Residential Attic and Cathedral Ceiling Research

On this page you'll find information about the Building Technologies Program envelope systems R&D project on residential attic and cathedral ceiling research, including objectives, benefits, and approach.

Objectives

1) Develop a fundamental understanding of the thermal performance of residential attics (including their interaction with attic ducts) and cathedral ceilings as complete systems (insulation, ventilation, ceiling, framing, roof deck, shingles or tiles, ventilation, and air distribution systems); and 2) Utilize this understanding to develop an attic handbook for designing and renovating more energy-efficient buildings. Based on the enhanced technical database presented in this handbook, more cost-effective and energy-efficient attics and cathedral ceilings will be developed and demonstrated.

Benefits

Reduce energy losses through residential ceiling systems and attic duct systems.

Approach

A specific objective of this task is to evaluate the energy efficiency of an innovative insulated attic duct system installed in a conventional residential attic. Previous work in this area has characterized the extent of typical attic duct losses as a function of leakage and attic location. This new work will evaluate a novel method of insulating attic duct systems and compare these results with the existing data on traditional duct systems.