to adjacent unheated attics, garages, and basements - wherever there is a difference in temperature.  During the summer, heat moves from outdoors to the house interior.  To maintain comfort, the heat lost in winter must be replaced by your heating system and the heat gained in summer must be removed by your air conditioner. Insulating ceilings, walls, and floors decreases the heating or cooling needed by providing an effective resistance to the flow of heat.

Batts, blankets, loose fill, and low-density foams all work by limiting air movement. (These products may be more familiarly called fiberglass, cellulose, polyicynene, and expanded polystyrene.)  The still air is an effective insulator because it eliminates convection and has low conduction.  Some foams, such as polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, and extruded polystyrene, are filled with special gases that provide additional resistance to heat flow. Reflective insulation or Radiant Barriers works by reducing the amount of energy that travels in the form of radiation. Some forms of reflective insulation also divide a space up into small regions to reduce air movement, or convection, but not to the same extent as batts, blankets, loose-fill, and foam.

Reference> http://ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html

Click here to: Schedule a Green Site Evaluation to Weatherize your Building against the High Heating Costs Energy Efficiency / Weatherization Series Upcoming Post: Why Sealing Air Leaks Saves Money If you are interested in Green Building on an Investment Property Check out the Benton Gut Rehab Blog Series-Benton Gut Rehab Green Blog Series Part 1: History Part 2: Stone Foundation Repair Part 3: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 1 Part 4: Tuckpointing the Brick Walls pt 2 Part 5: What were they thinking? Part 6: Paint Pro Tip #35 Part 7: Repairing Water Damage-Exterior Wall Part 8: 1st Floor Weatherization Part 9: See the Difference a Little White Paint Makes Part 10: Interior Framing-Plumbing-Laundry Room Part 11: Kitchen Framing Tip #36-Benton Rehab Project Part 12: Water Main Repair- Benton Rehab Part 13: Benton Rehab Project Drywall Installation and Tip: Number 1172

How to Stop Energy Loss or Gain in a Building

How to Prevent Heat Loss with 4 Examples-Diagrams-Drawings for your Building Projects

In recent conversations with customers and peers about Reducing Energy Loss in Buildings / Structures and how heat and cold are transferred into a Building via Conduction. I explained and made reference to using a Metal Cooking Utensil to stir a pot of chilli.

If the utensil is left in the pot of chilli for any length of time. The heat will eventually transfer heat up the utensil handle and will usually burn your hand or fingers.

Heat and Cold enter a Building in the same way; unless, there is some form of Insulation or Thermal Break to prevent the conduction of energy.

Cooking utensil manufactures solve this issue by adding handles made of Wood, Plastic, etc.

The Building and Remodeling Industry combats this energy loss/gain in various ways. Here a few examples, diagrams, and drawings that show how this loss or gain is minimized.

When this heat/cold gain and loss is minimized you will save money on your Heating and Cooling Bills.

By renovating and building using these examples and basic design principles you will save money and reduce Global Warming / Climate Change.

• Example 1. Adding Insulation on the exterior of the Building normally behind the exterior wall finish. This is normally used in conjunction with Insulation in the Wall Cavities.

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  Example 1 Top View

  

  Example 1 Adding Insulation on the Exterior of Wall Framing

• Example 2 – Staggered Wall Studs

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  Top View 2×4 Staggered Studs to Prevent Energy Loss and Gain

  

  2×4 Staggered Studs Prevent Energy Loss and Gain






• Example 3- Double Wall Construction

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  2×4 Double Wall Construction to Prevent Energy Loss and Gain

  

  2×4 Double Wall Construction to Prevent Energy Loss and Gain






• Example 4- Creating a Thermal Break by Adding Wall Channels

Thermal Break created by Wall Channels to prevent energy loss

Thermal Break created by adding Wall Channels to prevent energy loss and gain

The above illustrations are just a few examples of how to prevent Energy Loss in a Building by adding: Insulation, Providing a Thermal Break, and Creating Dead Air Space. Examples 1 and 4 are used mostly in Remodeling and Renovation Projects. With examples 2 and 3 are used mainly in new construction of Buildings. For detailed information, proven scientific facts, about how energy is transferred I suggest reading the Article at Wiki on Heat Transfer at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_transfer.

If you live in the St Louis Area and are interested in Saving Money on your utility bills by any of the above mentioned diagrams or illustrations I can be reached via: scottscontracting@gmail.com

Old Man Winter Loose in the USA

It's that time of year when Old Man Winter is knocking at our doors in the USA. Reduce your Energy Imprint, Carbon Foot Print, UN-Needed and Wasteful Energy Consumption by Winterizing your Home and Business.

The Money You Spend on Weatherization will come back to you in real time savings on your Heating Bills!!!

