Patent ID: 7654051

Claim:
A system adapted and configured to ventilate thermal insulation in a building structure comprising: a) a plurality of spaced apart, vertically oriented studs; b) sheathing material applied to an outer surface of the studs, wherein an inner face of the sheathing defines an inwardly-facing interior building surface; c) thermal insulation material disposed between the studs; and d) a spacer device interposed between the interior building surface and the thermal insulation material, the spacer device acting to define a vertical ventilation channel between the interior building surface and the thermal insulation material, the spacer device being adapted and configured to allow the passage of air through the vertical ventilation channel and having a body defining at least one opening therethrough that is adapted and configured to facilitate the transfer of heat and moisture therethrough between the insulation material and the air passing through the vertical ventilation channel; e) a first opening defined in the building structure proximate the bottom of the studs to permit fluid communication between the ventilation channel and air outside the structure; and f) a second opening defined in the building structure above the first opening to permit fluid communication between the ventilation channel and air outside the structure, wherein the first opening, second opening and ventilation channel cooperate to permit air outside the structure to circulate into and out of the ventilation channel to facilitate ventilation of the thermal insulation material.