August 2005 • NREL/TP-550-38309 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3

Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, 

Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates

U.S. Department of Energy 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable 

Building Technologies Program 

T OF ENERGY

DEPARTMEN

U

E

NITED STAT S OFA ERICA

M
MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TTL-1 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 

Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, 

Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates 

Prepared by 

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory 

Michael C. Baechler 

Z. Todd Taylor, Rosemarie Bartlett, Theresa Gilbride, Marye Hefty, Heidi Steward 

and 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory 

Pat M. Love 

DISCLAIMER 

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United 

States Government nor any agency thereof, nor Battelle Memorial Institute, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, 

express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, 

apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to 

any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily 

constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof, or 

Battelle Memorial Institute. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the 

United States Government or any agency thereof. 
Acknowledgments

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • ACK-1 

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building America program is comprised of public/ 

private partnerships that conduct systems research to improve overall housing performance, 

increase housing durability and comfort, reduce energy use, and increase energy security 

for America’s homeowners. Program activities focus on finding solutions for both new 

and existing homes, as well as integrating clean onsite energy systems that will allow the 

homebuilding industry to provide homes that produce more energy than they use. In addition 

to the DOE management and staff, the Building America Program includes seven consortia, 

four national laboratories, and hundreds of builders, manufacturers, and service providers. 

Building America works closely with the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 

(HUD) Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) Program, co-manages the 

ENERGY STAR Program along with the Environmental Protection Agency, and works with 

other federal agencies to coordinate research findings and disseminate information. These 

partners make the program a successful source of knowledge and innovation for industry 

practitioners and government policy makers. Together, these cooperating agencies have 

provided reviews and shared insightful comments, as well as making the authors aware of 

their technical libraries. 

The U.S. DOE Building America Program funded the development of this series of 

handbooks. DOE also funded the Building America consortia and national laboratories to 

form the basis for these best practices. The seven consortia are listed on the back cover of 

this document. The consortia have taken on the hard work of applied research, field testing, 

training builders, and transforming the results into building practices. Numerous drawings, 

descriptions, photos, and case studies originated with the consortia. 

Many builders have chosen to use the Building America process in collaboration with the 

consortia and are quoted in this series of best practices with over a dozen featured in case 

studies. These builders deserve thankful recognition for contributing to the success of the 

Building America Program and the Best Practices Series. 

Building America partners worked diligently on this project to further the cause of efficiency, 

resource conservation, or improved building performance. These groups have voluntarily 

supplied technical materials, review comments, or help in distribution. These contributors 

include Southface Energy Institute; Energy and Environmental Building Association, 

Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Program; Consortium for Energy Efficiency, Air 

Conditioning Contractors of America, National Fenestration Rating Council, and National 

Association of Home Builders. National Association of State Universities and Land Grant 

Colleges Extension Service Professors from universities throughout the nation provided 

valuable and in depth contributions. In particular, professors from the following universities 

devoted their time and shared their insights: University of Kentucky, Cornell University, 

University of Florida, University of Louisiana; and the University of Minnesota. 

This project required coordination among the national laboratories. Pacific Northwest 

National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have taken the lead at producing 

this document. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory made its library of Building 

America documents available to the authors, reviewed the document, and has responsibility 

for posting the document to the Web. Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 

reviewed the document contents. 

Christina Van Vleck lent this project her skill as a graphic artist. She prepared all of the 

original drawings and designed and laid out the overall series of books. 

The authors and DOE offer their gratitude to the many contributors that made this 

project a success. 
Contents

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TOC-1 

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INT-1 

Homeowners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-1 

Quick Tips: Homeowners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-1 

You’re in Good Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-1 

How Quality Houses Perform. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-2 

An Energy-Efficient Home Will Cost You Less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-3 

Energy-Efficient Mortgages Can Help You Get More for Your Money . . . . . . . . . HOM-3 

What’s the Score? (HERS). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-4 

Guaranteed Energy Costs and Comfort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-5 

And There’s More - More Green for You and More Green for the Planet . . . . . . . HOM-5 

What to Look For. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-6 

Sources and Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-6 

Homebuyer’s Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HOM-7 

Managers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-1 

An Invitation to Building Company Managers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-1 

Building America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-1 

Quick Tips: Managers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-1 

The Business Case for Building Science and Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-2 

Properly Choosing Materials and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-2 

Reduced Risks, Increased Productivity, and Fewer Callbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-3 

From an Economic Standpoint, Everyone Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-3 

Customer Satisfaction and Referrals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-3 

Consumers Expect More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-4 

Competitive Advantage in the Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-4 

Take the Next Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-5 

Case Studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-5 

Sources and Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MNG-5 

Marketers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MKT-1 

ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes: Telling Your Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MKT-1 

Quick Tips: Marketers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MKT-1 

Increase Customer Satisfaction and Let Your Customers Sell Your Product. . . . . . . MKT-2 

Sell the Value that Home Buyers Expect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MKT-2 

How Industry Leaders Sell Energy-Efficient Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MKT-2 

Sources and Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MKT-4 
Contents

Site Planners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLN-1

Lot Orientation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLN-1

Quick Tips: Site Planners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLN-1

Shade Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLN-3

Xeriscaping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLN-4

Other Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLN-4

Sources and Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLN-6

Designers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-1

Quick Tips: Designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-1

Building Science and the Systems Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-1

The Cost of Doing Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-3

Cold & Very Cold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-5

Design Best Practices for Cold & Very Cold Climates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-5

Site - Drainage, Pest Control, and Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-5

Foundation Measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-7

Structural Moisture Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-10

Structural Air Sealing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-14

Structural Thermal Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-16

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-25

Mechanicals Management and Appliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-33

Sources and Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DES-35

Site Supervisors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-1

Managing Expectations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-1

Develop a Work Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-2

Plans - Get Them Right. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-2

Plans - Keep Them Right. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-2

Contracts - Write Them Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-3

Pre-Construction Meeting - Have One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-4

Permits - Grease the Skids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-4

Managing Execution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-5

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-5

Scheduling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-6

Quality Assurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-7

Spot-Check Inspection Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-8

Pre-Drywall Inspection Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-9

Pre-Occupancy Inspection Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-10

Sources and Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUP-11

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TOC-2
Contents

Trades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-1

Slab Insulation - Cold Climates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-2

Basement & Conditioned (Unvented) Crawlspace Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-4

Housewrap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-6

Window Flashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-7

Air Sealing - Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-9

Electrical Air Sealing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-10

Air Sealing Drywall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-11

Air Sealing Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-12

Fiberglass Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-13

Masonry Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-14

Duct Sealing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TRD-15

Case Study: EcoVillage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CASE A-1

Case Study: Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CASE B-1

Case Study: Veridian Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CASE C-1

Appendix I: Homebuyer’s Checklist. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX I-1

Appendix II: Energy & Housing Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX II-1

Appendix III: Code Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX III-1

Appendix IV: Counties in the Cold 

and Very Cold Climate Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX IV-1

Appendix V: Web Site References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX V-1

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TOC-3 
Welcome

Taking action in your community 

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • INT-1 

This best practices guide is part of a series produced by Building America. The guide 

book is a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient 

homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in 

the cold and very cold climates. The savings are in comparison with the 1993 Model 

Energy Code. The guide contains chapters for every member of the builder’s team— 

from the manager to the site planner to the designers, site supervisors, the trades, and 

marketers. There is also a chapter for homeowners on how to use the book to provide 

help in selecting a new home or builder. 

• Homeowners will find how energy-efficient homes package value, comfort, economy, 

durability, and performance. This chapter is a great introduction to energy-efficient 

home technologies and provides helpful checklists of what to look for when 

home shopping. 

• Managers will learn why building energy-efficient homes makes business sense. They will 

find out how much consumers value energy efficiency and the quality that comes with it, 

and how their company can gain market advantage by building energy-efficient homes. 

• Marketers will learn about great resources for selling energy-efficient homes, including 

getting plugged into the ENERGY STAR® nationally recognized branding program. 

• Site Planners will discover the huge impact building orientation, landscaping, and shading 

can have on energy costs, plus learn tips on moisture management and pest control. 

• Designers will learn about the systems approach to home design backed up by 

building science. They will get guidance on key building components for designing 

energy-efficient homes. 

• Site Supervisors will get guidance on contract specifications, tips on scheduling and 

training, and handy checklists for quality assurance and commissioning inspections. 

• Trades will find step-by-step, easy-to-follow illustrated instructions for adding key 

energy efficiency technologies. 

The last chapter has case studies showing real-life examples of builders who are designing 

and constructing energy-efficient houses in the cold and very cold climates. 

We designed this guidebook to be taken apart, passed around, and updated. Give 

the sections of the book to the right people in your organization. Pass on pieces to 

subcontractors to help them understand your objectives. Copy it as needed. 

This first series of guides helps builders understand and implement the Building 

America process to reach 30% energy savings in space heating and cooling and water 

heating. Future guides will aim at even higher levels of efficiency based on the latest 

Building America research, giving builders the knowledge they need to build even 

more efficient and durable houses. 

The practices in this book are intended for the cold and very cold climates. Visit 

www.buildingamerica.gov for information on handbooks covering other climate regions. 
Introduction

Many builders choose to try out Building America ideas in a prototype house. After building one or a few 

prototypes they decide what features they will carry forward into their regular construction. This chart shows a 

process for working with a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating professional, an engineer, or an architect 

to build this first house and on an ongoing basis. The person offering guidance could also be a company designer 

who has become familiar with this document or has taken other Building America training. An educated staff will 

be the best means of selecting building science support. 

BUILDING SCIENTIST BUILDER ENGINEER / ARCHITECT / HERS RATER 

PHASE #1 

Decision 

PHASE #2 

Pre-Construction 

Analysis 

PHASE #3 

Construction 

PHASE #4 

Post-Construction 

Evaluation 

PHASE #5 

Marketing 

PHASE #6 

Lessons Learned 

Management decides to go 

forward with best practices 

and company submits plan 

to building scientist 

Company evaluates success 

and decides on next steps 

Management tracks 

financial benefits 

Management ensures proper 

materials are purchased 

and available 

Company creates marketing 

program to emphasize 

improvements 

Site Planners integrate lessons 

learned in selection and siting 

of future communities 

Designer evaluates changes 

in style and materials 

Designer adds new features to 

production plans 

Site Supervisors evaluate skills, 

subcontractors and code issues 

Site Supervisors train crews 

and set clear expectations 

Trades professionals implement best practices 

in their installation and construction processes 

Offers design solutions based 

on whole building analysis, 

including materials compatibility 

and durability, and system 

tradeoff modeling 

Communicates design approach 

to supervisors and crew 

Educates builders about building 

science and systems approach 

Determines impact of design 

solutions, including energy savings 

Provides test results and 

data for marketing 

Observes construction practices 

and recommends improvements 

and offers training 

Offers help with upgrading 

production plans and with solar 

and green community design 

Conducts field tests and 

inspections including blower 

door, duct pressure, and HVAC 

system tests 

*Icons correspond with chapters and company capabilities 

Building America welcomes reader feedback on this second volume of the Best Practices Series. Please submit your 

comments via e-mail to: Michael Baechler (michael.baechler@pnl.gov) or Pat Love (lovepm@ornl.gov). You can 

learn more about Building America and download additional copies of this document at www.buildingamerica.gov. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • INT-2 
Homeowners

Shopping for value, comfort, and quality 

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • HOM-1 

Comfort. Economy. Durability. Performance. Some homes force you to choose. 

Energy-efficient homes deliver it all. And as a homebuyer, you deserve, and should 

demand, the whole package. 

One way to know you have found an energy-efficient home is to look for the 

ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STAR has taken much of the guesswork out of 

buying new homes and other products. ENERGY STAR-qualified new homes are 

built to strict energy-efficiency guidelines using proven technologies and construction 

practices. Your builder also may have incorporated other building features that go 

beyond ENERGY STAR criteria for even more energy savings, and for greater 

health and comfort. 

ENERGY STAR features should be included in all houses from lower cost starters 

to high-end customs. This chapter gives you an introduction to the technology that 

makes these houses work, how much they cost, how to pay for them, and a checklist 

of what to look for in new homes. The features described here are specifically designed 

for the cold and very cold climates found in the United States. 

You’re in Good Company 

The companies that build ENERGY STAR homes are among the best and largest in 

the nation. Over 2,000 builders work with ENERGY STAR in the United States. 

And about 50% of the largest 100 builders in the nation have at least one division 

building ENERGY STAR 

qualified homes. Thousands 

of small companies also build 

ENERGY STAR homes. And 

many of these companies are 

working with Building America. 

In addition to discussing the 

minimum requirements for 

attaining ENERGY STAR, 

this packet suggests other 

techniques developed within the 

U.S. Department of Energy’s 

Building America program. 

These techniques can help you 

avoid common construction 

problems that occur in the cold 

and very cold climates. The 

recommendations in this chapter 

are based on Building America’s 

building science research on 

over 25,000 homes in 34 states 

encompassing every climate 

region in the nation. Building 

QUICK TIPS | HOMEOWNERS 

• Look for the ENERGY STAR label 

for government-endorsed proof that 

a home is energy efficient. 

• Learn why an energy-efficient home 

is usually a higher quality home all 

the way around. 

• Use the enclosed checklist to shop 

for energy-efficient homes. 

• Use the nationally recognized HERS 

rating to know just how efficient the 

homes you are considering really are. 

• Own a home you can be proud of 

—energy-efficient homes are good 

for the environment. 
Homeowners

America works with the nation’s premier building scientists to conduct research and 

share knowledge with builders to help build better homes. 

If you are looking for energy-saving features in your new home you’re in good 

company. Recent homebuyer surveys have found that energy efficiency is the top 

upgrade that homebuyers choose in new homes (Johnston 2000). And homebuyers in 

Phoenix rated energy efficiency as the number one reason related to the house itself in 

determining their satisfaction with the production builder recognized by Professional 

Builder magazine as having the top customer satisfaction in the nation (2003). This 

same builder won the J.D. Powers and Associates top ranking for customer satisfaction 

in 12 of 21 markets in the United States. The winner, Pulte Homes, is a Building 

America Partner that brands its homes using ENERGY STAR. 

How Quality Houses Perform 

You don’t want to spend the first several months in your new home fixing construction 

problems. Not long after unlocking a new home’s door for the first time comes the 

reality of keeping the house and its inhabitants happy and comfortable. You’ll save 

time, money, and personal energy when you buy a house that works from the start. 

The building materials and quality that go into an energy-efficient home help to keep 

temperatures even, the air clean, and the house dry, quiet, and draft-free. In a welldesigned home, systems are designed to work together for optimal performance. The 

checklist near the end of this chapter provides details of what to look for in quality 

home construction. Figure 1 provides an overview of features Building America 

recommends to help you avoid problems, while saving time, money, and energy. 

FIGURE 1: Cold & Very Cold Design Features 

All of these features save energy. Read the descriptions at right to see what else they do. 

Cold & Very Cold Design Features 

A. Efficient Windows: help to control 

and reduce ultraviolet light that can fade 

carpets and furniture, helping to keep 

your belongings looking like new and 

keeping window areas more comfortable 

to sit near. Window flashing protects 

against water leaks. 

B. Compact and Tightly Sealed 

Duct Runs: shorter runs and fewer air 

leaks allow air to go where it is intended, 

with fewer contaminants like humidity 

and dust from attics or crawlspaces. 

Leaky ducts are a major contributor to 

mold problems. Return air paths ensure 

balanced air pressure for less drafts and 

more balanced temperatures throughout 

the house. Put ducts in conditioned 

space, where possible. 

C. Right-Sized and High-Efficiency 

HVAC Equipment: costs less to install 

than bigger equipment, saves energy, 

and is designed to comfortably handle 

heating and cooling loads. 

D. Ventilation: exhaust fans remove 

moisture and pollutants. A controlled, 

filtered air intake ensures plenty of 

fresh air. A fresh air intake is not an 

ENERGY STAR* requirement but it is 

recommended. 

E. Sealed Combustion Appliances: 

reduce moisture buildup and ensure 

the removal of combustion gases. 

We recommend against non-vented 

combustion appliances such as nonvented fireplaces or heaters. 

F. Properly-Sized Overhangs: provide 

shade in summer, but allow sunlight in 

during winter. 

G. Insulation: holds comfortable 

temperatures in conditioned spaces and 

helps control noise. For insulation level 

recommendations visit www.ornl.gov/sci/ 

roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html 

H. Air Sealing: stops drafts, helps keep humidity and garage contaminants out of the house, 

and creates a barrierto rodents and insects. 

I. Well-Designed Moisture Barriers 

and Drainage Pathways: avoid 

expensive structural damage and help 

stop humidity, mold, and mildew. 

J. Eave: careful attention to insulation and 

air sealing helps to avoid ice dams. 

K. Building System: perhaps the best 

thing about buying a system-designed 

house is that all of the parts are designed 

to work together. This can save you 

money on the purchase price, and it also 

means a durable and comfortable system, 

one that will help avoid maintenance and 

repair costs down the road. 

* ENERGY STAR requirements are changing and an Indoor 

Air Quality option is available that includes ventilation. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • HOM-2 
MONTH

YEAR

Homeowners

An Energy-Efficient Home Will Cost You Less 

As with any upgrade, precisely how much is paid for an energy-efficiency upgrade will 

depend on many factors. Some builders make energy-efficiency features part of their 

base price. Others will sell you a specific upgrade package at a predetermined cost. 

Depending on how the builder structures his costs, the home’s size and design, and the 

prevailing cost of building materials, the additional cost of a system-designed energyefficient home may range from zero to $1,500 or more. 

But even if you pay more up front, the good news is you are likely to pay less for an 

energy-effiicient house on a monthly basis, if you consider the cost of energy. Here’s 

an example showing why: 

FIGURE 2: Monthly Cost Comparison 

Our example assumes a base price on the house of $200,000, an upgrade cost of 

TOTAL MONTHLY = $1,334

TOTAL MONTHLY = $1,303

< ENERGY BILLS >

< MORTGAGE BILLS >

STANDARD HOME ENERGY STAR® HOME

$1,159 $1,168

$175 $135

$31

$372

SAVINGS

$1,500, and a 30-year mortgage at 6% interest. We also estimate that monthly energy 

bills will be about $135 after energy savings of about $40 per month in the energyefficient home. 

Your builder, realtor, or lender should be able to help you work through the savings for 

your house based on actual features, costs, and interest rates. 

Energy-Efficient Mortgages Can Help You Get More for your Money 

Lenders recognize that owning an energy-efficient home makes financial sense and 

they have developed energy-efficient mortgages to encourage consumers to purchase 

these types of homes. The loans work by allowing consumers to borrow more than they 

would typically qualify for. 

“You don’t know the quality 

of life you can experience 

until you’re in one of these 

homes. Our quality of life has 

improved tremendously and 

we’ll realize energy cost savings 

for years to come.” 

John Russo, purchased an ENERGY 

STAR home in 2002, as quoted in the 

Boston Herald, December 6, 2002. 

According to the U.S. 

Environmental Protection 

Agency, which manages the 

ENERGY STAR program with 

the U.S. Department of Energy, 

nearly 300,000 new homes have 

now earned the ENERGY STAR 

designation, saving these 

homeowners a total of $26 million 

in energy costs every year. 

“ The homes DSCDO has built 

to Building America principles 

are not only cost effective to the 

buyer, they are also attractive 

and comfortable,” 

Michael Bier, Housing Director of 

the Detroit Shoreway Community 

Development Organization, 

referring to EcoVillage an urbaninfill project they built in Cleveland 

using Building America principles. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • HOM-3 
Homeowners

The following features for energy-efficient loans are taken from Fannie Mae, the 

nation’s largest source of funding for mortgages. You can learn more about Fannie Mae 

at www.fanniemae.com. 

• Energy-efficient mortgages (EEM) are available for both purchase and 

refinance in conjunction with most Fannie Mae first mortgage products, 

including conventional fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages. 

• Monthly savings resulting from energy efficiency can be used to qualify 

borrowers for a larger mortgage. This means consumers can buy more home 

in the form of energy efficiency or other upgrades. 

• The EEM can be used with many Fannie Mae mortgage products. The 

guidelines of the selected Fannie Mae mortgage apply, with the EEM allowing 

for the projected energy savings to provide an adjustment to the loan-to-value 

and qualifying ratios that favor the borrower. 

• To qualify, you must obtain a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) report, 

which provides a rating of the energy efficiency of the home and estimates the 

resulting cost savings using average utility rates and usage data. See What’s the 

Score? below for more information on HERS. Building America recommends 

that every home receive this type of rating and many ENERGY STAR homes 

were rated in order to qualify. 

FIGURE 3: HERS Score 

Based on 2004 International Energy Conservation Code 

* 

(*ENERGY STAR standards are under revision and are scheduled to change in 2006) 

What’s the Score? 

The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) is a nationally recognized method of 

evaluating a home’s energy performance. Rating professionals are people trained 

in preparing HERS scores and accredited by the Residential Energy Services 

Network, found on the Web at www.natresnet.org. 

HERS scores can be used to compare across houses even if the houses differ in 

design, size, or type of HVAC equipment. Even if homes are not participating in 

labeling programs like ENERGY STAR, the HERS score can be used to gauge 

energy efficiency. See the Designers section for more information on HERS. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • HOM-4 
Homeowners

Consumers using Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan insurance should 

consider FHA’s Energy Mortgage Program. This program helps borrowers to 

include energy-efficiency features in their home by stretching the size of the 

loan they may qualify for without increasing their down payment. An energyefficient mortgage is one of many FHA programs that insure mortgage loans. FHA 

encourages lenders to make mortgage credit available to borrowers who would not 

otherwise qualify for conventional loans on affordable terms (such as first-time 

homebuyers) and to residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods (where mortgages 

may be hard to get). To learn more about FHA programs visit the Web site at 

www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/energy-r.cfm. 

Some builders are working with lenders to offer special mortgage terms, such as a lower 

interest rate, to help buyers of energy-efficient homes. Ask your builder if they have any 

special programs. 

Guaranteed Energy Costs and Comfort 

Some builders go even further than doing a great job of constructing an energyefficient home. Some guarantee it. Builders who guarantee their homes are willing to 

tell buyers how much energy the home should use, and they guarantee these levels will 

not be exceeded. These guarantees are backed up with payments if limits are exceeded. 

Builders can work with insulation companies or other partners to offer guarantees or 

caps on their home’s energy costs, or they may develop their own programs. Some 

cover room comfort by guaranteeing that the temperature at the thermostat will not 

vary by more than 3 degrees at the center of any room served by that thermostat. A 

Building America team helped to develop these programs. Information on three of 

these programs can be found at: 

• Environments for Living – www.eflhome.com/index.jsp 

• Engineered for Life – www.us-gf.com/engineered.asp 

• The Energy Use and Comfort Guarantee –

www.artistichomessw.com/guarantee.htm

And There’s More – More Green for You and More Green for the Planet 

Where else can you find an investment that delivers monthly dividends, makes 

you more comfortable and your house more durable, comes with its own financing 

incentives, and may even have guaranteed energy performance? ENERGY STAR 

homes give you all this, plus they are good for the environment. Just one ENERGY 

STAR qualified new home can keep 4,500 pounds of greenhouse gases out of our 

air each year. 

Last year, thanks to programs like ENERGY STAR and other energy efficiency 

measures, Americans cut their energy bills by more than $7 billion, along with saving 

enough energy to power 15 million homes. The greenhouse gas emissions saved by 

these steps was the equivalent of taking 14 million cars off our country’s roads. Visit the 

ENERGY STAR Web site at www.energystar.gov to learn more about how ENERGY 

STAR is helping the environment. 

Building America helped 

Veridian Homes of Wisconsin 

to design a prototype home 

packed with innovative features 

and designed as a system. 

“We actually incorporated all 

those ideas into every house 

that we build. That is now our 

standard,” said Jeff Simon, 

Veridian’s executive vice 

president of operations. 

Just one ENERGY STAR 

qualified new home can keep 

4,500 pounds of greenhouse 

gases out of our air each year. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • HOM-5 
Homeowners

What to Look For 

Take the Homebuyer’s Checklist at the end of this chapter with you when you’re 

shopping for a new home. Ask your builder or salesperson to help you consider each 

item. For a more detailed checklist, go to Appendix I. You may want to ask to see 

houses under construction to see how some measures are installed. The builder or 

realtor may have models and displays to help you see other features and ask to see the 

home’s owners manual. Not all of the measures will apply to every home (for example, 

homes don’t typically have more than one kind of heating system). Check the features 

that are most important to you. We’ve left some blank spaces at the end of the checklist 

in Appendix I so you can fill in features that you want to remember to check that may 

or may not be energy related. 

If You’re Building a Custom Home 

A great advantage to building a custom home, or ordering your home before it is built, 

is that you can work with your builder or designer to get the features you want. Give 

your builder or designer this Best Practices Guide. It contains everything they need to 

design and build a durable and comfortable energy-efficient home. 

Sources & Additional Information 

• J.D. Power and Associates. J.D. Power and Associates 2004 New Home 

Customer Satisfaction Study. West Lake Village, California. 2004. 

• Johnston, David. 2000. “Buyer Green.” Professional Builder, September 2000. 

www.housingzone.com 

Web Sites Not Included with Published Documents Above 

• www.artistichomessw.com/guarantee.htm 

• www.buildingamerica.gov 

• www.buildiq.com 

• www.energystar.gov 

• www.housingzone.com/topics/pb/green/survey/buyer.asp# 

• www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/energy-r.cfm 

• www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/?appliances.html 

• www.eflhome.com/index.jsp 

• www.fanniemae.com 

• www.natresnet.org 

• www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html 

• www.us-gf.com/engineered.asp 

You can learn more 

about Building America 

and download additional 

copies of this document at 

www.buildingamerica.gov 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • HOM-6 
Homeowners

Homebuyer’s Checklist 

Use the following checklist to compare house features in different homes you visit. 

A more detailed checklist is available in Appendix I. 

MEASURE Building 

America 

Builder 

#1 

Builder 

#2 

Builder 

#3 

BUILDER SERVICES AND RATINGS 

ENERGY STAR Rated Yes 

HERS Score of 86 or greater Yes 

Energy Performance Guarantee Good Idea 

Energy Efficient Mortgage Good Idea 

Provides Owners Manual Yes 

If you can answer yes to the above questions you will have a good energy performing home. 

Note that in some states, due to more aggressive energy codes, ENERGY STAR may require 

HERS scores greater than 86. 

WINDOWS 

VENTILATION 

Controlled fresh air provided in the house Yes 

Quiet Exhaust vents in bathrooms Yes 

Quiet Exhaust (not recirculating) 

vents in the kitchen Yes 

Supply and return air vents or paths 

in bedrooms Yes 

*Solar Heat Gain Coefficient 

Windows flashed to help repel water Yes 

Windows rated 0.35 U-factor 

and 0.35 SHGC* Yes 

COMBUSTION APPLIANCES 

Combustion appliance exhausts vented 

to the outside (except ovens) Yes 

Hardwired carbon monoxide monitors 

included for every 1000 square feet of 

living space if combustion appliances 

or an attached garage are present 

Yes 

MORE TO LOOK FOR TO ENHANCE ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures Good Idea 

ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator Good Idea 

ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher Good Idea 

ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer Good Idea 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • HOM-7 
Managers

Putting building science to work for your bottom line 

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • MNG-1 

This document tells company leaders how to use proven technologies and a successful 

marketing program to gain competitive market advantage and improve your 

company’s economic and product performance. A more efficient home can mean 

a faster return on your investment 

An Invitation to Building 

Company Managers 

We invite you to use the information 

in this packet to lead your company to 

increased profits and greater customer 

satisfaction. Building America is a 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 

program that has sponsored building 

science research on 25,000 homes 

nationwide. These technologies and the 

Building America systems approach can 

set your company apart, giving you a 

considerable competitive advantage in 

how you design, build, and sell homes. 

Building America 

Building America works with the nation’s premier building scientists to conduct 

research and bring knowledge to builders to help them build better homes. This 

knowledge has been gained from private/public partnerships involving builders all 

over the country working with DOE. Many builders have adopted the program’s 

principles and improved the performance of their houses and companies. Over 250 

builders and venders have partnered with Building America, including five of the 

largest 10 builders in the nation. This best practices guide contains results from this 

research in a form that your company can immediately build into your homes to 

increase efficiency, comfort, and durability. Learn more about Building America 

at www.buildingamerica.gov. 

QUICK TIPS | MANAGERS 

• The smartest builders in the industry are working with Building America. 

• Applying the Building America process can: cut your production costs, 

reduce risks, improve your bottom line, help make you a market leader, and 

turn your customers into lead generators. 

• This document gets you and your company started. 

• ENERGY STAR® can help you market your new and improved product. 

“The value Building America has provided 

is the technical assistance and the systems 

approach to design. We could have simply 

increased the insulation or done some other 

piecemeal things to improve energy efficiency, 

because we didn’t understand how to look 

at all of the systems of a house and how they 

can impact energy usage,” 

Lisa Rotvold, Director of the not-for-profit Eastern 

Dakota Housing Alliance. The more they learned 

the better they got. Phase 1 homes, completed in 

June 2003, had an average HERS rating of 89.6. 

Phase 2 homes, completed in May 2004, had a 

HERS rating of 92.4. 
Managers

FIGURE 1: A small sampling of Building America’s 250 partners 

Building America Partner Ranking among Top 100 Builders 

Pulte Homes 2 

Centex Corp 4 

Beazer Homes USA 6 

The Ryland Group 7 

K Hovnanian 9 

Shea Homes 13 

Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company 16 

Habitat for Humanity International 17 

Source: Builder ONLINE, 2005 

The Business Case for Building Science and Energy Efficiency 

Why are all these builders working with Building America? The answer is simple – 

Working with Building America can enhance your company’s bottom line. The Building 

America process and systems approach embraces building science, component technology 

and the system approach for house design and construction. The benefits include: 

• Cost savings from making the best materials and equipment choices 

• Reduced risks, increased productivity, and fewer callbacks 

• Greater profit margins on energy efficiency and other upgrades 

• Competitive advantage in the marketplace 

• Customer satisfaction and referrals. 

More information on each of these points is presented below. But boosting the bottom 

line isn’t the only reason builders build quality, efficient homes. Builders tell us it boosts 

their pride in their craft, increases the morale of their workforce, and gives them a good 

feeling at the end of the day, knowing they’re doing their part to help the environment. 

Properly Choosing Materials and Equipment 

Building science offers many tools to help you pick out the right materials and size 

them correctly, and to help make sure you are using them to build the right product. 

Explanations and suggestions on building systems, designs, and trade-offs are in the 

Designers 

what you are currently spending. The idea is to use the materials best suited to the job 

chapter of this document. The costs of some measures can be more than 

and to size equipment accordingly. Higher prices in one area can be at least partially 

offset with savings in other areas. Costs for all building materials can vary tremendously 

in their own right, but your level of experience and design choices have a large bearing. 

For comparison, some builders find they experience no overall increase in materials 

costs to offer an energy-efficient package, but others suggest added costs of up to $1,500 

per home. In the Designers 

resulted in about $300 in added costs for the design used by a Building America partner 

chapter, we show one example of costs and savings that 

in the cold climate. Read on to find out how this investment can add to your bottom line. 

“My family and I set out to 

re-engineer our company. 

Now we have fun and we 

love what we are doing. And 

we’re producing quality homes 

that are eco-friendly and 

energy efficient.” 

Jeff Simon, Executive Vice 

President of Operations for 

Veridian Homes

“We became interested in 

teaming with Building 

America because of the severe 

weather here. We needed a way 

to make heating and cooling 

more affordable.” 

Lisa Rotvold, Director of the notfor-profit Eastern Dakota Housing 

Alliance. Many of EDHA’s home 

buyers earn less than $30,000 

per year. 

“ Construction companies 

considering Building America 

will realize that any additional 

costs in construction are minor 

and will be recouped through 

higher sale prices and quicker 

sales.” 

Michael Bier, Housing Director of 

the Detroit Shoreway Community 

Development Organization, a 

Cleveland development built with 

Building America guidance. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • MNG-2 
Managers

Reduced Risks, Increased Productivity, and Fewer Callbacks 

These benefits follow closely from selecting and properly using the right materials and 

equipment. Making a change in your process may take extra time the first few times 

you try it, but once established, the payoffs can be significant. 

One of the great values of using Building America approaches is that they were 

designed to solve construction problems, such as moisture degradation and mold 

growth, that plague builders. More than 10,000 mold cases are now pending 

nationwide, with an increase in cases of more than 300% since 1999 (Insurance 

Information Institute as reported in Wood and Clift, 2003). 

Applying building science reduces the risk of big problems and helps to eliminate the 

more mundane defects that cost money to fix. If you reduce the time your crews are 

working on callbacks, you increase the time they can be working on new product. 

From an Economic Standpoint, Everyone Wins 

As a manager, watching your profit margins is a full-time job. The structure of your 

business and emphasis you place on consistency determines how much profit you get 

from options packages. Some builders choose to incorporate energy efficiency and 

health and comfort options into their base price; others include them as options with 

a profit margin similar to other premium add-ons. Whichever approach you use, 

the experience of other builders suggest that customers place great value on energy 

efficiency and will pay to get it. 

Profit margins vary substantially from company to company. A National Association 

of Homebuilders report (1999) and Professional Builder magazine (2003) suggest a net 

profit margin of about 10% on overall house construction. This number is consistent 

with publicly traded homebuilding companies. Six companies’ annual financial reports 

to the Securities Exchange Commission over 2001 and 2002 reported net profit 

margins ranging from 4.2% to 9.6%. Gross profit margins over this same time period 

ranged from 7.4% to 19.2%. In comparison, builders report they have gained about a 

30% profit margin on efficiency upgrade packages. 

In the Homeowners chapter, we offer an example showing how energy-efficient homes 

end up costing less for consumers on a monthly basis when both the mortgage and energy 

expenses are taken into account. Consumers can either pocket these lower costs or use 

them to buy a more expensive home. Any upgrades translate into added profit. 

In short, builders can increase their profits at the same time that consumers lower 

their costs. From an economic standpoint, everybody wins. 

Customer Satisfaction and Referrals 

Customer satisfaction matters to your company’s future and energy efficiency matters 

to your customers. Pulte is a Building America Partner that brands its homes using 

ENERGY STAR. In 2004 J.D. Power and Associates, a market research firm, gave 

Pulte’s various divisions top rankings in 14 of the 25 U.S. markets it surveys, including 

Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Philadelphia, and placed it among the top 3 

companies in 23 of 25 markets including Chicago. 

“We have happier customers due 

to less call backs. And they feel 

good about it because they know 

they have an energy-efficient 

green built home.” 

Jeff Simon, Veridian’s Executive 

Vice President of Operations 

“ In the last few years, we have 

seen significant jumps in the 

utility costs for natural gas. 

Our low-income families do 

not have the money to pay the 

heating and cooling bills, so 

we needed to build houses that 

use less energy. This was our 

motivation.” 

Lisa Rotvold, Director of the 

not-for-profit Eastern Dakota 

Housing Alliance

“Building America’s technical 

assistance on building science 

helped us to reduce callbacks by 

70% in our Chicago Division. 

That’s a tremendous savings for 

our company and means our 

customers are happier with 

their homes.” 

Frank Beasley, V.P. of Building 

Science, Town and Country Homes 

“Participating with Building 

America has allowed us to 

engage prominent, national 

architects.” 

Michael Bier, the Housing Director 

of the Detroit Shoreway Community 

Development Organization (DSCDO) 

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Managers

Pulte Phoenix, which J.D. Powers ranked first in that local market, also won the 

Diamond Award from Professional Builder Magazine and NRS Corp., a market research 

company that works with the home building industry. Pulte had the top customer 

satisfaction for production builders of nearly 300 builders in the nation. 

Paul Cardis of NRS, a market research expert, notes that “customer satisfaction is 

important for many reasons, not least is that satisfied customers refer future customers 

and the conversion rate for referrals is twice that of non-referred shoppers.” 

Consumers Expect More 

Buyers want energy efficiency and 

they are willing to pay for it. A 2001 

Professional Builder Magazine survey 

found that energy efficiency is the 

number one upgrade that homebuyers 

seek in a new home. Nearly 90% of new 

homebuyers in the survey were willing 

to spend more for energy efficiency 

features (Johnston 2001). Consistent 

with this study, the National Association 

of Homebuilders (NAHB) found that 

consumers would be willing to spend 

up to $5000 more on a new home if 

it saved them $1000 on their annual 

utility bills (NAHB 2002). And Pulte’s 

customers in Phoenix rated energy efficiency as the most important product-related 

reason for referring their contractor to new buyers. 

Atlantic Design, a Building America partner, 

was recognized as a 2000 EPA Builder of the 

Year for its quality energy-efficient construction. 

Competitive Advantage in the Marketplace 

One of your key goals as a manager is to gain competitive advantage in the marketplace. 

The technologies described in this packet can give your company a technological edge. 

One easy way to tell the public about your new product is to partner with ENERGY 

STAR. ENERGY STAR is a nationally recognized branding program sponsored by 

the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Consumers trust the ENERGY STAR logo to tell them whether their product is 

energy efficient. Participating in ENERGY STAR is easy and it gives you an effective 

way to distinguish your product from your competition’s. Over 2,000 builders work 

with ENERGY STAR in the United States. And half of the 100 largest builders in the 

nation have at least one division building ENERGY STAR qualified homes. 

ENERGY STAR qualified homes are independently verified to be at least 30% more 

energy efficient in space conditioning and water heating than homes built to the 

1993 national Model Energy Code or 15% more efficient than the state energy code, 

whichever is more rigorous. These savings are consistent with the practices described in 

this best practices manual. Heating, cooling, and hot water energy use make up about 

half of a household’s total utility bills. 

The September 2003 issue of 

Professional Builder provides 

six top reasons why customers 

are willing to recommend a 

builder. Energy efficiency 

is first among the reasons 

related to product. 

“Nearly 93% 

of buyers of Pulte Homes in 

Phoenix had made at least one 

positive recommendation.” 

Professional Builder Magazine, 

September 2003, p. 67

“Our attention to energy 

efficiency is what really makes 

Pulte’s homes stand out.” 

Les Woody, Pulte Phoenix 

Director of Customer Service

“Building America helps us 

with our reputation within 

the building community. Our 

reputation on the street is that 

if you want a good quality 

home you go to Pulte.” 

Alan Kennedy, Vice President of 

Construction for Pulte Tucson 

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Managers

Take the Next Step 

This information packet is designed to give your company all the information you 

need to start using the Building America systems approach in the cold and very cold 

climates. The techniques described will help you avoid many of the problems plaguing 

all builders in the cold and very cold climates. 

chapter will give 

you the technical information you need to build your business. Find more information 

on ENERGY STAR in the Marketers 

Make sure your team reviews the sections prepared for each of your company’s capability 

areas: marketing, site planning, design, building site supervision, and the trades. This 

information will help your company compete in an increasingly complex and risky 

market. Following the design practices discussed in the Designers chapter and 

the inspection and testing procedures outlined in the Site Supervisors 

chapter and on the Web at www.energystar.gov. 

Case Studies 

Take a look at the case studies at the end of the book. All offer examples of how 

builders achieve energy efficiency in the cold and very cold climates. 

Sources & Additional Information 

• Builder Magazine. Healthier Profits Special Advertising Section. November 2003 

• Builder ONLINE, 2005. Builder 100 Listing. www.builderonline.com 

• California Energy Commission has a series of brief online videos that describe 

why energy efficient building makes business sense. You can find and play the 

videos at www.energyvideos.com; click on “Beyond the Codes”. 

