Residential Weatherization and Ventilation Specs Subcommittee Updates

1. Residential Weatherization and Ventilation Specs Subcommittee Updates Regional Technical Forum March 2nd, 2010

2. Subcommittee Meeting • Feb 18, 2010 (phone/gotomeeting) • Attendees • Adam Hadley • Mark Jerome • Ted Haskell • Bruce Manclark • Stephanie Vasquez • Mark Johnson • David Hales • Tom Eckart • Jeremy Anderson • KacieBedney • Mark Percy • Bruce Carter • Lucinda Gilman • Paul Tschida • Results • Group came to a consensus that ESG's Performance Air Testing and Sealing (PATS) Specifications meet/exceed the RTF's Air Sealing specifications • Began discussion on changes to the Residential Weatherization Specifications

3. ESG’s PATS Specifications - Overview Performance Air Testing & Sealing (PATS) Specifications • Certified Technician Requirement • Materials Specifications • Application Requirements • How and where air-sealing is to be installed • Measurement Requirements • Blower Door setup and testing protocol • Indoor Air Quality • CAZ testing • 5 Pa depressurization limit for natural draft combustion devices • 15 Pa depressurization limit for assisted draft combustion devices • CO Monitor Required • Ventilation requirements • Closely follows ASHRAE 62.2, with an exception to ensure RTF spec is met if 62.2 calls for a smaller whole-house fan.

4. Subcommittee Recommendation • RTF to consider ESG’s PATS spec equivalent to the RTF’s Air-Sealing Specification • Decision?

5. Subcommittee Meeting • March 1st, 2010 • (in-person 10am-3pm) • Attendees • Bruce Manclark • Rich Arneson • Bruce Carter • Mark Jerome • Adam Hadley • David Hales • Zach Erdmann • Ted Haskell • Adam Hadley • Results (YES!!!) • Agreement on Ventilation Specification direction & program guidance • Further Wx Specs Discussion • Mark Johnson • KacieBedney • Warren Cook • Brady Peeks • Bob Davis • Jeremy Anderson • Tom Eckhart • David Baylon

6. (near) Consensus Ventilation Specification Outline • Ventilation system not required • Full disclosure always required: insulation, windows, duct seal, and air seal • Disclose that we don’t and can’t really know the best IAQ solution • Provide general information on source control and ventilation strategies • Provide specific language on how to meet (get close to meeting) ASHRAE 62.2 recommended ventilation levels • The nationally recognized standard, simplified • Provide RTF recommended ventilation standard • Based on 62.2, but very simplified; with energy-conscious tradeoffs • CO alarm always required where combustion equipment • Would apply equally to manufactured homes

7. Other Program Direction • Two levels of savings available for performance based air sealing • All cases • Savings for tightening down to 0.25 ACHn (0.25 still up for debate) allowed • Tightening beyond 0.25 ACHn • Savings only claimable if RTF approved ventilation system is installed • Reason: keeps us from encouraging tightening without ventilation • Efficient fan spec may provide an additional deemed energy savings measure

8. Proposed RTF Work Products • Disclosure Document Language • Guidance for meeting 62.2 • Guidance for meeting RTF’s IAQ/Ventilation standard • RTF IAQ/Ventilation Standard • Savings Calculations • “Beyond 0.25” savings • Efficient fan savings What We’re looking for from the RTF today • Are we heading in the right direction? • Continue with efforts?

9. Weatherization Specifications Update • Intent of Update • Remove program language from the specs • Remove unnecessary specifications • Update references to outdated standards • Update specs to current practices • Better integrate Weatherization Specifications, Ventilation Specifications, Air-Seal Specifications, and Duct Specifications • Needs more work • No Recommendation, so no action needed from the RTF