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Slab Edge Insulation

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 3 and higher.
Guide

The Truth about insulation in a hot climate

Publication Date
Author(s)
Horizon Energy
Organization(s)
Horizon Energy
Video from Horizon Energy on thermodynamics relating to insulation in attics of homes located in hot climates.
Video

Buried Ducts within Ceiling Insulation of Vented Attics in all Climate Zones - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date
The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about buried ducts in vented attics to help ensure that the measure will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing notes for code officials on how to plan review and conduct field inspections can help provide jurisdictional officials with information for acceptance. Providing the same information to all builders, designers, and others is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.
Code Compliance Brief

How Insulating Concrete Form vs. Conventional Construction of Exterior Walls Affects Whole Building Energy Consumption

Author(s)
Petrie Thomas W,
Kosny Jan,
Desjarlais Andre O,
Atchley Jerald A,
Childs Phillip W,
Ternes Mark P,
Christian Jeffrey E
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,
ACEEE
Publication Date
Report sumarizing results of an ICF investigation of side-by-side houses in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Reference

Construction Guide - Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 Part 2: 2x4 Walls with 1” to 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing

Author(s)
Kochkin Vladimir,
Wiehagen Joseph
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel sheathing (WSP) as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...
Reference

Rooms Containing Fuel-Burning Appliances - Code Compliance Brief

An entirely new section in the 2015 IECC/IRC regarding fuel-burning appliances basically requires the appliance to be isolated from the building thermal envelope, located either outside or within a separate room if the fuel-burning appliance is supplied by open combustion air ducts. This brief provides an overview of the requirements and further details of approving the actual "room".
Code Compliance Brief

Technology Solutions Case Study: Complete and Fully Aligned Air Barrier

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Organization(s)
PNNL
Publication Date
Case study describing the elimination of excessive humidity in the attic of a multi-floor, single-family home that was causing condensation and water damage along the roof and eaves.
Case Study

De-Icing Ice Dams, BSI-097

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.
Reference

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

Author(s)
Dorsi Chris
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Publication Date
Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.
Reference

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

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study Poster: Insight Homes, The Nelson, Bridgeville, DE

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE,
PNNL
Publication Date
Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning production home in the mixed-humid climate that used 2x6, 24-inch on-center blown fiberglass wall insulation, OSB roof sheathing, and R-49 blown fiberglass attic insulation to achieve a HERS score of 50...
Case Study

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
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.
Case Study

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
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.
Case Study

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
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.
Case Study

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study Poster: Healthy Communities, Walnut Farm, Williamsburg, VA

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE,
PNNL
Publication Date
Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning production home in the mixed-humid climate that used 2x6, 24-inch on-center walls, R-49 roof insulation, and R-49 blown-in cellulose attic insulation to achieve a HERS score of 9 with PV and 46 without PV...
Case Study

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

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
PNNL,
DOE
Publication Date
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.
Case Study

Construction & Design Considerations in Warmer Climates

Author(s)
Zero Energy Project
Organization(s)
Zero Energy Project
Publication Date
Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.
Reference

Efficient Earth-Sheltered Homes

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.
Reference

Designing Houses That Keep Their Cool

Author(s)
Wilson Alex
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.
Reference

Energy Benefits of Application of Massive Walls in Residential Buildings

Author(s)
Kosny Jan,
Christian Jeffrey E,
Petrie Thomas W,
Childs Phillip W,
Gawin D,
Desjarlais Andre O
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Technical University of Lodz,
TUL
Publication Date
Presentation about results from an insulating concrete form energy efficiency study in Knoxville, TN.
Reference

Energy Efficient Crawlspace Foundation Retrofit: Mixed Humid Climate

Author(s)
Del Bianco Marie,
Wiehagen Joseph,
Wood Amber
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report outlining the steps of translating a new home construction scope of work (SOW) to SOW for retrofit.
Reference

How Many Hours-of-Safety Do Our Homes Have in Extreme Weather?

Author(s)
Corvidae Jacob,
Ayyagari Sheha
Organization(s)
Rocky Mountain Institute,
RMI
Publication Date
Article from RMI on how climate change is leading to an increase in critical extreme heat hours and what smart building strategies can be taken to mitigate some of these effects including paint color and insulation.
Reference

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study Poster: Dwell Development, Flora Farmhouse, Seattle, WA

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE,
PNNL
Publication Date
Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning custom spec homes in the marine climate that used 2x6, 24-inch on-center walls, R-50 to R-70 average roof insulation, and triple-pane windows to achieve a HERS score of 51 without PV.
Case Study

Newporter Apartments: Deep Energy Retrofit Short-Term Results

Author(s)
Gordon Andrew,
Howard Luke,
Kunkle Rick,
Lubliner Michael,
Auer Dan,
Clegg Zach
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report demonstrating cost-effective energy savings targets as well as improved comfort and indoor environmental quality associated with deep energy retrofits by a large public housing authority as part of a larger rehabilitation effort.
Reference

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study Poster: S. D. Jessup Construction, Old Winston Rd, Pilot Mountain, NC

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE,
PNNL
Publication Date
Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning custom for buyer home in the mixed-humid climate that used 2x6, on-center walls, 19-inch, R-50 blown fiberglass vented attic insulation, and triple-pane windows to achieve a HERS score of 42 without PV.
Case Study

Construction Guide - Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5, Part I: 2x6 Walls

Author(s)
Kochkin Vladimir,
Wiehagen Joseph
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL
Publication Date
Part I of the Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x6 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as exterior sheathing, gypsum board as interior sheathing, and a cladding system installed over WSP sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories in height.
Reference

DOE ZERH HIA 2015 Case Study Poster: Mandalay Homes, The Dells at Cathedral Point, Prescott, AZ

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE,
PNNL
Publication Date
Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2016 Housing Innovation Award winning production home in the mixed-dry climate that used 2x6 24-inch on-center walls, with R-17 spray foam in cavities + R-4 continuous rigid foam exterior, an unvented attic with R-25 open-cell foam insulation...
Case Study

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study Poster: United Way of Long Island, Net Positive All Electric Home, Deer Park, NY

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE,
PNNL
Publication Date
Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning affordable home in the mixed-humid climate that used 2x6, 24-inch on-center R-33 wall insulation, triple-pane windows and both ductless and ducted mini-split heat pumps to achieve a HERS score of -2 with...
Case Study

DOE ZERH HIA 2020 Case Study Poster: Bellingham Bay Builders, La Pedrera Net Zero Residence, Anacortes, WA

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE,
PNNL
Publication Date
Case study poster describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2020 Housing Innovation Award winning custom home in the cold climate that used 2x6, 24-inch on-center advanced framed walls, R-66 unvented attic insulation, and a 36 SEER mini-split heat pump to achieve a HERS score of -8 with PV and 42...
Case Study