• J.D. Power and Associates. J.D. Power and Associates 2003 New Home 

Customer Satisfaction Study. West Lake Village, California. 2003.

• Johnston, David. 2000. “Buyer Green.” Professional Builder, September 2000. 

www.housingzone.com 

• National Association of Home Builders. The Truth About Regulatory Barriers. 

Washington, D.C. 1999. 

• National Association of Home Builders. 2002. What 21st Century Home Buyers 

Want. NAHB, Washington, D.C. 

• Professional Builder. “Where are the Giants Headed? Industry Consolidation 

is Changing the Way Even the Smallest Production Builders Do Business, but 

How Far it Will Go is Still Open to Debate.” April 2003. www.housingzone.com 

• Professional Builder. “Customer Service Standard Setters.” September 2003. 

www.housingzone.com 

• Wood, C., and L. Clift. “Seven Wonders of the Construction World.” 

ProSales. October 2003, pp. 28-44. 

“We stressed that we wanted 

practical solutions. They 

[Building America] ran 

estimates to determine the 

financial payback of the energy 

efficiency measures we were 

considering. These estimates 

proved to be invaluable 

[for choosing cost-effective 

measures].” 

Lisa Rotvold, Director of the 

not-for-profit Eastern Dakota 

Housing Alliance. 

You can learn more 

about Building America 

and download additional 

copies of this document at 

www.buildingamerica.gov 

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Marketers

Energy Efficiency Delivers the Value that Customers Demand 

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

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By selling homes you bind your company to its customers. Your work enables the 

company to capitalize on the benefits of its investments, including those made 

in energy efficiency. And you are the ones who help homeowners understand the 

quality, value, and economy represented by your product. 

ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes: Telling Your Story 

An easy way to sell energy-efficient homes is to become an ENERGY STAR® partner. 

Even if you build or sell great houses, if they aren’t ENERGY STAR qualified, it’s 

hard for your customers to know how much efficiency they are getting. ENERGY 

STAR helps you to tell your story. The ENERGY STAR logo makes it easy to tell 

consumers you are selling a superior product. And the ENERGY STAR program 

offers much in the way of advice and examples of how to use the logo. Differentiate 

yourself by offering a home that is certified to be more efficient—and better for the 

environment—than standard models. 

To find out more about marketing with the 

ENERGY STAR logo visit the program’s 

Web site at www.energystar.gov. You’ll find 

information about before-sales marketing, 

point-of-sale techniques, and building 

ongoing relationships with your customers. 

Much of the information comes from 

successful techniques used to sell ENERGY 

STAR homes across the nation. Tools on 

the Web site will help you instantly craft 

your message and prepare sales materials. 

ENERGY STAR offers a marketing platform 

that home builders can use to recognize that 

you offer truly energy efficient homes. 

QUICK TIPS | MARKETERS 

• Energy efficiency, and the quality that comes with it, gives you a 

competitive advantage. 

• ENERGY STAR can help you capitalize on your competitive advantage, 

produce marketing materials, and connect with buyers. 

• Your customers see energy efficiency as a sign of value. 

• Some of the biggest builders in the country have learned that energy 

efficiency can turn existing customers into new sales leads through 

customer satisfaction. 

• Learn how industry leaders sell new energy-efficient homes. 
Marketers

Increase Customer Satisfaction and Let Your Customers Sell Your Product 

Wouldn’t it be great if, for every home you sold, you could add a new sales associate 

to your staff to sell even more? 

That’s what energy efficiency can do for you. Happy customers will sell your products 

for you. And energy-efficient homes make happy customers. Compared to standard 

homes, energy-efficient homes cost less to own, are more comfortable to live in, and 

require less maintenance. 

The builder with the top customer satisfaction rating in the nation in 2003, Pulte 

Homes of Phoenix, is a Building America partner offering ENERGY STAR qualified 

homes. Pulte’s Phoenix division has had one or more positive referrals from 93% of its 

homebuyers. The conversion rate for shoppers referred in this way is twice that of 

non-referred shoppers. Homeowners talk, and word of mouth is a powerful selling 

tool. Some experts, in fact, say word-of-mouth is the most effective selling tool because 

Shoppers love to peer into the attic through this 

viewing window in a Building America model house 

by Cambridge Homes. Shoppers can see the special 

insulation, and the thermometer tells them how cool 

the attic stays. 

it carries with it the credibility of a 

trusted third party, such as a friend 

or relative. Add to that the fact that 

many potential buyers are skeptical 

of traditional advertising, and it’s 

no surprise that 10% to 30%, and 

sometimes more, of builders’ sales 

come from referrals (Farnsworth 

2003). The best way to sell homes is 

to let your customers do it for you. 

See the Managers chapter for 

information on the great customer 

satisfaction ratings received by 

builders selling ENERGY 

STAR homes. 

Sell the Value that Home Buyers Expect 

Market research shows: 

• Energy efficiency is the number one upgrade sought by homebuyers 

of new homes (Professional Builder Magazine 2001)

• Nearly 90% of new homebuyers are willing to spend more for 

energy efficiency (Johnston 2000 and NAHB 2002)

• Buyers rate energy efficiency as a home builder’s most important 

product-related reason for referring new customers (Professional 

Builder Magazine 2003).

How Industry Leaders Sell Energy-Efficient Homes 

The NAHB Research Center sponsors an annual award competition called the 

Energy Value Housing Award. The Center has compiled the winning builder’s 

“If you don’t tell your story, 

you give it away!” 

Vern McKown, President,

Ideal Homes

“ The demand for energyefficient housing is growing. 

To meet today’s market 

demand, DSCDO plans 

to incorporate Building 

America principles in all 

of the homes it develops.” 

Michael Bier, Housing Director of 

the Detroit Shoreway Community 

Development Organization, 

referring to EcoVillage an urbaninfill project they built in Cleveland 

using Building America principles. 

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Marketers

marketing techniques into a document that can be purchased on the Web at 

www.nahbrc.org/tertiaryR.asp?CategoryID=1705&DocumentID=3404 (Sikora 2002). 

Here are some of the best practices recommended by the NAHB Research Center and 

other sources: 

• Educate customers and sales professionals. Show buyers how living in 

an energy-efficient home will benefit them with lower household costs. 

The ENERGY STAR Web site has an example as does the Homeowners 

chapter. Vital to customer education is an informed sales staff and team of 

local sales professionals. 

• Walk-throughs and model homes can be invaluable educational tools for 

both buyers and sales staff. Model homes with display cutaways of energy 

features such as insulated attics and wall sections help them understand the 

energy-efficient construction process. Use labels, flags, and banners to create 

a fun self-explanatory message to give buyers a focus while they drive or 

walk the development. Recent research suggests just how important model 

home, models of house features, and other educational tools are to shoppers 

(Farnsworth 2003). 

• Training sessions can be an effective tool for educating sales staff and 

professionals. Use slides, sample products, and energy bills as aids. 

• One way to educate consumers is to emphasize an energy-efficiency upgrade 

when signing the final papers. One builder has a wall of testimonials, photos, 

and utility billing history in his waiting room. All prospects are given an 

opportunity to view this “wall of fame” before the final sale is made. Another 

builder has the buyer meet with the building site supervisor after the sale is 

made. This person gives them one more chance to sign up noting, from a 

builders’ perspective, what a better house they will get (Rashkin 2002). 

• Publications are an educational tool that customers and sales professionals can 

take home. Develop your own brochures or books or give away reprints of 

magazine articles, ENERGY STAR brochures, or Building America brochures. 

Don’t overlook vendors and trade associations. They can provide excellent 

materials, often at no charge. For example, excellent information on window 

performance is available at the Efficient 

Windows Collaborative Web site at 

www.efficientwindows.org/index.cfm. 

Also, give potential buyers a checklist 

so they can compare the energy saving 

measures in your homes with those of 

other builders. A sample is included 

in the Homeowners chapter. 

• Advertising can be used to explain the energy-efficiency advantages and 

distinguish builders from their competition. The ENERGY STAR Web site 

has useful information for designing advertising. 

• The Internet and compact disk formats are another forum for presenting all 

of your education and advertising messages. Some marketers suggest that all 

builders should have a Web site, even if it is simple and offers only limited 

information. CDs with brochures or slide shows can be given to potential 

buyers to take home and replay your message. 

“Our Building America homes 

are selling as soon as we can 

build them. In fact, we have 

purchase agreements for most 

before we finish them.” 

Lisa Rotvold, Director of the 

not-for-profit Eastern Dakota 

Housing Alliance 

“This [building to Building 

America principles] was a way 

for us to not only give back 

to our community but to give 

back to our environment. 

There were not a lot of builders 

at the time who were building 

their homes green built or 

ENERGY STAR; when we 

jumped on board, it was a 

way for us to raise the bar 

and take that next step.” 

Jeff Simon, Veridian’s Executive 

Vice President of Operations

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Marketers

• Seek out free publicity. Nothing is more cost effective than sending a news 

release to local media to announce business news and other company activities. 

News releases can cover your company’s involvement in educational activities, 

for example, teaching school children about energy efficiency or other 

charitable actions. 

• Offer energy-efficiency guarantees. Energy performance guarantees can 

help convince buyers that energy savings are real. Partnerships with outside 

companies can help to establish guarantees. For example, some insulation 

manufacturers offer home inspections, tests, and cost guarantees. 

• Make buyers aware of energy-efficient mortgages. 

• Take advantage of the testing data available on your homes. If your company 

follows the best practices in this guide, you will have blower door and duct 

tightness test data and a HERS score to share with buyers. Use these data to 

inform your customers and differentiate your houses. If you can not provide 

testing, make it available as an option for homebuyer’s purchase. 

Participate in ENERGY STAR and other partnerships. ENERGY STAR and Building 

America can provide technical guidance through publications and their Web sites. 

Partnering with ENERGY STAR cements your company’s commitment to energy 

efficiency and gives you access to the ENERGY STAR brand. 

Sources and Additional Information 

• Farnsworth, Christina. 2003. “The Weakest Link.” Builder Magazine, 

December 2003. www.builderonline.com/article-builder.asp?channelid=55&ar 

ticleid=375&qu=consumer+survey 

• Johnston, David. 2000. “Buyer Green.” Professional Builder, September 2000. 

www.housingzone.com 

• National Association of Home Builders. 2002. What 21st Century Home Buyers 

Want. NAHB, Washington, D.C. 

• Rashkin, Sam. 2002. “Surprise! Energy Efficiency Sells without Rebates: 

Results of Mainstream Builders Selling ENERGY STAR Labeled Homes” 

Proceedings of the 2002 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, 

Washington D.C. 

• Sikora, Jeannie. 2002. Energy Value Housing Award Guide: How to Build and 

Profit with Energy Efficiency in New Home Construction. National Association 

of Home Builders Research Center, Upper Marlboro, MD. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • MKT-4 
Site Planners 

Properly situated homes pay big dividends 

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • PLN-1 

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) estimates that 1.6 million new 

homes will be built each year over the next decade (NAHB 2002a). How these new 

developments are designed will have a major impact on energy use, the environment, 

and customer satisfaction. 

Developers and site planners can set the stage for efficient communities and can 

direct builders to protect a community’s value through quality building practices. 

The sun is the main source of heat in all homes. By looking at how houses receive 

sunlight, site planners can help optimize how much solar energy is available to heat 

a house, and minimize the heat that must be removed with air conditioning. 

In the cold and very cold climates, planners should do all they can to orient buildings 

to use the sun for daylighting and solar gain. Site planners have two important tools 

to help manage solar gain: lot orientation and shade trees. 

Lot Orientation 

As planners map out lots and roads, the relationship between buildings and the sun 

should be key. Just as you lay out roads to allow houses to take advantage of great 

views, or to work around hillsides and other landscape features, also consider how 

road design, lot lines, and orientation will influence the way that houses face the sun. 

Lot lines and roads should be situated to minimize home exposure to east and west. 

Plan your subdivision so that the longer sides of the houses will face north or south. 

Streets should be positioned in an east-west direction. Proper orientation can result in 

substantial savings of heating and cooling costs, depending on specific site conditions 

and house designs. With proper planning, there may be no added costs to the builder 

for good orientation. 

Lot orientation is especially important if solar heating or electric generation systems 

are planned. Inexpensive tools can help assess how much solar energy will be blocked 

by obstacles on a particular site. Low-cost tools for solar assessments are described in 

the Designers chapter in the section about windows. 

Lot orientation 

provides access 

to the sun, but 

window selection 

and shading are 

the controls that 

manage solar gain. 

A small solar heat 

gain coefficient 

(SHGC) limits 

the entry of solar 

energy. 

QUICK TIPS | SITE PLANNERS 

• North-facing windows should be minimized. 

• Deciduous trees are preferred for winter solar gains. 

• Take advantage of prevailing breezes from lakes, 

the ocean, or other geographical features. 

• Properly grade your development to take water 

away from structures. 

• Use sustainable site and landscaping practices. 
N

OR

S

Site Planners

FIGURE 1: Plan subdivision lot lines and roads for predominantly north and south 

orientation – minimize north-facing windows and place houses within lots to take 

advantage of solar access. 

N 

Typical Subdivision 

N 

Maximize southfacing windows 

Subdivision with Predominantly 

North- and South-Facing Sites 

Adapted from Viera et al. 1992. p.3-5 

In addition to helping manage the sun and providing a marketing advantage, proper 

street design can reduce the environmental impacts of runoff, encourage walking and 

bicycling, and discourage speeding by through-traffic. 

Subdivision planning can also help to gain cooling benefits from breezes. Houses and 

other buildings that are tightly packed may create a wake in the wind that is four to five 

times the buildings’ eave height. 

Curved streets and staggered lots can assist in preventing wind disturbance. Trees 

can help to keep breezes cool as described in the next section. Taking advantage of 

breezes will reduce cooling costs. Wind conditions at any individual site may differ 

considerably from regional averages. Local geography such as ocean beaches, lakes, 

fields, golf courses, parks, and malls can influence local breezes. 

FIGURE 2: Wind wake of a typical house 

8' Source: Viera et al. 1992. p.3-7

Wind Wake of a Typical House

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Site Planners 

Shade Trees 

Tree preservation brings many benefits, one of which is increased salability. Native trees 

are most beneficial to the environment. The NAHB reports in its survey of buyers, 

What 21st Century Homes Buyers Want, that over 80% of respondents in the West 

rated trees as essential or desirable (2002b, page 61). The Minnesota Department of 

Commerce suggests that strategically placed shade trees could reduce air conditioning 

bills by up to 25% and a windbreak could reduce annual fuel bills by 10-20% (MDOC, 

undated available at www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Energy_Saving_Landscapes_ 

110802040030_Landscaping05-03.pdf). American Forests and the NAHB (1995) found 

that mature trees may add from $3,000 to $15,000 to the value of a residential lot. 

Trees also bring value by providing shade. It is far better to prevent solar energy 

from reaching a house in summer than to attempt to manage it once it enters. Shade 

trees block summer sunlight before it strikes windows, walls, and roofs, dissipating 

absorbed heat to the air where it can be carried away by the breeze. If photovoltaic or 

water heating systems will be added, trees must be placed not to shade these systems. 

Deciduous trees work best for letting the sun shine through in winter but providing 

shade in summer. 

Truly cool neighborhoods have trees. A study in Florida has shown that a subdivision 

with mature trees had cooler outside air with less wind velocity than a nearby 

development without trees (Viera et al. 2000). The development with a tree canopy had 

peak afternoon temperatures during July that were 1.1oF to 3.1oF ( ± 0.7oF) cooler than 

the site without trees. The total effect of shading, lower summer air temperature, and 

reduced wind speed can reduce cooling costs by 5% to 10% (McPherson et al. 1994). 

Trees are most effective when located to cast shade on the roof, windows, walls, and 

air conditioners, and when located on the side of the home receiving the most solar 

exposure. Shade to the southwest and west is especially important for blocking peak 

solar gain in the summer in late afternoon. Depending on the species, trees more than 

35 feet from the structure are probably too far away for shade. Plants too close to air 

conditioners or heat pumps can plug coils. 

N

Deciduous 

Trees 

Shrub Shading of 

Lower Wall 

Windbreak Shrubs 

FIGURE 3: Configuration of shade trees 

Source: Viera et al. 1992. p.3-8 

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Site Planners 

Xeriscaping 

However, trees will not work everywhere. In the low-water environments of the 

western plains, lots should be landscaped to take advantage of plants that use less water 

than traditional turf-dominated approaches. Many communities have been faced with 

increased demands on existing water supplies. Consequently, there is a greater focus 

on water conservation, not just in times of drought, but in anticipation of future 

population growth. Water can no longer be considered a limitless resource. Conserving 

water through creative landscaping has engendered the new term, xeriscape. The term 

is taken from the Greek xeros, meaning dry, in combination with landscape. 

The goal of a xeriscape is to create a visually attractive landscape that uses plants 

selected for their water efficiency. Properly maintained, a xeriscape can easily use less 

than one-half the water of a traditional landscape. Once established, a xeriscape should 

require less maintenance than turf landscape. 

By grouping plants with similar water needs together in specific zones, a xeriscape landscape 

can use water more efficiently. Low-water-use plants should be grouped together, away 

from high-water-use plants and turf. Take advantage of warm or cool microclimates (the 

actual climatic conditions around your property which can be influenced by the placement 

of walls and shade trees) to create areas of interest and diversity. 

A well-planned and well-maintained irrigation system can significantly reduce a 

traditional landscape’s water use. For the most efficient use of water, irrigate turf areas 

separately from other plantings. Other irrigation zones should be designed so low-wateruse plants receive only the water they require. Proper irrigation choices can also save 

water. Turf lawns are best watered by sprinklers. Trees, shrubs, flowers, and groundcovers 

can be watered efficiently with low-volume drip emitters, sprayers, and bubblers. 

The information presented here was adapted from the City of Albuquerque’s Web site 

at www.cabq.gov/waterconservation/xeric.html. Many jurisdictions in dry landscapes 

have information, including potential rebates and other incentives. A Colorado Web 

site is available at http://xeriscape.org. 

In areas where water is not in short supply, emphasis is placed on using native species. Native 

species fit local environments and tend to be more resistent to pests. See the Minnesota 

Sustainable Design Guide at www.sustainabledesignguide.umn.edu/MSDG/site.html 

Other Steps 

In addition to orientation and the use of trees, many other steps can be taken during 

site planning to make developments user and earth friendly. 

Site Grading 

Proper site grading directs surface water away from building foundations and walls. 

The steeper the slope away from the building, the better the water will drain. Slabs and 

crawlspaces should always be above the surrounding grade. Basement floors should be 

higher than the surrounding drainage system. Driveways, garage slabs, patios, stoops, 

and walkways should all drain away from the structure. See EEBA’s Water Management 

Guide (Lstiburek 2003) for more information. Additional information on moisture 

management is also available in the Designers chapter. 

Example of xeriscaping showing 

that low-water, low-maintenance 

plantings can be a practical and 

attractive option. 

(Photo by Warren Gretz) 

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Site Planners 

FIGURE 4: Drain all water away from the structure 

Drain Building

Drain Wall

Drain Roof

Drain Site

Drain Ground Drain Ground

Drain Site

Drain Materials

Drain Components

Drain Openings

Source: Lstiburek, J.W. 2003. p.4 

Sustainable Development 

Builders who choose to advertise their “green” designs have found that buyers are 

willing to pay for environmental features. 

Features that help to conserve the natural environment can include: 

• Orienting lots to best manage energy and light from the sun. 

• Land planning that preserves the natural environment and 

minimizes land disturbance.

• Site design that minimizes erosion, paved surfaces, and runoff. 

• Preserving and protecting trees and natural vegetation. 

• Conserving water indoors and out. 

• Designing energy efficiency into houses. 

• Selecting materials that are durable and recyclable, or created from recycled 

products, and considering the energy that goes into making products. 

• Recycling construction materials and reducing on-site waste. 

Good places to start on sustainable development are found in the New Home Construction 

Green Building Guidelines by Alameda County, CA (Alemeda County 2003), Rocky 

Mountain Institute’s Green Development: Integrating Ecology and Real Estate (Wilson, et. 

al. 1998), the NAHB’s Building Greener: Building Better: The Quiet Revolution (NAHB 

2002c), the Sustainable Building Council’s Green Building Guidelines (SBIC 2003), 

www.lid-stormwater.net, a U.S. EPA-sponsored Web site with tools for watershed 

management, and DOE’s Smart Communities Network at www.sustainable.doe.gov. 

“What we tell buyers is that 

we sell value...it’s about high 

standards in every aspect of 

home building...The whole 

idea is to get builders all over 

the country more concerned 

about building this way—it’s 

about energy efficiency, indoor 

air quality, waste recycling, 

water recycling, better 

planning—it all leads to 

better development.” 

GW Robinson, 

President of GW Robinson 

G.W. Robinson pipes recycled 

irrigation water to cut water 

use and costs to homeowners at 

the Cobblefield development in 

Gainesville, Florida. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • PLN-5 
Site Planners 

Sources and Additional Information 

• Alameda County Waste Management Authority & Source Reduction and 

Recycling Board. 2003. New Home Construction Green Building Guidelines. 

San Leandro, CA. www.stopwaste.org 

• American Forests and the National Association of Homebuilders. 1995. 

Building Greener Neighborhoods: Trees as Part of the Plan. NAHB, 

Washington, D.C. 

• Lstiburek, J.W. 2002. Water Management Guide. Energy and Environmental 

Building Association, Minneapolis, Minnesota. www.eeba.org 

• McPherson, G.E., D.J. Nowak, and R.A. Rowntree (eds). 1994. Chicago’s 

Urban Forest Ecosystem: Results of the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research 

Station, www.f.fed.us/ne/newtown_square/publications/ 

technical_reports/pdfs/scanned/gtr186a.pdf 

• National Association of Homebuilders. 2002.a Builder’s Guide to the APA’s 

Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook. NAHB, Washington, D.C. 

• National Association of Home Builders. 2002b. What 21st Century Home 

Buyers Want: A Survey of Customer Preferences. NAHB, Washington, D.C. 

www.BuilderBooks.com 

• National Association of Homebuilders. 2002c. Building Greener: Building 

Better: The Quiet Revolution. NAHB, Washington, D.C. 

• Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC). 2003. Green Building 

Guidelines: Meeting the Demand for Low-Energy, Resource-Efficient Homes. U.S. 

DOE. Washington, D.C. document available at www.SBICouncil.org. 

• Sonne, J.K. and R.K. Viera, 2000. “Cool Neighborhoods: The Measurement 

of Small Scale Heat Islands.” Proceedings of the 2000 Summer Study on Energy 

Efficiency in Buildings, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 

Washington, DC. www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/pubs/pf363/index.htm 

• Viera, R.K., K.G. Sheinkopf, and J.K. Sonne. 1992. Energy-Efficient Florida 

Home Building, third printing. Florida Solar Energy Center, FSEC-GP-33-88, 

Cocoa Beach, Florida. 

• Wilson, Alex, Jenifer L. Seal, Lisa A. McManigal, L. Hunter Lovins, Maureen 

Cureton, William D. Browning. 1998. Green Development: Integrating 

Ecology and Real Estate. Rocky Mountain Institute, Old Snow Mass, CO. 

www.rmi.org/sitepages/pid220.php 

Web Sites Not Included with Published Documents Above 

• www.xeriscape.org 

• www.lid-stormwater.net 

• www.sustainable.doe.gov 

• www.sustainabledesignguide.umn.edu/MSDG/site.html 

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Designers

Well-crafted designs capture benefits 

for builders, buyers, and business 

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

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Even good builders can have bad results if they are working toward the wrong product. 

Designers have the job of giving builders the opportunity to do the right thing well. 

Building Science and the Systems Approach 

Perhaps the most important step in designing any form or function is recognizing 

that the design is for the entire product. No one piece can be changed without 

affecting all related pieces. This simple proposition applies to all systems and allows 

for all kinds of trade-offs. In cars, without any loss in performance, lightweight 

frames may be translated into smaller brakes, a smaller engine, and smaller tires. 

Or, that same change may be used to produce more speed. 

In houses, this systems approach recognizes the interaction of windows, attics, 

foundations, mechanical equipment, and all other components and assemblies. 

Changes in one or a few components can dramatically change how other components 

perform. Recognizing and taking advantage of this fact, and applying appropriate 

advances in technology to components, can result in cost and performance payoffs, 

both for the builder and buyer of new homes. 

Building America has embraced the systems approach and combined it with 

the technology development and testing that make up building science. As with 

other scientific disciplines, building science provides an intelligent approach to 

understanding complex systems and diagnosing problems. Over time, knowledge, 

tools, and tests are developed that make the science and the product more efficient 

and more powerful. You can learn more about the U.S. Department of Energy’s 

(DOE) Building America program at www.buildingamerica.gov. (Adapted from 

Florida Solar Energy Center Web site www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/science/basics/index.htm) 

QUICK TIPS | DESIGNERS 

• Building America brings you the results of research, real-world experience, and 

dialogue with builders from over 25,000 homes nationwide (as of early 2004). 

• System design and building science offer you tools and techniques to 

improve housing performance without sacrificing style and appeal, avoid 

problems plaguing new homes, find cost savings to help your company’s 

bottom line, and give consumers satisfaction in their investment. 

• Seek the help of a home energy rating professional or engineer to avoid reinventing 

many of the solutions that have already been found and optimize your designs. 

• Review the many technologies discussed in this chapter for help in selecting 

the applications right for you. 

“If you do the wrong things with good materials and good workmanship, it is still 

wrong. You must do the right thing with good materials and good workmanship.” 

Joseph Lstiburek, Building Science Corporation 
Designers

Four steps can help to manage risks and take advantage of system trade-offs. 

1) Give builders the right target. Recognize you are designing a complete product— 

a system—and ensure the product is right for the cold and very cold climates. 

2) Take care of the basics. The basics are proven, cost-effective technologies that 

include good windows, insulation, moisture management, and ventilation. Make sure 

the house has adequate overhangs for shade and rain deflection. Guidelines for many 

of the basics are included later in this chapter. 

3) Take only what you need. Size heating and cooling equipment, ducts, and fans to 

match the load. If equipment sizing is normally done by a subcontractor, ensure the sub 

uses the procedures listed in this document to properly size equipment. Proper sizing of 

heating and cooling equipment is a huge opportunity to save money and increase profit. 

4) Put everything in its place. Be sure there is a place for everything the house requires 

and show it on your plans. Do not leave it to chance where ducts will be placed or 

even where plumbing will run. If there are places that should not be tampered with, 

for example a duct chase, make it clear the space is off limits to plumbers, electricians, 

and others who need to create routes through buildings. 

Building Science and the Systems Approach: Prevents Problem 

Moisture, mold, and material degradation are examples of problems that building science can 

help solve. High temperatures create a need for cooling. High humidity adds to discomfort and 

is a source of moisture. Humid air and a cold surface result in condensation that can add up to 

discomfort, material failure, and high repair costs. 

Leaky ducts located in attics or crawlspaces create air pressure differences that can draw in humid 

air through cracks and holes and deliver it into the house. Humid air inside a cool space encourages 

the occupant to turn down the thermostat for more cooling. This cycle can result in moisture 

forming as condensation on or in ducts, walls, and other assemblies. Accumulated moisture 

supports mold growth and leads to rotting, warping, and staining. 

The result is that a small problem in one assembly (leaky ducts) that is inexpensive to fix during 

installation, can lead to big problems in framing, interior finish, and human health. Moisture 

problems may have causes other than leaky ducts, but many unintended problems can be avoided 

in a similar fashion. 

Building Science and the Systems Approach: Reaps Rewards 

There is more than avoiding problems to encourage you to use a systems approach. For example, 

trade-offs from installing energy-saving measures can help save construction costs for heating 

and cooling equipment. If good windows, adequate insulation, and efficient heating and cooling 

equipment are installed, the heating and cooling equipment capacity can also be smaller than 

typically used and shorter duct runs are possible. All of this can add up to reduced costs in heating 

and cooling equipment that offset the cost of the other measures. Using trade-offs to improve 

economics, durability, and comfort is essential to successful business and design. 

The challenge to designers is to carefully select new technologies, consider their cost 

and rewards for your overall system, and use the changes that make sense. Building 

America has taken this systems approach to designing energy-efficient houses. This 

document presents you with information that will give you a straight-forward approach 

to designing houses that qualify for ENERGY STAR®. Design information is provided 

for a variety of measures and components in the remainder of this section. Put in the 

recommended measures and your houses should qualify. You may also qualify using 

other trade-offs. Suggestions from Building America’s experience are also included that 

will improve the health and comfort of your homes. 

“Understand the theory of your 

construction...then be sure 

to question your engineer (or 

subcontractor) as to whether 

it’s all really necessary. If 

you don’t get a straight, 

understandable answer, find 

an engineer who will give you 

one. Remember, it doesn’t cost 

the engineer a penny to overdesign. But ultimately someone 

foots the bill.” 

Tim Garrison, CEO of ConstructionCalc, made an important point 

about the cost of overdesigning 

structural components. He is 

quoted here because his point is 

equally valid for HVAC and other 

equipment (adapted from Nation’s 

Building News Online, 27 April 

2004, www.nbnnews.com). 

You can learn more 

about Building America 

and download additional 

copies of this document at 

www.buildingamerica.gov 

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Designers

The Cost of Doing Business 

The cost of building homes is different for every builder. Technique, experience, 

subcontractors, suppliers, and the size of purchases can all make a difference in how 

much a home costs to build. Even a builder’s accounting methods can influence 

how costs are reported. These variables all apply to energy-efficiency measures and 

contribute to the difficulty of providing cost estimates that apply to more than a 

limited example over a short period of time. 

In addition to variability, other considerations apply to costs. First, the cost of higher 

quality housing represents an added value and holds the potential of a higher profit. 

Second, a tremendous benefit of the systems approach described above is that the costs 

of energy-efficient measures can often be offset by savings in other areas. And finally, 

buyers can recover any additional costs through reduced utility bills, increased resale 

value, and for some, better mortgage terms. 

FIGURE 1: Cost Comparisons of Energy Efficient Measures to Conventional Practice 

in the Cold and Very Cold Climates 

COST COMPARISON TO CONVENTIONAL MEASURES 

Less Cost Conventional More Cost 

Advanced Framing 

COLD & VERY COLD CLIMATES 

Insulating Sheathing 

-$250 SAVINGS • 2x6s @ 24" o.c. instead of 2x4s @ 16" o.c. 

• (R-5) in place of OSB and Housewrap +$100 ADDED COST

High-Performance Windows 

+$300 ADDED COST 

Savings on Duct System 

-$300 SAVINGS 

Air Conditioner System 

-$500 SAVINGS • 1-ton reduction 

Air Flow Retarder System 

+$200 ADDED COST 

No Poly Vapor Barrier 

-$100 SAVINGS 

Controlled Ventilation System 

+$150 ADDED COST 

Basement Insulation 

+$600 ADDED COST 

Direct Vent Gas Water Heater 

+$150 ADDED COST 

COST DIFFERENCE +$350 ADDED COST 

Source: Edminster, Pettit, Ueno, Menegus, and Baczek 2000.

Some builders say that meeting 

ENERGY STAR qualifications 

does not increase their costs. 

However, they must focus on 

higher quality installations. 

Other builders suggest additional costs up to $1,500 to 

the consumer, but it’s unclear 

if these values apply beyond 

their experience. The chart at 

left shows an estimate of costs 

made in the year 2000 for homes 

built in the cold and very cold 

climates using a design with 

calculated savings of 50% for 

heating and 30% for cooling. 

The example is intended to 

show how costs and savings 

trade off, rather than to provide 

estimates of dollar savings. 

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Designers

HERS Ratings and Qualifying for ENERGY STAR 

Best Practice: Building America recommends working with a Home Energy Rating 

System (HERS) professional, architect, or engineer early in the design process to help 

select and size materials and equipment. The building scientists can be especially 

helpful in right sizing heating and cooling equipment. By forming a relationship with 

a rater who later will inspect the construction site, designers can get valuable feedback 

about what works and what house features require more detailed information for the 

site supervisor and the trades. Find out more about HERS raters at www.natresnet.org. 

The best use of a HERS rater involves working with your rater in creating your design. 

When following this path, the rater analyses your construction plans, in addition to 

at least one on-site inspection and test of the home. The plan review allows the home 

energy rater to view technical information such as orientation (if known), shading area, 

proposed equipment ratings, and insulation levels. The on-site test involves blower 

door testing. Results of these tests, along with inputs derived from the plan review, 

are entered into a computer simulation program to generate the HERS score and the 

home’s estimated annual energy costs, based on heating, cooling, and hot water heating 

requirements. Building America also recommends testing ducts for air leaks. 

A HERS rating is an evaluation of the energy efficiency of a home, compared to a 

computer-simulated reference house (of the identical size and shape as the rated home) 

that meets minimum requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code 

(IECC). More information on the code can be found at www.energycodes.gov. The 

HERS rating results in a score between 0 and 100, with the reference home assigned a 

score of 80. From the 80-point level, each 1 point increase in the HERS score results 

in a 5 percent reduction in heating, cooling, and hot water energy usage (compared to 

the reference house). An ENERGY STAR qualified new home, which is required to 

be 30% more efficient, must attain a HERS score of at least 86. However, ENERGY 

STAR criteria are currently under revision. 

Your HERS rater can be a tremendous resource in the design phase. Raters who are 

trained in building science may help to solve construction problems. One important 

job your rater can help with is to work with the mechanical contractor to correctly 

size heating/cooling equipment, perform room-by-room calculations to determine the 

supply air needed for each room, and work with the mechanical contractor on duct 

sizes and lay out. This is likely to eliminate callbacks due to comfort complaints and 

can save substantial money by right-sizing the heating and cooling equipment. During 

the design stage, the rater can suggest alternatives to attain desired performance levels in 

the areas of energy, comfort, durability, and health. 

Selecting a HERS rater is much like selecting any other professional services provider, 

such as an architect, accountant, or engineer. Be sure you are comfortable with the 

rater’s communication skills, experience, training, and references before making 

a selection. 

Best Practice: Building America recommends that every house receive a site inspection 

and diagnostic tests from a HERS rating professional. The information gained from 

these tests can help to isolate specific problem areas that can be solved with further 

training, more explicit details, better building materials, or other production changes. 

HERS RATER 

Building America recommends 

working with a HERS rater or 

building scientist early in the 

design process. 

“We are building a much higher 

performing home today than 

we were building three years 

ago based on what we learned 

from the first Huntington 

plan. You can see it in the 

HERS ratings we receive 

on our homes...it continues 

to improve every day,” Jeff 

Simon, executive vice president 

of operations for Veridian 

Homes.” 

Jeff Simon, Executive Vice 

President of Operations for 

Veridian Homes

SITE INSPECTION 

Building America recommends that 

every house receive site inspections 

and diagnostic tests. 

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Cold and Very Cold 

In the cold and very cold climates houses must be nimble in response to changing 

temperature and moisture conditions. Finding methods to enhance building 

performance under cold conditions is a priority. Ice dams are an example of a cold 

climate problem that involves temperature, air leakage and moisture. 

But the cold of winter must be accommodated along with summers that often bring 

blistering heat and, in some places, humidity. During the winter heating season, 

vapor may be driven from the building interior into the walls, roof, and floors. But in 

summer, air conditioning can force the house to turn inside out. In summer, vapor may 

flow in the opposite direction as compared to winter with cold, dry air on the inside, 

and hot, moist air from the outside being forced in. Houses in the cold and very cold 

climates cannot be built as if they are one-way streets for moisture transfer. 

Another set of challenges arises from the common use of full basements and 

crawlspaces. These design features may bring extra living and storage space, but they 

also bring their own moisture and temperature management challenges. 

The recommendations in this Best Practices guide apply to the cold and very cold 

climate regions. If you aren’t sure that your project is within these climate regions, 

check Appendix IV to see a listing of counties and their climate zones, or work with a 

HERS rater to confirm your zone. 

Design Best Practices for Cold and Very Cold Climates 

Housing types vary greatly throughout the United States and especially in the cold and 

very cold climates. In the face of this diversity, this document does not recommend a 

single set of measures for achieving the 30% energy savings in space conditioning, water 

heating, and reaching ENERGY STAR qualification. We do recommend following 

the principles included in these Best Practices and adjusting these practices and your 

designs to make them work together. We also recommend working with a building 

scientist such as a Home Energy Rating Professional to help with the transition. 

The best practices described in this manual are intended to give builders and designers 

recommendations resulting from Building America’s work on over 25,000 homes. 

Building scientists have tried and tested these measures on actual homes in the field. 

This does not mean that every measure will be for you. However, as builders start 

aiming for higher performing homes, details become more important. It may not make 

sense to install the best practice in every instance. Sometimes you can get away with 

less. But making this decision should involve an evaluation of the risks of not using the 

best practice, and questioning how the overall house system may be impacted. 

Site – Drainage, Pest Control, and Landscaping 

Additional planning information related to overall site development is presented in the 

Site Planners chapter. 

Drainage 

Moving moisture away from a building is critically important to maintaining structural integrity. 

FIGURE 2. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

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Designers

Best Practice: Grading and landscaping should be planned for movement of building 

run-off away from the home and its foundation, with roof drainage directed at least 3 

feet beyond the building, and a surface grade of at least 5% maintained for at least 10 

feet around and away from the entire structure. This topic is also discussed in the Site 

Planners chapter. 

FIGURE 3: Drainage 

Drain Building

Drain Roof

Drain Wall

Drain Site Drain Site

Adapted from Lstiburek 2003 

Drain Ground Drain Ground

Drain Materials

Drain Components

Drain Openings

Pest Control 

Termites are a serious menace across the United States. 

Best Practice: Based on local code and Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) maps, 

use environmentally appropriate termite treatments, bait systems, and treated building 

materials for assemblies that are near soil or have ground contact (check with County 

Cooperative Extension Programs in the area you are building). 

Landscaping 

Landscaping is a critical element to the marketability of a house. But plants must be 

placed to avoid interfering with visual inspections of termite access. Planting can also 

be used to shade foundations and reduce cooling loads. 

Best Practice: Plantings should be held back as much as 3 feet and no less than 

18 inches from the finished structure, with any supporting irrigation directed away 

from the finished structure. Plantings may be selected to shade the foundation edge, 

especially on the southwest corner of the structure. Choosing native plantings results 

in less irrigation and less chance for irrigation water to create a moisture problem 

in the house. Decorative ground cover—mulch or pea stone, for example—should 

be thinned to no more than 2 inches for the first 18 inches from the finished 

structure. More landscaping information can be found on DOE’s Web site at 

www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/landscape.html. 

GRADING 

Plan grading and landscaping to 

direct run-off away from the home 

and its foundation. 

TERMITES 

Use environmentally appropriate 

termite treatments. 

PLANTINGS 

Select draught-tolerant plantings 

and keep them at least 18 inches 

from the foundation. 

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Foundation System Moisture and Soil Gas Control 

Slabs, crawlspaces, and basements are all found in the cold and very cold climates. 

All building foundations should be designed and constructed to prevent the entry of 

moisture and other soil gases. 

Most foundation water leakage or intrusion is due to either bulk moisture leaks or 

capillary action. Bulk moisture is the flow of water through holes and cracks. Capillary 

action occurs when water wicks into the cracks and open spaces of porous building 

materials, such as masonry block, concrete, or wood. These tiny cracks and pores can 

absorb water in any direction, even going upward. Moisture can also be carried by soil 

gas into homes. 

