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Wrap batt insulation around pipe loosely enough not to compress the insulation and secure with wire or tape

Mechanical Insulation Design Guide - Installation

Author(s)

National Mechanical Insulation Committee

Organization(s)

NMIC

Publication Date

January, 2017

Web resource that lays out the pre-work considerations, methods and finishes for installing mechanical insulation.

Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2012

Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.

Wrap the insulation around the pipe in a spiral fashion

Tubular pipe insulation sleeves come with a precut seam

Right – The pipes on this heat pump water heater are carefully insulated.

Building America Energy Performance Brief: Insulating Hot Water Heaters

Author(s)

Gilbride Theresa L

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2011

Case study describing benefits of and steps involved with insulating a hot water heater.

Hot water heating pipes insulated with 1 inch of jacketed fiberglass

Publication Date

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 12:00

This Heat Pump Water Heater is Sitting on an Insulation Pad to Reduces Heat Losses

Publication Date

Wed, 05/01/2024 - 12:00

Right: This heat pump water heater is installed in a garage next to the furnace where there is a lot of space for accessing the unit, and for intake and exhaust; a foam pad insulates the base; the condensate line is correctly drained and pipe insulation

Publication Date

Wed, 02/14/2024 - 12:00

Mechanical System Piping Insulation and Service Hot Water Systems - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

October, 2016

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about mechanical system piping insulation and service hot water systems to help ensure that what is proposed regarding insulating these systems will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing consistent information to document compliance with codes and standards to all relevant parties responsible for verifying with those codes and standards (e.g., code officials, builders, contractors, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and timely, less challenging, and more uniform plan review and field inspections.

High-density fiberglass pipe insulation comes with a vapor barrier cover and self-adhesive seam

Publication Date

Sun, 01/01/2017 - 12:00

All of the pipes are insulated on this high-efficiency 50-gallon heat pump water heater.

Publication Date

Fri, 01/01/2016 - 12:00

Hot water recirculation loop runs through an insulated pipe under the home’s concrete slab.

Right: This heat pump water heater is installed in a small space so the, intake air is ducted from an adjacent room; the water heater since on a pad of foam insulation and has a good drain line configuration but the waterpipes lack insulation

Publication Date

Wed, 02/14/2024 - 12:00

This wall-mounted high-efficiency condensing gas tankless water heater has PVC vent pipes and insulated water pipes

This Heat Pump Water Heater has Pipe insulation installed on the hot water line (on left) and on the cold water line (on right)

Publication Date

Wed, 05/01/2024 - 12:00

Pipe insulation helps retain heat in the pipes which provide hot water from the air-to-water heat pump for domestic hot water and space heating.

The mechanical room in the insulated basement houses the water heating equipment, including the storage tank for the solar thermal system and the wall-hung boiler as well as the air handler for the hydro coil and high-efficiency (16 SEER) air conditioner.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Weiss Building & Development, System House, River Forest, IL

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a 4,763 ft2 certified Passive House that achieved HERS 27 without PV through the construction of R-54 walls that use ICF plus fiberglass cavity insulation, an R-100 vented attic, extensive air sealing and flashing, triple-pane windows, ductless heat pumps, and solar hot water.

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: Tindall Homes, Princeton, New Jersey

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2008

Case study describing a building project in the mixed-humid climate zone.

GreenCraft Greenspoint House Prototype

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2009

Case study describing a building project in the mixed-humid climate zone.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study - Dwell Development, Seattle, Washington

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

USDOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Seattle, WA, that scored HERS 34 without PV.

Best Practices Case Study: Nelson Construction, Hamilton Way, Farmingon, CT

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

January, 2011

Case study describing a building project in the cold and very-cold climate zones.

DOE ZERH HIA 2017 Case Study: Thrive Home Builders, Courtyard Rows, Lone Tree, CO

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2017

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2017 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 41 without PV and 8 with PV.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: K2 Urbancorp, LLC.: Hot, Humid Climate Region 40+% Energy Savings

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

August, 2009

Case study describing a building project in the hot-humid climate zone.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Deep Energy Retrofit of 1910 House, Portland, Oregon

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

December, 2011

Case study describing a deep energy renovation of a home in the marine climate.

Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse: Mixed, Humid Climate Region 40+% Energy Savings

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

August, 2009

Case study describing a building project in the mixed-humid climate zone.

Veridian Homes: Cold Climate Region 40+% Energy Savings

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

August, 2009

Case study describing a retrofit project in the cold and very-cold climate zones.

New Whole-House Case Study: Transformations, Inc. Net Zero Energy Communities, Devens, Easthampton, Townsend, Massachusetts

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

November, 2013

Case study describing a new construction net zero energy home.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Heritage Buildings, Inc., and Energy Smart Home Plans, Leland, North Carolina

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2012

Case study describing a new construction project in North Carolina.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Paragon Homes: Mixed, Humid Climate Region 40+% Energy Savings

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

SWA

Publication Date

August, 2009

Case study describing a building project in the mixed-humid climate zone.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Ferguson Design and Construction, Sagaponack, New York

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Long Island, NY, that scored HERS 43 without PV.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Lancaster Live/Work Townhome Prototype

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2010

Case study describing a building project in the marine climate.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Build San Antonio Green, San Antonio, Texas

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

June, 2013

Case study describing one of three deep energy renovations of occupied affordable homes.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Clifton View Homes, Coupeville, Washington

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study about a Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner construction project in the marine climate.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Caldwell and Johnson, Exeter, Rhode Island

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Exeter, Rhode Island, that scored HERS 43 without PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: StreetScape Development, LLC, Libertyville, Illinois

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Libertyville, IL that scored HERS 45 without PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: KB Homes, Double ZeroHouse, San Marcos, CA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 43 without PV and 0 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: BPC Green Builders, New Fairfield, Connecticut

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in west Connecticut that scored HERS 39 without solar PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Garbett Homes, Herriman, Utah

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Herriman, UT, that scored HERS 40 without PV, -1 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: New Town Builders, the ArtiZEN Plan, Denver, CO

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 38 without PV and -3 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Nexus Energy Homes, Frederick, Maryland

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Frederick MD that scored HERS 43 without PV and HERS 28 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Mandalay Homes, Phoenix, Arizona

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Phoenix, AZ that scored HERS 58 without PV and HERS 38 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, Ellenton, Florida

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Ellenton FL that scored HERS 53 without PV and HERS 23 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: TC Legend Homes, Cedarwood, Bellingham, WA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner in the marine climate that scored HERS 43 without PV and 13 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Transformations, Custom Home, Devens, Massachusetts

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award winning custom home in Devens MA that scored HERS 34 without PV or HERS -21 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Production House, Transformations, Devens, MA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winning production home in Devens MA that scored HERS 35 without PV or HERS -37 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Palo Duro Homes, Albuquerque, NM

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 55 without PV and 15 with PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Ithaca, New York

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

October, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Ithaca, NY, that scored HERS 50 without PV.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: Weiss Building & Development, Custom Home, Downers Grove, Illinois

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award winning custom home in Downers Grove IL that scored HERS 35 without PV.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Tindall Homes: The Legends at Mansfield, Columbus, NJ

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a new construction building project of 20 luxury homes in northern New Jersey that were more energy efficient than ENERGY STAR and met the 50% energy savings requirements of the federal tax credit for new homes.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Tommy Williams Homes: Longleaf Village & Belmont, Gainesville, FL

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a production builder that achieves HERS scores of 60, compared to 85 for other builders that build new homes to Florida code.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County, Lake Worth, Florida

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

January, 2012

Case study describing an energy efficient retrofit project in hot-humid climates.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Imagine Homes: Stillwater Ranch, San Antonio, TX

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing a new home builder that strives to address health, safety, and durability issues in a hot and humid climate.

Energy Code - Module 7: Ducts, HVAC, Hot Water, and Lighting

Author(s)

Nebbia

Organization(s)

Newport Partners

Publication Date

January, 2022

Webinar that will explain mandatory and prescriptive requirements related to duct installation, insulation, sealing, and testing, as well as requirements for heating, cooling, and hot water systems and controls.

