Multifamily Apartment Complex
Case Study #10017 - Multifamily Apartment Complex
Infrared Thermographic Building Envelope Inspection
Thermographic Imaging provided by: Allen Applied Infrared - South River, NJ
On Thursday, January 8, 2003, an infrared Thermographic survey was conducted for properties in Randolph, NJ. The purpose of the survey was to provide information regarding the condition and integrity of insulation in various units. As a result of this survey, the insulation in these properties were upgraded with results documented and summarized herein. The IR survey was conducted with an Inframetrics Model 525 high resolution thermal imager. The Inframetrics 525 has a field of view of 14°V x 18°H and a minimal detectable temperature of .1 Co. The weather conditions preceding the survey were overcast with temperatures ranging from 41°F to 49°F with light snow and light southwest winds. The temperature at the time of the survey was 37°F, with light rain and winds less than 10 mph. Three apartment buildings were chosen for the survey. The units included both ground floor and second floor apartments, and crawlspace areas. The following units were inspected.
Building 3 - Apartment Unit 3 - Crawlspace
Thermal images indicated heat from the 1st floor apartment's heat radiators penetrating into the crawlspace area. The temperature in the crawlspace area was 52° F, the outside air temperature was 37° F and the temperature inside the 1st floor unit was 68° F.
The above photograph indicates the lack of insulation within the floor
joists. The thermal image on the right shows the concrete block foundation
wall cool (blue). The underside of the floor area appears warmer (green).
Also noted in the thermal image, as a thin yellow horizontal line at the back
of the floor joists, is the radiant heat from the baseboard heaters.
Problems in the crawlspace include cold air infiltration into plumbing chases, as well as the elevated temperature in the crawlspace, due to heat loss through the apartment unit's floors. Properly sealing the plumbing chases and insulating the entire crawlspace will reduce possible pipe freezing and minimize heat loss through the floors of the units. Crawlspaces, like attics, should be as close to outside temperature as possible.
Building 3 - Apartment Unit 4 - 2nd Floor
Thermal inspections of the ceiling area in this apartment showed an even thermal pattern across the entire ceiling area, as noted in the following thermal image. This unit had the ceiling insulated recently. Comments from the tenant indicated a vast improvement in comfort following the installation of cellulose insulation.
Building 7 - Apartment Unit 6 - 2nd Floor
The same thermal pattern was evident in the kitchen soffit as the other upstairs unit. These images were not as dynamic due to a lower inside temperature at this unit. Windows in this unit were open while work crews were making renovations. The following thermal image indicates the cold air in the soffit and an insulation void in the attic (blue). This attic space has not been re-insulated. This image is in strong contrast to the even thermal pattern noted in the Unit pictured above.
Building 7 - Apartment Unit 6 - 2nd Floor (cont.)
The above images were taken at the top of the stairwell, opposite the interior kitchen wall. The wall between the stairwell and the kitchen demonstrates colder air (blue, on right) than the wall between the units (green, on the left). This cold air is entering the interior wall from the attic space and the soffit area above the kitchen cabinets.
Also noted along the ceiling were several areas of misplaced attic insulation (blue), as noted in the thermal image on the right. Attic hatch and Attic Stair Insulation The attic access hatch in this unit (7-6) has not been properly sealed or insulated. This is evidenced by the cooler temperature of the attic access hatch (blue). Infiltration around the edge trim is noted as blue wisps.
Building 7 - Apartment Unit 3 - Crawlspace
These images were recorded in the crawlspace beneath Unit 7-3. The visual image indicates there is no insulation in the crawlspace, as in Unit 3-3. Since this unit was not carpeted, it demonstrates more heat loss through the floor than Unit 3-3. This is evidenced by the temperature differences between the underside of the floor (green) and the floor joists (blue).
Conclusions of Thermographic Survey
Throughout the apartments inspected, the most common problem was the lack of crawlspace insulation. Following that was the quality of the attic insulation and the infiltration around the attic access points and air conditioning units. There was minimal infiltration observed at the window framing and the electrical outlets along the exterior walls. It is generally accepted practice that insulation of attic areas provides the greatest payback through heating and cooling cost. Problems in the crawlspace include cold air infiltration into plumbing chases, as well as the elevated temperature in the crawlspace, due to heat loss through the apartment unit's floors. Properly sealing the plumbing chases and insulating the entire crawlspace will reduce possible pipe freezing and minimize heat loss through the floors of the units. Crawlspaces, like attics, should be as close to outside temperature as possible.
Conclusions of Anecdotal Data
Interviews of Management, Maintenance Systems Personnel, and Tenants
revealed some notable results of the insulation upgrade.
Management indicated that Tenant complaints regarding heating and
cooling were practically eliminated, except for a few Tenants who actually
complained that it was now "Too Hot" in their apartments in the winter.
Maintenance Systems Personnel indicated that the pre-insulation upgrade
practice was to set the boiler temperature to raise 1.5 degrees for each 1-
degree drop in temperature during the winter. After the insulation upgrade,
they were able to lower the settings to reflect a 1:1 ratio. This saved them
50% of the energy needed to keep the boiler temperatures sufficient to
provide for the heating needs of the property.
Tenants noted that the individual air-handling units only cycled 3 times per
hour as opposed to the 5 cycles per hour prior to the insulation upgrade.
This translates into a longer unit life with less maintenance costs.
Summary
This study indicates:
- 1. Upgrading attic insulation to the levels recommended by the U.S.Dept. of Energy attains the greatest benefits in dollar savings and the fastest payback period.
- 2. Insulation upgrades save energy and maintenance costs.
- 3. Well-insulated buildings drastically reduce Tenant complaints in regards to heating and cooling.
- 4. Crawlspace insulation is an often-overlooked area that costs lots of money in fuel waste and costs associated with Tenant complaints.
Schedule a FREE no-obligation inspection of your property's insulation TODAY and see if your properties are leaking money and wasting energy.
Have a well-insulated day!
This study made possible through the professional labors of: A special thanks to Property Management for provisioning this important study.