Moisture may cause structural decay and can contribute to human health and comfort 

problems. Radon that enters a home exposes occupants and may cause lung cancer. 

The following practices apply to all foundation systems. 

• Keep all untreated wood materials away from earth and concrete contact. 

• Design the house structure with overhangs, gutters, drainage planes, and 

flashing to shed rainwater and conduct it away from the house. 

• Slope the earth away from the house and ensure that no irrigation strikes near 

the foundation as described in the Drainage section. 

• Use a sill gasket for air sealing 

• Install a protective shield such as metal flashing, plastic L bracket, or a 

membrane to block capillary water wicking into the wall from the foundation. 

This material can serve as a termite shield. 

• Damp proof all below grade portions of the exterior foundation wall to hinder 

the absorption of ground water. 

• Place a continuous drainage plane over the damp proofing or exterior 

insulation on foundation walls to channel water to the foundation drain and 

relieve hydrostatic pressure. Drainage plane materials include special mats, 

high-density fiberglass insulation products, and washed gravel. All drainage 

planes should be protected with a filter fabric to prevent dirt from clogging the 

drainage channels. 

Basements requires a foundation drain installed directly below the drainage plane and 

beside (not on top of) the footing. Foundation drains are needed for crawlspaces and 

slabs where the slab or the floor of the crawlspace is located below grade. 

Slabs and Basement Floors 

Best Practice: Slab foundations and basement floor require 6-ml polyethylene sheeting 

or rigid foam insulation acceptable for below grade use directly beneath the concrete 

that accomplishes vapor control and capillary control for the slab. The vapor retarder 

should continuously wrap the slab as well as the grade beam. 

Best Practice: A sand layer under the slab or basement floor should never be placed 

between a vapor retarder and a concrete slab. Cast the concrete directly on top of the 

VAPOR CONTROL 

Achieve vapor and capillary control 

with sheeting or rigid insulation 

directly below the slab. 

CASTING CONCRETE 

Cast the concrete directly on top 

of the vapor retarder, with no sand 

in between. 

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Designers

vapor barrier. Differential drying and cracking is better handled with a low water-toconcrete ratio and wetted burlap covering during initial curing. 

Best Practice: Slab and basement floor drainage should include a gravel capillary break 

directly beneath the slab vapor retarder. 

Crawlspace Foundation Systems 

Best Practice: In crawlspaces, install 6-mil polyethylene across the entire ground 

surface. Overlay and tape all seams by 12 inches. Seal the polyethylene at least 6 inches 

up the walls or to a height equal to ground level. 

Some Building America teams1 make the following recommendations: install a 

polyethylene groundcover at the beginning of construction, then install another one 

on top of the first one when the crawlspace is ready to be sealed up to cover all rips and 

holes. To improve durability, some Building America teams recommend pouring a 

minimum 2” concrete slab over the polyethylene. 

Best Practice: Moisture problems are best avoided by building non-vented crawlspaces. 

Non-vented systems are described more fully in the Structure Thermal Performance 

section. One source of moisture problems in crawlspaces comes from the combination 

of moist air and cold temperatures. Air in crawlspaces may be moist due to the 

proximity of soil and air leaks from the house. In humid summers, moisture is carried 

into the crawlspace in the air drawn through traditional wall vents. When this warm 

moist air reaches cooler structural framing, the moisture condenses out and can cause 

mold and structural problems. In winter, cold air is drawn into the crawlspace and does 

little to dry out crawlspaces, but can lower temperatures, cause condensation and freeze 

exposed waterpipes. 

Radon Control 

In addition to other benefits, the gravel and vapor barriers under slabs, basement floors, 

and crawlspaces are important first steps to radon control. The gravel provides a path 

for radon and other soil gas to escape to the atmosphere rather than being drawn into 

the house. And the vapor retarder helps to block soil gas entry into the house. Where 

gravel is scarce, builders often pour slabs onto sand. When sand or other native fill is 

used, a 3- or 4-inch perforated and corrugated pipe loop can be use for both drainage 

and radon control. Or drainage matting may be installed over sand. Both approaches 

are described in a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document. 

Radon-resistant construction practices are described in the following documents for a 

variety of foundation systems: 

• ASTM WK2469 New Standard (Formerly E1465-92)(draft) Guide for 

Radon Control Options for the Design and Construction of New Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings 

• Model Standards and Techniques for Control of Radon in 

New Residential Buildings (U.S. EPA 1994)

• Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Build 

Radon-Resistant Homes (U.S. EPA 2001) available on the Web at 

www.epa.gov/199/iaq/radon/images/buildradonout.pdf. 

1

 To learn more about the Building America teams, go to the Building America Web site: 

www.buildingamerica.com 

DRAINAGE 

Place a gravel capillary break 

directly beneath the slab vapor 

barrier. 

CRAWLSPACE INSULATION 

Thoroughly insulate and seal 

all crawlspaces. 

NON-VENTED CRAWLSPACES 

Moisture problems are best 

avoided by building non-vented 

crawlspaces. 

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Designers

FIGURE 4: Exterior Basement Insulation 

Best Practice: Other than identifying areas that have had radon problems, it is not 

possible to predict radon levels in houses prior to construction, so it is important to 

include inexpensive radon control measures. One measure recommended by the EPA 

to control potentially high radon levels and other soil gasses, is a passive soil gas stack 

connected to a perforated drain pipe embedded in the gravel under the slab, basement 

floor, or crawlspace ground cover. The stack may also be attached to a perforated pipe 

loop or mat. If it turns out the house has unacceptable radon levels, a fan can be added 

to the stack to actively draw soil gas away from the house. To determine potential 

radon levels in the county in which you are building, visit the EPA’s radon potential 

map at www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html. 

For information about local variation in radon levels you can find local contacts at 

the following EPA Web site: www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html. The EPA divides 

counties into one of three zones based on radon level potential. The EPA recommends 

that all homes built in Zone 1 (high radon potential) areas have radon reduction systems. 

Structural Moisture Control 

Annual precipitation in the cold and very cold climates varies substantially, but often 

the precipitation comes in heavy doses as part of intense storms. And moisture can 

RADON 

Houses built in areas with 

potentially high radon levels can 

install a soil gas stack to draw soil 

gas away from the home. 

Concrete footing 

below frost depth 

Damp proofing 

Perforated drainage 

pipe embedded in 

coarse gravel 

Rigid insulation 

Damp proofing 

Continuous 

polyethylene 

Polyethylene or 

damp proofing 

capillary break 

Sill gasket membrane 

(also serves as capillary break) 

Metal termite flashing 

Concrete footing 

below frost depth 

Polyethylene or damp 

proofing capillary Break 

Rigid fiberglass insulation 

Polyethylene vapor 

diffusion retarder 

Damp proofing 

Perforated drainage 

pipe embedded in 

coarse gravel 

Radon reduction 

3” plastic vent pipe 

Cavity insulation 

Cover insulation 

exposed above grade 

Rigid insulation 

with foil facing 

Damp proofing 

Cavity 

insulation 

Polyethylene or 

damp proofing 

capillary break 

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come from other sources, such as landscape irrigation and indoor activities. In some 

regions, periodic humidity is also present. 

Two types of rain management systems have been identified: barriers and screens. Barriers 

rely on exterior cladding to drain water and are best used with water-resistant building 

materials, such as masonry block or concrete. Screens have multiple lines of defense 

against water entry and are used with wood, brick, and gypsum-based materials. Both 

barriers and screens rely on lapped flashings to direct water to the exterior at critical areas 

such as seams, windows, and penetrations. In both systems, it is essential that materials 

are lapped shingle fashion to direct water down and out, away from the wall assembly. 

Best Practice: Roof and wall assemblies must contain surfaces that will drain water in 

a continuous manner over the entire area of the building. Water must have a path that 

will take it from its point of impact, around any elements such as windows, doors, and 

seams, all the way to the exterior ground, sloping away from the house. 

Best Practice: In areas with potentially high winds and heavy rains install four inch to 

six inch “peel and seal” self-adhering water-proofing strips over joints in roof decking 

before installing the roof underlayment and cover. 

Best Practice: Carefully install insulation and air barriers to avoid ice dams. 

Ice dams are a particular problem in cold and very cold climates. When roof snow melt 

refreezes it can build up ice that blocks water flow. Newly melted snow adds to the ice 

dam and eventually can cause water to back up under shingles and flashing and can cause 

safety hazards with suddenly released snow and ice. Snow could be melted by warm air 

that leaked from the house into the attic. The control of outwardly leaking air is the 

most effective means of stopping ice dams. This can be accomplished by the installation 

of air barriers (see the section on Structural Air Sealing). Well insulated roof areas also 

help to keep the surface of the roof cool to avoid the melt-freeze cycle (see the section on 

Structural Thermal Performance). Install a water protection membrane at eaves and in 

roof valleys to protect against snow-melt and rain that backs up behind ice dams. 

Water Leakage 

One critical point of concern is water leakage around windows. The EEBA Water 

Management Guide offers examples of many window flashing applications. The window 

flashing examples here are taken from the Trades chapter. These examples are for 

homes with housewrap and plywood or OSB sheathing. 

Best Practice: Specify that flashing be installed for all windows and doors. Window and 

door flashing details should be designed to match specific wall assemblies and claddings. 

Flashing systems should be designed in accordance with the ASTM standard entitled 

Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors, and Skylights (ASTM 

2002). In addition to the standard and the EEBA guide, see DOE’s Technology 

Fact Sheet on Weather-Resistive Barriers (DOE 2000), available on the Web at 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/28600.pdf. 

Extreme Weather 

Parts of the cold and very cold climates can be vulnerable to catastrophic high wind, 

heavy snow falls, and heavy-rain events, such as severe thunderstorms, tornados, and 

hurricanes. Proper structural fastening and impact resistant windows, doors, and 

VAPOR BARRIERS 

Roof and wall assemblies must 

contain elements that, individually 

and in combination, permit drying 

of spaces inside of walls. 

WATER-PROOFING 

ROOF DECKING 

Install water-proofing strips over 

joints in roof decking. 

PREVENT ICE DAMS 

Carefully install insulation and air 

barriers to avoid ice dams. 

WINDOW FLASHING 

Flashing should be installed 

for all windows. 

FIGURE 5: 

Window Flashing Building Tips 

Complete instructions for window 

flashing are provided in the Trades 

chapter of this handbook. 

CAULK

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

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skylights are critical to surviving high winds. Proper use of roofing materials can help 

roofs withstand snow loads and high winds, and protect against severe rains. This 

document does not provide detailed information on disaster survival but the following 

sources provide structural details and guidance and a listing of building materials 

acceptable for high wind areas. 

• Federal Emergency Management Agency. Building a Safe Room Inside 

Your Home. www.fema.gov 

• Federal Alliance for Safe Homes – FLASH, Inc. Designed primarily for 

Florida, this Web site contains generally-applicable information about 

building to resist high winds, wild fires, and floods. Blueprint for Safety. 

www.blueprintforsafety.org 

• Institute for Business and Home Safety. The IBHS has building guidelines and 

public information. www.ibhs.org 

• U.S. Department of Energy. A training program for home inspectors to 

identify hazards. www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/hazard_workshop.html 

Vapor Management 

Water has many guises and water in its liquid state is not the only problem. Water can also 

cause problems as vapor. The problem is especially bad when vapor gets trapped within an 

assembly, such as a wall; turns to its liquid form (condenses); and wets structural assemblies. 

Condensation can also form in and on ductwork, especially when air conditioning cools 

duct surfaces that come in contact with humid air, such as in an attic or crawlspace. 

The recommendations below are intended to help control both liquid water and vapor. 

Best Practice: In cold climates, air barriers and vapor retarders are installed on the 

interior of the building assemblies. And building assemblies are designed to dry to the 

exterior by installing permeable sheathings and building paper or housewraps toward 

the exterior (Lstiburek 2004). Unless specifically required by local building code, a 

polyethylene vapor retarder (between the framing and the drywall) is not recommended 

because it limits a wall’s ability to dry to the inside. In a wood frame wall with carefully 

installed batt insulation, the kraft facing on the batt would provide the necessary 

protection against vapor diffusion from interior sources for this climate. In the case of 

other exterior wall assemblies, drywall painted with latex paint suffices (Broniek, 2003). 

Best Practice: Do not install impermeable coverings, such as vinyl wallpaper, on exterior 

walls and do not install polyethylene vapor retarders on the framing side of gypsum board or 

other wall coverings. Use kraft-faced insulation or unfaced insulation plus painted drywall. 

Best Practice: Water soaking through wood can carry with it contaminants that 

interfere with the ability of housewraps and building papers and felts to resist water. 

One step in the solution is to backprime all wood cladding to avoid water saturation 

and migration. This practice also makes the wood much more durable. 

Best Practice: Creating an air space between the cladding and the drainage plane 

effectively increases the durability of both components. With some exterior 

finishes, such as bricks, an air space is even more important. An air space stops 

the capillary movement of moisture, stops the contamination of the drainage 

plane via contact with the cladding, and allows for better drying. Information on 

BUILDING ASSEMBLIES 

Install air barriers and vapor 

retarders on the interior of the 

building assemblies - a polyethylene 

vapor retarder is not recommended. 

IMPERMEABLE COVERINGS 

Impermeable coverings inside the 

house are not recommended. 

BACKPRIMING 

Backprime all wood cladding 

to avoid water saturation. 

AIR SPACE 

Creating an air space between 

the exterior finish and the drainage 

plane effectively increases the 

durability of both components. 

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housewrap and building paper performance behind brick and stucco can be found at 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls/brick_stucco_housewraps.pdf 

Best Practice: If building paper or felt is used in areas prone to severe rain, install 

half-lapped felt, which effectively creates two layers. By providing a double drainage 

plane, they offer increased resistance to leakage at fasteners and allow for more flexible 

installation. 

Best Practice: Installation is key for all types of housewraps. The sheets must be lapped, 

shingle-style, especially over and around windows, doors, and other penetrations (and 

their flashing systems). Use manufacturer-specified fasteners and space them closely 

enough to provide required support. 

Additional information on moisture control, crawlspace insulation, basement 

insulation, and slab insulation can be obtained from: 

• DOE’s Technology Fact Sheets on Weather-Resistive Barriers, available on 

the Web at www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/ 

• Building Science Consortium’s Web site at www.buildingscience.com/ 

housesthatwork/buildingmaterials where you can compare wraps and 

other materials. 

• www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls/problems_with_housewraps.htm 

• The following article provides an overview of house wraps and was a key 

source for this section: Straube, John. 2001. “Wrapping it Up,“ Canadian 

Architect. May, 2001. Available at www.cdnarchitect.com. 

• The National Association of Home Builders Research Center’s 

Moisture Protection of Wood Sheathing is available on the Web at 

www.nahbrc.org/docs/mainnav/moistureandleaks/792_moisture.pdf. 

• DOE’s Energy Savers fact sheet titled Vapor Diffusion Retarders and Air Barriers 

available on line at: www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/bd4.html 

• Lstiburek, Joseph. 2004. Builders Guide to Cold Climates. Available at 

www.eeba.org/bookstore 

Roof and wall assemblies must contain elements that, individually and in combination, 

permit drying of spaces inside of walls and other assemblies. Exterior housewraps, 

including building paper, will allow vapor to pass through and should be installed 

on the exterior of sheathing. Interior walls should be painted but not covered with 

plastic vapor retarders, such as polyethylene, (on the framing side of gypsum board) or 

impervious coatings, such as vinyl wallpaper. 

A more recent and graphical reference on moisture control is the EEBA Water 

Management Guide (Lstiburek 2003), available for sale from the EEBA Bookstore, on 

the Web at www.eeba.org/bookstore. 

TWO LAYERS OF 

BUILDING PAPER OR FELT 

Consider installing two layers 

of building paper or felt to create 

a double drainage plane. 

CAREFUL INSTALLATION 

Pay close attention to lapping, 

especially around windows and 

doors, as well as the proper use 

of fasteners. 

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The Ins and Outs of Vapor 

It’s been said that water is lazy, it will always follow the easiest path as it is pulled along 

by gravity. However, moisture can also cause problems as vapor. Unlike moisture in its 

liquid form, vapor travels where ever air flows. Air is vapor’s heavy lifter. Where there 

are air leaks, there are vapor leaks. 

Diffusion can also force vapor through materials and into places it shouldn’t be, such 

as wall cavities. Differences in vapor pressure and temperature are the forces that drive 

diffusion. Vapor diffusion moves moisture from areas of higher vapor pressure to areas of 

lower vapor pressure, and from areas of greater temperature to areas of lesser temperature. 

The most important point to make about these two types of vapor transport is that air 

movement is by far the more important mechanism for moving vapor. Seal up air leaks 

in the building envelope, both inside and out, and most vapor transport will be blocked 

from getting inside structural cavities. 

The installation of air barriers involves systematically and continuously sealing air leaks. 

Methods for creating air barriers are described in the section on structural air sealing. 

Continuous means that the barrier extends over the entire surface of the structure, but 

the barrier may be made up of many materials. The interior gypsum board may be 

incorporated into the air barrier, along with studs, draft stopping materials, housewraps, 

and rigid insulation, as long as the seal is continuous. 

Vapor diffusion retarders are materials that block diffusion because they are 

impermeable. A perm is a unit of measurement based on the amount of water that 

passes through a material over a fixed period of time. Four classes of permeability have 

been established. Here are the classes along with examples of materials (adapted from 

Lstiburek 2004): 

• Vapor impermeable (0.1 perm or less): polyethylene film, glass, 

aluminum foil, sheet metal, foil-faced rigid insulation, and other foilfaced materials. 

• Vapor semi-impermeable (1.0 perm or less and greater than 0.1 perm) 

oil-based paints, most vinyl wall coverings, unfaced extruded polystyrene 

greater than 1 inch thick, kraft-faced fiberglass insulation. 

• Vapor semi-permeable (10 perms or less and greater than 1.0 perm): 

plywood, bitumen impregnated kraft paper, oriented strand board, 

unfaced expanded polystyrene, unfaced extruded polystyrene (1 inch 

thick or less), building paper, and most latex paint. 

• Vapor permeable (greater than 10 perms): unpainted gypsum board and 

plaster, unfaced fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, dimensional 

lumber, and masonry. 

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Housewrap, Building Paper, or Felt – Your Choices for Wrapping it Up 

Housewrap, building paper, or impregnated felt should be part of the exterior wall system 

that protects the building from water penetration. None of the materials are waterproof, 

but are intended to shed rainwater that penetrates exterior cladding. The surface formed 

by these materials is called a drainage plane, house membrane, or rain barrier. They are 

used to shed liquid water that may penetrate siding or roofing and to prevent liquid water 

from wicking through them, while remaining sufficiently vapor permeable (“breathable”) 

for outward drying (Straube 2001). By helping to keep building materials dry, these 

membranes improve building durability, decrease maintenance costs, and reduce the risk 

of moisture-related problems such as pests, mold, and rot. 

Building Paper is a Kraft paper sheet impregnated with asphalt to increase its strength 

and resistance to water penetration. It is primarily employed as a drainage layer. It is 

graded according to a test of the amount of time required for a water-sensitive chemical to 

change color when a boat-shaped sample is floated on water. Common grades include 10, 

20, 30, and 60 minutes. The larger the number, the more resistant the paper is to water. 

Building Felts have been in use over a hundred years. Originally made from rags, today’s 

felts are made of recycled paper products and sawdust. The base felt is impregnated with 

asphalt. Ratings for felt harken back to the traditional weight of the material before the oil 

crisis of the 1970s. At that time 100 square feet of the material (1 square) weighed about 

15 pounds. Modern #15 felt can weigh from 7.5 to 12.5 pounds per square depending on 

the manufacturer. 

Housewrap typically refers to specially-designed plastic sheet materials. Housewrap 

comes in a variety of materials and can be perforated or non-perforated. If joints and 

connections are sealed, housewraps can serve as air retarders to reduce air leakage. 

Housewraps are highly resistant to tearing, unlike building paper. Non-perforated wraps 

tend to have higher liquid water resistance because the holes between plastic fibers are 

very small. 

Most building paper is UV-resistant, whereas recommended housewrap exposure limits 

may vary by manufacturer. Check with manufacturers if outdoor exposure will exceed 

a month. One person can usually install building paper, while housewrap requires two 

people. However, housewrap is available in wide sheets that can cover an entire one-story 

wall surface in a single pass. 

Adapted from Straube 2001. 

Structural Air Sealing 

Best Practice: Use either interior gypsum board, exterior sheathing, or both as a 

continuous air flow retarder. Exterior stucco may also serve as an air flow retarder. 

Carefully seal big and little holes. Pay particular attention to sealing shared walls and 

attic spaces between garages and houses. 

Best Practice: Use sheet goods, such as hard board, rigid foam insulation, polyethylene 

sheet plastic, plywood, or sheet metal to seal holes behind tubs, shower stalls, stairs 

fireplaces, and other potential bypasses. 

AIR SEALING 

Be sure to seal shared walls and 

attic spaces between garages 

and houses. 

SHEET GOODS 

Use sheet goods to seal holes 

behind all potential bypasses. 

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FIGURE 6: Envelope Air Sealing 

Building Science Corporation 

A tight building envelope is necessary to control the movement of air in and out of 

building assemblies. Air infiltration can contribute to problems with moisture, noise, 

dust, and the entry of pollutants, insects, and rodents. Using mechanical ventilation as 

a superior approach to supplying fresh air is discussed in the section on Mechanicals, 

Electrical, and Plumbing. 

Moisture-laden air moving into wall or roof assemblies may lead to condensation and 

result in deterioration of moisture sensitive materials. Airflow retarders can be installed 

on the interior or the exterior side of the envelope or on both sides. Insulation made 

up of batt or loose fill products does not seal against air leakage. Rigid foam board 

insulation can be used as both a moisture and air retarder. 

Controlling air movement through the building envelope requires sealing both the 

“big” holes and the “little” holes. The big holes occur behind bathtubs and showers 

on exterior walls, behind fireplaces, and where soffits or utility walls (double wall with 

chase) meet exterior walls or ceilings. Recessed lights collectively can be a really big hole 

in the ceiling assembly. These big holes are responsible for wasted energy (high utility 

bills) and condensation that can cause mold and wood decay. These holes are easy to 

seal during the framing stage but only when someone has the responsibility for making 

sure it gets done. Only airtight recessed lights (ICAT-rated) should be used in ceilings 

leading to unconditioned spaces. 

The little holes occur between framing members (such as band joist to sill plate), 

around electrical boxes, and where plumbing or wiring penetrate the envelope. All 

EPA’S ENERGY STAR 

THERMAL BYPASS CHECKLIST 

The checklist stipulates 12 areas 

that require special attention to 

insulation and air barrier continuity. 

1) Exterior walls behind tubs 

and showers 

2) Floors over garages 

3) Attic knee walls 

4) Attic hatch openings 

and drop-down stairs 

5) Cantilevered floors 

6) Duct shafts 

7) Flue Shafts 

8) Piping shafts and penetrations 

9) Dropped ceilings and soffits 

10) Fireplace walls 

11) Staircase framing on 

exterior walls 

12) Recessed lighting 

13) Whole-house fan penetrations 

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penetrations leading to unconditioned spaces should be sealed with foam or caulk. See 

the Trades chapter, Building Tips on air sealants and the instructions for plumbers, 

electricians, and framers. Also see the sections later in this chapter for plumbing 

and electrical. 

When air sealing drywall, gypsum board acts as an interior air flow retarder. The 

gypsum board is sealed to the framing members at the perimeter of exterior walls and 

around penetrations such as doors, windows, and attic hatches. The gypsum board is 

also sealed to electrical boxes on exterior walls. Air cannot move through the gypsum 

board and the taped corners. 

There are many approaches and practices to sealing buildings. Many details and 

photographs of air sealing techniques can be found on the Building Science 

Corporation Web site at www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/airsealing.htm, 

in the EEBA Builders Guides, and in the DOE Technology Fact Sheet on Air Sealing 

available on the Web at www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/26448.pdf. 

Best Practice: One area to pay attention to for sealing is the intersection of the walls 

and roof. This area may involve an attic, cathedral ceiling, knee walls, all of the above, 

or other examples of complex roof lines. Figures 7 and 8 show knee wall examples. 

Tight sealing of this intersection may require blown-in foam. Careful work in these 

areas will help avoid ice dams. 

Best Practice: Another area needing special attention for occupant health and safety is 

sealing shared walls and ceilings between attached garages and living spaces. Carefully 

seal any penetrations, block air pathways through the attic, and weatherstrip any doors. 

Structural Thermal Performance 

Properly installed insulation is like your favorite winter comforter for keeping 

heat where it’s wanted. Any interior insulation type is acceptable that has vapor 

permeability. These include cellulose, fiberglass, and foam. Foam can also serve as an 

air retarder, but air sealing must be accomplished by a separate component or system 

when cellulose or fiberglass is used. 

How Much Insulation Do You Need? 

This is an excellent question to ask your Home Energy Rater. The answer depends on your 

location, the overall design, and the efficiency of other building features. Using a systems approach, 

insulation can be traded off with other building features. The ENERGY STAR Web site contains 

Builder Option Packages (BOPS) that recommend insulation levels on a county by county basis. 

The BOPS can be found at www.energystar.gov. Examining the ENERGY STAR BOPs provides 

some examples of how insulation can be traded off with other features such as efficient windows 

and HVAC systems. DOE can also help with insulation recommendations for each zip code. Visit 

the Web site below. Have in hand the first three digits of your zip code, the type of heating system 

that you are considering, and local energy costs for electricity or natural gas. The calculator will 

recommend an insulation level: www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html 

If you prefer to work with a map, the following DOE Web site will give you recommended insulation 

levels:www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/r-value_map.html 

These recommendations are only guidelines and are limited in scope. The more complex or 

advanced your design, the more you should rely on specific calculations.

INTERSECTIONS OF 

WALLS & ROOF 

Tight sealing of the intersection 

of the roof and wall may require 

blown-in foam. 

FIGURE 7 & 8: Knee Walls 

Figures 7 and 8 show possible 

approaches to sealing knee walls. 

Seal knee wall to create a 

continuous air barrier. Knee walls 

can be sealed following the wall 

and attic floor. 

Use rigid foam or sheet goods 

to seal joist cavities 

Desired 

ventilation 

In new homes, it is preferred 

to seal along the sloping edge 

of the attic roof. 

Hardboard

Seal

Seal

SHARED WALLS & CEILINGS 

WITH GARAGES 

Pay special attention to the shared 

walls and ceilings between attached 

garages and living spaces. 

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The following descriptions of insulation were adapted from DOE’s Fact Sheet on 

Insulation available on the Web at www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_08.html. 

Blankets 

Blankets in the form of batts or rolls are flexible products made from mineral fibers, 

typically fiberglass. They are available in widths suited to standard wall, floor, and 

attic framing spaces. Continuous rolls can be hand-cut and trimmed to fit. They are 

available with or without vapor retarder facings. High-density fiberglass batts are 

about 15% more effective than traditional batts. Even if you choose to use other types 

of insulation, such as blown or sprayed in cellulose or foam, batts can be installed in 

areas that may become inaccessible as construction unfolds. These areas could include 

behind-shower inserts, stairs, or rim joists. Batts also make good dams in attics around 

access points or other areas where blown-in insulation should be held back. 

Best Practice: When fiberglass batt insulation is specified, use high-density, unfaced 

or kraft-faced batts. Batt facing is a vapor retarder and can trap moisture inside walls. 

Check local code requirements. 

Blown-In 

Blown-in, loose-fill insulation includes loose fibers or fiber pellets that are blown into 

building cavities or attics using special pneumatic equipment. Another form includes 

fibers that are co-sprayed with moisture or an adhesive that allows them to set in 

walls and makes them resistant to settling. The blown-in material can provide some 

resistance to air infiltration if the insulation is sufficiently dense. 

Foamed-In-Place 

Foamed-in-place foam insulations can be applied by a professional applicator using 

special equipment to meter, mix, and spray into cavities. Foam makes an excellent air 

seal and can be used to reach hard-to-get-at places. 

Rigid Insulation 

Rigid insulation is made from fibrous materials or plastic foams that is pressed or 

extruded into sheets and molded pipe-coverings. These provide thermal and acoustical 

insulation, strength with low weight, and coverage with few heat loss paths. Such 

boards may be faced with a reflective foil that reduces heat flow when next to an air 

space. Foil facing also makes the board nearly impervious to water and vapor and 

so should be used with caution. Rigid foam insulation may be used in combination 

with other insulation types, such as on the exterior of walls that are filled with cellulose 

or fiberglass. Foam sheets that may be in contact with the ground should be boratetreated for termite resistance (see Figure 11 on page DES-22 for an example of rigid foam 

insulation). Rigid insulation may also be applied to the interior and exterior of foundation 

walls. 

Reflective Insulation Systems 

Reflective insulation systems are fabricated from aluminum foils with a variety of 

backings such as roof sheathing, craft paper, plastic film, polyethylene bubbles, or 

cardboard. These systems are not recommended for the cold and very cold climates. 

If a single reflective surface is used alone and faces an open space, such as an attic, it 

is called a radiant barrier. Radiant barriers are not recommended for cold and very 

cold climates. 

INSULATION 

Use high-density batts, when 

fiberglass batt insulation 

is specified. 

FIGURE 9: Insulation 

Blown-in wall insulation 

Batt insulation 

Reflective insulation 

Spray-in foam insulation. Soy-based 

foams are now available (Photo: Building Science Corporation) 

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Slab Foundation Insulation 

Slabs in the cold and very cold climates may be insulated at the perimeter with boratetreated foam board or rigid glass fiber insulation with an insulating value of at least R-8 

in milder climates and up to R-10 in colder areas. Use only insulation approved for 

below-grade use. Some code officials may require a gap between exterior insulation and 

wood foundations elements to provide a termite inspection area. Exterior insulation 

should be applied from the top of the foundation wall to the bottom of the frost line. 

Cover the exterior face of the insulation exposed to outside air using material such 

as flashing, fiber cement board, parging (stucco type material), treated plywood, or 

membrane material. 

A shallow, frost protected slab foundation may be used in areas subject to seasonal 

ground freezing. With this approach, foundation footings need not be placed below 

frost depth. However, rigid insulation, approved for below-grade use, must be placed 

vertically on the exterior of the grade beam, and must be placed to extend away from the 

foundation horizontally at the base of the grade beam for a distance equivalent to frost 

depth. Rigid insulation is also needed vertically on the inside of the grade beam, and 

must extend horizontally under the slab, on top of the gravel capillary break, for two feet. 

Code officials may require that a structural engineer review and approve specific plans. 

For more information on shallow foundations see: 

• Houses that Work (BSC 2004), www.bsc.com 

• The American Society of Civil Engineers standard (number 32-01), Design and 

Construction of Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations. 

• University of Minnesota, Building Foundations Research 

Program., Frost Protected Shallow Foundations Design Specifications. 

www.buildingfoundation.umn.edu/MHFAfrostFoundation.htm 

• University of Minnesota, Building Foundations Research Program. Minnesota 

Energy Code Building Foundation Rule: Amendment Proposal Development 

Project Final Report, www.buildingfoundation.umn.edu/FinalReportWWW/ 

Section-A/A-recs-main.htm 

Slab perimeters may be insulated on the interior side. This approach requires that rigid 

insulation be placed between the slab and the foundation wall, and under the slab, as 

required by local code. 

Best Practice: Some Building America teams suggest extending the under-slab insulation 

for the entire surface area of the slab. Within this approach the rigid insulation can replace 

the otherwise needed polyethylene vapor retarder under the slab. This approach is not 

needed to achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning, but the resulting warmer 

floors help prevent the formation of condensation on the floor and improve comfort. 

Crawlspace Insulation 

Crawlspaces are a foundation method used in the cold and very cold climates. Two 

methods are in use for insulating crawlspaces. The first, in common use over the last 

several decades, is to insulate the underside of the building floor, and provide outside air 

vents in foundation walls. Research has shown that this approach can lead to moisture 

problems, especially in areas with cold or humid air. 

UNDER-SLAB INSULATION 

Extend the under-slab insulation for 

the entire surface of the slab. 

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Best Practice: A better approach is referred to as conditioned crawlspaces. Within this 

type of system, foundation side walls are insulated on either the interior or exterior (or 

both), and no outside air vents tunnel through the foundation wall. 

Best Practice: The preferred approach is to install insulation on the exterior foundation 

wall. Exterior insulation will help to protect the foundation from the freeze-thaw 

cycle and a warmer wall is less likely to condense moisture. Products such as boratetreated foam board or rigid glass fiber insulation work well. Extruded polystyrene 

(R-5 per inch) is durable and moisture resistant. Expanded polystyrene (R-4 per inch) 

is less expensive, but it has a lower insulating value. Rigid fiber glass insulation does 

not insulate as well as foam but provides a drainage plane. Some code officials may 

require a gap between exterior insulation and wood foundations elements to provide a 

termite inspection area. Insulation that is exposed above grade must be covered with a 

protective coating such as flashing, fiber cement board, parging (stucco type material), 

treated plywood, or membrane material. 

If placed on the interior, wall insulation must extend down the wall to a depth at 

least two feet below grade level. Polyisocyanurate insulation with an aluminum facing 

is a good interior insulation choice. If the crawlspace wall extends less than two feet 

below grade level, then the remaining insulation must be placed horizontally along the 

ground at the base of the wall. A sealed ground cover is installed over the entire area 

of the crawlspace. Install a system to provide conditioned air to the crawlspace. More 

information is available at: 

• Building Energy Codes Resource Center, Details for Mechanically Vented 

Crawlspaces - Code Notes, www.energycodes.gov/support/code_notes.stm 

(includes information on sizing the mechanical ventilation). 

• University of Minnesota, Building Foundations Research Program. Minnesota 

Energy Code Building Foundation Rule: Amendment Proposal Development 

Project Final Report, www.buildingfoundation.umn.edu/FinalReportWWW/ 

Section-A/A-recs-main.htm 

• www.crawlspaces.org This Web site is geared toward research done on 

crawlspaces in the mixed-humid climate. 

See these documents from Building America Consortia available at 

www.buildingamerica.com in the Publications section. 

• Broniek, John. Builder System Performance Packages Technical Report. Prepared 

by IBACOS for the Building America Program. 

• Yost, Nathan. May 2003. “The Case for Conditioned, Unvented 

Crawlspaces.” Building Safety Journal. Also available on the BSC Web site at : 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/articles/24-27_Yost_for_author.pdf 

• IBACOS. 2002. Best Practices: Consider the Crawlspace. 

CONDITIONED CRAWLSPACES 

Insulate foundation side walls on 

either the interior or exterior (or both). 

EXTERIOR INSULATION 

Install insulation on the exterior 

foundation wall to help protect 

the foundation from the freezethaw cycle. 

Fig 10. Conditioning Crawlspaces 

A: Supply air to crawlspace 

B: Return air from crawlspace 

C: Supply and return to crawlspace 

For all configurations above: 

• Minimum 2-4”x8” transfer grilles 

from house 

• 20 cfm of flow per 1,000ft

2 of crawlspace 

• Air handler cycled at 5 minutes per hour 

Source: Building Science Corporation

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Basement Insulation 

Basements are a common foundation system in the cold and very cold climate. Wall 

insulation in basements is similar to the approaches described for crawlspaces. And 

basement floors are insulated in ways similar to slabs. 

Best Practice: Exterior wall insulation is preferred over interior approaches (Broniek 

2003; Yost and Lstiburek 2002). Exterior insulation will help to protect the basement 

wall from freeze-thaw cycles and will help make the wall warmer, giving condensation 

less chance of forming and improving thermal comfort. Exterior insulation’s position 

outside of damp proofing makes it less likely to contribute to problems of trapped 

moisture inside basement walls. Exterior wall insulation must be approved for belowgrade use. Products such as borate-treated foam board or rigid glass fiber insulation work 

well. Extruded polystyrene (R-5 per inch) is durable and moisture resistant. Expanded 

polystyrene (R-4 per inch) is less expensive, but it has a lower insulating value. Rigid 

fiber glass insulation does not insulate as well as foam but it is the only insulation option 

that provides a drainage plane for foundation walls. Some code officials may require a 

gap between exterior insulation and wood foundations elements to provide a termite 

inspection area. Insulation that is exposed above grade must be covered with a protective 

coating such as flashing, fiber cement board, parging (stucco type material), treated 

plywood, or membrane material. Exterior insulation is an especially good choice in areas 

with high water tables or poor draining soils. 

If interior insulation is used it is important to consider moisture control, insulation 

flame spread rating, and moisture compatibility. Yost and Lstiburek (2002) discuss 

three requirements for interior basement insulation systems. 

• It must dry to the interior if wetting occurs because the below grade portion 

of the wall cannot dry to the exterior. This requirement means that interior 

polyethylene vapor barriers or any impermeable interior wall finishes such as 

vinyl wall coverings or oil/alkyd/epoxy paint systems should not be installed. 

• The wall system must be tightly sealed to keep interior air from reaching the 

cool foundation wall. The system must have either an effective interior air 

barrier (see the section on structural air sealing), or rigid insulation could be 

installed directly on the interior concrete or masonry surfaces. 

• Material is contact with the foundation wall and the concrete slab must be 

moisture tolerant. A capillary break must be placed between materials that 

transport moisture and moisture sensitive materials. 

Yost and Lstiburek go on to present three strategies for interior basement insulation. 

The first system uses foil-faced polyisocyanurate rigid insulation attached directly to the 

upper portion of the basement wall. Extruded or expanded polystyrene can be attached 

to the below-grade portion of the wall. The polystyrene would require a gypsum board 

or equivalent covering. Extending gypsum board up the entire wall, leaving at least a 

half-inch gap at the floor to avoid wetting, provides a finished wall. 

A second system has either expanded or extruded polystyrene foam board attached 

to the entire foundation wall. Extruded polystyrene is more moisture tolerant and 

should be used if there are any doubts in the external drainage system. Additional 

insulation can be added to a frame wall built on the interior of the foam insulation. If 

no additional insulation is desired, wood furring strips can be attached over the foam 

EXTERIOR BASEMENT 

INSULATION 

Install insulation on the exterior 

foundation wall to help ortect the 

foundation from the freeze-thaw 

cycle. 

Extend exterior insulation all the 

way to the sill where permitted 

by code. (Source: CARB) 

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and gypsum board attached to the furring strips. A similar approach is described in the 

masonry wall section of this report, suggests the installation of 2x4 furring, against the 

basement wall, at the intersection with the ceiling, if a firestop is required. Check with 

local code officials about required fire ratings and stops. Gypsum board should be held 

at least a half inch above the basement floor to avoid wetting. 

A third approach uses pre-cast concrete foundation walls that come with 1 inch of rigid 

foam insulation attached to the interior. 

Broniek suggests that a blanket insulation with a perforated facing (to allow drying 

of the wall to the inside) can also be used on the inside face, but it is best used in 

combination with exterior insulation and in conditioned basements. 

For more information on basement insulation see the following: 

• Broniek, John. 2003. Builder System Performance Packages Technical Report. 

Prepared by IBACOS for the Building America Program. Available at 

www.buildingamerica.gov in the publications section. 

• Yost, Nathan, and Joseph Lstiburek. 2002. Basement Insulation Systems. 

Prepared by the Building Science Consortia for the Building America Program. 

Available at www.buildingamerica.gov in the publication section. 

• DOE, Office of Building Technology. 2002. Technology Fact Sheet: Basement 

Insulation. Available at www.buildingamerica.com in the publication section. 

