HVAC Design Criteria and Guidelines
BUILDING ENCLOSURE DESIGN
Every building must have both a thermal envelope and a moisture envelope. The role of the thermal
envelope is to reduce or eliminate heat transfer across envelope boundaries driven by temperature
differences and solar radiation. The role of the moisture envelope is to prevent the migration of water, in
liquid or vapor form into the building. The moisture envelope always consists of the rain barrier to stop liquid
water from entering the building, the air barrier to stop water vapor introduced by infiltration, and the vapor
barrier (roofs) or retarder (walls) to stop moisture vapor migration humidity differences.`
The following graphic defines the various climate zones in the United States:
In all climate zones, the thermal envelope should be located at or near the inside of walls, roofs, and floors.
Thermal envelope performance depends on selection of appropriate U-factors for walls, roofs, and floors
and solar transmission and shading requirements for building fenestration. The HVAC engineer's role is to
advise the architect to ensure high thermal performance and reduced energy consumption due to each of
these factors.
The moisture envelope consists of the rain barrier, an air barrier, and a vapor barrier or retarder The
configuration of the moisture envelope depends on the outdoor climate and it a primary requirement for the
HVAC designer is to ensure that the wall design(s) correctly define the correct configuration.
First, in all climate zones, the rain barrier and the air barrier must be installed at or immediately inside of the
wall cladding. The role of these two barriers is to prevent liquid moisture from entering the exterior wall and,
ultimately, into the air-conditioned building. But, the location of the vapor barrier or retarder, which is
designed to prevent water vapor from entering the exterior wall, is more complex and varies by the type of
climate as defined in the following table:
1. In hot, humid climate zones 1, 2A, 2B, and 3A, the vapor retarder must never be placed on the
indoor wall since outdoor moisture will be trapped in the wall. Vinyl wallcovering is an effective
HVAC Design Guidelines
BUILDING ENCLOSURE DESIGN 4
HVAC Design Criteria and Guidelines
vapor barrier that should never be used in hot, humid climates. Rather, the vapor retarder must be
located immediately inboard (or as part of) the air barrier, near the outer boundary of the wall
construction.
2. In a mixed, humid climate such as zone 4A and in a mixed, dry climate such as zone 4B, the
placement of the vapor barrier requires more analysis by the designer. In this type of climate, the
vapor retarder should be installed roughly in the "thermal middle” of the wall assembly. For simple
frame construction, this can be accomplished by installing impermeable or semi-permeable
insulating sheathing on the exterior. For example, 1.5 in. of foil-backed insulating sheathing
(approximately R 10) can be installed on the exterior of a 2" x 6" frame cavity wall insulated with
unfaced fiberglass batt insulation (approximately R 19). The vapor barrier is the interior face of the
exterior impermeable insulating sheathing. With a total wall thermal resistance of R 29 (R 19 plus R
10), the location of the vapor barrier is 66% of the way (thermally) towards the exterior (19/29 =
0.66).
An interior vapor barrier would be detrimental, as it would prevent the wall assembly from drying
towards the interior during cooling periods. The wall assembly is more forgiving without the interior
vapor barrier than if one were installed.
In mixed, humid climates, hospitals, laboratories, etc. where humidification is provided during the
winter and the indoor dewpoint temperature remains above 40F, detailed analysis of the vapor
retarder placement is required using the BMOIST 1.0 and/or MOIST 4.03 computer programs to
establish the correct vapor retarder location.
3. In cold climates, zones 5, 6, and 7, indoor moisture levels tend to be higher than outdoor levels
during winter and, thus, the vapor retarder must be located at or near the inside surface of the wall.
4. In hot, dry climates, such as zone 3B, no vapor retarder is required since there is little moisture
vapor outdoors or indoors to negatively impact wall construction.
HVAC Design Guidelines
BUILDING ENCLOSURE DESIGN 4
