such as HVAC and kitchen exhaust ventilation;
evaluation of combustion appliances; and provi-
sion of an energy savings estimate by indepen-
dent trained professionals.
The Test-In air leakage evaluation is performed
using a blower door to assess your home's
air leakage and natural ventilation before SPF
application; this is then used as a baseline for
quality checks and energy savings estimates.
This initial air leakage or air infiltration rate is
also the source of your home's ACH with a
traditionally ventilated attic. The Final Evalua-
tion (Test-Out) after the installation of the SPF
insulation involves repeat air leakage testing,
again using a blower door, as well as inspect-
ing the foam itself and confirming energy saving
projections.
As discussed in my previous article, the Ameri-
can Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) revised its
residential ventilation standard in 2013 to reflect
Spray Poly Foam
Continued from previous page
the tighter
construc-
tion of newer
homes, which
also applies to
older homes
that have
been retrofit-
ted with SPF
insulation. The
recommended
Test-Out after
the SPF insula-
tion is installed
will determine
the amount
of outdoor air
your home will
require in order
to meet this
minimum ven-
tilation rate or
ACH of 7.5 cfm
per person plus 3 cfm per 100 square feet.
The Test-Out will also reveal any potential need
for HVAC modifications. The SPFA Builder's
Reference Handbook states that "If application
of SPF renders the home to be insufficiently
50 June 2014
