This open floor cavity in a garage attic knee wall allows unwanted air to easily affect the temperature of the first-floor ceiling and second-story floor.

What is Wind Washing?

This Wind Washing project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America program. Wind washing is identified as a phenomenon where air can flow from an attic space into the floor cavity that exists between the first and second stories of the house. Specifically, an attic space located above a first-floor portion of the house may be open to a cavity that exists between floors in an adjacent portion of the house, thus allowing air from the attic to flow into that floor cavity. In the summer, hot attic air is pushed by wind into the house interstitial cavities and heats the floor of the second story and the ceiling of the first story. In the winter, cold attic air is pushed by wind into the house interstitial cavities and chills the floor of the second story and the ceiling of the first story.

Why should I sign up?

A house with the wind washing effect is likely to experience increased utility costs, and in some cases, indoor comfort problems. Testing would identify these issues and examine the house airtightness, pressure fields in the house, air conditioner performance, duct leakage, and attic-to-floor cavity air leak pathways.

A total of 24 homes will be tested and be provided a $50 participation incentive. From those, six homes will be selected for repair. Monitoring will occur in those six homes to characterize cooling and heating energy savings from the repair of wind washing problems. Financial incentives of up to $680 would be available to those who participate in the monitoring and repair portions of the project. Repair costs will be paid for by FSEC.

Does my home qualify for the study?

Two-story homes with conditioned space adjacent to the attic are sought in the following Florida counties:

Complete the interest form or contact Jeremy Nelson at 407-243-8197 or e-mail at JNelson@fsec.ucf.edu to determine if your home qualifies.

Your home may be prone to Wind Washing if:

Figure 1. This 1-story garage or heated living space has only an attic (Arrow 1) directly above it.	Figure 2. This 1-story heated living space (Arrow 2) has NO attic directly above it, not even a small attic.
Figure 3. This 1-story living space or garage has, directly above it, both a heated living space (Arrow 3) and some attic.	Figure 4. Arrow 4: This large lower-floor living space has, directly above it, both a heated living space and some attic.  Arrow 1: Like Figure 1, this attic contacts floor perimeter.

How do I sign up?

Complete the interest form and review the homeowner agreement [Adobe Acrobat PDF, 141KB]. The project manager will contact you once your information is received.   Should you be selected and you accept the monetary incentive, please also complete the W-9 Form.