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FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
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FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS
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Heat Tapes: Use on Roofs for Ice
HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
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Ice Dams: Comparing Two Houses
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VENTILATION in BUILDINGS
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This article discusses placement of thermal mass in the upper floors buildings for both heating and cooling as well as for insulation. 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 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links 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.

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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AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
INSULATION & VENTILATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
INTERIORS of BUILDINGS
ACOUSTICAL SEALANTS
AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine
AIR BYPASS LEAKS
AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS
AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION
AIR SEALING STRATEGIES
ANIMAL ALLERGENS
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN BUILDINGS
ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & ATTIC MOLD
ATTIC VENTILATION
BASEMENT HEAT LOSS
BASEMENT LEAKS Moisture or Mold
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
BATHROOM VENTILATION
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BRICK LINED WALLS
BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT BUILDINGS
CRAWL SPACES
DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
ENERGY SAVINGS PRIORITIES
ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT CASE STUDY
ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT LEAK SEALING GUIDE
ENERGY SAVINGS RETROFIT OPTIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
FIBERGLASS INSULATION
FIBERGLASS HAZARDS
FIBERGLASS MOLD
FIREPLACE Damage & Unsafe Hearths - Settlement
FLAT ROOF MOISTURE & CONDENSATION
FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-mold
FLOORING TYPES & DEFECTS
FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING
FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
HEAT LOSS in BUILDINGS
HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS
HEAT LOSS INDICATORS
HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION
Heat Tapes: Use on Roofs for Ice
HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
ICE DAM PREVENTION
Ice Dams: Comparing Two Houses
INSULATION CHOICES
INSULATION FACT SHEET- DOE
INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
INSULATION LOCATION for BASEMENTS
INSULATION LOCATION for CAPES, CRAWLSPACES
INSULATION for GREENHOUSE or SOLARIUM
INSULATION MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
INSULATION MOLD
INSULATION R-Values & Properties
INSULATION & VENTILATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
LOG HOME GUIDE
MOBILE HOME INSPECTIONS
MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS
Mold Growth Resistance of Foam Insulation
MOLD INFORMATION CENTER
ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE
PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION
PLASTER & BEAVERBOARD & DRYWALL
RADIANT BARRIERS
RADIANT HEAT
RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid
RADIANT SLAB FLOORING CHOICES
RADIANT SLAB TUBING & FLUID CHOICES
ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES
ROT, TIMBER FRAME
SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS
SEARS KIT HOUSES
SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
  PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN METHOD
  PASSIVE SOLAR HEAT PERFORMANCE
  PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEMS
  SLAB INSULATION, PASSIVE SOLAR
  SOLAR COLLECTOR AIR or GAS COLLECTION
  SOLAR COLLECTOR FILMS
  SOLAR COLLECTOR WOOD HOUSINGS
  SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
  SOLAR HOT WATER HEATERS
  SOLAR HOUSE EVALUATION
  SWIMMING POOL SOLAR HEAT, INDOOR
SOUND CONTROL in BUILDINGS
STAIN DIAGNOSIS
STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS
STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION
STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS & DEFECTS
SUMP PUMPS GUIDE
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS
VAPOR BARRIERS & AIR SEALING at BAND JOISTS
VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS
VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP
VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING
VENTILATION in BUILDINGS
WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS
WIND TURBINES
WINDOWS & DOORS
WINTERIZE A BUILDING
WOOD Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves

• 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).
• Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education, publications, report writing materials, 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.

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