In Ontario, all new homes built after 1975 had to have basement foundation wall insulation with an R12 rating just two feet down from the sill plate. This was designed to prevent condensation from forming on the top half of the foundation wall that was exposed above ground level. This code provision is a standard component of all Canadian and United States building codes today. For older homes built before 1975, there was typically no basement insulation.
Recently, the Ontario building code, effective by December 2008, was amended to mandate the installation of full floor-to-ceiling basement wall R-12 insulation. The reason for this was recognition that full basement wall insulation provided better protection against moisture forming on the foundation wall surface, due to high interior relative humidity. Reducing moisture in the basement will help eliminate potential health problems with mold and fungus growth. The added insulation will also help achieve significant energy cost savings.
For an existing home, if a homeowner is looking at a basement renovation, it makes sense and “cents” to do it right with full R12 insulation on the foundation walls and R 3 on the basement floors.
The only basement finishing system that integrates basement wall insulation with basement floor insulation is the Barricade™ modular panel system by Ovrx. Barricade integrates an engineered wood core with closed-cell polystyrene insulation that provides the warmth and comfort of real insulation but also acts as a code-approved vapor barrier for the walls and floors.
What kind of savings can a homeowner expect when they finish their basement with the Barricade system?
Using REM Design energy analysis software, the energy savings were calculated on a typical Toronto home with the Barricade system. Potential savings of $90 per year, or up to 10% of the total heating cost, with partial foundation wall insulation are possible, and $379 per year, or up to 30% of the total annual heating cost, if there was no basement wall insulation. *
Clearly homeowners need to incorporate this type of wall and floor insulation into their basement design. When the basement renovations are complete, the end result will be a warm, dry comfortable, safe and energy-saving living space for the family.
* REM Design Software by Architectural Energy Corporation
Calculations for a 1718-square-foot ranch will full-conditioned 8-foot height basement
R-12 fiberglass draped 2 feet on basement wall with no basement floor insulation
Heating Degree Days 6561
Electrical costs of $0.11 m$/kWh
$0.95 $/therm for natural gas, Basement Insulation Options
(A) R-12 Batt, 2 ft draped (insulated band joist) and no slab insulation
1) Foundations energy consumption: 24.5 MMBtu/Yr (Cost of $232/Yr)
2) Slab energy consumption: 6.8 MMBtu/yr (Cost of $65/Yr)
(B) R-12 STYROFOAM full height on interior basement walls and slab insulation for R 2.5 STYROFOAM
1) Foundation energy consumption: 15.5 MMBtu/Yr (Cost of $147/Yr)
2) Slab energy consumption: 6.3 MMBtu/Yr (Cost of $60/yr)
(C) No basement wall insulation and no slab insulation
1) Foundations energy consumption: 55.0 MMBtu/Yr (Cost of $521/Yr)
2) Slab energy consumption: 6.8 MMBtu/yr (Cost of $65/Yr)
Potential Savings
Partial basement wall insulation and no slab insulation: A-B ($297 - $207) = $90
No basement wall insulation and no slab insulation: C-B ($586 - $207) = $379
By Dave Murray