• IBACOS. 2002. Don’t Forget About the Basement. Prepared by IBACOS for 

the Building America Program. Available at www.buildingamerica.gov in the 

publications section. 

• University of Minnesota, Building Foundations Research Program. Minnesota 

Energy Code Building Foundation Rule: Amendment Proposal Development 

Project Final Report, www.buildingfoundation.umn.edu/FinalReportWWW/ 

Section-A/A-recs-main.htm 

Frame Walls 

Best Practice: Best practice for frame wall construction involves advanced framing 

techniques. However, these techniques are not required to achieve 30% space 

conditioning energy savings in the cold and very cold climates. If you want to 

gain greater efficiency, more information on advanced framing can be found 

in the guidance provided in this document for code officials, in the EEBA 

Builders Guides, in DOE’s Fact Sheet on Wall Insulation, and on the Web at 

www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/advancedframing/default.htm. If advanced 

framing is to be used, a detailed plan should be developed showing framing placement. 

Building America sponsored work by the Building Science Consortium and the U.S. 

Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory to develop an inset shear panel 

for advanced framing in seismic regions. Information on the inset shear panel is 

available at www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls/default.htm. 

ADVANCED FRAMING 

Consider advanced framing 

techniques when contructing walls. 

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External walls with 2x6 framing are often used in the cold and very cold climates. These 

walls should include the following features: 

• Exterior sheathing, preferrably insulating sheathing with joints taped to provide 

a water and air barrier. Use insulating sheathing that does not have a film facing.

• Insulation may be R-19 friction-fit, kraft-faced fiberglass insulation or blownin cellulose insulation.

• Frame walls between the garage and the conditioned space, including bonus 

rooms, should have unfaced or kraft-faced insulation—kraft facing needed in 

severe cold climates.

• Rim joists: kraft-faced R-19 friction-fit batt insulation cut to fit. 

• Penetrations: Foam seal or caulk all top-plate penetrations and exterior 

wall penetrations.

• In addition to sealing all penetrations, air leakage through the walls should be 

controlled by sealing the gypsum board. Pay particular attention to air sealing 

penetrations to garages and porches.

Masonry Walls 

Masonry walls may be finished with stucco, wood, or other claddings. Best practices to 

improve thermal efficiency include the following: 

• Semi-vapor permeable rigid insulation should be installed on the interior of 

wall assemblies and should be unfaced. Foil facing and polypropylene skins 

should be avoided.

• Wood furring should be installed over rigid insulation. The rigid insulation 

should be continuous over the surface of the wall, except for a 2x4 furring at 

the intersection with the ceiling. This blocking attaches directly to the masonry FIGURE11: Masonry Walls 

block and serves as draft and fire stop. The rigid insulation abuts the blocking with Interior Rigid Insulation

but does not cover it or extend behind it. Penetrations: Foam seal or caulk all 

top plate penetrations and exterior wall penetrations. 

• Electrical boxes can be surface mounted to the masonry, avoiding chipping or 

chiseling. The rigid insulation, furring, and gypsum board will build up around 

the box for a flush finish.

• Use pressure-treated lumber to frame out sub-jambs and spacers within 

window and door rough openings.

• As with other walls, penetrations to the exterior or through top and bottom 

plates should be foam sealed or caulked.

• In addition to sealing all penetrations, air leakage through the walls should be 

controlled by sealing the gypsum board. Pay particular attention to air sealing 

penetrations to garages and porches.

• When pouring the slab take care to create a seat in the concrete to accept the 

block and seats in the concrete to act as drain pans where exterior doors and 

sliding doors will be located. 

More information on masonry construction can be found in the Builders Guides 

(Lstiburek 2002) and on the Web at the Building America Houses that Work section of 

the Building Science Corporation Web site www.buildingscience.com/ 

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housesthatwork/hothumid/orlando.htm. Look for the Orlando Profile. Window 

flashing details can be found in the ASTM standard entitled Standard Practice for 

Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors, and Skylights (ASTM 2002) and the EEBA 

Water Management Guide. The Water Management Guide also contains information on 

other approaches to draining masonry assemblies. The Trades chapter contains a 

building tips sheet for masonry walls. 

Concrete Walls 

Some builders are beginning to use poured concrete walls for residential construction. 

For more information on this approach see Builder System Performance Package Targeting 

30%-40% Savings in Space Conditioning Energy Use prepared by CARB (CARB 2004). 

Windows 

Best Practice: Specify efficient windows to control solar energy gains and to help reduce 

heating and cooling loads. Some Building America experts recommend that, nationwide, 

windows be used with a U-factor of 0.35 or lower. Building America experts recommend 

a SHGC of 0.35 or less to 0.45 in the cold climate. The ENERGY STAR qualification 

for windows is at a SHGC of 0.40. The tradeoff in using a smaller SHGC is that the sun 

is blocked in both winter, when the sun helps to heat the house, and summer, when the 

sun works against air conditioning. 

Windows are a prominent feature of any wall. High-performance windows can be an 

easy way to achieve ENERGY STAR qualification. Efficient windows will add expense 

to your project, but will provide tremendous value in comfort, durability, and energy 

savings. High-performance windows add so much to energy efficiency that smaller 

cooling and heating equipment can often be specified, which may recapture much of 

the cost. A voluntary rating system developed by the National Fenestration Rating 

Council (NFRC) provides performance information for about half the windows 

sold. The NFRC label contains ratings for the following features. You can find more 

information about the NFRC on the Web at www.nfrc.org. 

• U-factors take into account the entire window assembly and rate how well 

the window prevents heat from passing through the window. The lower the 

U-factor the better the window performs at stopping heat flow. U-factors are 

the inverse of R-values used to measure the effectiveness of insulation. U-factor 

values for windows generally fall between 0.20 and 1.2. 

• SHGC is the solar heat gain coefficient, which measures how well the window 

blocks heat caused by sunlight. The lower the SHGC rating the less solar heat 

the window transmits. This rating is expressed as a fraction between 0 and 1. 

• Visible transmittance (VT) measures how much light comes through a 

window. VT is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The bigger the 

number the more clear the glass. 

• Air leakage through a window assembly is included on most manufacturers’ 

labels, but is not required. The AL rating is expressed as the equivalent cubic 

feet of air passing through a square foot of window area (cfm/sq.ft.) The lower 

the AL, the less the window leaks. A typical rating is 0.2. 

• Another optional rating is Condensation Resistance (CR), which measures 

the ability of a product to resist the formation of condensation on the interior 

surface of that product. The higher the CR rating, the better that product 

is at resisting condensation formation. While this rating cannot predict 

WINDOWS 

Specify efficient windows to control 

solar energy gains and to help 

reduce heating and cooling loads. 

FIGURE 12: NFRC Window Label 

Energy efficient windows are 

comfortable to sit near and 

provide protection for furniture 

and window treatments. 

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condensation, it can provide a credible method of comparing the potential 

of various products for condensation formation. CR is expressed as a number 

between 1 and 100, with a higher value representing more resistance to the 

formation of condensation. 

ENERGY STAR qualifies specific windows in addition to qualifying houses. For the 

northern region all windows and doors, qualifying for the ENERGY STAR label must 

have a U-factor rating of 0.35 or less and any SHGC rating; skylights must have a 

U-factor rating of 0.60 or below and any SHGC rating. You need not use ENERGY 

STAR-labeled windows to qualify a total house for an ENERGY STAR label. 

The Efficient Windows Collaborative operates a Web site that can help designers and 

consumers choose windows. The Web site includes a tool that allows users to analyze 

energy costs and savings for windows with different ratings. Visit the Web site at 

www.efficientwindows.org/index.cfm. 

The Web site also has fact sheets with comparisons for each state. These fact sheets 

could make effective marketing tools. Also described on the Web site is a book entitled 

Residential Windows: A Guide to New Technologies and Energy Performance (Carmody 

et al. 2000), which offers homeowners, architects, designers, and builders a fascinating 

look at the state of the art in window technology. Emphasizing energy performance, 

the book covers every aspect of window design and technology: the basic mechanisms 

of heat transfer; new products and rating systems; the effects of window frame material 

and installation; and how to make the best decisions when purchasing windows. 

Overhangs 

Best Practice: Design roofs with overhangs to shade and protect windows and doors. 

Overhangs may take the form of eaves, porches, or other design features such as 

awnings, pergolas, or trellises. 

Single glazing is not recommended, but when a house has clear single glazing, lightcolored interior shades, overhangs, and combinations of shading devices significantly 

reduce energy costs. 

Reliance on any form of shading is not nearly as important when windows with a 

low solar-heat-gain coefficient are used. Using a low-solar-gain low-E coating results 

in great energy cost reductions for air conditioning, even with no shading. This is 

because the glazing itself provides the necessary control of solar radiation, so shading 

measures become less important in terms of energy use. However, in homes designed 

for passive solar heating, overhangs help to control seasonal heat gain and a low 

SHGC can be detrimental. For a description of the interactions between window 

performance and shading, see the Efficient Windows Collaborative Web site at 

www.efficientwindows.org. 

Overhangs should be sized to account for differences in the angles of the sun during 

winter and summer. Precise overhang dimensions should be calculated for each 

latitude. Free and low-cost computer programs and tools are available to help. For 

example a free program telling you the angle of the sun for any point in the country is 

available at www.susdesign.com/sungangle/. Latitude, longitude, and elevation data can 

be obtained at www.wunderground.com. Overhang dimensions can be calculated at 

OVERHANGS 

Design roofs with overhangs 

to shade and protect windows 

and doors. 

FIGURE 13: Overhangs 

Summer 

Sun Winter 

Sun 

22o 

4 ft. 

67o 

Sun angles for Minneapolis, 

Minnesota. A four foot window 

would need an overhang extending 

30 inches with 12 inches of wall 

above the window. 

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www.susdesign.com/overhang/index.html. For a listing of free and available-forpurchase energy models, including solar design tools, see DOE’s Building Technology 

Program Web site at www.eere.energy.gov/buildng/index.cfm?flash=yes. Click on 

Software Tools on the lower right side. A low-cost sun angle calculator is available from 

the Society of Building Science Educators at www.sbse.org/resources/sac/index.htm. 

Overhangs also provide protection from rain, hail, and the effects of overheating and 

ultraviolet radiation on siding and windows. 

Ceilings and Roofs 

As indicated earlier, ceilings, roofs, and attics represent complex building assemblies. In 

addition to the sealing and insulation approaches shown in the Air Sealing section, here 

are additional insulation guidelines. These guidelines apply to traditionally ventilated 

attics. Unvented attics must be tightly sealed and are not described in detail in this guide. 

Carefully installed ceiling insulation helps to prevent ice dams. 

• If attic access is provided, it must be insulated and weather-stripped. 

• Use baffles to allow ventilation air to freely flow past insulation. 

• Install an “energy” truss for more headroom at the eave to avoid compressing 

insulation and allow for complete attic insulation coverage. 

• Use dams to hold insulation away from openings and storage areas. Thick batt 

insulation makes an excellent dam. Waxed cardboard, foam sheathing, and 

other sheet goods can also be used as dams. 

• Only recessed lights rated for “insulated ceiling and air tight” (ICAT) should 

be installed in ceilings. See the section on electrical for more information. 

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) 

Best Practice: For the best results in comfort, efficiency, and durability, HVAC system 

design for both equipment and ducts must be integrated in the overall architectural 

design. Work closely with your HVAC engineer, HVAC contractor or HERS rater to 

properly design, size, and select your HVAC equipment. If done properly, you will save 

money and go a long way with this single step toward improved energy efficiency and 

comfort and substantial cost savings. 

A well-designed house should have an HVAC system properly sized to its demands. 

Proper equipment sizing ensures a comfortable environment and provides opportunities 

to recapture some of the expense of an efficient building envelope. Rules of thumb for 

equipment sizing do not work in modern homes and should not be used. 

Unfortunately, rules of thumb are still prevalent. A Florida survey points out some of 

the practices of HVAC contractors (Viera, Parker, Klonbergo, Sonn, and Cummings 

1996). Although only a small percentage of Florida’s HVAC contractors responded, 

the survey found that about one-third of respondents size air conditioning and 

duct capacities based on square footage or other rules of thumb. Compounding the 

problem, the rules were not consistently applied. Some respondents provided twice 

as much capacity as others for a given square footage of floor area. Over one-third of 

respondents indicated intentional oversizing of HVAC equipment on some jobs, in 

order to avoid complaints, accommodate future expansions, enable quicker cooling 

down of homes, and to allow for lower cooling set points by homeowners. 

HVAC 

Integrate HVAC system design in 

the overall architectural design. 

“‘The recommended changes in 

our practices meant we were able 

to downsize our equipment by a 

half-ton,’ explains Andrew Nevitt, 

Medallion’s head architect. ‘Our 

contractors were concerned that 

they’d experience increased callbacks 

because of comfort issues.’ That 

hasn’t been the case. Medallion 

is building all its homes to reach 

ENERGY STAR performance 

levels and is working with Building 

America to learn practices that will 

push the performance of its homes 

even further.” 

As reported in Professional Builder 

3/1/03. 

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Sizing Furnaces and Air Conditioners 

Best Practice: Right-size air conditioners and other HVAC equipment. 

One estimate states that a Manual J calculation takes about 30 to 60 minutes for 

an average home, using the measurements from construction drawings. Manual S 

calculations require an additional 15 to 30 minutes (SBIC 2003). A single calculation 

can work for multiple use of the same plans. 

Four Sources for HVAC Design 

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has published simple but 

effective methods for determining loads and sizing ductwork and heating and 

cooling equipment. 

• Manual J tells you how to calculate loads. 

• Manual D tells you how to size ducts. 

• Manual S guides you through the selection of appropriate heating and 

cooling equipment to meet identified loads. 

• Manual T gives you the basics for small buildings. 

For moreinformation or to purchasethese documents on the Web, go to www.acca.org. 

Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Ratings 

Best Practice: Central air conditioners should be rated at a minimum of 13 Seasonal 

Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for air cooling and heat pumps should be rated at a 

minimum of 7.6 Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF) for heating. 

In September 2006 DOE will begin enforcing a 13 SEER standard for all 

residential central air conditioners. For more information on this standard, visit 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards. 

Consider using SEER-14 air conditioning equipment to achieve performance levels greater 

than 30% savings. Equipment with SEER ratings up to 20 are now available. Currently, 

ENERGY STAR-labeled central air conditioners have a minimum rating of SEER 12. 

Heat pumps are preferable to electric resistance heating in the cold climate. A unit with a 

HSPF of 7.7 or more will reduce the electric consumption during heating by more than 

50% relative to electric resistance heating. The new standard will require that central 

heat pumps have a minimum rating of 7.7 HSPF. Lists of all ENERGY STAR-rated 

appliances can be found at www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=appliances.pr_appliances. 

In colder climates where temperatures often fall below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), typical 

air source heat pumps require an electric resistance system to properly heat a home. This 

can be an extremely costly method of supplemental heating; a backup gas or propane 

furnace may be a cost-effective alternative. Air-source heat pumps are not recommended for 

the very cold climate. A newly-designed cold climate heat pump is under development but 

is not readily available. 

RIGHT-SIZING 

Right size air conditioners and other 

HVAC equipment. 

FIGURE14: ACCA Manuals

Photos by ACCA 

RATINGS 

Central air conditioners should be 

rated at a minimum of 13 SEER and 

heat pumps should be rated at 

a minimum of 7.6 HSPF. 

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Central Gas-Fired Furnace 

Best Practice: Sealed combustion gas furnaces should be specified for central gas-fired 

heating systems. ENERGY STAR labeled furnaces that meet a minimum Annual Fuel 

Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of 90. 

Sealed Combustion 

Sealed combustion means than an appliance acquires all air for combustion through 

a dedicated sealed passage from the outside, to a sealed combustion chamber, and all 

combustion products are vented to the outside through a separate, dedicated sealed vent. 

Mechanical Ventilation 

Best Practice: Building America recommends that whole-house mechanical 

ventilation be provided as specified in ASHRAE Standard 62.2. Recommended 

ventilation systems for indoor air quality include continuous low-speed exhaust 

fans or balanced ventilation. 

A New Standard in Residential Ventilation 

In Autumn 2003, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating And Air-Conditioning 

Engineers (ASHRAE) established a new standard for indoor ventilation in residences. 

The standard is ASHRAE 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise 

Residential Buildings (ASHRAE 2003). The following information is adapted from the 

Standard’s forward: 

The standard contains three main sets of requirements and a host of secondary 

ones. The three primary sets involve whole-house ventilation, local exhaust, and 

source control. Whole house ventilation is intended to dilute the unavoidable 

contaminant emissions from people, materials, and background processes. Local 

exhaust is intended to remove contaminants from specific rooms, such as kitchens 

and bathrooms, where pollutant sources are produced. And source control measures 

are included to deal with other anticipated sources. The standard’s secondary 

requirements focus on properties of specific items, such as sound and flow ratings 

for fans and labeling requirements. 

The standard is principally about mechanical ventilation, but its purpose is to 

provide acceptable indoor air quality. The most effective way for keeping exposure 

to pollutants low is to keep them from being released to the general indoor 

environment in the first place. 

ASHRAE is planning to publish guidance documents on meeting this standard. 

GAS FURNACES 

Specify sealed combustion gas 

furnaces for central gas-fired 

systems. 

VENTILATION 

Whole-house mechanical 

ventilation should be provided as 

specified in ASHRAE Standard 62.2. 

Recommended ventilation systems 

for indoor air quality include 

continuous low-speed exhaust 

fans or balanced ventilation 

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• Base Rate Ventilation: controlled 

mechanical ventilation at a 

minimum base rate of 15 CFM 

for the master bedroom, plus 

0.01 CFM for each square 

foot of conditioned area, and 

7.5 CFM for each additional 

bedroom, should be provided, 

as listed in ASHRAE 62.2. 

• Spot Ventilation: intermittent 

spot ventilation of 100 CFM 

should be provided for the 

kitchen; all kitchen range hoods 

must be vented to the outside (no 

recirculating hoods). Intermittent 

spot ventilation of 50 CFM or 

continuous ventilation of 20 

CFM, should be provided for 

each washroom/bathroom. Fans 

should be quiet, with a sound 

rating of less than 1.5 sonnes. 

Central fan-integrated supply ventilation 

can be an easy and inexpensive way to 

provide outside air to the HVAC system. 

This system provides fresh, filtered, 

outside air in a controlled amount using 

the existing HVAC delivery system for 

even distribution and mixing. 

Most of the Building America teams 

have designed and field-tested these 

ventilation systems. The systems involve 

exterior air intakes, ductwork running to 

the return air side of the HVAC system, 

dampers to allow control of the air 

intake, and electronic controls to ensure 

that the HVAC fans operate frequently 

enough to draw in adequate fresh air. 

For an example of these systems, see 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/ 

mechanical/air_distribution.pdf for 

more detailed information. 

Compact Air Distribution System 

Best Practice: Make duct runs as short as 

possible.Duct may also be run through 

a conditioned crawlspace, conditioned 

basement, or conditioned attic. 

FIGURE 15: Outside Vents

FIGURE 16: Duct Run Configurations

Efficiency Measures for Air 

Conditioners, Heat Pumps, 

and Furnaces 

The Annual Fuel Utilization 

Efficiency (AFUE) measures the 

amount of fuel converted to heat 

at the furnace outlet in proportion 

to the amount of fuel entering 

the furnace. This is commonly 

expressed as a percentage. A 

furnace with an AFUE of 90 could 

be said to be 90% efficient. 

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency 

Ratio (SEER) is a measure of 

equipment energy efficiency over 

the cooling season. It represents 

the total cooling of a central 

air-conditioner or heat pump (in 

Btu) during the normal cooling 

season as compared to the total 

electric energy input (in watt-hours) 

consumed during the same period. 

The Heating Season Performance 

Factor (HSPF) is a measure of a heat 

pump’s energy efficiency over one 

heating season. It represents the 

total heating output of a heat pump 

(including supplementary electric 

heat) during the normal heating 

season (in Btu) as compared to the 

total electricity consumed (in Watthours) during the same period. 

DUCT RUNS 

Make duct runs as short 

as possible. Duct may also be run 

through a conditioned crawlspace, 

conditioned basement, or 

conditioned attic. 

Figure 15 and 16 Source: 

Building Science Corporation 

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An efficient building envelope and efficient HVAC equipment allow for a compact air 

distribution system. Conditioned air may be discharged from walls (see the discussion 

in the next section on chase design) or from ceiling diffusers up to 12 feet from the 

window wall in most cases without compromising comfort. Such “inside throw” layouts 

cut ductwork runs, saving money and reducing the amount of ductwork that may run 

in unconditioned space. 

Seal All Ducts and Air Handlers 

Best Practice: Seal all ductwork seams and connections to air handlers with UL181-

approved water-based mastic and seal drywall connections with caulk or foam sealant. 

Sealing ductwork is very important. Leaky ductwork in an unconditioned attic or 

crawlspace can draw unhealthy air into the air distribution system. Sealing ducts with 

mastic is desirable even for ducts located in conditioned spaces. Properly sealed ducts 

make sure air gets to the spaces intended, rather than leaking into a plenum space. It 

also minimizes the chances of creating pressure differentials from space to space that 

would induce airflow through the envelope. The process of sealing each joint reduces 

the chances of unconnected ductwork, a surprisingly common mistake. 

Mastic provides the most reliable duct sealing method for new construction. All 

ductwork, including the air handler compartment (which typically has many leaky 

joints), should be mastic sealed. 

DOE research has found that some tapes perform adequately for sealing ducts, 

particularly fiberglass duct board. However, good performing tapes may be difficult to 

identify and traditional duct tape (cloth-backed rubber adhesive tapes) should never be 

used to seal ducts, even if it meets UL ratings. Do not use sealing tapes for structural 

purposes. Tapes have low tensile strength and should not be used to mechanically 

support ducts. A technical report (Walker, Sherman, Modera, and Siegel 1998) on duct 

sealants can be found on the Web at http://ducts.lbl.gov/Publications/lbl-41118.pdf 

and a less technical article (Sherman and Walker 1998) on similar research can be 

found at www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/98/9807.html. 

California Title 24 residential building standards requires that duct sealants meet UL 181, 

UL 181A, UL 181B, or UL 723 (for aerosol sealants). The California Energy Commission 

has approved a cloth-backed duct tape with a special butyl adhesive (CEC 2005). 

Ducts and Air Handlers in Conditioned Space 

Best Practice: Ducts and air handlers should be placed in conditioned spaces to the extent 

possible. Extreme temperatures and humidity levels can be found in unconditioned spaces 

and create an unfavorable environment for ducts and air handlers. 

Ducts and air handlers perform best when placed within conditioned space. Do not 

install ductwork in exterior walls. Keeping ducts inside conditioned space may require 

one of several strategies, such as: 

1) Placing ducts in a chase designed to run through a central corridor below 

the attic or on top of the ceiling through the attic. If the chase runs 

through the attic, it must fit within the roof truss design and will be 

covered with insulation. For more information on designing and building 

an interior chase see the report, Design and Construction of Interior Duct 

DUCT SEALING 

Seal all ductwork and air handlers 

with mastic and seal duct boots to 

sheetrock connections. 

FIGURE 17: Mastic

Mastic provides the most reliable duct 

sealing method for new construction. 

“Sealing the ducts with mastic 

is I think the single most 

important thing that anyone 

should do. Sealing gets leakage 

rates down to about 2%. 

Not doing duct sealing on 

new construction is extremely 

short sighted. Mastic will last 

the life of the system, while 

conventional duct tape can fail 

within a year.” 

Lucian Kragiel, Co-owner of 

Atlantic Design and Construction 

DUCT RUNS 

Ducts and air handlers should be 

placed in conditioned spaces to the 

extent possible. 

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Systems (McIlvaine, Beal, and Fairey 2001), available on the Web at 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/baihp//pubs/interior_ducts.pdf. 

2) Insulating and sealing the underside of the roof sheathing to create a 

conditioned attic. This strategy requires tightly sealing the roof structure, 

especially where it connects with the walls, to avoid the entry of outside air. 

This technique essentially requires building a non-vented roof assembly. For 

more information on this technique see www.buildingscience.com/resources/ 

roofs/unvented_roof_summary_article.pdf. This approach may require a 

variance from local code officials. 

3) In houses with a crawlspace, insulating and sealing the exterior walls of the 

crawlspace so that it becomes a conditioned space, such as a mini basement. 

This strategy requires treating the crawlspace much like a living space with 

conditioned air supply, moisture control, and air returns to the HVAC system. 

More information on this approach can be found in the section on Foundation 

Systems. 

Air handlers/furnaces should be placed inside conditioned space. 

Standards for Duct Sealants 

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) publishes several standards that relate to duct 

sealants, the most important of which is UL 181. It deals with ducts in general, with UL 

181A covering field-assembled duct-board, and UL 181B covering flex duct systems. 

Each standard includes test procedures for sealants. Duct tapes and packing tapes that 

pass UL 181B are labeled “UL 181B-FX.” Mastics can pass 181A or B and 

are labeled “UL 181A-M” or “UL 181B-M.” Foil tapes are designated with a P. 

Most tapes that are labeled 181B-FX are duct tapes. UL 181A and 181B appear to do a 

good job of testing for safety, tensile strength, and initial adhesion. However, they may 

not do a good job of rating how well sealants seal typical duct leaks or how well they stay 

sealed under normal conditions. 

Adapted from Sherman and Walker 1998 

Duct Insulation 

Best Practice: Ducts in unconditioned spaces must be insulated. 

To the extent possible, ducts should be placed inside conditioned space. In conditioned 

spaces, they require minimal insulation. If the ducts are placed in unconditioned spaces, 

due to the extreme summer temperatures in these spaces, 10% to 30% of the energy 

used to cool the air can be lost to conduction through the duct surfaces. Therefore, they 

must be insulated. ENERGY STAR recommends R-8 insulation levels for supply ducts 

in unconditioned attics and R-4 in crawlspaces (EPA 2000, available on the Web at 

www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features/DuctInsulation1-17-01.pdf) (based on 

Treidler et al. 1996). 

INSULATING DUCTS 

Ducts in unconditioned spaces 

must be insulated. 

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FIGURE 19: Jump Ducts

Source: Building Science Corporation 

Transfer Grilles and Jump Ducts 

Best Practice: Use jump ducts and transfer grilles and other return pathways to 

maintain balanced pressure in rooms that are often isolated from the rest of the house 

by a closed door, such as a bedroom. 

To maintain balanced pressure, air must be returned from each room to the central 

HVAC equipment. One way to do this would be to add a ducted return from each 

room. However, this would be expensive and consume a lot of space. A cost-effective 

approach is to provide a central return and make sure that there are transfer grilles or 

transfer ducts, of adequate size, that allow air to pass from individual rooms to the 

central return even when doors are closed. Figure 18 illustrates different approaches 

to creating paths to equalize air pressure and allow air to return to HVAC equipment. 

When designing registers and transfer grilles, place them high on the wall in areas 

where furniture may block air movement. 

Draw Duct Layouts on Plans 

Best Practice: Clearly identify on plans and drawings the locations, sizes, and types for 

all duct work and registers, including the heating and cooling supply ducts, passive 

return air ducts or transfers, the locations for the mechanical ventilation air inlet (at 

least 8 feet away from any exhausts or condensers), and all exhaust outlets. If chases or 

other spaces are to be dedicated to duct runs, indicate this on the plans. 

FIGURE 20: Jump Ducts

Source: IBACOS 

Show duct layouts on plans. 

(Source: CARB)

BALANCED PRESSURE 

Use jump ducts and transfer 

grilles and other return pathways 

to maintain balanced pressure in 

bedrooms and other isolated rooms. 

DUCT WORK LOCATION 

Clearly identify on plans and 

drawings the locations, sizes, and 

types for all duct work and registers. 

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Designers

This level of detail can be referenced in contract documents so you know exactly what you 

will be getting. These documents can provide guidance in the field for proper installation. 

Energy Performance and Commissioning 

Best Practice: Air conditioners and heat pumps should be evaluated after installation 

with a duct pressure test and, if needed, a smoke test to identify the location of leaks. 

Procedures are discussed in the Site Supervisors chapter.

Building Science Corporation has identified performance testing as a key reason for 

substantial reductions in callbacks (BSC 2003).

Occupant Health and Safety 

The following best practices should be included in the house design: 

• All combustion appliances in the conditioned space must be sealed combustion 

or power-vented. Specifically, any furnace inside conditioned space shall be 

a sealed-combustion 90%+ (AFUE of 90 or greater) unit. Any water heater 

inside conditioned space shall be power vented or power-direct vented. 

Designs that incorporate passive combustion air supply openings or outdoor 

supply air ducts not directly connected to the appliance should be avoided. 

Gas cooking ranges shall follow the practices described in the second bullet. 

• Use sealed-combustion gas fireplaces to eliminate the threat of harmful combustion 

gases from entering the house. All fuel-burning fireplaces should have sealed 

combustion and be properly vented to the outside. If not properly vented and 

sealed, the fireplace can produce harmful combustion pollutants that may be emitted 

into the home, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. 

• Provide filtration systems for forced air systems that provide a minimum 

atmospheric dust spot efficiency of 30% or MERV of 6 or higher. MERV 

(Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) is a measure of an air filter’s efficiency 

at removing particles. A fiberglass panel filter may have a MERV of 4 or 5. 

Critical areas in hospitals may use a MERV 14 filter. Electronic air cleaners 

should be used with caution because the ozone they produce may affect 

sensitive individuals. 

• Indoor humidity should be maintained in the range of 25% to 60% by 

controlled mechanical ventilation, mechanical cooling, or dehumidification. 

See www.buildingscience.com/resources/moisture/relative_humidity_0402.pdf. 

• Carbon monoxide detectors (hard-wired units) shall be installed (at one per 

every approximate 1,000 square feet) in any house containing combustion 

appliances and/or an attached garage. 

• Maximize hard surface areas (tile, vinyl, hardwood) to better manage dust for 

health purposes. For slab-on-grade houses, it also reduces the cooling loads. 

• Information relating to the safe, healthy, comfortable operation and 

maintenance of the building and systems that provide control over space 

conditioning, hot water, or lighting energy use shall be provided to occupants. 

EVALUATION 

Evaluate air conditioners and heat 

pumps after installation. 

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Mechanicals Management and Appliances 

Plumbing FIGURE 21: Additional Plumbing Air 

Sealing Building Tips can be found Water heater efficiency is described by the 

in the Trades Chapter. energy factor rating. The Consumers’ Directory 

of Certified Efficiency Ratings, Gas Appliance 

Manufacturers Association (GAMA) provides 

a concise listing of energy factors for water 

heaters of all fuel types at www.gamanet.org. 

Best Practice: Do not install plumbing 

in exterior walls. Seal around plumbing 

penetrations in all exterior surfaces, surfaces 

that border on unconditioned spaces, and 

between floors. Use fire-resistant sealant in 

plates between floors. 

Best Practice: Water heaters can be located 

in the basement or a conditioned crawlspace 

(space permitting) or enclosed within a closet. 

If enclosed, ventilation grilles may be needed to 

provide combustion air. Water heaters located 

in conditioned spaces should be power vented 

or power-direct vented 

Water Heaters 

Water heaters come in many shapes, sizes, and efficiencies. The Oregon Department of 

Energy maintains a list of high-efficiency water heaters that qualify for state tax credits. 

The list contains high-efficiency gas combustion water heaters, instantaneous (tankless) 

water heaters, and water heating heat pumps. You may consider these products for your 

projects. The tax credits only apply to Oregon installations by Oregon taxpayers. See the 

list at: www.energy.state.or.us/res/tax/appheat.htm. 

Air admittance vents may be accepted in some jurisdictions and can help reduce the 

quantity of needed vent pipes. More information can be found at www.toolbase.org. 

Best Practice: Be sure to specify insulation requirements for pipes, especially pipes that 

will be covered by the slab, or will otherwise be inaccessible. 

Electrical 

Best Practice: Seal around wires penetrating all exterior surfaces, surfaces that border 

on unconditioned spaces, and between floors. Use fire-resistant sealants between floors. 

If recessed downlights are to be used they should be rated for insulated ceilings and 

airtight (ICAT). 

ICAT is a combination of two standards. The first is ASTM E283, the standard 

for testing restricted air movement (ASTM 2004) and the second is Underwriters 

PLUMBING SEALING 

Seal plumbing penetrations in 

exterior surfaces and keep plumbing 

out of exterior walls. 

WATER HEATERS 

Water heaters located in a 

conditioned spacemust be powervented or power-direct vented. 

SPECIFY INSULATION 

REQUIREMENTS 

Be sure to specify insulation 

requirements for pipes, especially 

pipes that will be inaccessible. 

ELECTRICAL SEALING 

Seal all wire penetrations. 

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Designers

Laboratory standard for direct burial in 

insulation contained in the Luminaires 

standard (UL 1598). The ICAT standard 

originated in the State of Washington 

building code and now, as part of the 

International Energy Efficiency code, 

covers almost 75% of the country’s 

population. See the Trades chapter 

for Building Tips for electricians for more 

information. 

Consider the use of recessed downlights 

FIGURE 22: Additional Electrical Air 

Sealing Building Tips are available in 

the Trades chapter. 

and other fixtures that qualify for ENERGY 

STAR labels. Highly energy-efficient 

recessed downlight fixtures that have 

undergone stringent testing are available for 

purchase at the following DOE sponsored 

Web site: www.pnl.gov/cfldownlights/. The 

lights featured are ICAT rated and hardwired for compact fluorescent bulbs. Fixed 

prices have been negotiated for the featured 

fixtures. Using compact fluorescent lamps 

in lighting fixtures will reduce energy usage 

and lower the cooling load. 

Appliances 

Major appliances meet high-energy efficiency standards using current appliance ratings. 

Only those appliances in the top one-third of the DOE Energy Guide rating scale 

should be selected (see list at: www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/ 

appliances.html). One approach is to use appliances with the ENERGY STAR label. 

Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance 

found that extra features like 

on-demand water heaters, extra 

polystyrene insulation, and 

fluorescent lighting can all add 

to a homes’ energy efficiency. 

“The water heater made a very 

big difference,” said Lisa Rotvold, 

EDHA’s director. “It was a costly 

item but it has a good payback 

for us.” 

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Designers

Sources & Additional Information 

• Air Conditioning Contractors of America. Manual D: Residential Duct Systems. ACCA, Arlington, VA. 

www.acca.org.

• Air Conditioning Contractors of America. Manual J: Residential Load Calculation, Eighth Edition. ACCA, 

Arlington, VA. www.acca.org. 

• Air Conditioning Contractors of America. Manual S: Residential Equipment Selection. ACCA, Arlington, VA. 

www.acca.org. 

• The American Society of Civil Engineers standard (number 32-01). Design and Construction of Frost-Protected 

Shallow Foundations. 

• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, INC (ASHRAE). 2003. ASHRAE 

Standard: Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings. ASHRAE, Atlanta, GA. 

• ASTM 2004. Standard Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, 

and Doors Under Specified Pressure Differences across the Specimen. ASTM E283-04. 

• ASTM 2003 WK2469 New Standard (Formerly E1465-92) Guide for Radon Control Options for the Design and 

Construction of New Low Rise Residential Buildings. 

• ASTM. 2002. Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors, and Skylights. ASTM E2112-01. 

• Broniek, John. 2003. Builder System Performance Packages Technical Report. Prepared by IBACOS for the Building 

America Program. www.buildingamerica.gov 

• Building Energy Codes Resource Center. Details for Mechanically Vented Crawlspaces - Code Notes.

www.energycodes.gov/support/code_notes.stm

• Building Science Corporation (BSC). 2002. 10. Case Study Material: Conditioning Air in the Humid South. National 

Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. 

• Building Science Corporation (BSC). 2003. 9. BSC Final Report: Lessons Learned from Building America 

Participation, February 1995-December 2002. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO. 

• Building Science Corporation. 2003b. 1.C.2.1 Report Expert Meeting Summary. National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory, Golden, CO. 

• Building Science Corporation. 2004. Houses that Work. www.bsc.com 

• CARB (Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings). 2004. Builder System Performance Package Targeting 

30%-40% Savings in Space Conditioning Energy Use. NREL/SR-550-34560. National Renewable Energy 

Laboratory, Golden, CO. Available at www.buildingamerica.gov. 

• Carmody, John, Stephen Selkowitz, Dariush Arasteh and Lisa Heschong. 2000. Residential Windows: 

A Guide to New Technologies and Energy Performance. W. W. Norton and Company, New York. 

www.wwnorton.com/npb/welcome.htm.

• California Energy Commission. 2005. 2005 Residential Compliance Manual. Sacramento, CA.

www.energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-400-2005-005/CEC-400-2005-005-CMF.pdf.

• Edminster, Ann, Betsy Pettit, Kohta Ueno, Stephanie Menegus, and Steven Baczek. 2000. “Case Studies 

in Resource-Efficient Residential Building: The Building America Program.” 2000 ACEEE Summer Study 

Proceedings. ACEEE, Washington, D.C. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

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Designers

• Garrison,Tim. 2004. Nation’s Building News Online, 27April 2004. www.nbnnews.com. 

• IBACOS. 2002. Best Practices: Consider the Crawlspace. 

• IBACOS. 2002. Don’t Forget About the Basement. Prepared by IBACOS for the Building America Program. 

www.buildingamerica.gov 

• Institute for Business and Home Safety. The IBHS has building guidelines and public information. www.ibhs.org. 

• Lstiburek, Joseph. 2002. EEBA Builders Guide: Hot and Humid Climates. EEBA, Minneapolis, MN. 

www.eeba.org/bookstore.

• Lstiburek, Joseph. 2003. EEBA Water Management Guide. EEBA, Minneapolis, MN. www.eeba.org/bookstore. 

• Lstiburek, Joseph. 2004. Builders Guide to Cold Climates. www.eeba.org/bookstore 

• McIlvaine, Janet, David Beal, and Philip Fairey, III. 2001. Design and Construction of Interior 

Duct System. Report Number FSEC-PF-365-01, Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, FL. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/baihp//pubs/interior_ducts.pdf.

• Parker, D.S., J. R. Sherwin and M. T. Anello, 2001. “FPC Residential Monitoring Project: New Technology 

Development — Radiant Barrier Pilot Project,” Contract Report FSEC-CR-1231-01, Florida Solar Energy Center, 

Cocoa, FL. www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/pubs/rbs/index.htm. 

• Rudd, Armund. 2003. Refrigeration System Installation and Startup Procedures, and Air Conditioning System 

Efficiency. Building Science Corporation, Westford, MA. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/mechanical/air_conditioning_equipment_efficiency.pdf. 

• Sherman, Max and Iain Walker. 1998. “Can Duct Tape Take the Heat?” Home Energy, Berkeley, CA. 

www.homeenergy.org/898ductape.title.html.

• Straube, John. 2001. Canadian Architect. “Wrapping it Up”. May, 2001. www.cdnarchitect.com. 

• (SBIC) Sustainable Buildings Industry Council. 2003. Green Building Guidelines: Meeting the Demand for LowEnergy, Resource-Efficient Homes. U.S. DOE. Washington, D.C. document available at www.SBICouncil.org. 

• Treidler, B., M.P. Modera, R.G. Lucas, J.D. Miller. 1996. Impact of Residential Duct Insulation on HVAC Energy 

Use and Life-Cycle costs to Consumers. ASHRAE Transactions: Symposia, AT-96-13-4. American Society of 

Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA. 