Transformations, Inc.: Partnering To Build Net-Zero Energy Houses in Massachusetts

Author(s)

Ueno Kohta,

Bergey Daniel,

Wytrykowska Honorata

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

September, 2013

Report about partnership to build three communities of net zero houses.

Demand Plumbing

Guide describing the use of recirculation pumps to speed the flow of hot water to faucets for reduced wait times and savings in energy and water usage.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: SMUD's 32nd Avenue Remodel Demonstration Program, Sacramento, CA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

March, 2011

Case study describing a retrofit project in the marine climate.

Whole-House Design and Commissioning in the Project Home Again Hot-Humid New Construction Community

Author(s)

Kerrigan Philip

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2012

Report describing work conducted by the Building Science Corporation (BSC) Building America Research Teams Energy Efficient Housing Research Partnerships project.

Building America Case Study Technology Solutions for Existing Homes: Concord Four Square Retrofit

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2012

Case study describing a four-square Concord home retrofitted by Building Science Corporation in Massachusetts.

Validation of a Hot Water Distribution Model Using Laboratory and Field Data

Author(s)

Backman Christine,

Hoeschele Marc

Organization(s)

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Davis Energy Group,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

July, 2013

Research study comparing TRNSYS Type 604 pipe model against laboratory pipe heat loss test data and detailed field monitoring data.

Core and Manifold Plumbing

Guide describing effective ways to distribute hot water using either a core (compact) plumbing layout or a central homerun manifold piping system.

Bay Ridge Gardens - Mixed Humid Affordable Multifamily Housing Deep Energy Retrofit

Author(s)

Lyons James,

Moore Mike,

Thompson Margo

Organization(s)

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Newport Ventures,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

August, 2013

Report summarizing commissioning, short-term testing, utility bill data analysis, and results of on-site monitoring of a deep energy retrofit.

High Performance Builder Spotlight: Treasure Homes Inc.

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

March, 2014

Case study describing the family-run Treasure Homes that achieved a HERS rating of 46 without PV on its prototype “Gem” home, located on the blustery shores of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Deep Energy Retrofit in the Pacific Northwest

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

December, 2011

Case study describing a whole-house, deep energy retrofit project in the marine climate.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Imery Group Proud Green Home, Serenbe, GA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

April, 2014

Case study describing the first DOE Zero Energy Ready Home in Georgia that achieved a HERS score of 40 without PV and -10 with PV.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Author(s)

Neuhauser Ken,

Gates Cathy,

Pettit Betsy

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

July, 2013

Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.

Integrated Collector Storage

Measure guide describing basic steps for designing an integrated collector storage (ICS) or thermosyphon hot water system.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: One Sky Homes, Cottle Zero Net Energy Home, San Jose, CA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 69 without PV and -1 with PV.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Green Home 3 - Mount Joy, Pennsylvania

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

December, 2014

Case study describing the Green Home 3 project, which achieved a 44% whole-house energy savings over the Building America New Construction B10 Benchmark, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification, and National Green Building Standard Gold-level certification.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Schneider Homes, Inc., Village at Miller Creek, Burien, WA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

February, 2013

Case study describing new home construction in the marine climate that achieved 50% savings over the 2004 IECC.

Heat Pump Water Heaters for Single-Family Homes

Guide describing the planning and installation process for Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) in single-family homes, including model selection, installation location, thermal resource adequacy, and condensate removal.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Nelson Construction: Hamilton Way, Farmington, CT

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

Case study describing the design and testing of 10 high-performance homes in Farmington, Connecticut.

Solar Plumbing and Wiring Chase

This measure guide describes the need to install a plumbing and wiring chase for a future solar hot water installation.

Solar Hot Water Heater Thermosiphon

This measure guide describes basic steps for designing a thermosiphon solar hot water system.

Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) Testing

Guide describing how to conduct combustion appliance zone testing.

Heat Pump Water Heaters - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

November, 2017

Applicable codes and standards regarding heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) that are an energy-efficient alternative to electric resistance water heaters.