Who we are. How we help.• An environmental charity and social enterprise• Serving Waterloo Region since 1999 • Focusing on energy and water sustainability

Our mission: Working together to make sustainability the norm

Funding: Local partners, contracts, grants and client fees

REEP Green Solutions

PHILIP DRADER

Home Energy

Coach

How moisture gets into your attic

• air leakage• low insulation levels• not enough attic ventilation

Air leakage into attic

PROBLEM: Multiple points allow warm, humid air into attic. This melts snow and leads to frost inside the attic.

Air leakage points

Possible sources: • wall/drywall intersections• electrical boxes • gaps in construction• electrical wires • plumbing vents• next to chimneys• attic hatch• non-insulation contact rated

pot-lights

Air leakage points

Cheapest solutions first

Premium leakage point solution

Low insulation levels

PROBLEM: Construction style leaves tiny space for insulation at truss/joist heel.

Usually made worse by air leakage.

Low insulation levels

Best solution: Install Moore vents (1 every 3rd bay) then spray foam with 2lb spray foam at edges only.

Then fill attic with R50+ cellulose insulation.

Attic ventilation

PROBLEM: Not enough airflow = warmer air in attic = melting snow

Current Ontario building code: • attic ventilation net area

needs to be 1/150 of area if no vapour barrier present

• evenly placed top and bottom.

Attic ventilation

Step 1: Ensure soffit has enough holes i.e. net free area.

It’s larger than you'd think.

Do the math.

[1000 sf *1/150 /2 = 3.33sf = 38 4" diameter holes

Tough situation: Cathedral ceilings

Solutions: When re-roofing add • air-barrier (slippery!), • rigid insulation, • 2x4 on the flat, • re-sheath and re-shingle, • ridge vent for air flow

Tough situation: New shingles & cathedral ceilings

Can't access space from inside or outside?• Install solar panels so

snow slides off • Add electric heating

cable where required.

Tough situation

What if none of these solutions makes sense?

Buy more water damage insurance?

Tough situation

Install electric snowmelt cables on the smallest section possible.

Put on timer (to automatically turn it off) if you will remember to turn it on.

Install through downspout so water gets away from home

Review

Hot air melts snow

Avoid with air sealing, then insulate at heel, then add more ventilation

Review: tough situations

If re-roofing required• Airseal-R50-ventilation• add solar panels• install snowmelt cables

Put our coach to work for you

Book the Coach

Learn more

Call 519-744-9799 > Press 1

Email coach@reepgreen.ca

reepgreen.ca/HomeEnergyCoach

Thank you to our core funders