• University of Minnesota, Building Foundations Research Program. Frost Protected Shallow Foundations Design 

Specifications. www.buildingfoundation.umn.edu/MHFAfrostFoundation.htm 

• University of Minnesota, Building Foundations Research Program. Minnesota Energy 

Code Building Foundation Rule: Amendment Proposal Development Project Final Report. 

www.buildingfoundation.umn.edu/FinalReportWWW/Section-A/A-recs-main.htm 

• U.S. Department of Energy. 2000. Technology Fact Sheet on Weather Resistive Barriers. DOE/GO-102000-O769, 

Washington D.C. Available on the Web at www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/28600.pdf. 

• U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Building Technology. 2002. Technology Fact Sheet: Basement Insulation. 

• U.S. Department of Energy. 2000. Energy Savers Fact Sheet on Vapor Diffusion Retarders and Air Barriers 

www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/bd4.html

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1994. Model Standards and Techniques for Control of Radon in New 

Residential Buildings. 

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Designers

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2000. Duct Insulation: Air Distribution System Improvements. EPA 430-

97-028. Washington, D.C. www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features/DuctInsulation1-17-01.pdf. 

• United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2001. Building Radon Out: A Step by Step Guide on How to Build 

Radon Resistant Homes. www.epa.gov/199/radon/images/buildradonout.pdf. 

• Vieira, Robin K., Parker, Danny S., Klongerbo, Jon F., Sonne, Jeffrey K., Cummings, Jo Ellen. 1996. 

“How Contractors Really Size Air Conditioning Systems.” Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, FL. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/pubs/ACsize/index.htm.

• Walker, I., M. Sherman, M. Modera, and J. Siegel. 1998. Leakage Diagnostics, Sealant Longevity, sizing and 

Technology Transfer in Residential Thermal Distribution Systems. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, 

CA. http://ducts.lbl.gov/Publications/lbl-41118.pdf. 

• Yost, Nathan. May 2003. “The Case for Conditioned Unvented Crawlspaces.” Building Safety Journal. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/articles/24-27_Yost_for_author.pdf.

• Yost, Nathan, and Joseph Lstiburek. 2002. Basement Insulation Systems. Prepared by the Building Science 

Consortia for the Building America Program. www.buildingamerica.gov 

Web Sites Not Included with Published Documents Above 

(See Appendix V for more information on Web sites.) 

• www.blueprintforsafety.org 

• www.buildingamerica.gov 

• www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/airsealing.htm 

• www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/buildingmaterials.htm 

• www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/hothumid/montgomery.htm 

• www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/hothumid/orlando.htm 

• www.buildingscience.com/resources/mechanical/advanced_space_conditioning.pdf 

• www.buildingscience.com/resources/moisture/relative_humidity_0402.pdf 

• www.buildingscience.com/resources/roofs/unvented_roof_summary_article.pdf 

• www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls/problems_with_housewraps.htm 

• www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls/default.htm 

• www.certainteed.com/pro/insulation 

• www.crawlspaces.org 

• www.eere.energy.gov/buildings 

• www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/appliances.html 

• www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/r-value_map.html 

• www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/landscape.html 

• www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/hazard_workshop.html 

• www.efficientwindows.org/index.cfm 

• www.energycodes.gov 

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• www.energy.state.or.us/res/tax/appheat.htm 

• www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bop.pt_bop_index 

• www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html 

• www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html 

• www.fema.gov 

• www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/science/basics/index.htm 

• www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/pubs/rbs/index.htm 

• www.gamanet.org 

• www.ibacos.com/bestprac.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/Aug03/Sug2003_bp_brick.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/Aug04/Aug2004_Water.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/Jan04/bestpractice.pdf 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/Jan04/Jan_BPWebBasements.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/June03/wtrhtr.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/March03/march03_bestpractices_roofflashing.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/March03/march03_cover.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/March04/Mar_BPRoofs.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/March04/Mar_Tech_VentedAttics.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/Oct03/duct.html 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/Winter05/winter05_bestpractices_drainage_plane.html 

• www.ibacos.com/hpl.html 

• www.ibacos.com/pubs/Newsletter-July02.pdf 

• www.ibacos.com/pubs/Newsletter-July02.pdf#page=3 

• www.nahbrc.org/docs/mainnav/moistureandleaks/792_moisture.pdf 

• www.natresnet.org 

• www.nfrc.org 

• www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html 

• www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/radiant/rb_01.html 

• www.pnl.gov/cfldownlights/ 

• www.sbse.org/resources/sac/index.htm 

• www.susdesign.com/sunangle 

• www.toolbase.org 

• www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts.htm 

• www.wunderground.com 

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Site Supervisors

Tools to help with project management

MANAGERS

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line

INTRODUCTION

Taking action in 

your community

CASE STUDIES

Bringing it all together

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends

SITE SUPERVISORS

Tools to help with 

project management

DESIGNERS

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business

TRADES

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation

MARKETERS

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand

HOMEOWNERS

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • SUP-1

In the chain of events that results in a finished home, the site supervisor (or project 

manager) has the critical job of turning ideas into reality. The site supervisor’s job is 

to make sure everything happens. Plans must be correct, permits must be in order, 

contracts must be signed, subs must be scheduled, materials must be on site, and it 

all must happen on schedule. Successful construction of an energy-efficient home is 

essentially the same as other homes, although a few details are different and can demand 

more careful scrutiny because of the interdependencies in a systems-designed house.

Site supervisors working to build energy-efficient homes can generally do their jobs 

as they already know how, with a few simple but important changes. There are 

three keys to constructing any quality home—managing expectations, managing 

the schedule, and controlling quality and costs. This section will explain how to 

incorporate those three keys into your construction process.

An energy-efficient home built using these Building America recommendations 

looks a lot like any other home. It will maintain its visual appeal and style. The key 

points at which it differs typically involve more efficient heating, ventilating, and air 

conditioning (HVAC) equipment (including ducts), an engineered HVAC system 

design, a supply of outside air for ventilation, humidity control, better windows, 

better insulation, and better air sealing. The Designers chapter contains best 

practices recommendations on the features energy-efficient homes should include. 

Many builders make the comment that it’s not the quantity of changes that make an 

energy-efficient home, but the quality that is put into building the home.

Of course, it is not always easy for a 

site supervisor to control all aspects of a 

subcontractor’s work. It may be necessary, 

especially while these best practices are new 

ideas, to prioritize activities and “pick your 

battles.” In cold and very cold climates, the 

top priorities are: 1) window selection and 

installation, 2) HVAC sizing and installation.

Managing Expectations

A project manager who can foster a set of shared expectations among the important 

players in his or her building team can successfully build efficient houses. Two goals 

should influence the project manager’s actions at the start of the project:

• Make sure subcontractors and in-house workers understand what you want

• Eliminate the need for unknowledgeable (and often unskilled) laborers to 

make design decisions.

The following best practices will help meet these goals.

“The things that we are doing are 

not rocket science. It is attention 

to detail and a systems approach.” 

Lisa Rotvold, Director of the not-forprofit Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance
Site Supervisors 

Develop a Work Plan 

Decide who is going to do what. Will the plumber install insulation behind the tub 

or will the framer, or some other trades person? Develop a schedule for the order that 

activities should occur to be sure that actions are done in a reasonable order and that 

no actions will be forgotten. Be sure that all needed materials are on the site when the 

activity is scheduled to take place. More information on scheduling is included in the 

Managing Execution section. 

Plans – Get Them Right 

Best Practice: Before starting a project ensure that plans are correct and that you have 

everything you need to go forward. Once you have the plans you need, follow them. 

Existing stock plans will likely need to be modified to both include necessary changes 

and to add details not commonly included in residential prints. See the Designers 

chapter for a description of design best practices. 

A well-designed home should have well-designed plans that include everything 

necessary to explain expectations to the subs. Some points that should be included are: 

• HVAC design details and duct layout. The duct layout must be included on 

a floor plan. The duct and diffuser sizes, quantities, and locations must be 

installed as specified. Subcontractors should be contractually obligated to these 

specifications. Performance requirements (such as seasonal energy efficiency 

ratio [SEER] and annual fuel utilization efficiency [AFUE]) for system 

components should be specified on the plans. 

• Framing plan. If advanced framing is to be included in the design, a detailed 

plan is needed showing how advanced framing techniques will be applied. 

These should detail the placement of studs to ensure proper “stacking” in twostory homes and should show details of window and door framing. Advanced 

framing is not required to achieve 30% energy savings in the cold and very 

cold climates but is an important money and time saving measure for more 

highly efficient homes. 

• Other details or specifications. Details and specifications should be written 

or drawn to specify how particular measures will be installed, including both 

the techniques and the materials to be used. Of particular importance are 

specifications and details for items that differ from local standard practice 

such as caulking; draft stops behind bathtubs, stairs, and dropped ceilings; 

duct sealing requirements; gasket materials; window schedules specifying 

U-factors and solar heat gain coefficients (SHGCs); and product performance 

metrics. Also specify items that should not be done, such as caulking ceiling 

penetrations under conditioned attics. 

Plans — Keep Them Right 

Best Practice: Avoid plan changes. When they are required, document the changes as 

you would the original contract. 

Numerous difficulties can be avoided with correct building plans. If the plans have 

been properly developed, with the proper sizing of equipment, you must be sure that 

PLANS 

Make sure they are correct 

and follow them closely. 

AVOID CHANGES 

Thoroughly document 

any changes to plans. 

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changes will not undo this good work. The practice of verbally communicating changes 

is always risky and is potentially disastrous for a systems-designed home where highperformance features interact to achieve energy efficiency, comfort, and durability. 

Before making any changes ask yourself these questions: 

• Why are the changes being made? If there are no clear benefits from the 

change, don’t do it. 

• What effect will the change have on building performance? Will the change 

deviate from best practice recommendations? Will you need to change HVAC 

sizing or system selection? If you don’t know the answer to these questions, ask 

your designer, engineer, or home energy rating system (HERS) professional. 

Be sure to adjust all the systems related to the change. 

• Are new drawings or specifications needed to clearly document your 

expectations? Be clear in your expectations.

Contracts – Write Them Down 

Best Practice: Prepare or update formal contracts with key subs that clearly show what 

you expect of them and what they can expect from other subs. Relevant details, plans, 

and specifications described in the last section should be referenced in the contracts. If 

the sub is providing materials, list the specific materials that you want. Here are some 

examples of materials that a sub may supply: 

• Recessed downlights, which should be air-tight and rated for insulation contact 

• Water-based mastic, to seal ducts 

• High-density fiberglass insulation 

• Sealants and caulks to seal penetrations 

• Windows are typically ordered along with other major purchases, but if the 

sub is supplying them, be sure they are rated as called out in the plans 

• Draft-stopping sheathing. 

If you have expectations for a sub, such as sealing certain types of holes, or installing 

insulation in some space that may become inaccessible, be sure these expectations are 

spelled out in the contract. The scope of work should cover things like equipment size, 

duct sizes, identification of who is responsible for sealing which holes, etc. Contract 

specifications and written assignments of responsibility can greatly simplify the ordering 

of materials. Duct installers, for example, will know exactly what kind of duct material 

will be used and how much; and with this knowledge may be able to prefabricate many 

of their assemblies back at the shop, rather than in the field. These pre-assembled pieces 

tend to be of higher quality thanks to the proximity of tools and materials and better 

working conditions in the shop. 

The Trades chapter contains instructions that you may consider incorporating 

into your contracts. Other sources of useful contracting tools include statements of 

work that were developed by ConSol, one of the organizations that lead a Building 

America team. Here is a partial listing of statements of work, designed for California, 

that are available on the Web at www.comfortwise.com/installationprotocols.shtml or 

at www.thebii.org/rpsw.asp: 

WORKING WITH SUBS 

Always prepare formal 

contracts and be clear 

about your expectations. 

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• Quality caulking and sealing 

• HVAC system design and installation 

• Quality installation of insulation 

• Sliding door installation 

• Window installation 

Pre-Construction Meeting – Have One 

Best Practice: A final strategy to manage expectations among the subs is to hold a preconstruction meeting that includes as many of the subs as possible. At this meeting you 

can emphasize the changes in workflow, shifts in responsibilities, and newly introduced 

building details. Tell your subs about your goals for energy-efficient houses. 

Give the subs drawings and instructions on how to accomplish their jobs. Sample 

instructions are included in the Trades chapter. This meeting will go a long 

way toward helping people to understand their roles and responsibilities. Make sure 

that your subs are aware that you will be conducting inspections and that both the 

ductwork and the building envelope will be tested for air tightness. 

It may be necessary, especially when starting your first energy-efficient homes, to hold 

additional training sessions with key subs. More on this is discussed in the Managing 

Quality section below. 

Permits – Grease the Skids 

A home built according to the instructions contained in this document for the cold and 

very cold climates does not violate any provisions of the national model codes or, usually, 

of local regulations. However, many local code officials are unfamiliar with some of the 

recommended construction techniques. It is well worth your while to raise these issues 

yourself before construction begins so that you’re not surprised by a red tag later. 

Best Practice: Ensuring that the “new” techniques are clearly delineated on the building 

plans can also help flag these issues during plan review rather than during inspection. 

Best Practice: A meeting with the building department before construction is welladvised. Your code official may need information in support of the new techniques you 

may use in an energy-efficient home. 

Appendix III contains a sample of a draft code note that may be helpful. A set of draft 

code notes is available on DOE’s Building Energy Codes Resource Center. These draft 

documents are written for codes officials, and provide a description of energy efficiency 

techniques, citations to relevant codes, and guidance for plan reviews and field 

inspections. The sample in Appendix III is the last one on the list below and is entitled 

Rigid Board Insulation Installed as Draft Stop in Attic Kneewall – Code Notes (Draft). 

Here is a list of available code notes that should help assure your local code official that 

the proposed techniques are both safe and in compliance with the model codes. The 

code notes are available at www.energycodes.gov/support/code_notes.stm. 

PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING 

Include your subs in preconstruction meeting to discuss 

changes associated with your 

energy efficiency goals. 

SHOW TECHNIQUES 

ON BUILDING PLANS 

Ensure that all “new” techniques 

are delineated on the building plans. 

PLAN A MEETING WITH THE 

BUILDING DEPARTMENT 

Your code official may need 

information about energy-efficient 

home techniques. 

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• Single Top Plate 

• No Headers in Nonbearing Walls 

• Header Hangers in Bearing Walls 

• Framing Floor Joists Spaced at 24 inches on Center 

• Framing Studs Spaced at 24 inches on Center 

• Open Spaces as Return-Air Options 

• Details for Mechanically Vented Crawl Spaces 

• Ventilation Requirements for Condensing Clothes Dryers 

• Drywall Clips 

• Rigid Board Insulation Installed as Draft Stop in Attic Kneewall 

Managing Execution 

If you’ve managed to establish clear expectations with your subs and suppliers, you’re 

almost ready to begin construction. The final parts of the plan involve training subs 

as necessary, scheduling everything, and monitoring progress. 

Training 

SYSTEM DESIGNED HOUSING 

Be sure to attend a training 

on systems-designed housing. 

Best Practice: Attend and have your key subs attend a training course on 

systems-designed housing. 

One good way to accomplish this may be to let your HERS provider (see Quality 

Assurance below) conduct the necessary training. Information on general training is 

available from: 

• Building America – www.buildingamerica.gov 

• Energy and Environmental Building Association – www.eeba.org 

• Building Science Corporation –www.buildingscience.com/workshops/default.htm 

• National Association of Home Builders Research Center – www.nahbrc.org 

• Southface Energy Institute – www.southface.org 

• IBACOS – www.ibacos.com 

Other sources may include regional universities or Cooperative Extension Service 

programs, homebuilder associations, utilities, and codes programs. For example, 

Louisiana State University published a book on building homes in Louisiana (Reichel, 

et al. 2002). More specialized training is available at the above sources, plus trade 

organizations, such as: 

• Air Conditioning Contractors Association – offers technician certification 

– www.acca.org 

• American Architectural Manufacturers Association – offers window 

installation master certification – www.installationmastersusa.com

The Web provides a free and easy method to train crews. The California Energy 

Commission offers on its Web site a series of brief videos, lasting only a few minutes a 

piece, that cover many installation processes. Visit www.energyvideos.com for access to 

dozens of videos. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Pathnet 

Web site contains videos on buildings systems and new plumbing technologies. 

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Visit www.pathnet.org/sp.asp?id=10787 to view PATH TV. PATH stands for the 

Partnership for Advanced Housing Technology. 

Scheduling 

Constructing an energy-efficient home requires careful attention to scheduling. Several 

of the new construction techniques may require changing the order of subs; some 

require (or benefit from) a shifting of responsibilities from one sub to another; and 

some new activities will need to be added into the schedule. Here are some of the more 

important schedule considerations: 

• Schedule HVAC rough-in before plumbing and electrical. It is far more 

important for the ductwork to have un-constricted access and pathways than 

it is for wires or pipes. But be sure needs for other systems, such as drain pitch, 

are coordinated. 

• If using a conditioned attic, schedule insulating under the roof deck before 

HVAC rough-in. The insulators must be able to do their job without 

tromping on the carefully placed ductwork. 

• Don’t forget to schedule for pipe insulation under the slab. 

• Be sure to schedule pre-drywall insulation inspections, flashing inspections, 

and envelope and duct pressure tests. Inspect at key points to ensure that 

insulation and envelope sealing take place before areas become inaccessible. 

Inspections are much more likely to happen if scheduled. And subs may be 

a bit more conscientious if they know their work will be evaluated. 

• Be sure to schedule caulking of electrical and plumbing penetrations after 

drywall is completed and the lines have been installed. 

Some situations that may require a shifting of responsibilities include: 

• If using advanced framing techniques that include two-stud corners and 

floating drywall corners (see the section on wall framing in the Designers 

chapter and Appendix III), someone must attach drywall clips. The framer 

is a more likely candidate than the drywall installer for framing modifications. 

• Some caulking work needs to be done by the HVAC subcontractor. In 

particular, main supply and return trunks that lead through walls need to 

be caulked by the person connecting them to the equipment. Don’t let the 

drywall finisher do this with mud—it is neither a good sealant nor durable 

enough. Also, all duct terminations, including jump ducts, must be sealed 

when registers are installed. 

• Some post-finish caulking can be avoided by having the electrician use 

pre-fabricated air-tight electrical boxes (see the Trades chapter for an 

electricians tip sheet). 

• If installation of windows and drainage planes are done by different subs, 

the window installer must be careful to leave flashing unattached at the 

bottom so that the first row of building paper may be tucked under it (see the 

Trades chapter tip sheets for window flashing, house wrap, and sealants). 

Jeff Simon, Executive Vice 

President of Operations for 

Veridian Homes, offers this advice 

for builders considering Building 

America, “You need to have 

systems in place for scheduling 

and documentation so you can 

successfully recreate the home. 

If you don’t have good systems 

and good organization, it will be a 

challenge. You need to be willing 

to take a risk.” 

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• If you are using insulated headers, the framer will need to install insulation 

inside any double headers (using sandwiched foam insulation). Open headers 

may be left for the insulation contractor. 

• Draft stops must be installed behind bathtubs and stairwells on exterior 

framed walls. The framer should do this, but be sure that insulation is installed 

before the draft-stop material goes on. 

• Innovative scheduling of subcontractors can bring huge rewards in reduced 

costs and improved quality. See our case study on Pulte Sun Lakes for 

more information. 

Quality Assurance 

The NAHB, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and other 

sources of builder technical and management information offer guidance for improving 

quality assurance on job sites. The following sections contain quality assurance 

information related to energy efficiency. 

Inspections 

Best Practice: Conduct several inspections during the course of construction, always 

conduct pressure tests of both the whole house and the HVAC ductwork, and always check 

AC and heat pump refrigerant charging. Have the house rated by a certified HERS rater. 

Especially when energy-efficient systems-designed housing is new to your subs, you 

should conduct multiple inspections to ensure that the subs have understood what is 

required of them and how to implement it. After the process has become more routine, 

you might get by with just a couple of inspections. One key inspection should occur 

prior to installation of drywall. 

The pre-drywall inspection allows you to ensure that insulation and draftstopping have 

been properly installed before they get permanently enclosed. This is also the best time 

to conduct a pressure test on the ductwork. The duct pressure test should be conducted 

with the HVAC contractor present, at least for his or her first several energy-efficient 

homes. If the ductwork fails to meet the pressure criteria, a smoke test will reveal the 

worst leaks. It is crucial that this happen while the ductwork is still visible and the 

HVAC contractor is present to see what the problem areas are. 

Duct testing services can be most easily obtained through a certified HERS rater. 

The rater can also conduct whole-house pressure tests and assist with training. And 

the HERS rating itself can be a valuable marketing tool for an energy-efficient house. 

To identify a certified rater in your area, check the registry at the Residential Energy 

Services Network (RESNET) Web site: www.natresnet.org. 

The second important inspection comes after completion of the home, including all 

interior and exterior finishes. This pre-occupancy inspection should check for proper 

sealing of electrical and plumbing (fixtures and drywall penetrations), HVAC registers, 

and the HVAC closet. A whole-house air leakage test (aka “blower-door” test) is 

crucial. Again, your HERS provider is the easiest resource for this service, and this is 

when he or she would be rating the home anyway. Also, if your HVAC contractor has 

not done it, a final check of the AC or heat pump refrigerant charge is crucial. Studies 

have shown that failure to check refrigerant charging results in the average system using 

13% too much energy (http://hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/001105.html). 

“Building America is 

a way to manage risk, 

potential litigation issues, 

and building systems 

failures.” 

Josh Robinson, Pulte Sun 

Lakes project manager and 

a Pulte Vice President

INSPECTIONS 

Conduct inspections throughout 

the construction process. 

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Energy Efficiency Checklists 

A successful energy-efficient building involves many details. It is worthwhile to 

maintain for each house a checklist of important features to keep track of what has 

been done. Although the best checklist is one you’ve made specific to the design(s) you 

are implementing, the three checklists on the following pages are a good baseline to 

work from and may be integrated with your existing checklists. 

SPOT-CHECK INSPECTION CHECKLIST 

These items should be checked if possible as they are installed because they may not be 

accessible at the pre-drywall inspection. 

Grading is sloped at 5% away from the house for at least 10 feet. 

Roof drainage is directed at least 3 feet beyond the building. 

A 6-mil polyethylene sheet is installed directly beneath the 

concrete slab, continuously wrapping the slab and the grade beam. 

Roof materials are installed to provide a continuous drainage 

plane over the entire surface of the roof. Wall/roof junctures 

should be appropriately flashed, including kick-out flashing 

at the bottom. 

HVAC system is appropriately sized and installed according 

to plans. No deviations should be made in the field. 

A mechanical ventilation system is installed as specified 

in the plans. 

Each bedroom has a separate HVAC return duct, a transfer 

grille, or a jump duct. 

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PRE-DRYWALL INSPECTION CHECKLIST 

Note: Some measures in this list are unnecessary depending on whether the house is 

sealed on the interior (e.g., air-tight drywall) or exterior (e.g., sheathing) of the wall. 

Bathtubs on exterior walls have insulation behind them and 

draftstops installed. 

Dropped ceilings, dropped-soffit cabinets, and stairwells on 

exterior walls have draftstops installed behind them (unless drywall 

was installed prior to framing-in). 

Windows and doors are sealed to framing using caulks, foams, 

backer rod, and/or similar. 

Window flashing is properly installed to shed water. 

All electrical and plumbing penetrations between conditioned 

and unconditioned spaces are caulked or otherwise sealed. 

All recessed lights beneath unconditioned spaces are air-tight and 

rated for insulated ceiling (IC). All kitchen and bathroom fans are 

appropriately rated (capacity and sound) and exhausted to 

the outside. 

All exterior penetrations (exterior light fixtures, phone and other 

service cables, etc.) are sealed with caulk, gaskets, or similar. 

All housewrap seams are overlapped and taped; top and bottom 

edges are sealed past the plates; housewrap is appropriately lapped 

under window flashing. 

Building paper seams are overlapped shingle style to shed water 

and appropriately lapped under window flashing. 

Batt insulation is kraft-faced or blown-in insulation or spray 

foam is used. 

Unless specifically required by code, no polyethylene vapor 

retarder is installed on the inside of the walls. 

Ductwork is sufficiently air-sealed as verified by a duct pressure 

test conducted by a HERS rater or other qualified buidling 

scientist. Ductwork leakage to the exterior should be not more 

than 5% of the total air handling unit capacity (at high speed) 

when tested at 25 Pa pressure. 

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PRE-OCCUPANCY INSPECTION CHECKLIST 

Entry of main supply/return ducts into air handling unit closet is 

appropriately sealed with foam, caulk, or similar materials 

(NOT with drywall mud). 

Plumbing penetrations are air sealed. 

Electrical switch and outlet boxes are sealed to drywall with 

caulk or gaskets. 

Light fixture boxes are sealed to drywall with caulk or gaskets. 

Bathroom and kitchen fans are sealed to drywall with 

caulk or gaskets. 

Bathroom and kitchen fans are drawing air-tested with a small 

piece of tissue; the fan should hold the paper against the grille. 

Duct boots/registers are sealed to floor or drywall with 

caulk or gaskets. 

Attic hatches and kneewall entries are weatherstripped and insulated. 

Refrigerant charge on air-conditioner/heat pump is verified in 

writing by installer to be within specs, using superheat method 

for non-Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV) systems or 

subcooling method for TXV systems; this may require a return 

visit during warm weather. 

The whole-house envelope is sufficiently air-sealed as verified by a 

whole-house pressure test. Air leakage should be tested by a HERS 

rater and should be less than: 

2.5 in2 per 100 ft

2 of envelope area (Canadian General Standards 

Board (CGSB), calculated at a 10 Pa pressure differential), or 

1.25 in2 per 100 ft2 of envelope area (American Society for 

Testing and Materials (ASTM), calculated at a 4 Pa pressure 

differential), or 

0.25 CFM/ft2 of envelope area when tested at a 50 Pa 

pressure differential. 

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Web Sites 

(See Appendix V for more information on Web sites.) 

• www.acca.com 

• www.buildingamerica.gov 

• www.buildingscience.com/workshops/default.htm 

• www.comfortwise.com/installationprotocols.shtml 

• www.eeba.org 

• www.energycodes.gov/support/code_notes.stm 

• www.energyvideos.com 

• http://hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/001105.html 

• www.ibacos.com 

• www.installationmastersusa.com 

• www.nahbrc.org 

• www.natresnet.org 

• www.pathnet.org/sp.asp?id=10787 

• www.southface.org 

• www.thebii.org/rpsw.asp 

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Trades

Professional tips for fast and easy installation 

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

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On the following pages you will find step-by-step, 

easy-to-follow illustrated instructions for implementing 

key energy efficiency technologies. 

These Building Tips are designed to be easily duplicated 

and distributed. 

• Slab Insulation - Cold Climates 

• Basement & Conditioned (Unvented) Crawlspace Insulation 

• Housewrap 

• Window Flashing 

• Air Sealing - Plumbing 

• Air Sealing - Electrical 

• Air Sealing - Drywall 

• Air Sealing - Glossary 

• Fiberglass Insulation 

• Masonry Construction 

• Duct Sealing 
Building Tips 

= Sealant or Gasket 

Concrete 

slab 

Seal all slab 

penetrations 

Concrete footing below frost depth 

INTERIOR INSULATION 

FOR FLOATING SLAB 

EXTERIOR INSULATION 

PACKAGE 

Gravel base 

(4-6" deep coarse, no fines) 

Perforated 

drain pipe 

Hold drywall 

1/2” above floor 

Polyethylene or damp proofing capillary break 

Polyethylene vapor diffusion retarder 

Perforated drainage 

pipe embedded 

in gravel 

Use extruded (R-5 per inch) 

or expanded (R-4 per inch) 

polystyrene or rigid 

fiberglass insulation 

Cover insulation 

exposed above grade 

(see list on reverse) 

Rigid foam insulation 

(extends under entire slab 

and replaces polyethylene 

vapor retarder) 

Radon reduction 

3" plastic pipe vent stack 

Optional blower 

Sill gasket 

membrane 

(also serves as 

capillary break) 

Metal termite 

flashing 

Damp proofing Damp proofing

Roof flashing 

SHALLOW FROST-PROTECTED 

FOUNDATION 

(get code approval before proceeding) 

6 Mil. Polyethylene 

vapor diffusion retarder 

(extends under grade beam 

acting as a capillary break) 

Rigid insulation 

extends horizontally 

(horizontal distance 

equivalent to frost depth) 

Rigid insulation 

extends horizontally 2’ 

Damp proofing 

Cover insulation 

exposed above grade 

(see list on reverse) 

Slab Insulation - Cold Climates

See more information on the following page. 

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Building Tips: Slab Insulation - Cold Climates

Slab Foundation System Moisture and Air Leakage Control

• Keep all untreated wood materials 

away from earth and concrete contact. 

• Design the house structure with 

overhangs, gutters, drainage planes, 

and flashing to shed rainwater and 

conduct it away from the house. 

• Slope the earth away from the house 

and ensure that no irrigation strikes 

near the foundation. 

• Use a sill gasket for air sealing 

• Install a protective shield such as 

metal flashing, plastic L bracket, or a 

membrane (such as EPDM* flexible 

roofing material) to block capillary 

water wicking into the wall from the 

foundation. The protective shield 

may also serve as a termite shield. 

Sources & Additional Information 

• Slabs require a foundation drain where 

the slab (or floor) is located below 

grade. Install a foundation drain 

alongside the footing (not above it). 

The drain should rest in a bed of coarse 

gravel (no fines) that slopes away from 

the foundation and is covered with 

filter fabric. 

• Exterior rigid fiberglass insulation 

provides a drainage plane that will 

channel water to the foundation drain 

and relieve hydrostatic pressure. 

• Exterior foundation wall insulation 

requires a protective coating at 

above-grade applications. Examples 

of protective coverings for exterior, 

above-grade insulation include 

flashing, fiber-cement board, parging 

(stucco type material), treated 

plywood, or membrane material 

(EPDM* flexible roofing). 

• Note that some code jurisdictions 

may require a gap between exterior 

insulation and wood foundation 

elements to provide a termite 

inspection area. 

• Install damp proofing or a 

polyethylene sheet over the footing 

to block capillary water wicking into 

the foundation side wall. 

• Install a capillary break and vapor 

retarder under the entire slab consisting 

of at least a 6-mil polyethylene sheet 

or continuous rigid foam insulation 

approved for below grade applications, 

on top of four to six inches of 

coarse gravel. 

• Install radon control measures 

(check local requirements and EPA 

recommendations). 

*EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. 

• U.S. DOE, Technology Fact Sheet on Slab Insulation (www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/29237.pdf). 

• U.S. EPA, Building Radon Out: A Step-By-Step Guide oni How to Build Radon Resistent Homes (www.epa.gov/199/iaq/radon). 

• Southface Energy Institute. Fact Sheets #29: Insulating Foundation and Doors 

(www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts/29_insulatefloors4PDF.pdf). 

• Southface Energy Institute. Fact Sheets #30: Radon-Resistant Construction for Builders 

(www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts/30_radonresistantconst.pdf). 

• Building Science Consortium. Introduction to Building Systems Performance: Houses that Work II. www.buildingscience.gov 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-3 
Basement & Conditioned (Unvented) 

Crawlspace Insualtion

Building Tips 

EXTERIOR CRAWLSPACE INSULATION 

= Sealant or Gasket 

Sill gasket membrane 

(also serves as capillary break) 

Metal termite flashing 

Cover insulation 

exposed above grade 

Rigid fiberglass insulation 

Polyethylene or damp 

proofing capillary break 

Perforated drainage 

pipe embedded in 

coarse gravel 

Cavity insulation 

Treated wood nailer 

(up to grade level) 

Polyethylene vapor barrier 

Damp proofing 

Concrete footing 

below frost depth 

EXTERIOR BASEMENT INSULATION

INTERIOR CRAWLSPACE INSULATION 

Rigid insulation 

Rigid Insulation 

Treated 

wood nailer 

Damp proofing Continuous 

polyethylene 

Polyethylene or 

damp proofing 

capillary break 

Rigid insulation 

Rigid insulation 

Damp proofing 

Continuous 

polyethylene 

Polyethylene or 

damp proofing 

capillary break 

If depth does not extend two feet below grade, place 

remaining insulation horizontally along the ground. 

INTERIOR BASEMENT INSULATION 

Cavity 

insulation 

Damp proofing

Rigid insulation

Polyethylene or with foil facing

damp proofing

capillary break

See more information on the following page. 

Sill gasket membrane 

(also serves as capillary break) 

Metal termite flashing 

Cover insulation 

exposed above grade 

Rigid fiberglass insulation 

Polyethylene or damp 

proofing capillary Break 

Perforated drainage 

pipe embedded in 

coarse gravel 

Radon reduction 

3” plastic vent pipe 

Cavity insulation 

Damp proofing 

Polyethylene vapor 

diffusion retarder 

Concrete footing 

below frost depth 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-4 
Building Tips: Basement & Conditioned Crawlspace Insulation

Installation Tips 

• Exterior and interior insulation approaches may be combined to provide needed insulation levels. 

• Properly installed exterior rigid fiberglass insulation provides the best moisture management properties of the available insulation types. 

• Interior nailing strips for finished walls should be installed over rigid foam (extruded polystyrene is more moisture tolerant 

than expanded polystyrene) insulation so that the foam is sandwiched between the nailing strip and the basement wall. 

• Seal joints with adhesive or mastic on interior foam insulation applied directly to foundation walls. 

• If interior blanket or batt insulation is used, it should be combined with exterior or interior rigid insulation attached 

directly to the foundation wall. The blanket or batt insulation should be unfaced or have a facing that allows moisture 

to pass through, and should be used in a conditioned basement. The drywall should be tightly air sealed to keep interior 

moist air from condensing on the foundation wall. 

• Foil-faced rigid insulation is a good interior insulation choice for unfinished basements. 

Crawlspace and Basement Foundation System Moisture and Air Leakage Control 

• Keep all untreated wood materials • Crawlspaces require a foundation drain • Note that some code jurisdictions 

away from earth and concrete contact. when the crawlspace floor is located may require a gap between exterior 

below grade. Always install a foundation insulation and wood foundation 

• Design the house structure with drain in basements. Install a foundation elements to provide a termite overhangs, gutters, drainage planes, and drain alongside the footing (not above inspection area. flashing to shed rainwater and conduct it it). The drain should rest in a bed of away from the house. coarse gravel (no fines) that slopes away 

• Install damp proofing or a polyethylene 

• Slope the earth away from the house from the foundation and is covered with sheet over the footing to block capillary 

and ensure that no irrigation strikes filter fabric. water wicking into the foundation 

side wall. near the foundation. 

• Exterior rigid fiberglass insulation 

• Damp proof all below grade portions of provides a drainage plane that will • Install a capillary break and vapor 

retarder under slabs and basement

the exterior foundation wall to prevent channel water to the foundation drain 

the absorption of ground water. and relieve hydrostatic pressure. floors consisting of at least a 6-mil 

polyethylene sheet or continuous rigid 

• Use a sill gasket for air sealing • Exterior foundation wall insulation foam insulation approved for below 

requires a protective coating at grade applications, on top of four to six • Install a protective shield such as above-grade applications. Examples inches of coarse gravel. metal flashing, plastic L bracket, or a of protective coverings for exterior, membrane (such as EPDM* flexible above-grade insulation include • Install radon control measures 

roofing material) to block capillary flashing, fiber-cement board, parging (check local requirements and EPA 

water wicking into the wall from the (stucco type material), treated recommendations). 

foundation. The protective shield may plywood, or membrane material *EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. also serve as a termite shield. (EPDM* flexible roofing). 

Sources & Additional Information 

• IBACOS. 2002. Consider the Crawlspace (www.buildingamerica.gov) 

• IBACOS. 2002. Don’t Forget About the Basement (www.buildingamerica.gov) 

• Lstiburek, Joseph. 2004. Builders Guide to Cold Climates (www.eeba.org/bookstore) 

• U.S. DOE, Technology Fact Sheet: Basement Insulation (www.buildingamerica.gov) 

• U.S. DOE, Technology Fact Sheet: Crawlspace Insulation (www.buildingamerica.gov) 

• U.S. EPA, Building Radon Out: A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Build Radon Resistent Homes 

(www.epa.gov/1999/iaq/radon)

• Yost and Lstiburek. 2002. Basement Insulation Systems (www.buildingamerica.gov) 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-5 
Building Tips 

Housewrap

Unroll around house 

Fasten flaps of window "T-cut" 

to the inside of the framing. 

(* See Window Flashing Building Tips) 

electrical box and 

sheathing 

Caulk 

Sill Gasket 

Minimize cuts in housewrap and caulk or tape to seal all penetrations 

Seal spigot 

at opening 

Tape housewrap according to manufacturers specifications at top plate,

 band joist, and horizontal seams, and secure with plastic-capped nails 

Housewrap should 

be overlapped shingle-style 

Seal overlap with tape 

Seal housewrap to foundation 

below bottom plate in basement 

or crawlspace. 

Caulk under housewrap 

and seal gap between 

Seal floodlight 

at opening 

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRA

HOUSEWRA

P

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRA

HOUSEWRAP

P

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

P

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRA

CAULK 

HOUSEWRAP

P

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

CAULK 

CAULK 

WINDOW 

Housewrap 

Plastic-capped Nails 

Housewrap Tape 

Sheathing 

= Another trade may have completed this step. Confirm with the site 

 supervisor. If not, and you need to complete the step yourself, ensure 

that the necessary materials are available on site. 

Tape 

Housewrap 

Sources & Additional Information 

• Southface Energy Institute. Fact Sheets #8 Air Sealing (www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts/8_airsealing.pdf) 

• U.S. DOE. Technology Fact Sheet on Air Sealing (www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/26448.pdf). 

• See also the Building Tips on Air Sealing and Window Flashing 

• See: http://construction.tyvek.com/en/productServices/HomeWrap/index.shtml 

• Straube, John. 2001. Canadian Architect. “Wrapping it Up”. May, 2001. www.cdnarchitect.com. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-6 
Building Tips 

Window Flashing

>12" >10" 

Housewrap 

Cap Nails 45 ̊ 6"

6" 

CAULK 

STEP 1- If Housewrap Has Not Been Installed STEP 1- If Housewrap Has Been Installed 

STEP 2 - Sill Flashing STEP 3 - Jamb Caulking 

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRA

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

Self-adhesive 

Window Flashing 

Tape 

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRA

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

EWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUS

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

OUSEWRAP

HOUSEWR

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

The apron should extend at least 10" past the sides of the 

window opening, or to the first stud in open wall construction. 

Attach only the apron’s top edge with cap nails. 

Apply at least a 12" flap, or apron, of building paper 

or housewrap just below the windows sill. 

Install self-adhesive flashing to the sill, ensuring that 

flashing extends up jambs at least 6". 

One commercial product comes with two removable strips 

over the adhesive. Remove the first strip to expose half the 

adhesive and apply this area to the sill. Begin pressing in the 

middle of the sill and work towards the sides. Remove the 

second strip to expose the adhesive that will be used to apply 

the flashing below the window to the outside wall. 

Tape down the bottom corners of the flashing 

Caulk the outside edges of the head and side jambs 

Do not caulk across the sill 

Install the window using corrosion-resistant nails and 

following manufacturer's specifications. 

If the window sill is close to the sill plate, the apron 

can extend all the way to the sill plate. 

Above the window opening, cut a head flap and 

flip up to expose sheathing, and loosely tape in place 

out of the way. 

