Example Performance Targets 

and 

Efficiency Packages

Greensburg, Kansas

Dr. Ren Anderson, NREL

Mixed Humid Climate Region

NREL/PR-550-43944

A Stand-Alone Briefing Package
2

Coal produces 

about half of the 

energy supplied by 

the 

Electric Power 

Sector, it is 

responsible

for 81% of this 

sector’s CO2 

emissions. 

Architecture 2030
3

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

Floor Area

Million Btu/Household 

(Site)

2001 EIA RECS Survey Data

Size Matters: 2001 RECS Site Energy 

Consumption Data

2X!
4

Vintage Matters: 2001 RECS Primary 

Electric Data

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Pre-50's 50's 60's 70's 80's 90's

Vintage

Million Btu/Household

(Primary Electric)

1.6X!

2001 EIA RECS Survey Data
5

Home Energy Related Costs

Neutral Cost Point

Incremental, Energy 

Related Mortgage

Costs

Minimum 

Cost Point

“Least Cost”

Curve

Source Energy Savings

All Energy Related Costs, $

50%

Minimum

Code
6

Specific Example: 

2000ft2 New Home

2000 ft2, 16% window to floor area ratio

Design: Building Science Corporation 
(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement 7

IECC 2003

BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star

Greensburg, Kansas

Minimum Cost Target

Key Finding: Current Energy 

Codes Do Not Achieve Minimum 

Cost
8

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement

IECC 2003

BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star

Key Finding: There are Large

Potential Energy Savings Near 

the Minimum Cost Point
9

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement

IECC 2003

BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star

Key Finding: There are Huge

Potential Energy Savings at 

Neutral Cost
10

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement

IECC 2003 BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star

Key Finding: Onsite Renewables

Play a Key Supporting Role!
11

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement

IECC 2003 BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star

Key Finding: There is a 20%-30%

Technology Gap to Achieve Net ZEH
12

Critical ZEH Technology Gaps

•High R Wall Systems: Durable high R wall systems for cold, 

northern marine, and mixed climates, leading to development of 

an R-30 wall assembly with an incremental cost of $2/ft2-floor 

area relative to an R-19 2x6 wall.

•Cold Climate DHW: DHW system with $2000 incremental system 

cost and 30% reduction in annual energy relative to a gas 

tankless hot water system with EF=0.8. 

•Cold Climate R10 Window Assembly: R10 window assembly with 

a minimum SHGC of 0.3 and cost of $20/ft2 (incremental cost of 

$4/ft2 of window area relative to current low e)

•Very High Performance AC[1]: AC system with 30% reduction in 

annual energy use and an incremental cost increase of $1000 

relative to a current SEER 18/EER 13.4 system with tight ducts in 

conditioned space.

•MELs Reduction: 30% reduction in miscellaneous electric energy 

use with an incremental cost of $1000. [1] The AC performance goal is an overall system performance goal and includes savings from efficiency (improvements in COP), zoning, night cooling, 

evaporative cooling, heat recovery, and capacity modulation.
13

30% Savings Target: Greensburg

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement

IECC 2003

BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star

Greensburg

Target:

Minimum Cost
14

Example: Greensburg 30% Efficiency 

Package1

• 2x6 + R-19 batts (R14 wall assembly) 

• R40 ceiling assembly

• R10 basement 

• .0002 SLA (4 ACH50)

• Low e/low SHGC glazing (0.3 U-value, 0.37 SHGC)

• 50% CFL Lighting

• SEER 14 AC

• AFUE 90+ furnace

• Premium gas hot water, EF 0.61

• Tight ducts (Mastic, 5% Leakage), R-8

• BA QA (moisture control, ...)

Estimated cost increase relative to standard home2,3: +$1.25-$2.00/ft2

Notes:

1. Equivalent packages may be substituted, based on specific builder preferences

2. Does not include costs associated with builder/contractor training and changes in

business practices.

3. Incremental costs evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003
15

Greensburg

Estimated Incremental First Cost 

Relative to Standard Practice1

$4,000

Annual Amortized Cost 

7%, 30Year mortgage2

$211

Estimated Annual Utility Bill Savings $723

Net Annual Savings $512

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio, unconditioned basement)

Estimated Annual Cost Savings: 30% Energy 

Savings Target

1Evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003

2 Assumes 28% marginal tax bracket and includes present value of future replacements

of equipment over 30 year life of mortgage.
16

IECC 2003 30% Savings

Estimated Annual Energy Savings by End 

Use: 30% Target
17

40% Savings Target: Greensburg

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio, unconditioned basement)

IECC 2003

BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star

Greensburg

Target:

40% Savings
18

Example: Greensburg 40% Efficiency 

Package1

• 2x6 + R-21 batts (R15 wall assembly) 

• R50 ceiling assembly

• R10 basement 

• .0002 SLA (4 ACH50)

• Low e/low SHGC glazing, Argon Fill (0.28 U-value, 0.37 SHGC)

• 80% CFL Lighting

• SEER 18 AC

• AFUE 90+ furnace

• Premium gas hot water, EF 0.61

• Tight ducts (Mastic, 5% Leakage), R-8

• BA QA (moisture control, ...)

Estimated cost increase relative to standard home2,3: +$3.00-$4.00/ft2

Notes:

1. Equivalent packages may be substituted, based on specific builder preferences

2. Does not include costs associated with builder/contractor training and changes in

business practices.

3. Incremental costs evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003
19

Greensburg

Estimated Incremental First Cost 

Relative to Standard Practice1,2

$7,000

Annual Amortized Cost 

7%, 30 Year mortgage3

$411

Annual Utility Bill Savings $919

Net Annual Savings $508

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement

Estimated Annual Costs: 40% Efficiency 

Target

1Evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003. Cost does not include impact of $2000 tax credit.

