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Home Energy Magazine Online May/June 1999
letters
Vermont Has Adopted 1995 MEC
Vermont is not ignoring energy codes, contrary to
what "States Ignore Building Codes" (Jan/Feb
'99, p.7) implies. The Vermont Legislature incorporated the 1995 Model
Energy Code (MEC) in its 1997 Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES).
RBES applied to all new residential construction effective July 1, 1998.
On the commercial side, through its participation in the land use review
process known as Act 250, the Department of Public Service (DPS) ensures
that roughly 50% of new commercial construction meets or exceeds ASHRAE/IES
90.1. The DPS has actively promoted understanding of the codes across the
state. In addition, Vermont is a regional leader in advocating for energy-efficient
construction and operation and maintenance practices. For more information,
please see our Web site at http://www.state.vt.us/psd/ee/ee.htm.
Tom Franks
Energy Efficiency Specialist
Vermont Department of Public Service
Mary James responds:
Thanks for the encouraging news. As I mentioned in the beginning
of the article, only 36 states were included in the study. Vermont was
one of the states left out of the analysis due either to lack of data or
to too few housing starts.
Wisconsin Feels Left Out
Your January/February issue omits Wisconsin twice,
once in "States Ignore Building Codes" and then
in Stephen Turchen's letter, "Clarifying
MECcheck Access." Wisconsin has adopted revisions to its Uniform Dwelling
Code to bring it into alignment with MEC 95. These changes are effective
May 1, 1999. By the end of February, over 1,000 builders and contractors
will have attended half-day training on the code changes. By the end of
March, all 1,200 code officials in Wisconsin will be trained on the changes.
For plan approval, a customized version of MECcheck--WIScheck--is
available from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory or a private vendor
in Wisconsin. The energy rating software REM/Rate has also been customized
for Wisconsin and can be used by a rater for determining compliance to
the energy code for permit approval.
With our Wisconsin Focus on Energy Program in
23 counties, we will provide incentives and other assistance for the market
to build well above code. As David Osborne loves to say in Wisconsin, a
house built to just meet code is the worst house you can legally build.
Norman Bair
Chief, Energy Initiatives Section
Wisconsin Energy Bureau
Mary James responds:
Thank you for keeping Home Energy current. Wisconsin's changes occurred
too recently to be included in the report.
 Insulation
Makers Refute Stain Claims
The North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
(NAIMA) takes issue with Dr. Lila Albin's conclusions in "Insulation in
the Heating System--A Source of Black Stains" (Nov/Dec '99) that fiberglass-lined
duct systems are to blame for black soot stains found in both new and existing
homes. This is contrary to the finding of a number of studies, which point
instead to emissions from candle flames as the culprits for soot deposits
in interior environments. Research has linked the escalating problem of
black soot deposits with the growing popularity of candles (up 400% in
seven years). The studies show that soot production from candles can be
significant and may cause indoor levels of airborne soot to exceed concentrations
allowed in outside air by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In addition, NAIMA member companies have also
examined the issue of black soot deposition and their findings indicate
that fiberglass-lined ducts are not a contributing factor. It is worthwhile
noting that fiberglass insulation has been successfully used in HVAC systems
for over 40 years, whereas the problem of soot deposition is relatively
recent. Given the conflicting nature of the available information, we would
be interested in sharing our findings with Dr. Albin regarding the causes
of black soot deposition.
George R. Phelps
Director, Government and Industry Affairs
NAIMA
Lila Albin responds:
I would expect the insulation industry to take exception to this
information--just as the candle manufacturers did to data on candles. I
have had many samples of "black soot or charcoal-like" debris analyzed
over the past 11 years both from commercial and residential HVAC systems.
In one case, I had samples taken from a known deteriorating insulation,
from the residence where the known insulation was sampled, and from candle
soot. The candle soot sample analysis was distinctly different from the
insulation, and the sample from the house matched that of the known insulation.
Candle soot is a much finer particle than the protective carbon-black/polymer
that hardens the airstream side of fiberglass insulation.
The analysis work I've had done has been performed
by an accredited laboratory by both polarized light microscopy and phase
contrast microscopy. Another laboratory has examined the insulation soot
and the candle soot by scanning electron microscopy.
I recognize that fiberglass has been used
as duct insulation for over 40 years. Yes, the insulation is effective
at its intended purpose, which is to provide sound dampening, reduce conductive
heat transfer, and prevent moisture condensation. That does not change
the fact that the outer coating ages and will break away from the insulation
system at some point in the history of the product. Anyway, sooting from
insulation is not a new event. I have data that go back 11 years, and I
also have verbal reports of soot "mysteriously" dropping out of diffusers
overnight that go back at least 16 years.
When you find actual quarter-sized pieces
of the face fabric in the occupied space, it is hard to doubt insulation's
role in contributing to sooting stains. Furthermore, it is extremely unlikely
that candles are to blame when the home owners do not burn candles on a
regular basis, if at all.
I would be happy to share my data with NAIMA
or even provide them with firsthand witnessing of deteriorating insulation
lining HVAC systems. If NAIMA doesn't approve of the research that I have
conducted, perhaps they should have studies conducted for them by either
a consulting laboratory or a university. One such consulting laboratory
is Air Quality Sciences in Atlanta, Georgia. Two university contacts would
be Richard Shaugnessy, Indoor Air Quality Program, University of Oklahoma
at Tulsa or Neil Zimmerman, School of Health Sciences, Purdue University
in West Lafayette, Indiana.
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