Green Building How To Build A Conditioned Attic

Department of energy through the building america program to research conditioned attics in nevada and texas.

Green building how to build a conditioned attic.

An unvented attic assembly a k a. Fincher is weighing the relative merits of making the attic a conditioned space where he could safely house heating and air conditioning equipment or keeping it an unconditioned space. In warmer climates unvented attics can prevent the condensation that occurs on ductwork in some vented attic spaces. The acceptance of unvented conditioned attics continues to grow among builders and building officials.

Code requirements vary across the country. My original plan was to build a conditioned attic and place 1 5 of foam xps board r7 5 installation on top of the roof deck and fill the old true 2x4 rafters and rafter walls with closed cell insulation and if able attach 3 of foam xps board r15 to the rafters in the attic. Unvented attics are built with insulation of the attic is placed at the roof level and the area inside the attic is a conditioned space. 5 dumb ways to build in the south.

During the 1990s the building science corporation received funding from the u s. My name is matt risinger of risinger homes and welcome to my video blog on green building and building science topics. The irc has permitted unvented conditioned attics since 2006 with certain requirements. The roof deck in an unvented attic must be exceptionally airtight.

The loss of energy efficiency means some designers choose to move the ductwork into the conditioned areas of the home and leave the attics unvented. Watch this if you ve not seen it. This has several advantages including less air transfer and what air does transfer is conditioned. One of them is what to do about the attic.

Check out our latest creation. That decision he writes has added a whole new level of complexity to his building process.