Lesson 1 - Heat Flow Principles
Topics:
Detecting heat loss; Insulation; Environmental considerations; Windbreaks; Foundation plantings; Building orientation
Learning Objectives:
– Distinguish between heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation.– Explain the importance of infiltration in a building's heat loss/gain.
– Define thermal conductance, overall coefficient of heat transmission, and thermal resistance and how they relate to each other.
– Explain the concept of the building envelope
– Tell how environmental factors can affect the loss of gain of heat in a building.
Lesson 2 - Heat Loss/Gain Through Roofs
Topics:
Roof construction and insulation; Vapor barriers; Ventilation; Types of insulation, applications; Checking heat leaks; Infrared scanner
Learning Objectives:
– Demonstrate how to arrive at the R value of a roof section.– List the principal types of roof and ceiling insulation and the applications for which each is best suited.
– Name the two most effective precautions to take against moisture damage and give examples of their proper installation.
– Explain how and under what circumstances heat leaks can be detected in roof structures.
– List the facts needed for payback calculations and tell how to use them to determine payback periods.
Lesson 3 - Minimizing Heat Flow Through Walls
Topics:
Totaling R values; Insulating materials; Vapor barriers; Cold-side venting; Convective looping; Insulating foundations; Metal walls; U values
Learning Objectives:
– Evaluate the merits of the common forms of insulation as applied to wall construction.– Identify at least two types of vapor barrier and tell when each would be used.
– Explain convective looping and how to prevent it.
– Tell why metal buildings have special insulation needs and describe the techniques developed for them.
– Use payback calculations to determine which of two alternatives conservation measures is the more profitable.
Lesson 4 - Heat Loss/Gain Through Windows and Doors
Topics:
Infiltration; Caulking; Weather-stripping; Air locks; Sealed windows; Storm windows; Draperies; Solar heat gain; Shading
Learning Objectives:
– Identify two forms of infiltration.– Explain the valves of an air lock and describe a typical installation.
– Name at least three means of reducing conductive heat loss through windows.
– Tell why the angle of the sun is important in efforts to increase or minimize solar heat gain.
– State the reason for the lengthy payback period on most window retrofits.
Lesson 5 - Controlling Losses Through Floors
Topics:
Above-, below-, and on-grade floors; Vapor barriers; Ground cover; Crawl spaces; Surface drainage; Floor coverings; Pipes; Duct work; Retrofits
Learning Objectives:
– Describe the principal methods of insulating existing above-ground floors.– Tell how to test for capillary rise ion a crawl space.
– Point out the value of a ground-cover vapor barrier.
– List two ways to insulate on-grade or below-grade floors
– Explain the special problems involved in calculating heat losses and payback periods for on-grade and below-grade floors.