Cut the housewrap covering the rough opening in the 

shape of a modified "Y". 

Fold the side and bottom flaps into the window 

opening and secure. 

Example of window flashing details for home with housewrap and plywood or OSB wall sheathing. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-7 
Building Tips: Window Flashing

Sources & Additional Information 

• Lstiburek, J.W. (2002). Water Management Guide. Minneapolis, MN: Energy and Environmental Building Association 

(ww.eeba.org). 

• U.S. DOE Technology Fact Sheet on Weather-Resistive Barriers 

(www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/28600.pdf). 

• Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors, and Skylights. ASTM E2112-01, September 2002. 

CAULK

4" 1"

STEP 4 - Jamb and Head Flashing STEP 5 - Seal Rough Opening Gap 

STEP 6 - If Apron was Installed STEP 6 - If Head Flap was Created 

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUS

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

OUSEWRAP

HOUSEWR

Self-adhesive 

Head Flashing 

Fold Down 

Head Flap 

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

Housewrap 

secured to 

window flange 

with tape HOUSEW

HOUSE

HOUSEWRAP

HOUSEWRAP

If housewrap has been installed, be sure that the head flap, 

when it is folded down, will cover the top of the flashing. 

Install self-adhesive jamb flashing extending 4" above the top 

of the head flange and even with the bottom of the sill flashing. 

If an apron was installed under the window, slip the housewrap 

or building paper under the apron. 

Tape the edges where the housewrap meets the window flange 

if housewrap is installed after flashing. 

If building paper is used, embed the edges in a bead of sealant 

where the paper meets the window flange. 

If headflap was created, fold it over the head flashing 

and tape across the top window flange and the 

45o angle seams. 

Install self-adhesive head flashing extending 1" beyond 

the jamb flashing. 

On the interior side of the window, seal gap 

between the window and the rough opening with 

appropriate sealant. 

Self-adhesive 

Jamb Flashing 

Existing 

Apron 

Head flap 

secured with tape 

West Conshohocken, PA. 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/Jan03/jan03_windows.html 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-8 
Exterior Wal l

r 

Air Sealing - Plumbing

Building Tips 

Seal all plumbing and electrical penetrations. 

Prefabricated roof vent pipe flashing can be adapted as air sealing gaskets. Plumbing 

Vent 

Wall 

Top Plate 

Sealant between 

Staples 

Caulk/ 

Sealant 

Vent pipe may be eliminated with an ai admittance valve in some jurisdictions. 

CAULK

Insulate and airseal behind tub. 

Blocking Draft stop behind enclosure. 

gasket and plate Thin sheet Another trade may have

goods as draft Caulk/sealant completed this step. stop behind tub Confirm with the site or enclosure 

supervisor. If not, and Continuous bead you need to complete of sealant or the step yourself, ensure adhesive Draft Stop that the necessary 

materials are available 

on site. 

Keep pipes out of exterior walls and seal 

penetrations through floor. 

Seal penetrations through rim joists. 

Be careful not to compress or disrupt floor 

insulation, if it is present, keeping pipe runs 

parallel and close to studs leaving more room 

for insulation. 

Insulate pipes 

Exterior Wall exposed to 

Rim unconditioned

Joist areas 

Seal tub penetration 

Pipe 

Floor Insulation 

Sources & Additional Information 

• Lstiburek, J. W. 2000. Builders Guides. Minneapolis, MN. Energy and Environmental Building Association. www.eeba.org. 

• U.S. DOE Technology Fact Sheet on Air Sealing (www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/26448.pdf). 

• www.toolbase.org: click on New Building Technology > Plumbing > Distribution Systems > Air Admittance Vents 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-9 
Building Tips 

Electrical Air Sealing

Seal standard plastic 

electrical box at face 

to drywall with joint 

compound or cover 

the plate gasket 

with caulked foam. 

Sources & Additional Information 

Ceiling fans should be wired to a wall switch. 

Seal all exterior penetrations, such as 

porch light fixtures, phone, security, 

cable and electric service holes, with 

caulk, spray foam, or gaskets - note 

that foam degrades in sunlight. 

Use air tight outlet boxes 

or seal standard boxes. 

Seal light fixture boxes to drywall with caulk or foam. 

Seal bath fan box to drywall 

with caulk or foam. 

Caulk/seal/foam all electrical wires penetrating 

top and bottom plates of exterior walls. 

Run wiring along bottom plate at exterior wall. 

NOTE: Some codes require wires to be held up from 

bottom plates 6"-8" to protect from future drilling through plates. 

Run wiring 

along side 

of stud at 

exterior wall 

and along 

plates 

Recessed light fixtures should be rated for Insulated Ceiling Air Tight (ICAT). 

AIR TIGHTNESS 

LABEL 

Airtight Wire 

Connection From 

Seal Wire 

AIRTIGHTNESS LABEL 

Junction Box 

Airtight Can 

EXTERIOR WALL 

Caulk 

Connection 

Sealant 

Support Sheathing 

Electrical

Panel 

Flange for sealing to 

drywall air barrier 

Nailing 

Flange 

Built-in 

Gasket 

Built-in 

Sealant 

Caulk 

Caulk at wire 

penetrations 

Decorative 

Cover 

CAULK 

CAULK

Standard Plastic 

Electrical Box 

Air Sealed 

Electrical Box 

• Lstiburek, J.W. 2000. Builder Guide Hot-Humid Climates. Minneapolis, MN: Energy and Environmental Building 

Association (ww.eeba.org).

• U.S. DOE. Technology Fact Sheet on Air Sealing (www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/26448.pdf). 

• See also Air Sealing Building Tips in the chapter. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-10 
Building Tips 

Air Sealing Drywall

*Actual assignments to be made by site 

MEASURE supervisor. The supervisor may choose to 

work with a sealing specialist instead. 

FRAMERELECTRICIANDRYWALLERPLUMBERWINDOWINSTALLER

EXTERIOR WALLS

Install gaskets or caulk at top and bottom plates of exterior walls. 

Seal between the bottom plate and subflooring. 

Install gaskets behind coverplates.  

Seal large holes behind bathtubs or stairs with sheathing.  

PARTITION WALLS 

WINDOWS & DOORS 

CEILING 

Seal the drywall at the intersection with the top or bottom plate. 

Seal penetrations through the top and bottom plates for plumbing, wiring, 

and ducts using fire-resistant sealants.  

Knee walls can be insulated and sealed at either the roofline or along the line formed by the 

roof, wall, and floor. Rigid foam insulation, taped at the seams with housewrap tape, can be 

used to seal the backside of the knee wall and the underside of the roof. Sealing along the 

roofline is preferred in new construction. 

 

Caulk or glue drywall edges to either framing or jambs. 

Fill rough opening with foam backer rod and caulk (preferred) or low-expanding foam sealant. 

Caulk window and door trim to drywall with clear or paintable sealant.  

Seal the junction between the ceiling and walls. 

Whenever possible, use continuous drywall sheets for the ceiling 

and walls to minimize joints to be sealed. 

Seal all penetrations in the ceiling for wiring, plumbing, ducts, and attic access openings.   

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-11 
Building Tips 

Air Sealing Glossary

Caulk 

Seals gaps of less than 1/2". Select grade (interior, 

exterior, high temperature) based on application. 

Expanding Spray Foam 

Fills large cracks and small holes. Expanding foams are 

messy but useful for filling large holes or cracks. The 

material expands 2 to 3 times in volume after application. 

It comes in one-part cans that require no mixing or in 

two-part systems for larger jobs. It degrades in sunlight 

and users should be careful not to get the foam on their 

skin. DO NOT USE near flammable applications (e.g., 

flue vents). DO NOT USE on windows and doors. 

In large applications, a two-part system is used, which 

involves mixing the sealant on site. For small jobs, onepart spray cans are used. 

Low-Expanding/Non-Expanding Spray Foam 

These latex-based spray foams come in one-part spray 

cans. They expand very little or not at all and will not 

pinch jambs or void window treatments. 

Backer Rod 

Closed-cell foam or rope caulk. Press into crack or gap 

with screwdriver or putty knife. Often used with caulk 

around window and door rough openings. 

Gaskets 

Apply under the bottom plate before an exterior wall is 

raised or use to seal drywall to framing instead of caulk 

or adhesive. 

Housewrap 

Installed over exterior sheathing. Must be sealed with 

housewrap tape or caulk to act as an air retarder. 

Resists water, but is NOT a vapor barrier. 

Sheet Goods 

(Plywood, Drywall, Rigid Foam Insulation) These 

materials form an air retarder. Air leaks only at unsealed 

seams or penetrations. 

Sheet Metal 

Used with high-temperature caulk for sealing hightemperature components, such as flues, chimneys, 

and framing. 

Polyethylene Plastic 

This inexpensive material for air sealing also stops vapor 

diffusion. All edges and penetrations must be completely 

sealed for an effective air retarder. Poly is fragile, and 

proper placement is climate specific. 

Weatherstripping 

Used to seal moveable components, such as doors, 

windows, and attic accesses. 

Mastic 

A thick paste that can be used on all duct materials that 

provides a permanent seal. Seals air handlers and all duct 

connections and joints. UL-181-approved water-based 

mastic is best. 

UL-181 or Foil-Faced Tape 

Tapes approved for ducts and air handlers. Temporarily 

seals the air handler. 

Sources & Additional Information 

• U.S. DOE. Technology Fact Sheet on Air Sealing (www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/26448.pdf). 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-12 
Building Tips 

Fiberglass Insulation

INSTALLING FIBERGLASS BATT INSULATION

ALWAYS: 

Avoid gaps, tight turns, and compression 

• Cut insulation to fit snugly in non-standard spaces. 

• Slit batts to fit around wiring and plumbing. 

• Notch out around electrical boxes and use scraps 

to fill in behind.

Install long runs first – then use scraps to fill in 

smaller spaces and gaps. 

Use unfaced batts in hot and humid climates. 

Even if blown-in insulation is to be generally applied, 

use fiberglass batts to insulate areas that will be 

inaccessible to the blown-in insulation, such as 

behind bath enclosures. 

Walls: 

Friction fit the batts in place until covered by drywall 

or sheathing. 

Insulate before installing stairs and tubs and other 

features that will block access. 

Knee Walls: 

Seal knee wall to create a continuous air barrier. Knee 

walls can be sealed following the wall itself and attic 

floor or along the sloping edge of the attic roof. Rigid 

foam insulation, taped at the seams with housewrap 

tape, can be used to seal the backside of the kneewall 

and the underside of the roof. Sealing along the 

roofline is preferred in new construction. 

Insulate and air seal the rafter space along the sloping 

ceiling of the knee wall attic space or insulate and air 

seal the roofline wall and floor. 

Rafters should receive R-19 or R-30 insulation. 

Cover rafters with a sealed air barrier (such as drywall 

or foil-faced hardboard). 

Caulk the barrier to the top plate of the wall below the 

attic space and to the top plate of the knee wall itself. 

Seal all other cracks and holes. 

Ceilings: 

Insulate and seal the attic access door

Install insulation over ICAT-rated recessed cans.

Verify ventilation pathways.

Install insulation baffles.

Band Joists: 

Place insulation in the cavities between 

joists and subfloor.

Caulk bottom plate to subfloor.

Caulk band joist to subfloor and plates and insulate.

Caulk bottom plate to subfloor.

Under Floor Insulation: 

Metal stays, lathe, or stainless steal wire support 

insulation in joist cavities. 

In new construction it is preferred that crawlspace 

walls are insulated. If underfloor insulation is to be 

used, it can be held in place with metal staves, lathe, 

stainless steel wire, or twine. 

If truss systems are used under floors, an approach 

better than batt insulation is to install netting or rigid 

insulation to the underside of the floor trusses and fill 

the joist cavity with blown-in insulation. 

Sources & Additional Information 

• Energy Efficient Building Association’s Builder’s Guide 

Hot-Humid Climates, 2000. 

• U.S. DOE Technology Fact Sheet on Attic Access. 

• U.S. DOE Technology Fact Sheet on Crawlspace Insulation. 

* Refer to the Air Sealing Building Tips in this chapter 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-13 
Masonry Construction

Building Tips

Semi-vapor permeable rigid insulations used on the interior 

of wall assemblies should be unfaced or faced with permeable 

skins. Foil facings and polypropylene skins should be avoided. 

Wood furring should be installed over rigid insulation; the 

rigid insulation should be continuous over the surface of the wall, 

except for the 2x4 furring near the ceiling. This blocking attaches 

directly to the masonry block and is above the insulation, not behind it. 

WINDOW SILL DRAINAGE 

Wood Sub-Jamb 

(Positioned Towards Wall Exterior So That 

Face Of Interior Window Frame Is Flush With 

Continuous 2x4 or 2x2 Horizontal FurringCenter Point Of Rib In Precast Masonry Sill) 

Sealant between (acting as draft or fire stop; seal all

service/wiring penetrations) masonry opening and 

treated wood sub-jamb 

Interior Gypsum Board with 

permeable or semi-permeable finish 

Treated Wood 

Sub-Jamb 

Mounting Member 

("back-caulked") 

Masonry Semi-Permeable Rigid Insulation Sealant forming Wall 

(Expanded Polystyrene, Extruded Polystyrene, end dam 

Fiber-faced Isocyanurate) Source: EEBA 9.5 

Wood Furring Treated Wood Spacer/Mounting 

Gypsum Board Sloping Precast Masonry Block to support window 

Sill with Precast Rib 

Latex Paint or other permeable or 

semi-permeable interior finish

Masonry Wall Rigid Insulation 

(Minimum 1/2" Thick) Concrete

Slab Wood Furring 

(Minimum 3/4" Thick) 

Gypsum Board 

Source: EEBA 9.1 

Shallow Electrical Box 

(surface-mounted On 

Masonry Interior) 

Source: EEBA 9.7 

Electrical boxes can be surface-mounted 

eliminating chiseling/chipping masonry ELECTRICAL BOX 

Sources & Additional Information 

• Lstiburek, J. W. 2000. Builders Guides. Minneapolis, MN. Energy and Environmental Building Association. www.eeba.org. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-14 
Duct Sealing

Building Tips 

AIR HANDLER SUPPLY & RETURN PLENUMS 

Mastic collars to Mastic or caulk metal plenum on

Mastic inside or outside 

Mastic 

Collar with strap; SUPPLY

mastic on take-off 

Mastic 

Mastic to seal

refrigerant and Mastic or tape

condensate line exterior of duct board 

Mastic 

RETURN

Mastic all corners 

of metal plenums 

Mastic plenum

to air handler 

Mastic exterior of collars 

Mastic 

boot seams 

Filter Rack Mastic or caulk 

FLEX DUCT 

Use wide straps to support flex duct

spaced at 5-foot intervals

Strap inner liner and

outer insulation

Mastic before Run lines straight 

attaching flex using metal elbows at 

duct bends and corners 

Never puncture inner liner. If repair is 

needed; install a coupling and seal properly 

BOOTS 

REGISTER 

Seal boots to sheet goods (drywall/subfloor) 

Seal 

joints with caulk, mastic or spray foam 

in boots 

Seal metal or flex to boot or elbow 

and joints in elbow with mastic 

Mastic is a gooey adhesive that is applied wet. It fills gaps and dries to a soft solid. Mastics may or may 

not contain reinforcing fibers, and they may be used with reinforcing mesh tape. 

Sources & Additional Information 

• Energy Efficient Building Association Builder’s Guide Hot and Humid Climates, 2000. 

• Southface Energy Institute. Fact Sheet #2 Ductwork Questions & Answers 

(www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts/2duct_q&a.pdf).

• Southface Energy Institute. Fact Sheet #18 Energy Checklist (www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts/checklist.pdf). 

• www.ibacos.com/ghome/Oct03/bpflexduct.html 

* Diagrams courtesy of Southface Energy Institute Fact Sheet #2 Ductwork Questions & Answers. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • TRD-15 
EcoVillage

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Cleveland, Ohio 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE A-1 

EcoVillage Wins for Energy Efficiency 

A 20-townhome urban infill project captured the 2003 Ohio Governor’s Award 

for Excellence in Energy Efficiency, thanks in large part to expertise provided by 

Building America. 

“This recognition is priceless and 

would have not been possible without 

the Building America Program,” states 

Michael Bier, the Housing Director 

of the Detroit Shoreway Community 

Development Organization (DSCDO). 

“Participating with Building America 

has allowed us to engage prominent, 

national architects,” explained Bier. 

Building Science Consortium (BSC) 

working under Building America 

partnered with the non-profit DSCDO 

to design and construct EcoVillage, 20 

of the most energy and resource-efficient 

multi-family dwellings in the City of 

Cleveland. 

“The EcoVillage townhomes are 

proving to be a huge success,” explains 

Bier. “BSC has designed and DAS 

Construction has built a housing 

development like no other in Cleveland. 

BSC’s energy-efficient, durable and 

attractive design has created a strong 

demand for the townhomes, which 

are 80% sold before completion 

of construction. The Building 

America team of DSCDO, EcoCity Cleveland, DAS Construction, and BSC has 

demonstrated the value of green building while simultaneously invigorating one of 

Cleveland’s aging inner-city neighborhoods.” 

The townhouse project, located in an urban infill, was one of the first steps in a major 

urban neighborhood revitalization project centered around a newly renovated mass 

transit station. Where formerly 10 single-family houses stood in disrepair, 10 of the 

20 state-of-the art townhomes are now completed. 

With a living space of 2400 square feet, the 3-story units have basements with natural 

light, separate entrances, and a layout ideal for a separate rental unit or extended 

family living. The 2-story units are slab-on-grade construction with 1600 sq. ft. of 

living space. 

“Construction companies considering 

Building America standards will realize 

that any additional costs in construction 

are minor and will be recouped through 

higher sale prices and quicker sales.” 

Michael Bier, Housing Director of DSCDO 

Building America’s Building Science 

Consortium’s energy-efficient, durable, and 

attractive design created a strong demand 

for the EcoVillage townhomes in Cleveland, 

which were 80% sold before completion of 

construction. 
Case Study: EcoVillage

Innovations 

“We are producing a housing project that sells quickly because of its attractive and 

energy-efficient design,” said Bier. As with all Building America homes, everything 

works together—the wall assemblies, controlled mechanical ventilation, sealed 

combustion furnace and water heater, sealed ducts in conditioned space, interior 

finishes, and even detached garage—to provide comfort and reduce the health hazards 

associated with mold, soil gases (including radon), combustion byproducts, volatile 

organic compounds, and occupant activities. 

One major innovation is resource 

efficiency for the two most used 

materials in the building: wood 

and concrete. EcoVillage uses 

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-

certified lumber or salvaged wood for 

everything from framing lumber to 

trim and cabinets. This certification, 

from an international, non-government 

organization, ensures that the wood is 

from lumber providers who manage 

their forests responsibility. Lumber 

usage was reduced by placing exterior 

2x6 studs at 24” on center. Also 

engineered joists were used; these 

have a greater load capacity than 

dimensional lumber while using 

less lumber. Also, all wood product 

debris, including wood, drywall, and 

cardboard, is recycled or processed for 

reuse on site. 

Concrete and concrete block at 

EcoVillage are made with highcontent blast furnace slag or flyash, a 

byproduct of steel manufacturing. Both waste materials can replace up to 50% of the 

very energy-intensive Portland cement used in concrete. 

Ecovillage, a 20-townhome urban infill project 

in Cleveland captured the 2003 Ohio Governor’s 

Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency, thanks in 

large part to expertise provided by Building America. 

Comfort, Durability, and Health 

At EcoVillage, quality is driven by highly detailed architectural drawings and 

construction details, and project specifications that include environmental 

considerations. The drawings and construction details for the EcoVillage project 

include complete framing layout and detailed cross sections for every wall assembly. 

These detailed drawings are necessary because each wall is an integrated system 

controlling the movement of heat, moisture, and air. For each type of exterior wall 

cladding—brick, stucco, and lap siding—the wall assembly is designed and constructed 

in terms of maintenance of the drainage plane (a surface area behind the cladding 

designed to shed water), back-venting of the cladding (with an airspace), air infiltration 

barrier, vapor retarding properties of materials, and thermal insulation. 

BUILDER PROFILE 

Detroit Shoreway 

Community Development 

Organization 

Where: 

Cleveland, Ohio 

Founded: 

1973 

Employees: 

20 employees 

Development: 

EcoVillage Townhomes 

Size: 

20 townhomes 

Square footage: 

1,600-2,400 sq.ft. 

Price range: 

$180,000 to $265,000 

Key Features: 

• High-density urban infill 

with rapid transit access 

• Detailed plans and “green” 

specifications 

• Mastic sealed ducts located 

in conditioned space 

• Controlled ventilation 

• Detached garages 

• High-performance envelope 

• High-efficiency sealedcombustion SEER furnaces 

• High-efficiency low-emissivity, 

vinyl-framed windows 

• Advanced framing with 

2x6 24”o.c. studs and 

engineered joists 

• Forest Stewardship Councilcertified lumber and 

finished wood products 

• Pervious concrete and 

salvaged brick pavers 

• Extensive construction waste 

recycling—on and off site 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE A-2 
Case Study: EcoVillage

The insulation includes ceilings insulated to R-38. The exterior walls are insulated with 

R-19 and either R-5 XPS (brick) or R-4 XPS (stucco). For the units constructed to 

date, the HERS scores were between 89 and 91. 

The Bottom Line 

Bier noted that overall construction 

costs were about $94 per sf of living The Ohio Governor’s Award for 

space. Typical construction in this Excellence in Energy Efficiency area is about $85 per sf. Costincreasing items were the high- This recognition program honors 

efficiency furnaces and water heaters, individuals, businesses, industries and 

the windows and use of durable organizations that have improved 

materials such as brick and stucco. Ohio’s economic competitiveness and 

its environment through the effective “Construction companies considering and innovative use of energy efficiency. working with Building America will 

realize that any additional costs in 

construction are minor and will be 

recouped through higher sale prices 

and quicker sales,” said Bier. 

“ This recognition is priceless 

and would not have been 

possible without the Building 

America program.” 

Michael Bier, Housing Director 

of DSCDO, speaking about his 

organization winning the Ohio 

Governor’s Award for Excellence 

in Energy Efficiency. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE A-3 
Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Selkirk Circle Twin Homes – Grand Forks, North Dakota 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE B-1 

Fueled by Crises 

In 1997 a flood in Grand Forks, North Dakota, destroyed or damaged two-thirds of 

the houses in this town of 49,321. The average value of the homes lost in the flood 

was $71,877, which resulted in a shortage of affordable housing. 

In addition, severe winters in 2000 and 2001 coupled with rising natural gas prices 

sent utility bills through the roof for low-income families. 

These crises galvanized the not-forprofit Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance 

(EDHA) to team with other non-profit 

organizations, cities, counties, and 

for-profit developers to build more 

affordable housing in eastern North 

Dakota. EDHA’s clients comprise 

households earning below 80% of the 

area median income. Many of EDHA’s 

home buyers earn less than $30,000 

per year. 

“We became interested in teaming 

with Building America because of 

the severe weather here,” explains 

Lisa Rotvold, the Director of EDHA 

and an architect. “We needed a way 

to make heating and cooling more 

affordable. In the winter months, 

we have severe weather months with 

temperatures below minus 20 degrees. 

In the summer, we have temperatures 

in the 90s with high humidity. We get 

both extremes. In the last few years, 

we have seen significant jumps in the 

utility costs for natural gas. Our lowincome families do not have the money 

to pay the heating and cooling bills, so 

we needed to build houses that use less 

energy. This was our motivation.” 

Energy Efficient Affordable Homes 

In March 2003, EDHA completed its first of four housing phases working to 

Building America standards. Each of the four planned phases includes four twinhome (duplex) units. Each two-story home within the duplex unit has 1,232 square 

feet of living space with a 600-square-foot unfinished basement. The living space 

includes three bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and a detached double car garage. 

“Our Building America homes are selling 

as soon as we can build them. In fact, we 

have purchase agreements for most before 

we finish them.” 

Lisa Rotvold, Director EDHA 

Eastern Dakota Housing Authority wanted to 

ensure a steady supply of fresh air to its new 

homes which were built tight using Building 

America principles. To keep the warmth in 

they installed “air-to-air” heat exchangers 

that use outgoing warm air to heat the 

incoming air stream. 
Case Study: Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance

“A great thing I appreciate about Building America is that they test the houses upon 

completion for energy efficiency, and give them ENERGY STAR and Building 

America certification,” said Rotvold. 

The testing, conducted by Building America’s Industrialized Housing Partnership, is 

being conducted with the goal of achieving up to 50% energy savings over the 1993 

Model Energy Code. For Phase 1 homes, which were completed in June 2003, the 

average HERS rating was 89.6. In Phase 2, completed in May 2004, this increased to 

92.4. Phase 3 will be completed in August 2004 and Phase 4 will begin in September 

2004 and be completed in March 2005. 

“Our goal is that every house we build in this neighborhood will be built following 

Building America principles,” said Rotvold. “In this process, the value that Building 

America has provided is the technical assistance and the systems approach to design. 

For example, we could have simply increased the insulation or done some other 

piecemeal things to improve energy efficiency, because we didn’t understand how to 

look at all of the systems of a house and how they can impact energy usage.” 

“Building America provided us with a lot of technical assistance. They guided us 

through the process. We stressed that we wanted practical solutions. They ran 

estimates to determine the financial payback of the energy efficiency measures we were 

considering. These estimates proved to be invaluable because we were getting lots of 

pressure to consider innovative methods (like geothermal heating from groundwater). 

However, the energy analysis Building America ran proved that these methods would 

not provide a payback for our small houses, so we learned that innovative is not 

always effective.” 

“We wanted a common sense package of features,” said Rotvold. 

Innovations 

As with all Building America homes, these features begin with super tight construction, 

which during the testing phase must demonstrate an air-sealed interior. Because of this 

tight design, builders incorporated the Lifebreath mechanical ventilation system for 

bringing clean air into the house and expelling stale air. 

“We are building healthy houses. When you build a house so tight, you must consider 

systems for getting clean air in—which in the winter can be very cold. Therefore, we 

installed “air-to-air” heat exchangers.” An air-to-air heat exchanger uses outgoing warm 

air to heat the incoming air stream. 

Another energy-efficient feature is increased insulation. The Phase I homes have 2x6 

walls at 16 inch o.c. insulated with R-19 batt insulation. The vented attic is insulated 

to R-44. 

The wall exterior is OSB sheathing, building paper, and vinyl siding. All electrical 

boxes on the exterior walls are sealed to prevent air seepage. The basement is upgradeable 

as a future living space with two windows at grade level provided for each of two 

future bedrooms. 

The homes are heated with a 92%-efficient gas furnace. The thermostat is 

programmable to allow specific temperatures to be set for specific times of the day. 

BUILDER PROFILE 

Applegren Construction 

#(701) 746-6978 

Where: 

Grand Forks, North Dakota 

Founded: 

1978 

Employees: 

10 employees 

Development: 

Selkirk Circle 

Size: 

Space for 22 units 

in the development 

Square footage: 

Duplex with each unit 1,232 

square feet with a 600-squarefoot unfinished basement and 

a detached garage. 

Price range: 

$115,000 to $120,000 

Key Features: 

• High-efficiency GMC 

natural gas furnace 

• Lifebreath air-to-air 

heat exchanger 

• R-19 fiberglass insulation 

tight construction envelope 

• R-22 basement insulation 

• R-49 attic insulation 

• High-efficiency gas hot 

water heater 

• Efficient lighting system 

• Programmable thermostat 

• ENERGY STAR appliances 

• Insulated basement forms 

• House wrap 

• Caulking openings 

• Double-pane high-performance 

windows 

• Air enforcer 

• Sealed ductwork 

• Electrical energy boxes 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE B-2 
Case Study: Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance

Each home is sold with ENERGY STAR appliances, including a horizontal-axis clothes 

washer, dryer, dish washer, and refrigerator. 

Finally, considerable effort focused on replacing incandescent bulbs and fixtures with 

fluorescent lighting. EDHA increased the use of fluorescents from a typical 10% of the 

home’s lighting to 85% by installing linear fluorescent fixtures and providing compact 

fluorescent (CFL) bulbs for appropriate standard fixtures. 

Rotvold explains that they are learning and applying what they learn with each phase. 

In addition, she notes that more energy-efficient products and options are available 

on the market now than when they started with Phase 1 a few years ago. For example, 

in Phase 2, they switched to a tankless gas water heater. Tankless means that the hot 

water is not stored; instead, it is heated on-demand by powerful gas burners. Because 

the heater is not heating the whole tank, just the water needed at that moment, it uses 

less energy. Another change was to switch from 2x6 walls with R-19 batt insulation to 

2x4 walls with blown-in fiberglass to R-15. Two inches of extruded polystyrene (R-10) 

is installed except in areas where 1⁄2 inch OSB bracing is required. These corner-braced 

areas received 11⁄2 inches of insulated sheathing (R-7.5). This gave an overall R-value 

of approximately R-25. The R-value increased in Phase II with the use of Styrofoam 

sheathing and the water heater. “The water heater made a very big difference,” said 

Rotvold. “It was a costly item but it has a good payback for us.” 

Comfort, Durability, and Health 

“We are really proud of these houses,” explained Rotvold. “The quality is so much 

higher than the market is producing. Also, anecdotally, I am hearing that the heating 

bills are much less in our homes.” 

The homes are sold for $115,000 to $120,000, which is the appraised value. Seven 

of the first eight buyers earn less than $30,000 per year. For the buyers, the North 

Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s Community Partners program provides a 1% to 2% 

interest rate buy-down. The city provides up to $7,500 in down-payment assistance. 

The developer provides a subsidy of between $2,000 and $20,000. Finally, Rotvold 

relies on grant funding to help fund the energy-efficiency upgrades. “Without the 

grants, we would be losing money doing the upgrades, partly because we are pricing 

affordably and not pushing the market to make these upgrades appraise,” said Rotvold. 

She believes in the quality of the homes and the value of the energy-efficient features 

for their lower income buyers. 

The Bottom Line 

“This is a model project,” said Rotvold. “It is a tremendous cooperative effort. I would 

tell other companies who are considering Building America that if you can get in the 

door, do! Get the technical assistance they provide because it helps you to make good 

decisions. We didn’t do everything David [the Building America Technical Assistant 

from Florida Solar Energy Center] suggested because we had to balance dollars; 

however, David thinks from a systems approach, so we just didn’t increase insulation 

we made small improvements to many of the systems within the homes. Attention was 

provided to every little detail in relation to the whole.” 

Walls are 2x4 studs insulated with 

blown-in fiberglass to R-15 plus 

two inches of extruded polystyrene 

(R-10). 

“ The things that we are doing 

are not rocket science. It is 

attention to detail and a 

systems approach.” 

Lisa Rotvold, Director EDHA 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE B-3 
Veridian Homes

MANAGERS 

Putting building 

science to work for 

your bottom line 

INTRODUCTION 

Taking action in 

your community 

CASE STUDIES 

Bringing it all together 

SITE PLANNERS 

& DEVELOPERS 

Properly situated houses 

pay big dividends 

SITE SUPERVISORS 

Tools to help with 

project management 

DESIGNERS 

Well-crafted designs 

capture benefits for builders, 

buyers, and business 

TRADES 

Professional tips for fast 

and easy installation 

MARKETERS 

Energy efficiency 

delivers the value that 

customers demand 

HOMEOWNERS 

Shopping for value, 

comfort, and quality 

Madison, Wisconsin 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE C-1 

A Darker Shade of Green 

In June 2003, when Don Simon Homes merged with Midland Builders to become 

Veridian Homes, the new name signified more than just a change in ownership. It 

meant more green construction for the state of Wisconsin. 

Veridian (the name means a shade of green) continued both companies’ commitment 

to build all of their homes using Building America practices to meet Wisconsin’s 

Green Built Home standards and Wisconsin ENERGY STAR® certification. The 

merger produced Wisconsin’s 

biggest home builder with 

projected sales of $143 

million and more than 630 

home closings expected in 

2004, so Veridian’s promise 

could lead to a lot of green in 

the state’s new home market. 

For Don Simon Homes the 

change in attitude really 

started over a decade ago. In 

the ‘70s and ‘80s, they were 

building a lot of suburban 

sprawl type developments. 

Said Jeff Simon, executive vice 

president of operations for 

Veridian Homes, “We got to 

a point where it seemed like 

we were putting out a lot of 

fires, working a lot of hours, 

and the payback wasn’t there. 

In 1992, there was a turning 

point, we said ‘this has to be 

fun or we are not going to 

do it any more.’ My family 

and I set out to re-engineer 

our company. Now we have 

fun and we love what we are 

doing. And we’re producing 

quality homes that are ecofriendly and energy efficient.” 

Simon became interested in 

the traditional neighborhoods 

concept—developments that 

feature a mixture of housing 

styles and prices, with 

infrastructure that includes 

Don Simon Homes (now Veridian Homes) worked with 

Building America to redesign its most popular floor plan. 

Awards & Recognition 

• In September 2004, Veridian Homes received 

the 2005 National Housing Quality Silver 

award. This award is administered by the 

National Association of Home Builders 

Research Center and Reed Residential Group 

(publishers of Professional Builder magazine) 

• In May 2004 Veridian Homes received 

the Wisconsin Business Friends of the 

Environment Award. 

• In February 2004, Veridian Homes was 

named ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year 

by the US Environmental Protection Agency. 

• In January 2003, Don Simon Homes won 

“America’s Best Builder,” from Builder 

magazine and the National Association of 

Home Builders 

• In November 2003, Don Simon Homes was 

named the Madison Area Builders Association 

Green Built Supporter of the year. 
Case Study: Veridian Homes 

retail space, community centers, parks, and recreation areas. “It is based on a concept 

of community where you can walk to the corner store and walk to school, where you 

have front porches, and where garages are not the focal point of the community,” said 

Simon. “It’s more than just where you live, it’s how you live,” Simon added. 

Three years ago, Simon built his first ENERGY STAR-certified and Green BuiltTM 

home. Green Built Home is Wisconsin Environmental Initiative’s sustainable building 

and energy-efficiency program. Together the two programs help create homes that are 

both energy efficient for the homeowners and eco-friendly for the environment. 

In 2002, Don Simon Homes teamed with Building America’s Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB). Building America took 

Simon’s most popular floor plan, the Huntington, 

and showed them how to build it using Building 

America’s improved construction practices and 

the building systems engineering concept. 

“We built the Huntington plan as a prototype in 

Valley Ridge. We built just one, but we took the 

ideas that we learned and incorporated these into 

all 40-plus plans that we build. Since our first 

plan, we have built 750 houses to Green Built 

and Wisconsin ENERGY STAR standards,” 

said Simon. 

“We are building a much higher performing 

home today than we were building three years 

ago based on what we learned from the first 

Huntington plan. You can see it in the HERS 

ratings we receive on our homes...it continues to 

improve every day,” said Simon. 

Veridian combines Building America 

energy efficiency with traditional 

neighborhood concepts to build award 

winning developments in Wisconsin. 

Simon is enthusiastic about the commitment Veridian has made to Building America. 

“This reflects our passion about the environment, our passion about the homes we 

build for our customers, and our passion for innovation. Since we’ve merged we now 

have more land opportunities open to us, and we have much better buying power. Now 

we can incorporate into our homes innovative products we would have never dreamed 

of before,” said Simon. 

Innovations 

Innovation is a hallmark for Veridian. They were among the first builders in the 

state to build to Wisconsin’s Green Built Home standard. They were also among the 

first to build traditional neighborhood developments. Veridian has produced three 

traditional neighborhoods: 1) Smith’s Crossing with 1,823 housing units on 450 acres 

in a neighborhood featuring wetlands and green space, near Madison, 2) Grandview 

Commons, 1,761 housing units in a neighborhood featuring a wooded village green, 

pocket parks, and a view of the Capital, and 3) the Village at Autumn Lake with about 

1,200 housing units surrounding a planned 14-acre lake with a diversity of housing 

options and styles (groundbreaking is scheduled for Fall 2004). 

BUILDER PROFILE 

Veridian Homes 

Home Plan: 

Huntington 

Development: 

Valley Ridge in West 

Madison, Wisconsin 

Size: 

Approximately 400 units 

Square footage: 

1,456 

Price range: 

$190,000 to $230,000 

Key Features: 

• 89.2 HERS rating 

• Advanced framing 

techniques 2x6 framing 

24 inches on center 

• Exterior foundation 

insulation brought from 

grade-level up to the sill 

• Vinyl windows with 

U-factor of 0.33 and a 

SHGC of 0.30 

• Redesigned and properly 

sized HVAC system 

excluding ducts in exterior 

walls and right-sized heating 

and air conditioning 

• Quiet bath exhaust 

ventilation with integrated 

lighting and fan controls 

including off delay. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE C-2 
Case Study: Veridian Homes 

Before working with Building America, the Huntington plan already met criteria for 

the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home program with a HERS rating of 88 (86 is 

the minimum requirement). Building America systems engineering found low cost 

approaches to raise the HERS score to 89.2 while improving moisture control and the 

ventilation system. CARB’s redesign recommendations are listed below. These features are 

now standard on all Veridian Homes. 

HVAC – The HVAC redesign uses central 

returns and avoids the inefficient practice 

of running ducts in outside walls. Duct runs 

were designed to have fewer elbows and 

were properly sized. Normally, return grilles 

are installed in each bedroom that ties into 

ductwork that runs back to the furnace. 

The new design uses high/low or over-thedoor air returns in each of the secondary 

bedrooms along with central returns on 

each floor. A separate return tying into the 

ductwork was used for the master suite to 

provide more privacy and noise control. 

The HVAC system was properly sized 

using Manual J heating and cooling loads, 

resulting in potential installation cost savings 

by allowing for a smaller capacity furnace A duct layout was designed and shown on 

and air conditioning systems. plans to help ensure accurate installation. 

Advanced Framing – Standard practice 2x6 wall framing placed 16 inches-on-center 

was pushed to 24-inch-on-center framing that was lined up with roof framing trusses. 

Other advanced framing techniques included improved three-stud corners and twostud corners and drywall clips. Another recommendation was to replace exterior 

insulated sheathing that included a foil facing with oriented strand board in order 

to avoid vapor barriers on both the inside and outside walls that could trap moisture 

inside the wall cavity. 

Exterior Foundation Insulation up to the 

Sill – Wisconsin code requires a minimum 

insulation level of R-5 for the foundation. 

CARB recommended that insulation that 

typically had stopped at grade level be 

brought up to the sill level. 

Improved Windows – Vinyl windows were 

upgraded to a U-factor of 0.33 and a Solar 

Heat Gain Coefficient of 0.30. Upgrades 

also included improved window and door 

flashing techniques. 

Mechanical Ventilation – As part of the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes program, 

a mechanical ventilation system is required that provides 20 cubic feet per minute 

(CFM) for the master bedroom and 10 CFM for each additional bedroom. There is no 

One recommendation was to extend exterior 

foundation insulation all the way to the sill 

rather than cutting it off at ground level. 

Smart Growth with Veridian 

Veridian has three “Traditional 

Neighborhood Developments” 

currently planned in Wisconsin. 

“It is called smart growth,” 

explains Jeff Simon, the Executive 

Vice President of Operations for 

Veridian Homes, “based on a 

community concept with a mix 

of housing styles and prices, 

where you can walk to the 

corner store and walk to school, 

where you have front porches 

and garages are not the focal 

point of the community.” Simon 

explains that building a Traditional 

Neighborhood Development 

involves a team approach with 

municipalities, which takes 

lots of planning and meetings. 

