Energy Efficiency Experts

You will often hear these terms referenced by the Building Science and Performance Contracting industry. The definition is simple to understand and is an important term and concept.

Our Conditioned space is the area we live in. We will modify the environment with mechanical systems such as heating and cooling in these areas. Our inside floors walls windows doors and ceilings are all contained within this envelope.  It provides a barrier to the outside and is the shelter we live in.

Our Unconditioned Space are within our building shell but not in Conditioned space. This includes attics garages unfinished basements walls etc. So our house has many areas that are unconditioned. An example is our walls. We have the inside wall typically drywall which is connected to the framing studs. There is a cavity between the inside wall and the outside wall which often has insulation. This area between the outside wall and the inside wall is considered unconditioned space. Likewise for our attic which we consider open to the outside. Our garage is also unconditioned space and should be kept separate e from the conditioned space. In many homes we have chases and mechanical closets that are connected to unconditioned space

We want to separate these spaces as much as we possibly can for health safety and energy efficiency