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AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings

INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
INTERIORS of buildings

ACOUSTICAL SEALANT CHOICES
AIR BYPASS LEAKS
AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS
AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION
AIR LEAK SEALING PROCEDURE
AIR SEALING STRATEGIES

ANIMAL ALLERGENS
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
ASBESTOS-FREE INSULATION MATERIALS
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings
ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & ATTIC MOLD
ATTIC VENTILATION

BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER
BASEMENT HEAT LOSS
BASEMENT LEAKS, INSPECT FOR
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING

BATH & KITCHEN DESIGN GUIDE
BATHROOM VENTILATION
BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION
BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING
BLOWN-IN INSULATION

BRICK LINED WALLS
BRICK VENEER WALL INSULATION
BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged
BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES
BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS & CURE

CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION
CEILING FINISHES INTERIOR
CEILINGS, DROP or SUSPENDED PANEL
CEILINGS, PLASTER TYPES

CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT buildings
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE

CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
CATHEDRAL CEILING VENTILATION
CEILING FINISHES INTERIOR
CEILINGS, DROP or SUSPENDED PANEL
CEILINGS, PLASTER TYPES

CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT BUILDINGS
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE
CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
COOLING LOAD REDUCTION by ROOF VENTS
CRAWL SPACES

DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms
DEHUMIDIFICATION PROBLEMS
DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS

EXTERIOR WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES

FIBERGLASS INSULATION
FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD

FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK
FLAT ROOF MOISTURE & CONDENSATION

FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FLOODS IN buildings-mold

FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB CHOICES
FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB POURED FINISH
FLOOR DAMAGE DIAGNOSIS
FLOOR RADIANT HEAT Mistakes to Avoid
FLOOR TYPES & DEFECTS

FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING
FRENCH DRAINS
FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES
FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB

GREEN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CODES GUIDES
GREENHOUSE DESIGN for SOLAR HEATING

HEAT LOSS in buildings
HEAT LOSS RATE CALCULATIONS
HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS
HEAT LOSS INDICATORS
HEAT LOSS PREVENTION PRIORITIES
HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION
HEAT TAPES & CABLES on Roofs for Ice Dams
HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-BOILERS
HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-FURNACES

HOT ROOF DESIGNS: Un-Vented Roof Solutions
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be

HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET

ICE DAM PREVENTION
INSULATION CHOICES
INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
INSULATION LOCATION - WHERE TO PUT IT
INSULATION MOLD
INSULATION R-Values & Properties

KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others
KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN GUIDE

LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION
LOG HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LOG HOME GUIDE

MOBILE HOME INSPECTIONS
MOISTURE CONTROL in buildings
MOLD in FOAM INSULATION, RESISTANCE
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER

Nanomaterials Hazards
NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS
NOISE CONTROL for FLOORS
NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING
NOISE CONTROL for ROOFS

ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE

PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION
PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD
PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT PERFORMANCE
PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
PLASTER & BEAVERBOARD & DRYWALL
PASCAL CALCULATIONS

RADIANT BARRIERS
RADIANT HEAT
RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid
RADIANT HEAT TEMPERATURES
RADIANT SLAB FLOORING CHOICES
RADIANT SLAB TUBING & FLUID CHOICES
REFLECTIVE INSULATION
RIGID FOAM USE INDOORS
ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS
ROOF VENTING NEEDED?
ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES
ROT, TIMBER FRAME

SEARS KIT HOUSES

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  BLOCKBED RADIANT FLOORS - SOLAR DESIGN
  FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB CHOICES
  FLOOR, CONCRETE SLAB POURED FINISH
  GLASS vs HEAT MIRROR SOLAR GAIN/Loss
  GREENHOUSE DESIGN for SOLAR HEATING
  GREENHOUSE / SUNSPACE GLARE
  PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN KEY ELEMENTS
  PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD
  PASSIVE SOLAR ENERGY MONITORING
  PASSIVE SOLAR FLOOR TILES, PHASE CHANGE
  PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT PERFORMANCE
  PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST
  PASSIVE SOLAR PERFORMANCE PROBE
  PASSIVE SOLAR Roof & Window Overhangs
  PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
  POLYCARBONATE GLAZING
  REMOTE ELECTRIC POWER, PHOTOVOLTAIC
  ROCK-BED SOLAR HEAT STORAGE DESIGN
  SLAB INSULATION, PASSIVE SOLAR
  SLATE THERMAL MASS for SOLAR HEAT STORAGE
  SOLAR COLLECTOR AIR or GAS COLLECTION
  SOLAR COLLECTOR EFFICIENCY COMPARISONS
  SOLAR COLLECTOR FILMS
  SOLAR COLLECTOR OUTGASSING
  SOLAR COLLECTOR WOOD HOUSINGS
  SOLAR GAIN CALCULATION
  SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM DESIGNS
  SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS
  SOLAR HOUSE EVALUATION
  SOLAR MODULE MANUFACTURERS
  SOLAR SHADES & SUNSCREENS
  SOLAR SHADES, LOW-E EFFECTIVENESS
  SOLAR WATER DISINFECTION
  SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS
  SUNSPACE DESIGN for SOLAR HEATING
  SUNSPACE GLAZING for SUNTANNING
  STORM WINDOW INTERIOR
  STORM WINDOW PLASTIC CHOICES
  STORM WINDOW WEEP HOLES
  SUNGAIN, FILMS, LOW-E GLASS
  SUNSPACE GLAZING for SUNTANNING
  SWIMMING POOL SOLAR HEAT, INDOOR
  SWIMMING POOL SOLAR HEAT, OUTDOOR DIAGNOSIS
SOUND CONTROL in buildings
STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG
STAINS on buildings - QUICK GUIDE
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS
STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE

STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS
STONE CLEANING METHODS

STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER
STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION
STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION
STUCCO PAINT FAILURES

SUMP PUMPS GUIDE
SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS

THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in buildings
  THERMAL MASS FLOOR SLABS
  THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
  THERMAL MASS WALL DESIGN
  THERMAL MASS in HOMES - STUDY
THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS

VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in buildings
  ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE
  BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER
  CONDENSATION or SWEATING PIPES, TANKS
  CRAWL SPACE VAPOR BARRIER
  DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
  DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
  FELT 15# ROOFING, as HOUSEWRAP/VAPOR BARRIER
  HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
  HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS
  HOUSEWRAP PRODUCT CHOICES
  HOUSEWRAP at SILLS, SOLES, TOP PLATES
  HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
  MOISTURE CONTROL in buildings
  RAIN SPLASH-UP SIDING DAMAGE
  VAPOR BARRIERS & AIR SEALING at BAND JOISTS
  VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in buildings
  VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP
  VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING
  WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR
  WOOD SIDING FLASHING DETAILS

VENTILATION in buildings

WATER ENTRY in buildings
WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING
WIND WASHING INSULATION At EAVES
WINDOWS & DOORS

WINTERIZE A BUILDING
Wood Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves
Woodstove Safety

ZONE VALVES

More Information

La Vereda passive solar condominiums, Santa Fe NM ca 1983 (C) Daniel Friedman, Steven Bliss, Solar Age Thermal Mass Design for Upper Building Floors
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • What is the most cost effective way to place thermal mass on the second floor of a new building?
  • How does placing thermal mass on upper floors in buildings affect energy efficiency and heating or cooling costs?
  • Use of thermal mass on upper floors in passive solar homes and other energy efficient buildings
  • Solar Age Magazine Articles on Renewable Energy, Energy Savings, Construction Practices

Thermal mass placement on upper building floors: this article discusses placement of thermal mass in the upper floors buildings for both heating and cooling as well as for insulation.

InspectAPedia offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/Contact.htm.

Photo at page top (the La Vereda passive solar condominiums, Santa Fe NM) and accompanying text are reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.

Readers should also see THERMAL MASS in buildings. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

How to Place Thermal Mass on Upper Floors in buildings

The link to the original Q&A article in PDF form immediately below is followed by an expanded/updated online version of this article.

  • Q & A: Thermal Mass Upstairs? - PDF form, thermal mass placement advice for upper floors in new construction homes

The question-and-answer article about Thermal Mass Upstairs , quotes-from, updates, and comments an original article, (see links just above) from Solar Age Magazine and written by Steven Bliss.

What is the Most Cost Effective Way to Place Thermal Mass in Second Story New Construction?

Question:

What is the most cost-effective way of placing thermal mass in second story new home construction? The McAdams article (Solar Age, 9/93) reported that an upper-story concrete slab with tile costs only $1.50 per square foot more than plywood and carpeting (1980's prices).

Do these floor construction costs include the structural supporting members, concrete forms, concrete delivery, slab preparation, etc?

Also, how does the cost of thermal mass walls compare to the cost of thermal mass floors for upper story construction? -- J.A. Horton, Oak Ridge, TN

Answer:

Wootie McAdams reported in the original Solar Age Q&A on thermal mass for upper building floors that the $1.50 per square foot cost compared the concrete floor slab and locally made concrete tiles to the commercial carpeting and plywood underlayment that would have been used otherwise. Relatively cheap tiles at $2.50 per square foot (1980's prices) versus commercial carpeting at $3.33 per square foot made those economics work.

The minor changes needed in the deck and beam floor due to the added load of the concrete were also considered in the calculation.

Comparison of Thermal Mass Walls to Thermal Mass Floors

As for thermal mass building walls compared with thermal mass floors on upper building levels, the economics depend on what finishes are chosen, and on whether the thermal mass wall is on the building exterior where it needs to be insulated.

Design and marketing considerations may override simple economics. For example, direct gain mass floors should not be carpeted or covered with furniture as the clients may intend.

The page top photograph shows the La Vereda passive solar condominiums developed in the 1980's by Wayne and Susan Nichols in Santa Fe, New Mexico. These passive solar condos use upper-story concrete slabs and tile for thermal mass and consumer appeal.

Diminishing Returns of Thermal Mass

Beyond some point, though, adding more thermal mass won't help performance. Once you put in enough thermal mass to prevent solar overheating, piling a few tons of brick in the living room won't reduce heating bills any further. It can even be a liability if night time thermostat temperature setbacks are planned.

So it becomes the designer's job to decide on the right amount of thermal mass for a building.

Here we include solar energy, solar heating, solar hot water, and related building energy efficiency improvement articles reprinted/adapted/excerpted with permission from Solar Age Magazine - editor Steven Bliss.

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Technical Reviewers & References

  • InspectAPedia.com® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
  • InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
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  • Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in buildings
  THERMAL MASS FLOOR SLABS
  THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
  THERMAL MASS WALL DESIGN
THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS

  • Solar Age Magazine was the official publication of the American Solar Energy Society. The contemporary solar energy magazine associated with the Society is Solar Today. "Established in 1954, the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nation's leading association of solar professionals & advocates. Our mission is to inspire an era of energy innovation and speed the transition to a sustainable energy economy. We advance education, research and policy. Leading for more than 50 years. ASES leads national efforts to increase the use of solar energy, energy efficiency and other sustainable technologies in the U.S. We publish the award-winning SOLAR TODAY magazine, organize and present the ASES National Solar Conference and lead the ASES National Solar Tour – the largest grassroots solar event in the world."
  • Steven Bliss served as editorial director and co-publisher of The Journal of Light Construction for 16 years and previously as building technology editor for Progressive Builder and Solar Age magazines. He worked in the building trades as a carpenter and design/build contractor for more than ten years and holds a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Excerpts from his recent book, Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, Wiley (November 18, 2005) ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, appear throughout this website, with permission and courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Best Practices Guide is available from the publisher, J. Wiley & Sons, and also at Amazon.com.
    Excerpts with updates and annotations expanding the original Best Practices Guide text can be found in the online review and book summary at BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE and also at DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION, at INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE, and in other articles found at InspectAPedia.com such as HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS, SOUND CONTROL in buildings, and other topics.
  • Thermal Mass Pattern Book, Total Environmental Action, Solar Age Magazine, April 1981 (out of print).
  • Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
  • Passive Solar Design Handbook Volume I, the Passive Solar Handbook Introduction to Passive Solar Concepts, in a version used by the U.S. Air Force - online version available at this link and from the USAF also at wbdg.org/ccb/AF/AFH/pshbk_v1.pdf
  • Passive Solar Design Handbook Volume II, the Passive Solar Handbook Comprehensive Planning Guide, in a version used by the U.S. Air Force - online version available at this link and from the USAF also at wbdg.org/ccb/AF/AFH/pshbk_v2.pdf [This is a large PDF file that can take a while to load]
  • Passive Solar Handbook Volume III, the Passive Solar Handbook Programming Guide, in a version used by the U.S. Air Force - online version available at this link and from the USAF also at wbdg.org/ccb/AF/AFH/pshbk_v3.pdf
  • The Passive Solar Design and Construction Handbook, Steven Winter Associates (Author), Michael J. Crosbie (Editor), Wiley & Sons, ISBN 978-047118382 or 0471183083 is available at Amazon.com and via the The Passive Solar Design and Construction Handbook, Steven Winter Associates (Author), Michael J. Crosbie (Editor), Wiley & Sons, ISBN 978-047118382 or 0471183083 is available at Amazon.com and via the InspectAPedia Bookstore
  • "Passive Solar Home Design", U.S. Department of Energy, describes using a home's windows, walls, and floors to collect and store solar energy for winter heating and also rejecting solar heat in warm weather.
  • "Solar Water Heaters", U.S. Department of Energy article on solar domestic water heaters to generate domestic hot water in buildings, explains how solar water heaters work. Solar heat for swimming pools is also discussed.
  • "Heat Exchangers for Solar Water Heating Systems", U.S. DOE describes the types of solar water heater heat exchange methods between the sun and the building's hot water supply
  • "Heat-Transfer Fluids for Solar Water Heating Systems", U.S. DOE, describes the types of fluids selected to transfer heat between the solar collector and the hot water in storage tanks in a building. These include air, water, water with glycol antifreeze mixtures (needed when using solar hot water systems in freezing climates), hydrocarbon oils, and refrigerants or silicones for heat transfer.
  • "Solar Water Heating System Maintenance and Repair", U.S. DOE
  • "Solar Water Heating System Freeze Protection", U.S. DOE,using antifreeze mixture in solar water heaters (or other freeze-resistant heat transfer fluids), as well as piping to permit draining the solar collector and piping system.
  • "Scaling and Corrosion in Solar Water Heating Systems", U.S. DOE
  • www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12850 is the base U.S. DOE website for these articles
  • "Active Solar Heating Systems", U.S. Department of Energy, including
  • "Radiant Heating Systems" U.S. DOE
  • "Absorption Heat Pumps & Coolers", U.S. DOE
  • "Solar Air Heating" U.S. DOE also referred to as "Ventilation Preheating" in which solar systems use air for absorbing and transferring solar energy or heat to a building
  • "Solar Liquid Heating" U.S. DOE, systems using liquid (typically water) in flat plate solar collectors to collect solar energy in the form of heat for transfer into a building for space heating or hot water heating. The term "solar liquid" is used for accuracy, rather than "solar water" because the water may contain an antifreeze or other chemicals.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
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