Despite the extra work, Simon 

says ” They [municipalities] 

like the way we are doing 

business. They like the fact that 

we are building green, energyefficient homes and the fact 

that we are building traditional 

neighborhoods based on 

community.” All Veridian homes 

are built to Wisconsin ENERGY 

STAR and Green Built Homes 

standards and certification. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE C-3 
Case Study: Veridian Homes 

specific control or sound requirements. These requirements can be met with a standard 

bath fan. The upgrade included quiet bath fans controlled by fan/light controls with off 

delay. The controls integrate bathroom exhaust fan and the light operation. After the 

light is turned off, the fan continues to operate for a preset time period ranging from 

1 to 60 minutes. This assures that the bathroom fan operates frequently enough to 

adequately remove moisture. 

Comfort, Durability, and Health 

Many of CARB’s recommendations were designed to solve potential problems with 

moisture. Structural changes and mechanical ventilation help to move moisture out 

of places where it can damage the home. Other changes, such as improved window 

and door flashing, helped to keep water out of the structure. The HVAC system was 

designed to put conditioned air where it is needed for comfort, and allow it to return to 

the HVAC system to avoid stagnant spaces. Thermal improvements provide more even 

heating and cooling throughout the year, at lower cost. 

The Bottom Line 

Jeff Simon offers this advice for builders considering Building America, “You need to 

have systems in place for scheduling and documentation so you can successfully recreate 

the home. If you don’t have good systems and good organization, it will be a challenge. 

You need to be willing to take a risk. And you need to be passionate.” 

The Huntington became 

a prototype for efficient 

design and construction 

for all of Veridian Home’s 

40-plus house plans. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • CASE C-4 
Appendix I 

Homebuyer’s Checklist 

Below is a more detailed list of building features for those who really want to investigate their house. 

To really see how some of these measures are installed, visit houses that are under construction. 

MEASURE Building 

America 

Builder 

#1 

Builder 

#2 

Builder 

#3 

HEATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT 

ENERGY STAR qualified air conditioning of SEER* 13 or greater Yes 

ENERGY STAR qualified heat pump Yes 

ENERGY STAR qualified boiler Yes 

ENERGY STAR qualified furnace of AFUE* 90 Yes 

ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat Yes 

Ductwork sealed with mastic (no duct tape) Yes 

5% or less duct leakage found with pressure test Yes 

Duct Insulation: 

R-4 in conditioned space, R-8 in attic, R-6 in crawlspace Yes 

House plans show duct layouts Yes 

Ducts located in conditioned space as much as possible Yes 

Ducts sized according to industry standards in Manual D Yes 

Heating and cooling equipment sized according to industry 

standards in Manual J Yes 

House pressure balanced with jump ducts Yes 

HVAC* equipment and duct work was inspected 

and tested after installation Yes 

INSULATION (take a look at a house under construction before sheetrock is installed) 

Insulation installed behind tubs, landings, and other hard to 

reach places Yes 

Insulation fills entire cavities – no voids or compressed batts – 

Attic insulation level without gaps and covers entire attic floor 

Yes 

High density batt insulation Yes 

Rim joists are insulated Yes 

WINDOWS (take a look at a house under construction before exterior siding is installed) 

ENERGY STAR qualified windows, doors, and skylights Yes 

Windows flashed to help repel water Yes 

Windows rated to 0.35 U-factor and SHGC – greater SHGC 

would be allowable for passive solar heated homes Yes 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX I-1 
Appendix I: Homebuyer’s Checklist

MOISTURE MANAGEMENT (take a look at a house under construction before exterior siding is installed) 

Ground slopes away from house Yes 

Housewrap or building paper covers exterior sheathing in 

wood framed houses Yes 

Roof flashing in valleys, where walls and roofs intersect, and 

at other places where water may enter the house – the more 

complex the roof, the more flashing you should see 

Yes 

Overhangs for shade and to direct water away from walls Yes 

AIR BARRIERS 

All penetrations through exterior walls sealed Yes 

Careful sealing of sheetrock or exterior sheathing Yes 

Canned lights rated as airtight and for insulated ceiling (ICAT) Yes 

Electrical boxes on exterior walls caulked or gasketed Yes 

Holes into attic sealed Yes 

Attic hatch weather-stripped and insulated Yes 

Air leakage determined with house depressurization test Yes 

Wall-roof intersection carefully sealed to avoid ice dams Yes 

Draft stops installed behind tubs, showers, stairs, and fireplaces Yes 

FOUNDATION MEASURES 

Radon control measures installed Yes 

4 to 6 inch gravel base under slab and basement floors Yes 

Polyethylene (plastic) vapor barrier between gravel and slab Yes 

Conditioned crawlspace Yes 

Exterior wall insulation Yes 

PLUMBING 

No pipes in exterior walls Yes 

Pipe insulation Yes 

YOUR FEATURES FOR COMPARISON 

*SEER: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 

*AFUE: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency 

*HVAC: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning 

If you want to know more about any of these or other house features review the other chapters of the Best 

Practices guide. Other chapters are designed to help site planners, designers, site supervisors, and crafts 

people design and build efficient, comfortable, and durable homes. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX I-2 
Appendix II 

Energy & Housing Glossary

Accreditation 

The process of certifying a Home Energy Rating System 

(HERS) as being compliant with the national industry 

standard operating procedures for Home Energy 

Rating System. 

AFUE Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)

 Measures the amount of fuel converted to space heat in 

proportion to the amount of fuel entering the furnace. 

This is commonly expressed as a percentage. A furnace 

with an AFUE of 90 could be said to be 90% efficient. 

AFUE includes any input energy required by the pilot 

light but does not include any electrical energy for 

fans or pumps. 

Air Flow Retarder 

Sealants used to keep outside air and inside air out 

of the building envelope. Four common approaches 

to retarding air flow include careful sealing using the 

following building components: drywall and framing, 

plastic sheets (should not to be used in hot and humid 

climates) between drywall and framing, exterior 

sheathing, and building paper. Air flow retarders define 

the pressure boundary in a house that separates indoor 

and outdoor air. 

Building Envelope 

The outer shell, or the elements of a building, such 

as walls, floors, and ceilings, that enclose conditioned 

space. See also Pressure Boundary and Thermal 

Boundary. 

Btu (British Thermal Unit) 

A standard unit for measuring energy. One Btu is the 

amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 

one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit from 

59 to 60. An Inches-Pounds unit. 

CABO (Council of American Building Officials) 

A national organization of building code officials and 

interested parties, which, through a national consensus 

process, developed, adopted and promulgated the 

national Model Energy Code (MEC). CABO has 

recently become CABO International and has taken on 

the administrative responsibility for the development 

of a uniform international building code through an 

International Code Council (ICC). 

Capacity 

The rate at which a piece of equipment works. Cooling 

capacity is the amount of heat a cooling system can 

remove from the air. For air conditioners total capacity 

is the sum of latent capacity, the ability to remove 

moisture from the air, and the sensible capacity, the 

ability to reduce dry-bulb temperature. Heating system 

capacity indicates how much heat a system can provide. 

Heating and cooling capacities are rated in Btu per hour. 

Chase 

An enclosure designed to hold ducts, plumbing, 

electric, telephone, cable, or other linear components. 

A chase designed for ducts should be in conditioned 

space and include air flow retarders and thermal barriers 

between it and unconditioned spaces such as attics. 

Closed Combustion 

See Sealed Combustion, Direct Vent, and Power Vent. 

Construction Documents 

The drawings (plans) and written specifications that 

describe construction requirements for a building. 

COP (Coefficient of Performance) 

A measure of efficiency typically applied to heat pumps. 

The COP for heat pumps is the ratio, at a given 

point in time, of net heat output to total energy input 

expressed in consistent units and under designated 

conditions. Heat pumps result in a COP greater than 

1 because the system delivers or removes more heat 

energy than it consumes. Other specific definitions of 

COP exist for refrigeration equipment. See HSPF for a 

description of a unit for seasonal efficiency. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

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Appendix II: Energy & Housing Glossary

Debt-to-Income Ratio 

The ratio, expressed as a percentage, which results 

when a borrower’s total monthly payment obligations 

on long-term debt are divided by their gross monthly 

income. This is one of two ratios (housing expenseto-income ratio being the other) used by the mortgage 

industry to determine if a prospective borrower qualifies 

(meets the underwriting guidelines) for a specific 

home mortgage. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA 

underwriting guidelines set an upper limit of 36% on 

this value for conventional loans but increase (“stretch”) 

the ratio by 2% for qualifying energy efficient houses. 

Direct Vent 

A sealed ventilation system for combustion appliances 

that draws combustion air from outside the structure 

and vents combustion exhaust outside the structure. 

These systems may be combined with power vent 

exhausts. See Power Vent and Sealed Combustion. 

Dry-Bulb Temperature 

The temperature of air indicated on an ordinary 

thermometer, it does not account for the affects 

of humidity. 

ECM (Energy Conservation Measure) 

An individual building component or product that 

directly impacts energy use in a building. 

EEM (Energy Efficient Mortgage) 

Specifically, a home mortgage for which the borrower’s 

qualifying debt-to-income and housing expense-toincome ratios have been increased (“stretched”) by 

2% because the home meets or exceeds CABO’s 1992 

version of the Model Energy Code (MEC). This socalled “stretch” mortgage is nationally underwritten 

by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Housing 

Administration (FHA). This term is often used 

generically to refer to any home mortgage for which the 

underwriting guidelines have been relaxed specifically 

for energy efficiency features, or for which any form of 

financing incentive is given for energy efficiency. 

EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) 

A measurement of the instantaneous energy efficiency 

of cooling equipment, normally used only for electric 

air conditioning. EER is the ratio of net cooling 

capacity in Btu per hour to the total rate of electric 

input in watts, under designated conditions. The 

resulting EER value has units of Btu per watt-hour. 

EF (Energy Factor) 

A standardized measurement of the annual energy 

efficiency of water heating systems. It is the annual hot 

water energy delivered to a standard hot water load 

divided by the total annual purchased hot water energy 

input in consistent units. The resultant EF value is a 

percentage. EF is determined by a standardized U.S. 

Department of Energy (DOE) procedure. 

Energy (use) 

The quantity of onsite electricity, gas or other fuel 

required by the building equipment to satisfy the 

building heating, cooling, hot water, or other loads or 

any other service requirements (lighting, refrigeration, 

cooking, etc.) 

Energy Audit 

A site inventory and descriptive record of features 

impacting the energy use in a building. This includes, 

but is not limited to: all building component descriptions 

(locations, areas, orientations, construction attributes 

and energy transfer characteristics); all energy using 

equipment and appliance descriptions (use, make, model, 

capacity, efficiency and fuel type) and all energy features. 

ENERGY STAR® Home 

A home, certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA), that is at least 30% more energy 

efficient than the minimum national standard for home 

energy efficiency as specified by the 1992 MEC, or as 

defined for specific states or regions. ENERGY STAR 

is a registered trademark of the EPA. 

Envelope 

See Building Envelope 

Fannie Mae 

(FNMA - Federal National Mortgage Association)

A private, tax-paying corporation chartered by the U.S. 

Congress to provide financial products and services that 

increase the availability of housing for low-, moderate-, 

and middle-income Americans. 

FHA (Federal Housing Administration) 

A division of the U.S. Department of Housing and 

Urban Development (HUD). FHA’s main activity is 

the insurance of residential mortgage loans made by 

private lenders. 

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Appendix II: Energy & Housing Glossary

Freddie Mac 

(FHLMC - Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation)

A stockholder-owned organization, chartered by the 

U.S. Congress to increase the supply of mortgage funds. 

Freddie Mac purchases conventional mortgages from 

insured depository institutions and HUD-approved 

mortgage bankers. 

Grade Beam 

A foundation wall that is poured at or just below the grade 

of the earth, most often associated with the deepened 

perimeter concrete section in slab-on-grade foundations. 

HERS (Home Energy Rating System) 

A standardized system for rating the energy-efficiency 

of residential buildings. 

HERS Energy-Efficient Reference Home (EERH) 

The EERH is a geometric “twin” to a home being 

evaluated for a HERS rating and according to a newlyrevised system, is configured to be minimally compliant 

with the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code. 

HERS Provider 

An individual or organization responsible for the 

operation and management of a Home Energy 

Rating System (HERS). 

HERS Rater 

An individual certified to perform residential building 

energy efficiency ratings in the class for which the rater 

is certified. 

HERS Score 

A value between 0 and 100 indicating the relative 

energy efficiency of a given home as compared with the 

HERS Energy-Efficient Reference Home as specified by 

the HERS Council Guidelines. The greater the score, 

the more efficient the home. A home with zero energy 

use for the rated energy uses (heating, cooling and hot 

water only) scores 100 and the HERS Reference Home 

scores 80. Every one point increase in the HERS score 

amounts to a 5% increase in energy efficiency. 

Housing Expense-to-Income Ratio 

The ratio, expressed as a percentage, which results when 

a borrower’s total monthly housing expenses (P.I.T.I.) 

are divided by their gross monthly income. This is 

one of two ratios (debt-to-income ratio being the 

other) used by the mortgage industry to determine if a 

prospective borrower qualifies (meets the underwriting 

guidelines) for a specific home mortgage. Fannie Mae, 

Freddie Mac and FHA underwriting guidelines set an 

upper limit of 28% on this value for conventional loans 

but increase (“stretch”) the ratio by 2% for qualifying 

Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM). 

Housewrap 

Any of several spun-fiber polyolefin rolled sheet goods 

for wrapping the exterior of the building envelope. 

HSPF (Heating Season Performance Factor) 

A measurement of the seasonal efficiency of an electric 

heat pump using a standard heating load and outdoor 

climate profile over a standard heating season. It 

represents the total seasonal heating output in Btu 

divided by the total seasonal electric power input in 

watt-hours (Wh). Thus, the resultant value for HSPF 

has units of Btu/Wh. 

Jump Duct 

A flexible, short, U-shaped duct (typically 10-inch 

diameter) that connects a room to a common space as 

a pressure balancing mechanism. Jump ducts serve the 

same function as transfer grilles. 

Load 

The quantity of heat that must be added to or removed 

from the building (or the hot water tank) to satisfy 

specific levels of service, such as maintaining space 

temperature or hot water temperature at a specified 

thermostat setting (see also the definitions of energy 

and thermostat). 

Low-E 

Refers to a coating for high-performance windows, the 

“E” stands for emissivity or re-radiated heat flow. The 

thin metallic oxide coating increases the U-value of 

the window by reducing heat flow from a warm(er) air 

space to a cold(er) glazing surface. Low-E coatings allow 

short-wavelength solar radiation through windows, but 

reflect back longer wavelengths of heat. 

MEC (Model Energy Code) 

A “model” national standard for residential energy 

efficiency. The MEC was developed through a 

national consensus process by the Council of American 

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New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX II-3 
Appendix II: Energy & Housing Glossary

Building Officials (CABO) and is the accepted 

national minimum efficiency standard for residential 

construction. Since MEC is a model code, it does not 

have the “force of law” until it is adopted by a local code 

authority. The MEC is used as the national standard 

for determining Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) 

qualification, and it serves as the national “reference 

point” used by Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) 

in the determination of energy ratings for homes. 

Mechanical Ventilation 

The active process of supplying or removing air to or 

from an indoor space by powered equipment such as 

motor-driven fans and blowers, but not by devices such 

as wind-driven turbine ventilators and mechanically 

operated windows. 

Performance Test 

An on-site measurement of the energy performance 

of a building energy feature or an energy using device 

conducted in accordance with pre-defined testing and 

measurement protocols and analysis and computation 

methods. Such protocols and methods may be defined 

by national consensus standards like those of the 

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air 

Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the American 

Society for Test and Measurement (ASTM). 

Perm 

A unit of measure of water vapor permeance. One 

perm equals one grain of water vapor per hour flowing 

through one square foot of material at a differential 

vapor pressure equal to one inch of mercury. The 

greater the number, the more water vapor that will pass 

through a given material. 

P.I.T.I. 

An abbreviation which stands for principal, interest, 

taxes, and insurance. These generally represent a 

borrower’s total monthly payment obligations on a 

home loan. The taxes and insurance portion are often 

paid monthly to an impound or escrow account and 

may be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the 

cost of each. 

Power Vent 

A sealed exhaust ventilation system for combustion 

appliances that uses a fan to move combustion exhaust out 

of the structure. See Direct Vent and Sealed Combustion. 

Pressure Boundary 

The point in a building at which inside air and outside 

air are separated. If a building were a balloon, the 

rubber skin would form the pressure boundary. Where 

inside and outside air freely mingle there is no 

pressure boundary. 

Pressurization Test 

A procedure in which a fan is used to place a house, 

duct system, or other container, under positive or 

negative air pressure in order to calculate air leakage. 

RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) 

The national association of energy rating providers. 

Rated Home 

A specific residence that is evaluated by an energy rating. 

R-Value 

Measures a material’s ability to slow down or resist the 

transfer of heat energy, also called thermal resistance. 

The greater the R-value, the better the resistance, the 

better the insulation. R-values are the reciprocal of 

U-values. See U-values for more information. 

Sealed Combustion 

Sealed combustion means that a combustion appliance, 

such as a furnace, water heater, or fireplace, acquires all 

air for combustion though a dedicated sealed passage 

from the outside; combustion occurs in a sealed 

combustion chamber, and all combustion products 

are vented to the outside through a separate dedicated 

sealed vent. See Direct Vent and Sealed Combustion. 

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) 

A measurement similar to HSPF except that it measures 

the seasonal cooling efficiency of an electric air 

conditioner or heat pump using a standard cooling load 

and outdoor climate profile over a standard cooling 

season. It represents the total seasonal cooling output in 

Btu divided by the total seasonal electric input in watthours (Wh). The SEER value are units of Btu/Wh. 

Semi-Permeable 

The term vapor semi-permeable describes a material 

with a water vapor permeance between 1 and 10 Perms. 

Water vapor can pass through a semi-permeable 

material but at a slow rate. 

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New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX II-4 
Appendix II: Energy & Housing Glossary

Shading Coefficient (SC) 

The ratio of the total solar heat admittance through 

a given glazing product relative to the solar heat 

admittance of double-strength, clear glass at normal 

solar incidence (i.e., perpendicular to the glazing surface). 

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) 

SHGC measures how well a window blocks heat caused 

by sunlight. The lower the SHGC rating the less solar 

heat the window transmits. This rating is expressed as 

a fraction between 0 and 1. The number is the ratio of 

a window’s solar heat admittance compared to the total 

solar heat available on the exterior window surface at 

normal solar incidence (i.e., perpendicular to the 

glazing surface). 

Sone 

A sound rating. Fans rated 1.5 sones and below are 

considered very quiet. 

Supply ducts 

The ducts in a forced air heating or cooling system that 

supply heated or cooled air from the air conditioner to 

conditioned spaces. 

Thermal Boundary 

The border between conditioned and unconditioned 

space where insulation should be placed. 

Thermostat 

A control device that measures the temperature of the 

air in a home or the water in a hot water tank and 

activates heating or cooling equipment to cause the air 

or water temperature to remain at a pre-specified value, 

normally called the set point temperature. 

Ton(s) of Refrigeration 

Units used to characterize the cooling capacity of air 

conditioning equipment. One ton equals 12,000 Btu/h. 

U-Value 

Measures the rate at which heat flows or conducts 

through a building assembly (wall, floor, ceiling, etc.). 

The smaller the u-value the more energy efficient an 

assembly and the slower the heat transfer. Window 

performance labels include U-values (calling them Ufactors) to help in comparing across window products. 

Vapor Diffusion 

Vapor diffusion describes the molecular process in 

which vapor moves moisture from areas of higher vapor 

pressure to areas of lower vapor pressure, and from areas 

of greater temperature to areas of lesser temperature. 

Vapor Diffusion Retarder 

The function of a vapor diffusion retarder is to control 

the entry of water vapor into building assemblies 

through the mechanism of vapor diffusion. The 

effectiveness of a vapor diffusion retarder is based on its 

perm rating. See Perm and Vapor Diffusion. 

Ventilation 

The controlled movement of air into and out of a house. 

W (watt) 

One of two (Btu/h is the other) standard units of 

measure for the rate at which energy is consumed by 

equipment or the rate at which energy moves from 

one location to another. It is also the standard unit of 

measure for electrical power. 

Wet-Bulb Temperature 

A measure of combined heat and humidity. At the same 

temperature, air with less relative humidity has a lower 

wet-bulb temperature. See Dry-Bulb Temperature. 

Wind-Washing 

Air movement due to increased pressure differences that 

occur at the outside corners and roof eaves of buildings. 

Wind-washing can have significant impact on thermal 

and moisture movement and hence thermal and 

moisture performance of exterior wall assemblies. 

Xeriscaping 

Landscaping that minimizes outdoor water use while 

maintaining soil integrity and building aesthetics. 

Typically includes emphasis on native plantings, 

mulching, and no or limited drip/subsurface irrigation. 

Zero Energy House 

Any house that over time, averages out to net zero 

energy consumption. A zero energy home may supply 

more energy than it needs during peak demand, 

typically using one or more solar energy strategies, 

energy storage and/or net metering. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX II-5 
Appendix II: Energy & Housing Glossary 

Sources & Additional Information 

• American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). 1986. 

Terminology of Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. Atlanta, GA. 

• Building News. 2001. Construction Dictionary. BNi Publications, Los Angeles, CA. 

• Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). Energy-Efficiency Economics Terms and Definitions available 

on the Web at www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/fyh/ratings/e_terms.htm

• Lstiburek, Joseph. 2002. Builder’s Guide Hot and Humid Climates. Energy & Environmental Building 

Association. Minneapolis, MN www.eeba.org 

• Home Energy Magazine. 1997. “No-Regrets Remodeling: Creating a Comfortable, Healthy Home That Saves 

Energy.” Energy Auditor & Retrofitter, Inc. Berkeley, CA. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX II-6 
Appendix III 

Code Notes 

A meeting with the building department before construction is 

well-advised. Should your code official need information in support 

of the new techniques you may use in an energy-efficient home, 

this appendix contains Web sites and a sample document that 

may be helpful. A set of draft code notes are available on DOE’s 

Building Energy Codes Resource Center. These draft documents 

are written for codes officials, and provide a description of energy 

efficiency techniques, citations to relevant codes, and guidance 

for plan reviews and field inspections. The sample is the last one 

on the list below and is entitled Rigid Board Insulation Installed 

as Draft Stop in Attic Kneewall – Code Notes (Draft). Here is a 

list of available code notes that should help assure your local 

code official that the proposed techniques are both safe and in 

compliance with the model codes. The code notes are available at 

www.energycodes.gov/support/code_notes.stm. 

• Single Top Plate 

• No Headers in Nonbearing Walls 

• Header Hangers in Bearing Walls 

• Framing Floor Joists Spaced at 24 inches on Center 

• Framing Studs Spaced at 24 inches on Center 

• Open Spaces as Return-Air Options 

• Details for Mechanically Vented Crawl Spaces 

• Ventilation Requirements for Condensing Clothes Dryers 

• Drywall Clips 

• Rigid Board Insulation Installed as Draft Stop in Attic Kneewall 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX III-1 
Rigid Board Insulation Installed as Draft Stop in Attic Kneewall ­

Code Notes (DRAFT) 

Framing kneewall 

Rigid board insulation (foam plastic) is an effective draft stop and also increases the R-value of the attic 

kneewall if installed on the attic side of the kneewall, replacing the need for separate draft stop and insulation 

products. The IRC requires foam plastic insulation to be protected against ignition by using fiberglass batt 

insulation, gypsum board or other products that meet the flame and smoke density requirements. Foam 

plastic products rated for flame and smoke density can be installed without such a protective covering. 

Insulating attic kneewalls between a conditioned space with vaulted ceilings and the attic is important to 

reduce energy loss through the wall, especially in the summer months. To be effective, the insulation installed 

in the kneewalls must be supported so that it stays in contact with the gypsum board, and protected against 

air moving through the insulation. 

http://energycode.pnl.gov/cocoon/energy/ Page 1 of 3 
Kneewall sheathing insulation to increase R-value to equal the outside wall. 

Foam plastic insulation can be installed on the attic side of the attic kneewall (see Figure) to both act as a 

draft stop between the conditioned house and the unconditioned attic and to increase the insulation R-value of 

the attic kneewall. Installing such an insulating backing in the kneewall supports the fiberglass batt insulation 

between framing members, replaces an air barrier, and adds insulating value to the attic kneewall. 

Plan Review 

1. Verify that plastic insulation called out on the construction detail meets the ASTM E 84 requirements for 

flame spread and smoke development. Require manufacturer literature or an ICC Evaluation Service 

report. 

2. Verify that the insulation R-value of the foam plastic insulation called out on the building plans meets or 

exceeds the R-value requirements called for on the energy code compliance documentation (only if credit 

has been taken for the foam plastic insulation). 

Field Inspection 

1. Verify that the foam plastic insulation installed in the field is consistent with that called out on the building 

plans. 

2. Verify that the insulation R-value specified on the insulation meets or exceeds the R value called out on the 

plans or documentation. 

3. Verify that that sealant has been installed around the edges of the insulation and that any holes or 

penetrations in the foam plastic insulation are sealed. 

Code Citations 

http://energycode.pnl.gov/cocoon/energy/ Page 2 of 3 
IRC 2000, Section R318.2.3 and IRC 2003, Section R314.2.3 

Within attics and crawlspaces, where entry is made only for service of utilities, foam plastics shall 

be protected against ignition by 1 1/2-inch-thick (38 mm) mineral fiber insulation, 1/4-inch-thick (6.4 

mm) wood structural panels, 3/8-inch (9.5 mm) particleboard, 1/4-inch (6.4 mm) hardboard, 3/8-inch 

(9.5 mm) gypsum board, or corrosion resistant steel having a base metal thickness of 0.016 inch 

(0.406 mm). 

IRC 2000, Section R318.3 

Plastic foam not meeting the requirements of Section R318.1 and R318.2 may be specifically 

approved on the basis of one of the following approved tests: ASTM E 84, FM 4880, UL 1040, 

ASTM E152, or UL 1715, or fire tests related to actual end-use configurations. The specific 

approval may be based on the end use, quantity, location and similar considerations where such 

tests would not be applicable or practical. 

IRC 2003, Section R314.3 

Plastic foam not meeting the requirements of Section R318.1 and R318.2 may be specifically 

approved on the basis of one of the following approved tests: ASTM E 84, FM 4880, UL 1040, 

NFPA 286, ASTM E152, or UL 1715, or fire tests related to actual end-use configurations. The 

specific approval may be based on the end use, quantity, location and similar considerations where 

such tests would not be applicable or practical. 

http://energycode.pnl.gov/cocoon/energy/ Page 3 of 3 
Appendix IV

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-1 

This section contains a list of all the counties, broken out by state, that are inside the 

cold and very cold climate regions. You can find a master list for the entire country at 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america/pdfs/climate_regions_us_county_rev02.pdf 

ALASKA

Aleutians East 

Aleutians West (CA) 

Anchorage 

Bristol Bay 

Denali 

Haines 

Juneau 

Kenai Peninsula 

Ketchikan Gateway 

Kodiak Island 

Lake and Peninsula 

Matanuska-Susitna 

Prince of Wales-Outer 

Ketchikan (CA) 

Sitka 

Skagway-HoonahAngoon (CA) 

Valdez-Cordova (CA) 

Wrangell-Petersburg (CA) 

Yakutat 

ARIZONA

Apache 

Coconino 

Navajo 

CALIFORNIA

Alpine 

Lassen 

Modoc 

Mono 

Nevada 

Plumas 

Sierra 

Siskiyou 

COLORADO

Adams 

Alamosa 

Arapahoe 

Archuleta 

Bent 

Boulder 

Chaffee 

Cheyenne 

Clear Creek 

Conejos 

Costilla 

Crowley 

Custer 

Delta 

Denver 

Dolores 

Douglas 

Eagle 

El Paso 

Elbert 

Fremont 

Garfield 

Gilpin 

Grand 

Gunnison 

Hinsdale 

Huerfano 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Kiowa 

Kit Carson 

Lake 

La Plata 

Larimer 

Lincoln 

Logan 

Mesa 

Mineral 

Moffat 

Montezuma 

Montrose 

COLD CLIMATE 

VERY COLD CLIMATE 

Morgan 

Ouray 

Park 

Phillips 

Pitkin 

Prowers 

Pueblo 

Rio Blanco 

Rio Grande 

Routt 

Saguache 

San Juan 

San Miguel 

Sedgwick 

Summit 

Teller 

Washington 

Weld 

Yuma 

CONNECTICUT

Fairfield 

Hartford 

Litchfield 

Middlesex 

New Haven 
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

New London 

Tolland 

Windham 

IOWA

 Adair 

Adams 

Allamakee 

Appanoose 

Audubon 

Benton 

Black Hawk 

Boone 

Bremer 

Buchanan 

Buena Vista 

Butler 

Calhoun 

Carroll 

Cass 

Cedar 

Cerro Gordo 

Cherokee 

Chickasaw 

Clarke 

Clay 

Clayton 

Clinton 

Crawford 

Dallas 

Davis 

Decatur 

Delaware 

Des Moines 

Dickinson 

Dubuque 

Emmet 

Fayette 

Floyd 

Franklin 

Fremont 

Greene 

Grundy 

Guthrie 

Hamilton 

Hancock 

Hardin 

Harrison 

Henry 

Howard 

Humboldt 

Ida 

Iowa 

Jackson 

Jasper 

Jefferson 

Johnson 

Jones 

Keokuk 

Kossuth 

Lee 

Linn 

Louisa 

Lucas 

Lyon 

Madison 

Mahaska 

Marion 

Marshall 

Mills 

Mitchell 

Monona 

Monroe 

Montgomery 

Muscatine 

O’Brien 

Osceola 

Page 

Palo Alto 

Plymouth 

Pocahontas 

Polk 

Pottawattamie 

Poweshiek 

Ringgold 

Sac 

Scott 

Shelby 

Sioux 

Story 

Tama 

Taylor 

Union 

Van Buren 

Wapello 

Warren 

Washington 

Wayne 

Webster 

Winnebago 

Winneshiek 

Woodbury 

Worth 

Wright 

IDAHO

 Ada 

Adams 

Bannock 

Bear Lake 

Benewah 

Bingham 

Blaine 

Boise 

Bonner 

Bonneville 

Boundary 

Butte 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-2 
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Camas 

Canyon 

Caribou 

Cassia 

Clark 

Clearwater 

Custer 

Elmore 

Franklin 

Fremont 

Gem 

Gooding 

Idaho 

Jefferson 

Jerome 

Kootenai 

Latah 

Lemhi 

Lewis 

Lincoln 

Madison 

Minidoka 

Nez Perce 

Oneida 

Owyhee 

Payette 

Power 

Shoshone 

Teton 

Twin Falls 

Valley 

Washington 

ILLINOIS

 Adams 

Boone 

Brown 

Bureau 

Calhoun 

Carroll 

Cass 

Champaign 

Clark 

Coles 

Cook 

Cumberland 

De Witt 

DeKalb 

Douglas 

DuPage 

Edgar 

Ford 

Fulton 

Greene 

Grundy 

Hancock 

Henderson 

Henry 

Iroquois 

Jersey 

Jo Daviess 

Kane 

Kankakee 

Kendall 

Knox 

La Salle 

Lake 

Lee 

Livingston 

Logan 

Macon 

Marshall 

Mason 

McDonough 

McHenry 

McLean 

Menard 

Mercer 

Morgan 

Moultrie 

Ogle 

Peoria 

Piatt 

Pike 

Putnam 

Rock Island 

Sangamon 

Schuyler 

Scott 

Stark 

Stephenson 

Tazewell 

Vermilion 

Warren 

Whiteside 

Will 

Winnebago 

Woodford 

INDIANA

 Adams 

Allen 

Bartholomew 

Benton 

Blackford 

Boone 

Carroll 

Cass 

Clay 

Clinton 

De Kalb 

Decatur 

Delaware 

Elkhart 

Fayette 

Fountain 

Franklin 

Fulton 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-3
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Grant 

Hamilton 

Hancock 

Hendricks 

Henry 

Howard 

Huntington 

Jasper 

Jay 

Johnson 

Kosciusko 

La Porte 

Lagrange 

Lake 

Madison 

Marion 

Marshall 

Miami 

Montgomery 

Morgan 

Newton 

Noble 

Owen 

Parke 

Porter 

Pulaski 

Putnam 

Randolph 

Rush 

Shelby 

St. Joseph 

Starke 

Steuben 

Tippecanoe 

Tipton 

Union 

Vermillion 

Vigo 

Wabash 

Warren 

Wayne 

Wells 

White 

Whitley 

KANSAS

 Cheyenne 

Cloud 

Decatur 

Ellis 

Gove 

Graham 

Greeley 

Hamilton 

Jewell 

Lane 

Logan 

Mitchell 

Ness 

Norton 

Osborne 

Phillips 

Rawlins 

Republic 

Rooks 

Scott 

Sheridan 

Sherman 

Smith 

Thomas 

Trego 

Wallace 

Wichita 

MASSACHUSETTS

 Barnstable 

Berkshire 

Bristol 

Dukes 

Essex 

Franklin 

Hampden 

Hampshire 

Middlesex 

Nantucket 

Norfolk 

Plymouth 

Suffolk 

Worcester 

MARYLAND

 Garrett 

MAINE

 Androscoggin 

Aroostook 

Cumberland 

Franklin 

Hancock 

Kennebec 

Knox 

Lincoln 

Oxford 

Penobscot 

Piscataquis 

Sagadahoc 

Somerset 

Waldo 

Washington 

York 

MICHIGAN

 Alcona 

Alger 

Allegan 

Alpena 

Antrim 

Arenac 

Baraga 

Barry 

Bay 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-4
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Benzie 

Berrien 

Branch 

Calhoun 

Cass 

Charlevoix 

Cheboygan 

Chippewa 

Clare 

Clinton 

Crawford 

Delta 

Dickinson 

Eaton 

Emmet 

Genesee 

Gladwin 

Gogebic 

Grand Traverse 

Gratiot 

Hillsdale 

Houghton 

Huron 

Ingham 

Ionia 

Iosco 

Iron 

Isabella 

Jackson 

Kalamazoo 

Kalkaska 

Kent 

Keweenaw 

Lake 

Lapeer 

Leelanau 

Lenawee 

Livingston 

Luce 

Mackinac 

Macomb 

Manistee 

Marquette 

Mason 

Mecosta 

Menominee 

Midland 

Missaukee 

Monroe 

Montcalm 

Montmorency 

Muskegon 

Newaygo 

Oakland 

Oceana 

Ogemaw 

Ontonagon 

Osceola 

Oscoda 

Otsego 

Ottawa 

Presque Isle 

Roscommon 

Saginaw 

Sanilac 

Schoolcraft 

Shiawassee 

St. Clair 

St. Joseph 

Tuscola 

Van Buren 

Washtenaw 

Wayne 

Wexford 

MINNESOTA

 Aitkin 

Anoka 

Becker 

Beltrami 

Benton 

Big Stone 

Blue Earth 

Brown 

Carlton 

Carver 

Cass 

Chippewa 

Chisago 

Clay 

Clearwater 

Cook 

Cottonwood 

Crow Wing 

Dakota 

Dodge 

Douglas 

Faribault 

Fillmore 

Freeborn 

Goodhue 

Grant 

Hennepin 

Houston 

Hubbard 

Isanti 

Itasca 

Jackson 

Kanabec 

Kandiyohi 

Kittson 

Koochiching 

Lac qui Parle 

Lake 

Lake of the Woods 

Le Sueur 

Lincoln 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-5
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Lyon 

Mahnomen 

Marshall 

Martin 

McLeod 

Meeker 

Mille Lacs 

Morrison 

Mower 

Murray 

Nicollet 

Nobles 

Norman 

Olmsted 

Otter Tail 

Pennington 

Pipestone 

Pine 

Polk 

Pope 

Ramsey 

Red Lake 

Redwood 

Renville 

Rice 

Rock 

Roseau 

Scott 

Sherburne 

Sibley 

Stearns 

Steele 

Stevens 

St. Louis 

Swift 

Todd 

Traverse 

Wabasha 

Wadena 

Waseca 

Washington 

Watonwan 

Wilkin 

Winona 

Wright 

Yellow Medicine 

MISSOURI

 Adair 

Andrew 

Atchison 

Buchanan 

Caldwell 

Chariton 

Clark 

Clinton 

Daviess 

DeKalb 

Gentry 

Grundy 

Harrison 

Holt 

Knox 

Lewis 

Linn 

Livingston 

Macon 

Marion 

Mercer 

Nodaway 

Pike 

Putnam 

Ralls 

Schuyler 

Scotland 

Shelby 

Sullivan 

Worth 

MONTANA

 Beaverhead 

Big Horn 

Blaine 

Broadwater 

Carbon 

Carter 

Cascade 

Chouteau 

Custer 

Daniels 

Dawson 

Deer Lodge 

Fallon 

Fergus 

Flathead 

Gallatin 

Garfield 

Glacier 

Golden Valley 

Granite 

Hill 

Jefferson 

Judith Basin 

Lake 

Lewis and Clark 

Liberty 

Lincoln 

Madison 

McCone 

Meagher 

Mineral 

Missoula 

Musselshell 

Park 

Petroleum 

Phillips 

Pondera 

Powder River 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-6
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Powell 

Prairie 

Ravalli 

Richland 

Roosevelt 

Rosebud 

Sanders 

Sheridan 

Silver Bow 

Stillwater 

Sweet Grass 

Teton 

Toole 

Treasure 

Valley 

Wheatland 

Wibaux 

Yellowstone 

NORTH CAROLINA

 Alleghany 

Ashe 

Mitchell 

Watauga 

Yancey 

NORTH DAKOTA

 Adams 

Barnes 

Benson 

Billings 

Bottineau 

Bowman 

Burke 

Burleigh 

Cass 

Cavalier 

Dickey 

Divide 

Dunn 

Eddy 

Emmons 

Foster 

Golden Valley 

Grand Forks 

Grant 

Griggs 

Hettinger 

Kidder 

LaMoure 

Logan 

McHenry 

McIntosh 

McKenzie 

McLean 

Mercer 

Morton 

Mountrail 

Nelson 

Oliver 

Pembina 

Pierce 

Ramsey 

Ransom 

Renville 

Richland 

Rolette 

Sargent 

Sheridan 

Sioux 

Slope 

Stark 

Steele 

Stutsman 

Towner 

Traill 

Walsh 

Ward 

Wells 

Williams 

Brown 

Buffalo 

Burt 

Butler 

Cass 

Cedar 

Chase 

Cherry 

Cheyenne 

Clay 

Colfax 

Cuming 

Custer 

Dakota 

Dawes 

Dawson 

Deuel 

Dixon 

Dodge 

Douglas 

Dundy 

Fillmore 

Franklin 

Frontier 

Furnas 

Gage 

Garden 

Garfield 

Gosper 

NEBRASKA

 Adams 

Antelope 

Arthur 

Banner 

Blaine 

Boone 

Box Butte 

Boyd 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-7
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Grant 

