Insulation Challenge

Materials Each team begins with a standard 10 ream paper box.

Insulation Materials Bubble Wrap Micro Foam Paper Packaging Aluminum Foil Packing Tape Poster Board Transparencies Bubble Wrap Micro Foam Paper Packaging Aluminum Foil Packing Tape Poster Board Transparencies

Material Cost (quantity)Price Packing Tape (gram) $1.00 Aluminum Foil (inch) $0.20 Poster Board (sheet) $10.00 Bubble Wrap (sheet) $10.00 Quilted Packing (sheet) $7.50 Micro Foam (sheet) $5.00 Double Pane Window (ea) $5.00 Low E Window (ea) $10.00 Double pane Door (ea) $10.00 Low E Door (ea) $20.00

Building Code The house must have: 1 front door, 1 sliding door, and 4 windows with the dimentions below: Building Code The house must have: 1 front door, 1 sliding door, and 4 windows with the dimentions below: Scale - 1” = 1’ 3’ 6’ 3’ 4’ 3’ 6’

Building Code The front door must open and close. Windows do not have to open. Building Code The front door must open and close. Windows do not have to open. Scale - 1” = 1’ 3’ 6’ 3’ 4’ 3’ 6’

Building Code No ceiling or wall insulation can be exposed. It must be covered by drywall (poster board). Building Code No ceiling or wall insulation can be exposed. It must be covered by drywall (poster board). Scale - 1” = 1’ 3’ 6’ 3’ 4’ 3’ 6’

Building Code The house must be able to fit on the testing base. It projects inside the house ¾”. Building Code The house must be able to fit on the testing base. It projects inside the house ¾”. Scale - 1” = 1’ 3’ 6’ 3’ 4’ 3’ 6’

Window & Door Simulations Single Pane = 1 layer of transparency Dual Pane = 2 layers of transparency Low E = 2 layers + micro foam Single Pane = 1 layer of transparency Dual Pane = 2 layers of transparency Low E = 2 layers + micro foam

Caulking Simulation Packaging Tape will be used as caulking. A roll of tape is weighed and issued to each team. The team uses the tape to attach insulation and seal the box, windows and doors. Upon completion the roll of tape is weighed and the team is charged $1/gram of tape. Packaging Tape will be used as caulking. A roll of tape is weighed and issued to each team. The team uses the tape to attach insulation and seal the box, windows and doors. Upon completion the roll of tape is weighed and the team is charged $1/gram of tape.

Testing Base The testing base just fits inside the house and has two 100 watt bulbs. The temp probe is used to measure the inside temperature.

Testing Base Vernier temperature probes can be used to measure the inside and outside temperatures

Temp. Measurements An inexpensive infared thermometer can also be used to measure the temps.

Temp Measurements With the house sitting on the light bulb base, 12 temperatures are taken and averaged in a spreadsheet. Scale - 1” = 1’ 3’ 6’ 3’ 4’ 3’ 6’ T1 roof center T2 Window 1 T3 Window 2 T4 Window 3 T5 Window 4 T6 Corner 1 T7 Corner 2 T8 Door Crack T9Slider T10Wall T11 Base 1 T12 Base 2 T1 T2T3 T6 T7 T8 T9 T11

Total Savings Total Savings = [Ave.  T x ($3.00/degree/year x 10 years)] – Cost of materials Total Savings = [Ave.  T x ($3.00/degree/year x 10 years)] – Cost of materials

Evaluation Prompt: If I did this activity again, I would change: Prompt: If I did this activity again, I would change: