Cellulose insulation and the process of weatherizing and insulating a building involves a number of technical terms and concepts. We've compiled this glossary to help you decipher them.
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Damp-sprayed cellulose
Dense-packed
DIY
Embodied energy
Energy Audit
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Damp-sprayed cellulose
Damp-sprayed cellulose refers to cellulose insulation to which a small amount of moisture is added during application. It is most often applied in new construction where cavities are open, just before the application of interior coverings such as wallboard, drywall or paneling. The moisture serves to activate starches in the cellulose, allowing it to adhere both to itself and to the surfaces of the cavity.
Dense-packed
'Dense-packed refers to cellulose insulation installed in a cavity or assembly, either dry-blown or damp-sprayed, to a density of 3.2-3.5 lbs. of material per cubic foot of space, or approximately twice the settled density of the material. The process by which a space is dense-packed is referred to as "dense-packing".
DIY
An acronym for 'Do-It-Yourself'.
Embodied energy
One measure of embodied energy is simply the amount of energy it takes to manufacture something, generally expressed in BTUs (British Thermal Units). A BTU is a basic measure of thermal (heat) energy. One BTU is the amount of energy needed to heat one pound (16 ounces) of water one degree Fahrenheit at one atmosphere pressure (app. sea level). Since we're not used to thinking of water in pounds, an easier way to think of it is that it would take app. 8.35 BTU's to raise one gallon of water (which weighs 8.35 lbs per gallon) one degree at sea level.
For the consumer, the lower the embodied energy of a product, the less pollution generated when the product was made. In the case of Cel-Pak cellulose insulation, it takes 750 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy to make 1 lb. of it. Said another way, making 1 lb. of cellulose takes the same energy it would take to raise app. 90 gallons of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.
By comparison, it takes 12,000 BTUs to make a pound of fiberglass, which is the same as heating 1,437 gallons of water 1 degree. More than 30,000 BTUs are required to make a pound of sprayed foam insulation - the equivalent of raising 3,592 gallons of water 1 degree in temperature! That's a BIG difference! This is just one measure of how green cellulose insulation is compared to the alternatives.
For the consumer, the lower the embodied energy of a product, the less pollution generated when the product was made. In the case of Cel-Pak cellulose insulation, it takes 750 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of energy to make 1 lb. of it. Said another way, making 1 lb. of cellulose takes the same energy it would take to raise app. 90 gallons of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.
By comparison, it takes 12,000 BTUs to make a pound of fiberglass, which is the same as heating 1,437 gallons of water 1 degree. More than 30,000 BTUs are required to make a pound of sprayed foam insulation - the equivalent of raising 3,592 gallons of water 1 degree in temperature! That's a BIG difference! This is just one measure of how green cellulose insulation is compared to the alternatives.
Energy Audit
An Energy Audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a structure to determine its relative efficiency, the efficiency of its systems and the need for air sealing. It typically is performed by a trained professional, who prepares a list of recommendations or upgrades to be considered in lowering a structures total energy usage.