Greeley 

Hall 

Hamilton 

Harlan 

Hayes 

Hitchcock 

Holt 

Hooker 

Howard 

Jefferson 

Johnson 

Kearney 

Keith 

Keya Paha 

Kimball 

Knox 

Lancaster 

Lincoln 

Logan 

Loup 

Madison 

McPherson 

Merrick 

Morrill 

Nance 

Nemaha 

Nuckolls 

Otoe 

Pawnee 

Perkins 

Phelps 

Pierce 

Platte 

Polk 

Red Willow 

Richardson 

Rock 

Saline 

Sarpy 

Saunders 

Scotts Bluff 

Seward 

Sheridan 

Sherman 

Sioux 

Stanton 

Thayer 

Thomas 

Thurston 

Valley 

Washington 

Wayne 

Webster 

Wheeler 

York 

NEW HAMPSHIRE

 Belknap 

Carroll 

Cheshire 

Coos 

Grafton 

Hillsborough 

Merrimack 

Rockingham 

Strafford 

Sullivan 

NEW JERSEY

Bergen 

Hunterdon 

Mercer 

Morris 

Passaic 

Somerset 

Sussex 

Warren 

NEW MEXICO

 Catron 

Cibola 

Colfax 

Harding 

Los Alamos 

McKinley 

Mora 

Rio Arriba 

San Juan 

San Miguel 

Sandoval 

Santa Fe 

Taos 

Torrance 

NEVADA

 Carson City (city) 

Churchill 

Douglas 

Elko 

Esmeralda 

Eureka 

Humboldt 

Lander 

Lincoln 

Lyon 

Mineral 

Nye 

Pershing 

Storey 

Washoe 

White Pine 

NEW YORK

 Albany 

Allegany 

Broome 

Cattaraugus 

Cayuga 

Chautauqua 

Chemung 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-8
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Chenango 

Clinton 

Columbia 

Cortland 

Delaware 

Dutchess 

Erie 

Essex 

Franklin 

Fulton 

Genesee 

Greene 

Hamilton 

Herkimer 

Jefferson 

Lewis 

Livingston 

Madison 

Monroe 

Montgomery 

Niagara 

Oneida 

Onondaga 

Ontario 

Orange 

Orleans 

Oswego 

Otsego 

Putnam 

Rensselaer 

Rockland 

Saratoga 

Schenectady 

Schoharie 

Schuyler 

Seneca 

St. Lawrence 

Steuben 

Sullivan 

Tioga 

Tompkins 

Ulster 

Warren 

Washington 

Wayne 

Wyoming 

Yates 

OHIO

 Allen 

Ashland 

Ashtabula 

Athens 

Auglaize 

Belmont 

Butler 

Carroll 

Champaign 

Clark 

Clinton 

Columbiana 

Coshocton 

Crawford 

Cuyahoga 

Darke 

Defiance 

Delaware 

Erie 

Fairfield 

Fayette 

Franklin 

Fulton 

Geauga 

Greene 

Guernsey 

Hancock 

Hardin 

Harrison 

Henry 

Highland 

Hocking 

Holmes 

Huron 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Knox 

Lake 

Licking 

Logan 

Lorain 

Lucas 

Madison 

Mahoning 

Marion 

Medina 

Meigs 

Mercer 

Miami 

Monroe 

Montgomery 

Morgan 

Morrow 

Muskingum 

Noble 

Ottawa 

Paulding 

Perry 

Pickaway 

Portage 

Preble 

Putnam 

Richland 

Ross 

Sandusky 

Seneca 

Shelby 

Stark 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-9
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Summit 

Trumbull 

Tuscarawas 

Union 

Van Wert 

Vinton 

Warren 

Wayne 

Williams 

Wood 

Wyandot 

OREGON

 Baker 

Crook 

Deschutes 

Gilliam 

Grant 

Harney 

Hood River 

Jefferson 

Klamath 

Lake 

Malheur 

Morrow 

Sherman 

Umatilla 

Union 

Wallowa 

Wasco 

Wheeler 

PENNSYLVANIA

Adams 

Allegheny 

Armstrong 

Beaver 

Bedford 

Berks 

Blair 

Bradford 

Butler 

Cambria 

Cameron 

Carbon 

Centre 

Clarion 

Clearfield 

Clinton 

Columbia 

Crawford 

Cumberland 

Dauphin 

Elk 

Erie 

Fayette 

Forest 

Franklin 

Fulton 

Greene 

Huntingdon 

Indiana 

Jefferson 

Juniata 

Lackawanna 

Lancaster 

Lawrence 

Lebanon 

Lehigh 

Luzerne 

Lycoming 

McKean 

Mercer 

Mifflin 

Monroe 

Montour 

Northampton 

Northumberland 

Perry 

Pike 

Potter 

Schuylkill 

Snyder 

Somerset 

Sullivan 

Susquehanna 

Tioga 

Union 

Venango 

Warren 

Washington 

Wayne 

Westmoreland 

Wyoming 

RHODE ISLAND

 Bristol 

Kent 

Newport 

Providence 

Washington 

SOUTH DAKOTA

 Aurora 

Beadle 

Bennett 

Bon Homme 

Brookings 

Brown 

Brule 

Buffalo 

Butte 

Campbell 

Charles Mix 

Clark 

Clay 

Codington 

Corson 

Custer 

Davison 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-10
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Day 

Deuel 

Dewey 

Douglas 

Edmunds 

Fall River 

Faulk 

Grant 

Gregory 

Haakon 

Hamlin 

Hand 

Hanson 

Harding 

Hughes 

Hutchinson 

Hyde 

Jackson 

Jerauld 

Jones 

Kingsbury 

Lake 

Lawrence 

Lincoln 

Lyman 

Marshall 

McCook 

McPherson 

Meade 

Mellette 

Miner 

Minnehaha 

Moody 

Pennington 

Perkins 

Potter 

Roberts 

Sanborn 

Shannon 

Spink 

Stanley 

Sully 

Todd 

Tripp 

Turner 

Union 

Walworth 

Yankton 

Ziebach 

UTAH

 Beaver 

Box Elder 

Cache 

Carbon 

Daggett 

Davis 

Duchesne 

Emery 

Garfield 

Grand 

Iron 

Juab 

Kane 

Millard 

Morgan 

Piute 

Rich 

Salt Lake 

San Juan 

Sanpete 

Sevier 

Summit 

Tooele 

Uintah 

Utah 

Wasatch 

Wayne 

Weber 

VERMONT

 Addison 

Bennington 

Caledonia 

Chittenden 

Essex 

Franklin 

Grand Isle 

Lamoille 

Orange 

Orleans 

Rutland 

Washington 

Windham 

Windsor 

WASHINGTON

 Adams 

Asotin 

Benton 

Chelan 

Columbia 

Douglas 

Ferry 

Franklin 

Garfield 

Grant 

Island 

Kittitas 

Klickitat 

Lincoln 

Okanogan 

Pend Oreille 

San Juan 

Skamania 

Spokane 

Stevens 

Walla Walla 

Whitman 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-11
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Adams 

Ashland 

Barron 

Bayfield 

Brown 

Buffalo 

Burnett 

Calumet 

Chippewa 

Clark 

Columbia 

Crawford 

Dane 

Dodge 

Door 

Douglas 

Dunn 

Eau Claire 

Florence 

Fond du Lac 

Forest 

Grant 

Green 

Green Lake 

Iowa 

Iron 

Jackson 

Yakima 

WISCONSIN

Jefferson 

Juneau 

Kenosha 

Kewaunee 

La Crosse 

Lafayette 

Langlade 

Lincoln 

Manitowoc 

Marathon 

Marinette 

Marquette 

Menominee 

Milwaukee 

Monroe 

Oconto 

Outagamie 

Oneida 

Ozaukee 

Pepin 

Pierce 

Polk 

Portage 

Price 

Racine 

Richland 

Rock 

Rusk 

Sauk 

Sawyer 

Shawano 

Sheboygan 

St. Croix 

Taylor 

Trempealeau 

Vernon 

Vilas 

Walworth 

Washburn 

Washington 

Waukesha 

Waupaca 

Waushara 

Winnebago 

Wood 

WEST VIRGINIA

 Barbour 

Brooke 

Doddridge 

Fayette 

Grant 

Greenbrier 

Hampshire 

Hancock 

Hardy 

Harrison 

Lewis 

Marion 

Marshall 

Mineral 

Monongalia 

Nicholas 

Ohio 

Pendleton 

Pocahontas 

Preston 

Raleigh 

Randolph 

Summers 

Taylor 

Tucker 

Upshur 

Webster 

Wetzel 

WYOMING

 Albany 

Big Horn 

Campbell 

Carbon 

Converse 

Crook 

Fremont 

Goshen 

Hot Springs 

Johnson 

Laramie 

Lincoln 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-12
Appendix IV:

Counties in the Cold and Very Cold Climate Regions

Natrona 

Niobrara 

Park 

Platte 

Sheridan 

Sublette 

Sweetwater 

Teton 

Uinta 

Washakie 

Weston 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX IV-13
Appendix V 

Web Site References 

This section lists all of the Web sites referenced in the Best Practices Series. It is intended to help readers in two ways. 

First, those interested in finding a reference without going back through the text may do so. Secondly, this list will 

be included as a live portion of the Building America Web site. The list will be updated periodically to incorporate 

changes in links. In this way, readers may visit the Building America Web site and click on a current link rather than 

monitoring and tracking down links on their own. The links are listed by chapter and for the Designers and Trades 

chapters, also by secondary headings. 

INTRODUCTION

www.buildingamerica.gov 

Building America is a private/public partnership that 

develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. 

HOMEOWNERS

www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html 

Easy to use R-value recommendation form uses input such 

as house status, fuel type and zip code to form analysis 

for installation. 

www.fanniemae.com 

Known for energy-efficient loans, Fannie Mae is the 

nation’s largest source of funding for mortgages. 

www.natresnet.org 

The Residential Energy Services Network’s (RESNET) 

mission is to improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s 

housing stock and to qualify more families for home 

ownership by expanding the national availability of 

mortgage financing options and home energy ratings. 

www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/energy-r.cfm 

Energy Efficient Mortgages Programs helps to achieve 

national energy-efficiency goals (and reduce pollution) 

as well as provide better housing for people who might 

not otherwise be able to afford it. 

www.eflhome.com/index.jsp 

The Environments for Living Program’s energy use and 

comfort guarantees promise potential savings, comfort 

and durability that were never thought possible. 

www.us-gf.com/engineered.asp 

An Engineered For Life® home is an energy-efficient home 

that has been designed, built and tested according to the 

principles of building science for optimal safety, durability, 

affordability, and comfort. 

www.artistichomessw.com/guarantee.htm 

Artistic Homes clearly marks every new home floor-plan 

with the annual amount of space heating and cooling 

energy that is expected to be used. Artistic Homes’ 

guarantee: If your actual space heating and cooling 

usage is less than guaranteed, you pay less. 

www.energystar.gov 

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping 

businesses and individuals protect the environment 

through superior energy efficiency. 

www.buildingamerica.gov 

Building America is a private/public partnership that 

develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. 

www.housingzone.com 

Housingzone.com contains content for builders, remodelers, 

architects, suppliers, consumers, and manufacturers. 

The Web site includes material from Professional Builder, 

Professional Remodeler, and Custom Builder magazines 

www.buildiq.com 

BuildIQ, a provider of online training for construction 

professionals, has an extensive resource list on best 

practices in homebuilding for consumers in its Best 

Practices area of this site.

MANAGERS

www.energystar.gov 

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping 

businesses and individuals protect the environment 

through superior energy efficiency. 

www.housingzone.com 

Housingzone.com contains content for builders, 

remodelers, architects, suppliers, consumers, and 

manufacturers. The Web site includes material from 

Professional Builder, Professional Remodeler, and 

Custom Builder magazines

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-1 
Appendix V: Web Site References

www.energyvideos.com 

The California Energy Commission Web site contains 

brief videos explaining how building homes beyond the 

levels required by code is good for business. Other videos 

provide training on meeting California code and installing 

energy efficient building measures. 

MARKETERS

www.energystar.gov 

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping 

businesses and individuals protect the environment 

through superior energy efficiency. 

www.nahbrc.org/tertiaryR.asp?CategoryID=1705& 

DocumentID=3404 

The EnergyValue Housing Award guide is a compilation 

of best practices of winners of the national EnergyValue 

Housing Award. It can be purchased from the NAHB 

Research Center Web site. 

www.efficientwindows.org/index.cfm 

The Efficient Windows Collaborative Web site provides 

unbiased information on the benefits of energyefficient windows, descriptions of how they work, and 

recommendations for their selection and use. 

www.builderonline.com/article-builder.asp?channelid= 

55&articleid=375&qu=consumer+survey 

Builder Online Web site presents a survey that reveals 

builders and buyers may be on different wavelengths 

when it comes to the choice of products and materials. 

www.housingzone.com 

Housingzone.com contains content for builders, remodelers, 

architects, suppliers, consumers, and manufacturers. 

The Web site includes material from Professional Builder, 

Professional Remodeler, and Custom Builder magazines 

SITE PLANNERS

www.efficientwindows.org 

The Efficient Windows Collaborative Web site provides 

unbiased information on the benefits of energyefficient windows, descriptions of how they work, and 

recommendations for their selection and use. 

www.lid-stormwater.net 

Sponsored by the EPA, this Web site contains information 

and low-impact urban design tools to help developers and 

watershed managers. 

www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/large-pubs/ 

Sustainable_community_development.pdf 

Located in Atlanta, Southface Energy Institute is a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable homes, 

workplaces and communities through education, research, 

advocacy and technical assistance. This URL contains a 

PDF version of the referenced document. 

www.eeba.org 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

www.fed.us/ne/newtown_square/publications/ 

technical_reports/pdfs/scanned/gtr1869.pdf 

PDF version of the Chicago’s Urban Forest Ecosystem: 

Results of the Chicago Urban Forest Climate Project 

from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Northeastern 

Research Station. 

www.BuilderBooks.com 

Purchasing Web site of books for the builder, bookstore of 

the National Association of Home Builders. 

www.SBICouncil.org 

Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) is an 

independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to 

advance the design, affordability, energy performance, and 

environmental soundness of America’s buildings. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/pubs/pf363/index.htm 

The Florida Solar Energy Center presents an article on 

housing in rural areas that could result in changes to local 

climate and increased energy bills. 

www.lid-stormwater.net 

Sponsored by the EPA, this Web site contains information 

and low-impact urban design tools to help developers and 

watershed managers. 

www.cabq.gov/waterconservation/xeric.html 

The City of Albuquerque’s Web site provides information 

on xeriscaping strategies for dry climates. 

http://xeriscape.org 

Xeriscape Colorado, Inc. is a non-profit membership group 

promoting creative approaches to water conserving 

landscapes. 

www.sustainabledesignguide.umn.edu/MSDG/site.html 

A guide to sustainable development developed by the 

University of Minnesota. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-2 
Appendix V: Web Site References

DESIGNERS

Building Science and the Systems Approach

www.buildingamerica.gov 

Building America is a private/public partnership that 

develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/science/basics/index.htm 

The Florida Solar Energy Center presents the basics of 

building science for more efficient and powerful products. 

www.nbnnews.com 

National Association of Home Builders offers an online 

newsletter center with a tool for accessing back issues of 

the publications. 

www.natresnet.org 

The Residential Energy Services Network’s (RESNET) 

mission is to improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s 

housing stock and to qualify more families for home 

ownership by expanding the national availability of 

mortgage financing options and home energy ratings. 

www.energycodes.gov 

A Web site describing U.S. DOE’s Energy Codes Program. 

www.ibacos.com/bestprac.html 

IBACOS, a Building America team member, offers 

guidelines, including graphic details, for designing and 

implementing quality construction practices, based on 

IBACOS’ research and experience working in the field 

with builders. 

Site – Drainage, Pest Control, and Landscaping

www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts.htm 

University of Kentucky Entomology site has a block 

of options to navigate which include field crops, fruit, 

livestock, misc., landscape plants, vegetables, home 

and health and a list of facts.

www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/ 

landscape.html 

This Department of Energy’s Web site includes information 

for energy efficiency landscaping. 

Foundation Measures

www.epa.gov/199/iaq/radon/images/buildradonout.pdf 

A guide to building radon-resistant homes is outlined 

by the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air at the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency.

www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html 

Environmental Protection Agency’s map of radon zones 

includes all states with a breakdown of zone information 

classified by region. 

www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html 

State and regional contact information for indoor air 

quality and radon control. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/articles 

/24-27_Yost_for_author.pdf 

An Article by Dr. Nathan Yost, M.D. is presented 

by buildingscience.com and offers information on 

conditioned, unvented crawl spaces. 

www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork 

/hothumid/montgomery.htm 

The Building Science Corporation leads a Building America 

team. Houses that work provides drawings, specifications, 

materials characteristics for sample housing types in five 

climate zones. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/Aug04/Aug2004_Water.html 

This article from IBACOS discusses best practices for 

foundations in areas with expansive soils. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/Jan04/Jan_BPWebBasements.html 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/Jan04/bestpractice.pdf 

www.ibacos.com/pubs/Newsletter-July02.pdf#page=3 

These articles from IBACOS present best practices for 

designing and building quality foundation systems. 

Structural Moisture Control

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/documents 

/pdfs/28600.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on how to select and install housewrap and other 

types of weather-resistive barriers. 

www.fema.gov 

The Federal Energy Management Agency’s mission is to 

prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage 

federal response and recovery efforts following any 

national incident. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-3 
Appendix V: Web Site References

www.blueprintforsafety.org 

Florida Alliance for Safe Homes’ building guidelines for 

hazardous areas. 

www.ibhs.org 

The Institute for Business and Home Safety has building 

guidelines and public information for surviving disasters. 

www.buildingcodeonline.com 

The Miami-Dade County Building Code Compliance 

Office offers a searchable database of building materials 

approved for high-wind locations. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/March03/ 

march03_bestpractices_roofflashing.html 

This document provides guidelines on roof flashing. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/Aug03/Sug2003_bp_brick.html 

This article by IBACOS provides solutions for moisture 

issues in brick veneer homes. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/Winter05/ 

winter05_bestpractices_drainage_plane.html 

This article by IBACOS discusses the importance of 

providing a continuous drainage plane. 

www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/hazard_workshop.html 

U.S. DOE offers a training program for home inspectors to 

identify hazards. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls 

/brick_stucco_housewraps.pdf 

Website provides information on housewrap and building 

paper performance behind brick and stucco. 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/28600.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on how to select and install housewrap and other 

types of weather-resistive barriers. 

www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork 

/buildingmaterials.htm 

The Building Science Corporation leads a Building America 

team. Houses that work provides drawings, specifications, 

materials characteristics for sample housing types in five 

climate zones. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls 

/problems_with_housewraps.htm 

The function of a housewrap and the problems associated 

with them are laid out in a well written article on 

buildingscience.com. 

www.cdnarchitect.com 

Canadian Architect is a magazine that offers information 

for architects and other professionals in related fields. 

www.nahbrc.org/docs/mainnav/moistureandleaks 

/792_moisture.pdf 

This document from the NAHB Research Center provides 

information to help control leaks. 

www.eeba.org/bookstore 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/airsealing.htm 

The Building Science Corporation leads a Building America 

team. Houses that Work provides drawings, specifications, 

materials characteristics for sample housing types in five 

climate zones. 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/documents/ 

pdfs/26448.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on the benefits of sealing air leaks to save energy. 

Structural Thermal Performance 

www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_08.html 

What kind of insulation should you buy? An insulation fact 

sheet presented by the Department of Energy clarifies. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/pubs/rbs/index.htm 

The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier 

systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program. 

www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/radiant/rb_01.html 

Provides descriptions and a fact sheet about radiant barriers. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-4 
Appendix V: Web Site References

www.energystar.gov 

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping 

businesses and individuals protect the environment 

through superior energy efficiency. 

www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_16.html 

Easy to use R-Value recommendation form uses input such 

as house status, fuel type and zip code to form analysis 

for installation. 

www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers 

/r-value_map.html 

A detailed map represents recommended total R-Values 

for existing houses according to the Department of Energy. 

www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork 

/advancedframing/default.htm 

Advanced framing details the Building Science Corporation. 

www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/hothumid/ 

orlando.htm 

The Building Science Corporation leads a Building 

America team. Houses that work provides drawings, 

specifications, materials characteristics for sample 

housing recommendations in five climate zones. 

www.nfrc.org 

National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a non-profit, 

public/private organization created by the window, door 

and skylight industry which provides consistent ratings on 

window, door and skylight products. 

www.efficientwindows.org/index.cfm 

The Efficient Windows Collaborative Web site provides 

unbiased information on the benefits of energyefficient windows, descriptions of how they work, and 

recommendations for their selection and use. 

www.susdesign.com/sunangle/ 

Input and output variables form a calculation tool for sun angles. 

www.wunderground.com 

A weather forecasting and data Web site. 

www.susdesign.com/overhang/index.html 

Overhang design tool allows the shading performance of 

window overhangs to be easily analyzed using precise 

calculations and positioning. 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/index.cfm?flash=yes 

DOE’s Building Technologies Program works to improve 

the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings through 

innovative new technologies and better building practices. 

Site includes research and regulatory activities. 

www.sbse.org/resources/sac/index.htm 

Presented by the Society of Building Science Educators, 

this Web page offers general information and purchasing 

details on the sun angle calculator. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/March04/Mar_BPRoofs.html 

This article by IBACOS discusses best practices for an 

airtight, insulated roof system, and provides specific 

solutions insulating cathedral roofs. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/March04/Mar_Tech_ 

VentedAttics.html 

This article by IBACOS discusses insulating vented attics 

for performance. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/Oct03/duct.html 

This article by IBACOS discusses controlling condensation 

on duct systems. 

Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning

www.acca.org 

From technical topics to management tips, the Air 

Conditioning Contractors of America provide a wealth 

of knowledge and information useful for the successful 

contracting business, including selection and sizing 

manuals. 

www.energy.ca.gov/2005publications/CEC-400-2005-

005/CEC-400-2005-005-CMF.pdf 

California Energy Commission’s 2005 Residential 

Compliance Manual 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/ 

DOE’s tips on saving energy and money at home. 

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=appliances.pr_appliances 

A list of appliances with an ENERGY STAR rating can be 

found on this Web page. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/mechanical 

/air_distribution.pdf 

Examples of HVAC systems with detailed information 

on the energy and economic benefit is provided by 

buildingscience.com. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-5 
Appendix V: Web Site References

www.ibacos.com/pubs/Newsletter-July02.pdf 

This article by IBACOS discusses best practices for 

achieving thermal comfort.

www.ibacos.com/ghome/March03/march03_cover.html 

This article by IBACOS presents HVAC optimization strategies. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/June03/wtrhtr.html 

This article by IBACOS discusses sizing strategies for

water heaters.

www.buildingscience.com/resources/mechanical 

/conditioning_air.pdf 

The Building Science Consortium’s Houston study of 

dehumidifiers (BSC 2002) is available on the referenced 

Web page. 

http://ducts.lbl.gov/Publications/lbl-41118.pdf 

A technical report on duct sealants can be found on the 

referenced Web page. 

www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/ 

eehem/98/9807.html 

The magazine, Home Energy, contains an article describing 

duct sealants. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/baihp//pubs/interior_ducts.pdf 

Web page offers information on designing and building an 

interior chase. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/roofs 

/unvented_roof_summary_article.pdf 

The linked article summarizes the various papers on 

unvented conditioned cathedralized attics found on the site. 

www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/hothumid 

/montgomery.htm 

The Building Science Corporation leads a Building America 

team. Houses that work provides drawings, specifications, 

materials characteristics for sample housing types in five 

climate zones. 

www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features 

/DuctInsulation1-17-01.pdf 

Recommendations for insulation levels for ducts in unconditioned spaces can be found on this site. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/moisture 

/relative_humidity_0402.pdf 

Relative humidity discussion. 

Mechanicals Management and Appliances

www.toolbase.org 

This Web site contains PATH’s listing of building 

technologies, including air admittance vents and 

manifold water distribution systems. PATH stands for the 

Partnership for Advanced Housing Technology. To reach 

information about air admittance valves after reaching 

the Web site select new building technologies, plumbing, 

distribution systems, and finally, air admittance vents. 

www.gamanet.org 

GAMA, the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, is a 

national trade association of manufacturers of residential, 

commercial and industrial appliances and equipment, 

components and related products. 

www.energy.state.or.us/res/tax/appheat.htm 

A list of high-efficiency water heaters that qualify for state 

tax credits is presented by The Oregon Department of 

Energy. Only Oregon taxpayers qualify for the credits. 

www.pnl.gov/cfldownlights/ 

The purpose of the Residential Recessed Downlights 

Project is to increase the availability and use of highly 

energy-efficient recessed downlight fixtures for homes. 

Website provides highly energy-efficient recessed 

downlight fixtures that have undergone stringent testing 

available for purchase. 

www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers 

/appliances.html 

A list of major appliances with high-energy efficiency 

standards are documented by the Department of Energy. 

Only appliances in the top one-third of the DOE Energy 

Guide rating scale should be selected. 

www.ibacos.com/hpl.html 

Designed for builders, this High Performance Lighting Guide 

developed by IBACOS discusses high performance lighting 

strategies for new homes. 

Web Sites ListedOnly inDesigners Chapter References

www.buildingscience.com/resources/mechanical 

/advanced_space_conditioning.pdf 

A Building Science Corporation document discussing 

system tradeoffs between building envelopes and heating 

and ventilation equipment. 

www.buildingamerica.gov 

Building America is a private/public partnership that 

develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-6 
Appendix V: Web Site References

www.wwnorton.com/npb/welcome.htm 

Norton Professional Books offers an online bookstore in 

subjects such as architecture/design. 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/documents/pdfs/28600.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on how to select and install housewrap and other 

types of weather-resistive barriers. 

www.eeba.org/bookstore 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/baihp/pubs/interior_ducts.pdf 

Web page offers information on designing and building an 

interior chase. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/pubs/rbs/index.htm 

The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier 

systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/mechanical 

/air_conditioning_equipment_efficiency.pdf 

A Building Science Corporation document providing 

procedures for refrigeration system installation and start up. 

www.homeenergy.org/898ductape.title.html 

Home Energy Magazine contains an article describing 

duct sealants. 

www.SBICouncil.org 

Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) is an 

independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to 

advance the design, affordability, energy performance, 

and environmental soundness of America’s buildings. 

www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features 

/DuctInsulation1-17-01.pdf 

Recommendations for insulation levels for ducts in 

unconditioned spaces in the hot and humid climate can 

be found on this site. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/pubs/ACsize/index.htm 

The Florida Solar Energy Center presents a document 

on how air conditioning systems are sized. 

http://ducts.lbl.gov/Publications/lbl-41118.pdf 

A technical report on duct sealants can be found on the 

referenced Web page. 

www.buildingscience.com/resources/articles 

/24-27_Yost_for_author.pdf 

An Article by Dr. Nathan Yost, M.D. is presented 

by buildingscience.com and offers information on 

conditioned, unvented crawl spaces. 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/index.cfm?flash=yes 

DOE’s Building Technologies Program works to improve 

the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings through 

innovative new technologies and better building practices. 

Site includes research and regulatory activities. 

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=bop.pt_bop_index 

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping 

businesses and individuals protect the environment 

through superior energy efficiency. Index includes builder 

option packages referenced by state. 

SITE SUPERVISORS

www.comfortwise.com/installationprotocols.shtml 

ConSol leads a Building America team and developed the 

statements of work listed on this Web site for builders in 

California. These statements of work can be incorporated 

into contracts. 

www.thebii.org/rpsw.asp 

Statements of work developed by ConSol for builders 

in California are also available on this Web site. These 

statements of work can be incorporated into contracts. 

www.energycodes.gov/support/code-notes.stm 

DOE’s building codes program provides draft Code Notes 

to help code officials 

www.buildingamerica.gov 

Building America is a private/public partnership that 

develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. 

www.eeba.org 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

www.buildingscience.com/workshops/default.htm 

Building Science Corporation offers workshops and 

seminars that are tailored towards building professionals. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-7 
Appendix V: Web Site References

www.nahbrc.org 

The National Association of Home Builders Research 

Center leads a Building America team and conducts 

training for builders. This Web site contains articles, 

schedules, and links describing technical materials and 

training opportunities. 

www.southface.org 

Located in Atlanta, Southface Energy Institute is a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable homes, 

workplaces and communities through education, research, 

advocacy and technical assistance. 

www.ibacos.com 

IBACOS, Inc. (Integrated Building and Construction 

Solutions) was created to help enable the homebuilding 

industry to deliver Quality Homes®—homes of inherently 

higher performance that are safe, healthy, durable, 

comfortable and efficient. 

www.acca.org 

From technical topics to management tips, the Air 

Conditioning Contractors of America provide a wealth 

of knowledge and information useful for the successful 

contracting business, including selection and 

sizing manuals. 

www.installationmastersusa.com 

This Web site describes a window installation training 

program developed by the American Architectural 

Manu-facturers Association.

www.energyvideos.com 

The California Energy Commission Web site contains 

brief videos explaining how building homes beyond the 

levels required by code is good for business. Other videos 

provide training on meeting California code and installing 

energy efficient building measures. 

www.pathnet.org/sp.asp?id=10787 

This Web site contains training videos available from 

PATH TV. PATH stands for the Partnership for Advancing 

Technology in Housing. 

www.natresnet.org 

The Residential Energy Services Network’s (RESNET) 

mission is to improve the energy efficiency of the nation’s 

housing stock and to qualify more families for home 

ownership by expanding the national availability of 

mortgage financing options and home energy ratings. 

http://hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/00/001105.html 

Home Energy Magazine explores HVAC questions. 

TRADES

Slab Insulation - Cold Climates

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/documents/ 

pdfs/29237.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on how to improve comfort and save energy in 

homes with slab-on-grade floors. 

www.epa.gov/199/iaq/radon 

A guide to building radon-resistant homes is outlined 

by the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air at the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency.

www.southface.org/web/resources&services/ 

publications/factsheets/29_insulatefloors4PDF.pdf 

Located in Atlanta, Southface Energy Institute is a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable homes, 

workplaces and communities through education, research, 

advocacy and technical assistance. This URL contains a 

PDF version of the referenced document. 

www.southface.org/web/resources&services/ 

publications/factsheets/30_radonresistantconst.pdf 

Located in Atlanta, Southface Energy Institute is a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable homes, 

workplaces and communities through education, research, 

advocacy and technical assistance. This URL contains a 

PDF version of the referenced document. 

www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork 

The Building Science Corporation leads a Building America 

team. Houses that Work provides drawings, specifications, 

materials characteristics for sample housing types in five 

climate zones. 

Basement & Conditioned (Unvented) 

Crawlspace Insulation

www.buidingamerica.gov 

Building America is a private/public partnership that 

develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. 

www.eeba.org/bookstore 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-8 
Appendix V: Web Site References

www.epa.gov/199/iaq/radon 

A guide to building radon-resistant homes is outlined 

by the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air at the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency.

Housewraps

www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts 

/8_airsealing.pdf 

Located in Atlanta, Southface Energy Institute is a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable homes, 

workplaces and communities through education, research, 

advocacy and technical assistance. This URL contains a 

PDF version of the referenced document. 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/documents/ 

pdfs/26448.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on the benefits of sealing air leaks to save energy. 

http://construction.tyvek.com/en/productServices 

/HomeWrap/index.shtml 

Tyvek® HomeWrap® is a weatherization membrane that 

provides a protective layer under a home’s siding and over 

the sheathing. 

www.cdnarchitect.com 

Canadian Architect is a magazine that offers information 

for architects and other professionals in related fields. 

Window Flashing 

www.eeba.org 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/documents/ 

pdfs/28600.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on how to select and install housewrap and other 

types of weather-resistive barriers. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/Jan03/jan03_windows.html 

This document from IBACOS present window flashing and 

installation guidelines. 

Air Sealing – Plumbing 

www.eeba.org 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/documents/ 

pdfs/26448.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on the benefits of sealing air leaks to save energy. 

www.toolbase.org 

This Web site contains PATH’s listing building 

technologies, including air admittance vents and 

manifold water distribution systems. PATH stands for the 

Partnership for Advanced Housing Technology. To reach 

information about air admittance valves after reaching 

the Web site select new building technologies, plumbing, 

distribution systems, and finally, air admittance vents. 

Electrical Air Sealing 

www.eeba.org 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/documents 

/pdfs/26448.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on the benefits of sealing air leaks to save energy. 

Air Sealing Glossary

www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/info/documents 

/pdfs/26448.pdf 

The Department of Energy presents a Technology Fact 

Sheet on the benefits of sealing air leaks to save energy. 

Masonry Construction 

www.eeba.org 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-9 
Appendix V: Web Site References

Radiant Barriers

www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/refbriefs/bc7.html 

The Department of Energy presents an information fact 

sheet on radiant barriers. 

www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts 

/14radiantbarriers.pdf 

Located in Atlanta, Southface Energy Institute is a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable homes, 

workplaces and communities through education, research, 

advocacy and technical assistance. This URL contains a 

PDF version of the referenced document. 

www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts 

/25_insulateceilings_4pdf.pdf 

Located in Atlanta, Southface Energy Institute is a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable homes, 

workplaces and communities through education, research, 

advocacy and technical assistance. This URL contains a 

PDF version of the referenced document. 

Duct Sealing 

www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts 

/2duct_q&a.pdf 

Located in Atlanta, Southface Energy Institute is a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable homes, 

workplaces and communities through education, research, 

advocacy and technical assistance. This URL contains a 

PDF version of the referenced document. 

www.southface.org/home/sfpubs/techshts/checklist.pdf 

Located in Atlanta, Southface Energy Institute is a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit corporation that promotes sustainable homes, 

workplaces and communities through education, research, 

advocacy and technical assistance. This URL contains a 

PDF version of the referenced document. 

www.ibacos.com/ghome/Oct03/bpflexduct.html 

This document by IBACOS provides guidelines for 

connecting flex duct to duct board. 

APPENDIX I

No Web sites

APPENDIX II

www.fsec.ucf.edu/bldg/fyh/ratings/e_terms.htm 

Terms and definitions for energy efficiency economics is 

offered in two organized lists: Energy-Efficiency, Code and 

Rating Terminology & Economic, Financial & Real Estate 

Terminology. Both lists are useful for Energy Raters to 

effectively perform their function as energy auditors. 

www.eeba.org 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

APPENDIX III

www.energycodes.gov/support/code-notes.stm 

DOE’s building codes program provides draft Code Notes 

to help code officials 

www.eeba.org 

The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) 

promotes the awareness, education and development of 

energy efficient, environmentally responsible buildings and 

communities. The EEBA Web site includes a bookstore 

where the referenced document may be purchased. 

www.fsec.ucf.edu 

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), A Research Institute 

of the University of Central Florida, conducts research 

and develops energy technologies that enhance Florida’s 

and the nation’s economy and environment. FSEC also 

educates the public, students and practitioners on the 

results of the research. 

www.e-star.com 

E-Star Energy Ratings allow homeowners and builders 

to create energy-efficient homes that are economical, 

comfortable, and better for the environment.

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 3 – Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving 

New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Cold and Very Cold Climates Version 2, 8/2005 • APPENDIX V-10 
Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable 

A Strong Energy Portfolio 

for a Strong America 

Energy efficiency and clean, renewable 

energy will mean a stronger economy, 

a cleaner environment, and greater 

energy independence for America. 

Working with a wide array of state, 

community, industry, and university 

partners, the U.S. Department of 

Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy invests in a 

diverse portfolio of energy technologies. 

Research and Development 

of Buildings 

Our nation’s buildings consume more 

energy than any other sector of the 

U.S. economy, including transportation 

and industry. Fortunately, the opportunities to reduce building energy use— 

and the associated environmental 

impacts—are significant. 

DOE’s Building Technologies Program 

works to improve the energy efficiency 

of our nation’s buildings through innovative new technologies and better 

building practices. The program 

focuses on two key areas: 

• Emerging Technologies 

Research and development of the 

next generation of energy-efficient 

components, materials, and 

equipment 

• Technology Integration 

Integration of new technologies 

with innovative building methods 

to optimize building performance 

and savings 

For more information contact: 

EERE Information Center 

1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463) 

www.eere.energy.gov 

An electronic copy of this publication is 

available on the Building America Web 

site at www.buildingamerica.gov 

U.S. Department of Energy 

Energy Efficiency 

and Renewable Energy 

Building America Program 

George S. James • New Construction • 202-586-9472 • fax: 202-586-8134 • e-mail: George.James@ee.doe.gov 

Terry Logee • Existing Homes • 202-586-1689 • fax: 202-586-4617 • e-mail: terry.logee@ee.doe.gov 

Lew Pratsch • Integrated Onsite Power • 202-586-1512 • fax: 202-586-8185 • e-mail: Lew.Pratsch@hq.doe.gov 

Building America Program • Office of Building Technologies, EE-2J • U.S. Department of Energy • 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W. • 

Washington, D.C. 20585-0121 • www.buildingamerica.gov 

Building Industry Research Alliance (BIRA) 

Robert Hammon • ConSol • 7407 Tam O’Shanter Drive #200 • Stockton, CA 95210-3370 • 209-473-5000 • fax: 209-474-0817 • 

e-mail: Rob@consol.ws • www.bira.ws 

Building Science Consortium (BSC) 

Betsy Pettit • Building Science Consortium (BSC) • 70 Main Street • Westford, MA 01886 • 978-589-5100 • fax: 978-589-5103 • 

e-mail: Betsy@buildingscience.com • www.buildingscience.com 

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings (CARB) 

Steven Winter • Steven Winter Associates, Inc. • 50 Washington Street • Norwalk, CT 06854 • 203-857-0200 • fax: 203-852-0741 • 

e-mail: swinter@swinter.com • www.carb-swa.com 

Davis Energy Group 

David Springer • Davis Energy Group • 123 C Street • Davis, CA 95616 • 530-753-1100 • fax: 530-753-4125 • 

e-mail: springer@davisenergy.com • deg@davisenergy.com • www.davisenergy.com/index.html 

IBACOS Consortium 

Brad Oberg • IBACOS Consortium • 2214 Liberty Avenue • Pittsburgh, PA 15222 • 412-765-3664 • fax: 412-765-3738 • 

e-mail: boberg@ibacos.com • www.ibacos.com 

Industrialized Housing Partnership (IHP) 

Subrato Chandra • Florida Solar Energy Center • 1679 Clearlake Road • Cocoa, FL 32922 • 321-638-1412 • fax: 321-638-1439 • 

e-mail: subrato@fsec.ucf.edu • www.baihp.org 

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center 

Tom Kenney • National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center • 400 Prince George’s Boulevard • 

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 • 301-430-6246 • fax: 301-430-6180 • toll-free: 800-638-8556 • www.nahbrc.org/ 

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

Ren Anderson • 1617 Cole Boulevard, MS-2722 • Golden, CO 80401 • 303-384-7433 • fax: 303-384-7540 • 

e-mail: ren_anderson@nrel.gov • www.nrel.gov 

Tim Merrigan • 1617 Cole Boulevard, MS-2722 • Golden, CO 80401 • 303-384-7349 • fax: 303-384-7540 • 

e-mail: tim_merrigan@nrel.gov • www.nrel.gov 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory 

Pat M. Love • P.O. Box 2008 • One Bethel Valley Road • Oak Ridge, TN 37831 • 865-574-4346 • fax: 865-574-9331 • 

e-mail: lovepm@ornl.gov • www.ornl.gov 

Produced for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a DOE national laboratory. 

August 2005 • NREL/TP-550-38309 

Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 20% postconsumer waste. 

Visit our Web sites at: 

www.buildingamerica.gov www.pathnet.org www.energystar.gov