Insulation and Interiors

Question 1

Absolute humidity

Answer 1

is the measure of the actual amount of moisture in the air. Measured in grains of moisture per pound of dry air.

Question 2

Relative humidity

Answer 2

It is the amount of moisture in the air relative to the amount of moisture the air could hold if saturated. Measured in percentage.

Question 3

Stack effect

Answer 3

Warm air is lighter than cool air because it is less dense. As it rises, it escapes through cracks and holes, the cooler low pressure air brings in cool air from the outside of the house.

Question 4

Vapour Diffusion

Answer 4

is the movement of vapour without any air movement.

Question 5

Hygroscopic

Answer 5

Materials with fairly large surface pores, and are able to absorb considerable amounts of water.

Question 6

HRV

Answer 6

Use one duct to throw warm moist air outside and another duct to draw cool dry air in. On the way through some of the heat from the warm moist exhaust air is transferred to the cool dry air coming through the heat exchanger.

Question 7

Thermal Conductivity

Answer 7

The number of BTU’s per hour that will move through one square foot of a block of this material that is one inch thick, when the temperature difference from one side of this material to the other is one degree.

Question 8

Radiation

Answer 8

The transfer of heat through invisible light waves from one body to another.

Question 9

Convection

Answer 9

the movement of heat through liquids or gases that will flow, such as air or water.

Question 10

Conduction

Answer 10

the transfer of heat between two bodies by direct contact.

Question 11

Temperature is measured

Answer 11

in degrees farenheit or celsius

Question 12

Heat is measured

Answer 12

in BTU’s or British Thermal Units

Question 13

Sensible heat

Answer 13

Causes the temperature to change.

Question 14

Latent heat of vaporization

Answer 14

is the name for the significant amount of heat required to change a liquid to a vapour (without changing the temperature)

Question 15

Wind washing

Answer 15

Wind moving through the roof or wall assembly can reduce the R-value of the insulation dramatically because insulation works by keeping air pockets still

Question 16

Degree Day

Answer 16

The number of degree days indicate the demand over a heating system. The average temperature for a given day is subtracted from 65°F (18°C)

Question 17

House wrap vs Building Paper

Answer 17

Building paper generally came in 3’ wide sheets whereas housewrap came in 10’ wide sheets.

Question 18

Sources of Moisture

Answer 18

people washing their face, hands, and brushing their teeth
taking showers and baths
cooking and washing dishes
washing clothes
washing floors, walls, and furniture
watering plants
people breathing and perspiring
damp soil in subgrade spaces (crawlspaces)
firewood(one cord can release one gallon of water per day as it dries)
pets

Question 19

How moisture moves

Answer 19

bulk moisture - leaks
capillary action - wicking or rising damp
air transported moisture - the water vapour in the air moves with the air
vapour diffusion - water vapour moves from high to low pressure areas without air movement

Question 20

Air transported moisture

Answer 20

doors windows
chimneys, vents
exhaust fans
stack effect
wind in at the windward side, out at the leeward side

Question 21

Dew point temperature

Answer 21

The temperature at which condensation will just start to occur. Another way of saying the humidity level is 100%