Lots of talk about foam, no talk about EVS

[orchard]

Does anyone use an EVS system? I am hearing that some folks with spray foam can't keep their pilot lights on the stove light because of no fresh air.
I had spray foam installed in my garage and definitely had the stale air issue.
Before I drop a whole lot of money on foam for a new house I'm curious why these aren't used more or even standard......

https://youtu.be/CDCu0IbEn8Q

[stickemhard3]

Are these same people that can't keep their pilot lit having breathing issues too? Seems unlikely and I would get a reading on the air content (O2 saturation specifically) in the house if I couldn't keep a pilot lit.

I have open cell foam on 5 sides sprayed against the plyboard and have no issues.

[Txhunter3000]

While I like the electric bills that people with foam have I'm just not sold on it yet. You don't need foam to get efficiency. I built my house in 1988. 3000 sq ft. I framed the outside walls with 2x6 studs, 6 mil clear poly over studs on the inside that covers r-19 unfaced insulation topped with 3/4 foil faced foam board. For the attic i used 2 layers alternating layers of r-19 batt insulation. In that time I have been over $ 200 on the electric bill twice, once last year and last month. I used 1964 kwh last month @ 10.3 cents per kwh. The house stays around 40% RH.

The question I always had was if you should have a leak, roof or otherwise, how long would it take to see it and then how do you repair it, ie.. get the metal roof panel, plywood off.

[bowhntrmatt]

My last house was foam and I installed an ERV after blower door test showed how tight it was. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference (I wasn’t having problems before).

As an HVAC tech, I’ve been in several “sick” spray-foamed houses. Around here, it seems that dehumidifiers do better than ERVs at curing it, though the cost to run them more than wipes out the energy savings of foam.

[orchard]

Good point about the cost to run them.
How does this “blower test” work?

I see there is a bpi standard for air exchange rate…..

http://www.bpi.org/sites/default/files/Technical%20Standards%20for%20the%20Building%20Analyst%20Professional.pdf

[Adgerc15]

worth the money and make up air systems aren't too bad.

ac

[cj7zrcool]

We built in 2016, total foam encapsulation. We have LP gas logs and a LP cook stove, no issues with pilot lights and the house is very energy efficient.

[sasqy]

My HVAC guy put in a fresh air system to circulate the air in my house !
Has an intake and an exhaust for air circulation.

[M16]

My HVAC guy put in a fresh air system to circulate the air in my house !
Has an intake and an exhaust for air circulation.

Same here.

[DedDuk]

While I like the electric bills that people with foam have I'm just not sold on it yet. You don't need foam to get efficiency. I built my house in 1988. 3000 sq ft. I framed the outside walls with 2x6 studs, 6 mil clear poly over studs on the inside that covers r-19 unfaced insulation topped with 3/4 foil faced foam board. For the attic i used 2 layers alternating layers of r-19 batt insulation. In that time I have been over $ 200 on the electric bill twice, once last year and last month. I used 1964 kwh last month @ 10.3 cents per kwh. The house stays around 40% RH.

The question I always had was if you should have a leak, roof or otherwise, how long would it take to see it and then how do you repair it, ie.. get the metal roof panel, plywood off.

I feel the same. I did my build last year and decided not to use foam. I did 2x6 exterior wells with r19 insulation. Have not had a bill over 100 yet. In my mind, in our hot and humid environment, wood needs to be able to breath. I picture lots of mold and wood rot issues in 10 years.

[wellingtontx]

Dealing with a house that the spray foam allegedly has caused excessive moisture retention and mold. Bad situation.

[orchard]

Dealing with a house that the spray foam allegedly has caused excessive moisture retention and mold. Bad situation.

identify the cause yet?

[bloodtrailer28]

6 in the walls and pushing 8 on the roof. No problems here at all.