2Qualifies for federal new home tax credit

3 Assumes 28% marginal tax bracket and includes present value of future replacements

of equipment over 30 year life of mortgage.
20

IECC 2003 40% Savings

Estimated Annual Energy Savings by End 

Use: 40% Target
21

50% Savings Target: Greensburg

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio, unconditioned basement)

IECC 2003

BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star

Greensburg

Target:

50% Savings
22

Example: Greensburg 50% Efficiency 

Package1

• 2x6 + R-19 batts+ foam sheathing (R22 wall assembly)

• R50 ceiling assembly

• R10 basement 

• .0001 SLA (2 ACH50)

• Low e/low SHGC glazing, Argon Fill (0.28 U-value, 0.37 SHGC)

• 80% CFL Lighting

• SEER 18 AC

• AFUE 90+ furnace

• Gas tankless hot water, EF 0.8+

• Tight ducts (Mastic, 5% Leakage), in conditioned space

• Energy Star Appliances

• BA QA (moisture control, ...)

Estimated cost increase relative to standard home2,3: +$6.00-$8.00/ft2

Notes:

1. Equivalent packages may be substituted, based on specific builder preferences

2. Does not include costs associated with builder/contractor training and changes in

business practices.

3. Incremental costs evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003
23

Greensburg

Estimated Incremental First Cost 

Relative to Standard Practice1,2

$13,000

Annual Amortized Cost 

7%, 30Year mortgage3

$706

Annual Utility Bill Savings $1162

Net Annual Savings $456

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement

Estimated Annual Costs: 50% Efficiency 

Target

1Evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003

2Qualifies for federal new home tax credit

3 Assumes 28% marginal tax bracket and includes present value of future replacements

of equipment over 30 year life of mortgage.
24

IECC 2003 50% Savings

Estimated Annual Energy Savings by End 

Use: 50% Target
25

Neutral Cost Point: Greensburg

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio, unconditioned basement)

IECC 2003

BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star

Greensburg

Target:

Neutral Cost
26

Example: Greensburg Neutral Cost Package1

• R22 wall assembly (2x6 + R-19 batts+ foam sheathing)

• R50 ceiling assembly

• R10 basement 

• .0001 SLA (2 ACH50)

• Low e/low SHGC glazing, Argon Fill (0.28 U-value, 0.37 SHGC)

• 80% CFL Lighting

• SEER 18 AC

• AFUE 90+ furnace

• Gas tankless hot water, EF 0.8+

• Tight ducts (Mastic, 5% Leakage), in conditioned space

• Energy Star Appliances

• 1.5 kWDC PV System

• BA QA (moisture control, ...)

Estimated cost increase relative to standard home2,3: +$10.00-$13.00/ft2

Notes:

1. Equivalent packages may be substituted, based on specific builder preferences

2. Does not include costs associated with builder/contractor training and changes in

business practices.

3. Incremental costs evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003
27

Greensburg

Estimated Incremental First Cost 

Relative to Standard Practice1,2

$25,000

Annual Amortized Cost 

7%, 30Year mortgage3

$1386

Annual Utility Bill Savings $1386

Net Annual Savings $0

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement

Estimated Annual Costs: Neutral Cost Target

1Evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003

2Qualifies for federal new home tax credit

3 Assumes 28% marginal tax bracket and includes present value of future replacements

of equipment over 30 year life of mortgage.
IECC 2003 Neutral Cost

Estimated Annual Energy Savings by End 

Use: Neutral Cost Target

PV

28
29

Net Zero Energy Target: Greensburg

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio, unconditioned basement)

IECC 2003

BEopt Beta 0.8.04

Energy Star
30

Example: Greensburg NZEH Package1

• R22 wall assembly (2x6 + R-19 batts+ foam sheathing)

• R50 ceiling assembly

• R10 basement 

• .0001 SLA (2 ACH50)

• Low e/low SHGC glazing, Argon Fill (0.28 U-value, 0.37 SHGC)

• 80% CFL Lighting

• SEER 18 AC

• AFUE 90+ furnace

• Gas tankless hot water, EF 0.8+

• Tight ducts (Mastic, 5% Leakage), in conditioned space

• Energy Star Appliances

• 7 kWDC PV System and solar hot water system

• BA QA (moisture control, ...)

Estimated cost increase relative to standard home2,3: +$35.00-$40.00/ft2

Notes:

1. Equivalent packages may be substituted, based on specific builder preferences

2. Does not include costs associated with builder/contractor training and changes in

business practices.

3. Incremental costs evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003
31

Greensburg

Estimated Incremental First Cost 

Relative to Standard Practice1,2

$69,000

Annual Amortized Cost 

7%, 30Year mortgage2

$4102

Annual Utility Bill Savings $2306

Net Annual Savings -$1796

(2000 ft2, 2-story, 16% window to floor area ratio), unconditioned basement

Estimated Annual Costs: Net Zero Energy 

Target

1Evaluated relative to minimum IECC 2003

2Qualifies for federal new home tax credit

3 Assumes 28% marginal tax bracket and includes present value of future replacements

of equipment over 30 year life of mortgage.
32

IECC 2003 NZEH

Estimated Annual Energy Savings by End 

Use: Net Zero Energy Target

PV
33

Cost of Energy Saving Upgrades

$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

$70,000

$80,000

30%

Savings

40%

Savings

50%

Savings

60%

Savings

Net Zero

Energy

Savings Level

Incremental Cost (per 

home)
34

This work has been authored by an employee or employees of the Midwest 

Research Institute under Contract No. DE-AC36-99GO10337 with the U.S. 

Department of Energy. The United States Government retains and the publisher, 

by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States 

Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to 

publish or reproduce the published form of this work, or allow others to do so, for 

United States Government purposes.