Infiltration is the uncontrolled flow of air into a house. In order to achieve high levels of energy performance and air quality (see feature on Equinox House air quality), it is essential in most locations to superseal a house. Equinox is so well sealed that it could be turned upside down and used as a boat. In the attached picture below, where Ty is leading a construction technology class from Parkland College on a tour of Equinox House, a pyramid of empty caulk tubes is seen on the floor. Nearly 80 tubes, that’s over 1000 feet of caulk, were used to seal all seams and joints in Equinox House. Is supersealing worth the effort? Is it worth the cost? The answer is yes and yes!
One of the ways that technology advances improves our ability to increase energy efficiency is shown in the second photo with a remote, batteryless switch that turns on the outside lights at Equinox House. This switch eliminates holes drilled by electricians in the shell of the house. Holes cut by electricians and plumbers are a major source of infiltration problems and structure deterioration in conventional homes. Careful design and construction planning can reduce electrician and plumbing costs by judicial layouts of MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) facilities that make utility installation more efficient while avoiding degradation of the house energy performance.
Our January 2011 ASHRAE Journal column describes our sealing efforts, and the cost and performance benefits of supersealing a house. As in most things, it’s the small details that add up to superb performance. A modern refrigerator uses only 25% of the energy required by its 30 year old ancestor, and yet it keeps food fresher longer (a food cost savings and a health cost savings …. less food poisoning!). These gains have been made by hundreds of small, incremental improvements rather than one large eureka moment, and so it is in residential design. A myriad of improvements with devil-in-the-detail efforts are required to create a house that performs as intended.
Picture of Ty giving tour to Parkland College students with pyramid of empty caulk tubes used to seal Equinox House on the floor.
Batteryless remote switch used to activate exterior switches, eliminating electrician’s access holes in the house shell for switches and wiring.
This view is looking out one of the living room windows towards the backyard, showing seam area leaks. This is before sealing all seams.
Credit for the infrared pictures and equipment goes to Chad Bower of Creative Thermal Solutions.