Step 1: Check for Wind and Drafts in your Buildings Structure:
a) I check for air drafts entering your Buildings Interior by: Looking for air gaps by sight, feel or you can use a candle, Smudge Sticks, Incense Sticks (be care full of any open flame in your home/business; especially when testing by windows with Curtains).
b) Places to check: Windows, Doors, Visually Inspect Exterior of your Structure for signs of disrepair, Base Boards and Electrical Outlets around the exterior walls of your home, Electrical Outlets

Step 2: Stop the Cold Air from entering your Structure: Seal all Cracks, Air Gaps, Add Vapor Barriers and or Insulation Where Needed

a) Seal Cracks around Window Frames with Caulking/Expandable Foam.
+Caulking / Expandable Foam can be purchased at Home Improvement Stores, Hardware Stores, Lumber Yards;
+Cost $3-$5 / Tube or Can
+Foam Strips of Self Adhesive Strips can be added to the Window Frames
Costs: $5-$25 / Door

b) Doors:
+Self Adhesive Strips can be added to the Door Stops around the Door Frame
+Costs: $5-$25 / Door
Bottom of the Door is the Threshold and will create the largest air Gap, Stop Air Infiltration by Installing a New Threshold
+Costs: $10-$35 / Door
+ Seal Door Trim with Caulking (around Edges) Expandable Foam Insulation (behind the trim)
Costs: Cost $3-$5 / Tube or Can

c) Base Boards
+ Seal with Caulking or Remove and add Insulation in the Gap between wall material and Flooring
Costs: Caulking $3-$5 / Tube; Insulation $20-$45 / Roll

d) Exterior Electrical Outlets
+ Seal with Caulking or add Insulation in the Gap between wall material and Electric Box Remove Electric Box and Seal with Vapor Barrier / Insulation, then Re-Install Electrical Box and Components $20-$45 each by Qualified Handy Man or Electrician)
Costs: Caulking $3-$5 / Tube; Insulation $20-$45 / Roll

Step 3 Attic Insulation-Suggested Insulation Levels [R-Value] For the St Louis Region (suggestions by the US Dept of Energy)

1. Attic Insulation Level Should be a Minimum Level R-49
2. Wall Insulation Level Minimum Level R-13
3. Flooring Insulation Minimum Level R-30
4. Basement Interior Wall Minimum Level R-11

Additional Information on Insulation can be found:Insulating Roofs, Walls, and Floors , Attic Insulation and Attic Energy Solutions , Roof and Attic Ventilation , Fall Home Check Up Guide with Photos

Scotts Contracting is available to assist you in Lowering your Buildings Energy Needs- Click here to email: scottscontracting@gmail.com for any additional questions or to request a Free Green Site Evaluation. 

NOTE: For Every $1-Dollar Spent on Weatherization will Return a $2 Savings on your Energy Bills

Scotts Contracting Guarantees that with proper insulation levels and

stopping the Cold Air Drafts in your Building you will save money on your Heating Bills.Scotty

How to Save Money on Your Winter Heating Bills

• Did the first Snow of the Year catch you unprepared for winter?
• Is there enough insulation in your attic, walls, or floor?
• Do you feel cold air drafts around your windows and doors?
• Are your Heating bills higher this year than past years?
• Have you chosen to become an active participant to Reduce the Earth's Climate Change?

If you answered YES to any of the above questions its not too late to make your Building more Energy Efficient

• Insulation Levels [R-Value] For the St Louis Region (suggestions by the US Dept of Energy)

1. Attic Insulation Level Should be a Minimum Level R-49
2. Wall Insulation Level Minimum Level R-13
3. Flooring Insulation Minimum Level R-30
4. Basement Interior Wall Minimum Level R-11

Stop Cold Air Drafts in the Exterior Walls of Your Building by

1. Installing Weather Stripping around your Doors and Windows
2. Seal all Exterior Wall Electrical Boxes with Electrical Box Sealer
3. Seal Exterior Obtrusion's in Exterior Walls with Caulk or Spray Foam

Additional Insulation Information can be found:Insulating Roofs, Walls, and Floors , Attic Insulation and Attic Energy Solutions , Roof and Attic Ventilation , Fall Home Check Up Guide with Photos

Scotts Contracting is available to assist you in Lowering your Buildings Energy Needs- Click here to email: scottscontracting@gmail.com for any additional questions or to request a Free Green Site Evaluation. 

NOTE: For Every $1-Dollar Spent on Weatherization will Return a $2 Savings on your Energy Bills

Scotts Contracting Guarantees that with proper insulation levels and

stopping the Cold Air Drafts in your Building you will save money on your Heating Bills.Scotty

--
Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com