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Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
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ASHRAE Modified Zone Method

12/11/2008 1:02 AM

I've been trying to determine U-factors for residential building components using the modified zone method described in the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook.

I've written a spreadsheet that works well, and can duplicate results published by Oak Ridge National Laboratories, so I think I'm on the right track.

My questions are: Is there a limit to the sheathing thickness that can be considered using the modified zone method? For example, if I have 6" thick foam sheathing, is it correct to only use 1" in the modified zone calculation and then add the other 5" layer in series? What about for cavities deeper than the 6" shown in the zf chart?

Also, if the modified zone method is only for clear wall sections, how can I apply an appropriate correction factor to account for the additional framing for a whole wall U-factor?

Thanks for any replies.

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Join Date: Dec 2008
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Re: ASHRAE Modified Zone Method

12/11/2008 11:43 PM

Here are a few answers that I know There is no limit to the sheathing thickness. You can model it by making an one inch thick object have a U=0.033 (typical of R-5 per inch of insulation, 6 inches thick) or adding the other layers in series). Cavities deeper than 6" is not so easy. Here ORNL is modeling thermal bridging of metal in the walls - not something you could easily extrapolate. You might have to contact Jan Kosny (kyo at ornl.gov) to get an answer to that one. ACCA uses a little over engineering trick in their Manual J that you might think about to compensate for additional framing. In a 16" section of clear wall - there should only be one stud - they place two studs in 16". If you could adjust the 's' value in the modified zone method to 12.5", you would accomplish this. Good luck

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