1. PresenPresen
tsts House as a System
Presented by Dana Mosher and Peggy Curran

2. House as a System Agenda
General Overview of House Systems
Diagnostics – Whole House Approach
Home Performance Contractor Challenge
“Think Outside the Box”
Air Movements
Moisture
Ventilation
Q & A

3. House as a System
About a third of owner-occupied homes are now at least
45 years old and an additional third is between 25 and
45 years old meaning that a large majority of homes are
in increasing need of remodeling and repair… AND
upgrade of the home’s performance.

4. What is House as a System?
• The systematic approach to
improving the comfort, health,
safety, energy efficiency and
durability of a home.

5. Definition of System
• A group of interacting, interrelated,
or interdependent elements forming
a complex whole.

6. Building
Occupants
Environment
Moisture
UV Radiation
Heat
The System, . . .

8. To understand you must first, . . .
BEFORE YOU DESIGN,
BUILD OR RENOVATE
Courtesy Building Science Corp.
http://www.buildingscience.com/doctypes/guides-and-manuals

10. Air Leakage

11. Indoor Air Quality Concerns
• Formaldehyde
• Lead
• Radon
• Asbestos
• Vermiculite
• Mold
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’S)

12. Drain plane continuity at windowsDrain plane continuity at windows
Courtesy Terry Brennan

13. Pan FlashingPan Flashing
Courtesy Terry Brennan

14. Moisture
• Big Factor in Durability of Home
• Major influence IAQ
• High Humidity – Kitchen – Bath – Basement
• No Ventilation or Improper Ventilation

15. And a Moisture Problem
Courtesy Terry Brennan

16. Every Mold Problem is a
Contamination Problem
Courtesy Terry Brennan

17. UNHEALTHY WALL SYSTEM

18. Heating System
• Regular maintenance – change air filter
• Registers & Baseboards clean &
unobstructed
• Bleed Trapped Air from Hot Water
Radiators
• CO and Draft Test
• Programmable Thermostats

19. HEATING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY

20. WHAT CONDITION INDOOR AIR QUALITY
SYSTEM?

21. Indoor Air Quality Concerns
• Formaldehyde
• Lead
• Radon
• Asbestos
• Vermiculite
• Mold
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’S)

22. Thank you for your interest in House
as a System – Questions?
• For additional information on Energy Efficiency
Programs visit: www.nhsaves.com
• Contact – Dana Mosher - email:
dmosher@ccsnh.edu
• Contact – Peggy Curran - email:
margaret.curran@us.ngrid.com