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DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Preferred Builders, Old Greenwich, Connecticut

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Old Greenwich CT, that scored HERS 42 without PV and HERS 20 with PV.

The thermal boundary for a gable roof can be located at either a) the flat ceiling with a vented attic or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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A low-sloped shed roof with the thermal boundary located at either a) the flat ceiling with a vented attic or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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Rigid foam provides intermittent thermal breaks in a continuous slab floor with triple-pane-glass exterior wall panels in this multistory, multifamily building; stainless steel rebar provides structural support through the thermal break

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These prefabricated rebar assemblies use stainless steel and rigid foam to provide a thermal break where a concrete floor slab passes through the exterior wall of a multistory building; the stainless steel is connected to carbon steel rebar

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Are the Walls Closing In?

Presentation

Webinar describing research on moisture performance in high-R walls.

Your Northern Home: Walls

Video

Video describing how walls in cold climates must address three key issues: air leakage, moisture movement, and conductive heat losses.

A Thermally Broken Steel Connection

Reference

Article describing methods for thermally isolating a garage in a Passive House-certified multifamily building.

Utilities are commonly recessed into cutouts in the foam after concrete has been poured

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DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: e2 Homes, Winter Park, Florida

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Winter Park FL that scored HERS 57 without PV or HERS -7 with PV.

Six Corners Modern | High Performance Building Details

Video

Video describing the high-performance building details of a new home construction project.

Install the starter strip for the vinyl siding along a chalk line

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This kneewall has no top plate and the resulting gap provides a wide-open pathway for air and vapor to travel between the living space and the attic

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Right: All joints in the rigid foam are taped to keep stucco out of joints for even drying. Mesh tape (shown here) is used with expanded polystyrene (EPS); acrylic sheathing tape or self-adhered membrane is used with XPS

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A 1- and ½-story home with a room located in the attic and the thermal boundary located at either a) the walls and ceiling of the attic room with small vented attic spaces or b) the roof line for an unvented attic

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EIFS - Problems and Solutions, BSD-146

Reference

Report on problems and solutions with EIFS stucco wall cladding systems.

Wrong – Spray foam installed with voids

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Wrong – No top plate was installed.

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Thermal bridging is eliminated at the rim joist with the use of joist ledgers that are anchored in the wall

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Moisture Management in Residential Construction - Building Enclosure: Managing Heat Flow

Video

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs on managing heat transfer in the forms of radiation, convection, and conduction within the building envelope.

Wrong – There is no weather stripping or gasket around the attic stair hatch

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Right - Batt was properly split around wires to achieve RESNET Grade I

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Wrong – No rigid backing was installed on the attic knee wall.

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Right – Verify SIP headers are installed

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Air seal attic access panels and drop-down stairs to minimize air leakage.

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Tips for Installing a Weather Resistive Barrier

Presentation

Webinar from Keenan Watson and Samantha Kambo of DuPont on how to correctly install a weather-resistant barrier on a home for code compliance effectiveness. Free EEBA login required.

Right – Attic access door has foam and rubber weatherstripping installed that remains in contact when closed.

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Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Brick Installation Drainage Cavity Wall

Video

Video from Home Innovation Research Labs showing how to correctly install brick cladding on exterior walls with a drainage cavity behind it for moisture prevention.

Right - Continuous wall sheathing and blocking has been installed to brace the raised heel trusses.

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Plaster and Drywall Assemblies Manual

Reference

Manual describing design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster, IEFs, and drywall, with information on continuous insulation, air barriers, rain screens, and ratings for fire and sound.