rvalue: You Have To See Everything Because A Thermal Image Alone Can Fool You
- 02/07/17 04:07 AM
You have to see everything because a thermal image alone can fool you. It wasn't a cold day out, about 45F. And it was cloudy. Breaking out Mighty Mo to do the thermal image sweep of the insulation in the house, this is what the ceilings looked like on the upper level. The roof rafter joists are visible as the purple lines, with the insulation filling the gap between. The temperature difference between the insulated areas and the wood joist rafters is not very different. Does this appear to be a well-insulated space? To know for sure you have to look into the attic space! Does that look … (7 comments)
rvalue: Human Brain vs. Animal Instinct - Dispelling The Theory Of Evolution?
- 08/10/14 08:59 PM
I'll let you decide - human brain vs. animal instinct - dispelling the theory of evolution? We have an average townhouse built originally with an average amount of insulation in an average attic space - 12" of blown-in fiberglass which provided an R-value of about 30. The homeowner decided that he wanted extra storage space. And the attic was available. So he wired up a new circuit to provide lights in the attic. Then he went about removing insulation so the plywood he put on the attic floor for storage would rest more securely. So this homeowner has left himself with an … (24 comments)
rvalue: "We Paid For Extra Insulation"
- 03/25/14 08:22 PM
I ask all the time if a house is Energy Star or to meet certain criteria and with this one I got the answer, "We paid for extra insulation." Who know what that means. Extra as compared to what? What is the normal and what are they adding to that? When I get "extra" fried onions, or tomatoes, or pickle on my steak and cheese sub, I can tell as soon as I take a bite that I have "extra" over what is the normal. But with insulation? What's extra? So, when I measured the insulation in this very expensive, very … (79 comments)
rvalue: What Is The Insulation Value (AKA R-Value) Of Faux Stone?
- 02/08/14 07:57 PM
That is an interesting question - what is the insulation value, AKA R-value, of faux stone? Faux stone, or sometimes called manufactured stone, cultured stone, and veneer stone, is a composite material made from cement, polyurethanes and high-density polymers. The "stone" product manufacturers say that there are substantial differences in the materials comprising the different products in terms of thicknesses, weights and composition. But they all claim that faux stone adds R-value ("resistance" value, an insulation measurement) to whatever it is put on top of. I read claims of adding anywhere from 3.6 to 5 additional R-value with faux stone applications. The … (52 comments)
rvalue: When Builders Say Green, Find Out What They Mean
- 05/01/11 10:21 PM
On new construction inspections, I have learned a couple of things. First, everyone wants to say their product is green, although I am not sure why. And second, when they do, when builders say green, find out what they mean. My clients on a recent new construction said that the builder told them it was a "green house." I asked which standard was used to determine that and if he was going to give them a certificate. They knew nothing of that. So I asked, "Why do you think it is green?" "Well, the appliances are Energy Star, we think he … (76 comments)
rvalue: Which Way Is Up? An Insulation Lesson.
- 10/30/10 01:36 AM
Often I go into attics and see that people have put in extra insulation. They usually make two mistakes - they use the wrong kind of insulation and install it wrong, OR it is put in the wrong direction. The purpose of insulation is to provide a thermal barrier. The amount of insulation gives it a resistance value, commonly called the R-value. The more R-value, the better the thermal resistance. Heat seeks cold. Heat can go up or DOWN to seek this cold. So in an attic space, the insulation is there to keep the heat out of the house in … (37 comments)
You have to see everything because a thermal image alone can fool you.
;)
;)
;)
