Leed Idaho | Blog

Conditioned Attics

Author: Bond Campbell Created: 4/9/2008 1:21 PM

I spend a good deal of time learning about building science. Much like most industries the residential building industry has an opportunity to incorporate many new technologies. Change seems to come slowly in my industry and I see a great need to educate, and heighten awareness of building science technologies to the general public.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Photo of the Day - Conditioned Attics

What is a conditioned attic? Why haven't I heard this term before now? Eliminate all attic ventilation and condition the space- the photo above is of a mini-split heat pump inside a conditioned attic. Notice the closed cell spray foam is applied to the underside of the roof sheathing. In modern residences, the challenge of achieving a continuous air infiltration barrier and thermal insulation barrier at the interior ceiling level is especially difficult. The air barrier, used to isolate the living space from the attic, is usually the taped drywall, while the thermal barrier is the insulation placed on top of the drywall. Typically, the ceiling is not a single horizontal plane, but a series of horizontal planes, vertical planes (knee walls), and sloped planes, all intersecting to create the ceiling. Field inspections repeatedly show how the continuity of the air barrier and thermal barrier is compromised at knee walls, coffered ceilings, dropped ceilings, framed soffits or mechanica...