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CONTENTS
FORWARD
INTRODUCTION

Program Goals and Eligibility

Code Compliance

Documenting Installed Measures

Materials

Inspections and Inspection Process

Waivers for Unusual Conditions

Illustrations

Human Contact Areas

ATTIC INSULATION

Attic Preparation Work

Attic Air Sealing

Knob and Tube Wiring

Passive Attic Ventilation: Sizing and Distribution

Baffles for Eave and Soffit Vents

Dams

Baffles for Light Fixtures, Fan/Lights, Chimneys and Miscellaneous

Bath Fans

Kitchen Fans

Dryer Exhaust Fans

Water Pipes in Attics

Inside Attic Access Doors

Pull-Down Stairs

Outside Attic Access Doors

Kneewalls in Attic Areas

GENERAL ATTIC INSULATION REQUIREMENTS

Introduction

Installing Loose-Fill Insulation

Installing Batt Insulation

Floored Attics

Sloped Ceilings with Side Attics and Upper Attics

Vented Vaulted Ceilings

Unvented Vaulted Ceilings

Insulating Side Attics

UNDERFLOOR INSULATION

Introduction

Underfloor Preparation Work

Ventilation

Ground Covers

Sealing Floor Penetrations

Basic Installation Procedures

Floor Insulation Support Materials

Spacing Requirements for Support Systems

Water Pipe Insulation

Inside Access Doors for Underfloors

Outside Access Doors for Underfloors

Miscellaneous Underfloor Specifications

PERFORMANCE-BASED DUCT SEALING

Introduction

Measurement

Duct Testing Replication Standard

Supporting Repaired Ductwork

Materials and Application

Installation

Manufactured Homes

Site-Built Homes

DUCT INSULATION

Introduction

Duct Air Sealing

Insulating Ductwork

Supporting/Repairing Ducts

WALLS

Closed Walls

Knob and Tube Wiring

Insulating Closed Walls

Plugs and Finish Work

Removing and Replacing Siding

Open Wall

WINDOWS AND PATIO DOORS

Introduction

General Requirements for Glazing

Block Windows

Surface-Mounted Windows

Cutout Windows

Stucco-Mounted Windows

Exposed to the Elements

Miscellaneous Requirements

Health and Safety Requirements

General Safety Glazing Requirements

Hazardous Locations Requiring Safety Glazing

Miscellaneous Safety Glazing Requirements

Emergency Egress Openings

CAULKING WINDOWS AND DOORS

Introduction

Installing Caulk

WEATHERSTRIPPING DOORS

General Requirements for Weatherstripping

Door Weatherstripping – Types Allowed

Door Bottom Weatherstripping – Types Allowed

FLAT AND LOW-SLOPED ROOFS

Introduction

Preparation

Attic Configurations

Flat Roofs

Increased-Pitched Roofs

MANUFACTURED HOMES

Introduction

Verifying R-Values

General Requirements for Insulating Roofs

Blowing Underfloor Insulation

Preparation

Materials

Installation

Ventilation

Ground Covers

Installing Batt Insulation in Underfloors

Replacement Windows

Duct Insulation and Sealing

Maximum Air Tightness

Mechanical Ventilation

Non-Heat Recovery Ventilation - Intermittent Operation

Unbalanced Non-Heat-Recovery Ventilation - Continuous Operation

Balanced Flow Non-Heat Recovery Ventilation - Continuous Operation

Air-to-Air Heat Exchangers

Other Mechanical Ventilation Systems

AIR SEALING

Introduction

Caulking

Blower Door

Dense Pack Insulation

HOME ENERGY SOLUTIONS – R-Values
ILLUSTRATED GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY
LINKS

 

 

HOME ENERGY SOLUTIONS

Weatherization Specification Manual

WALLS

WA 1.0—Closed Walls

This section applies to exterior walls and buffered walls adjacent to unconditioned areas such as garages. Closed walls shall be insulated to R-11 or the highest practical R-value.Insulation shall not be installed in wall cavities that serve as air ducts for heating or cooling. Cavities containing wall-mounted heaters shall not be insulated, unless there is blocking to prevent contact with insulation. For inspection purposes, the contractor may be required to open and replug selected entry holes at the discretion of Home Energy Solutions.

WA 1.1—Knob and Tube Wiring

Before installing insulation in cavities with active knob and tube wiring, wiring shall be inspected and approved in writing by a licensed electrician. Insulating walls with active knob and tube wiring shall be at the discretion of the contractor and homeowner and adhere to state and local code.

WA 1.2—Insulating Closed Walls

All cavities shall be filled, including small cavities above, below and on the sides of windows and doors.

WA 1.3—Plugs and Finish Work

Plugs shall be sealed, weatherproofed, and ready to paint. Plugs shall not be vented. Plugs shall be made of material that will not shrink or expand, which would result in damage to the siding or finish. If the surface of the plug is below the surface of the siding, the hole shall be filled with non-shrinking, waterproof filler. If siding is removed and holes are drilled in the sub-siding, the holes shall be plugged.

WA 1.4—Removing and Replacing Siding

If at all possible, siding shall be removed to access wall cavities. Before replacing siding, holes shall either be filled with fitted plugs or covered with tar paper, counterflashed and stapled. Shingles or shakes shall be nailed every 4 inches with a minimum 4d galvanized finish nail and at each corner. Clapboard type siding shall be nailed at every wall stud or 16OC.

WA 1.5—Open Wall

Open walls in garages that face a condition space (does not apply to remodel or new construction) shall be insulated in compliance with the requirements of AT 1.14—Kneewalls in Attic Areas.

 

Photos at top: Duct sealing at a Portland-area home; a heat pump; installing new windows at Rachel Anne Apartments in Gresham.
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Duct sealing at a Portland-area home a heat pump installing new windows at Rachel Anne Apartments in Gresham.