Strategy Guideline: 

Application of a Construction 

Quality Process to Existing 

Home Retrofits 

D. Mallay and M. Del Bianco

Partnership for Home Innovation (PHI)

August 2013
NOTICE

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Strategy Guideline: Application of a Construction Quality Process to 

Existing Home Retrofits

Prepared for: 

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

15013 Denver West Parkway 

Golden, CO 80401 

NREL Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308 

Prepared by: 

Home Innovation Research Labs 

Partnership for Home Innovation (PHI)

400 Prince George’s Blvd

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 

NREL Technical Monitor: Stacey Rothgeb 

Prepared under Subcontract No. KNDJ-0-40335-00 

August 2013
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iii

Contents

List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ iv

List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................... v

Definitions ................................................................................................................................................... vi

Executive Summary.................................................................................................................................. vii

1 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Introduction to the Construction Quality Process............................................................................ 3

3 The Construction Quality Process applied to a High Performance Home ..................................... 4

3.1 Establish HPH Goals............................................................................................................4

3.2 Develop HPH Specifications ...............................................................................................5

3.3 Determine Monitoring Points ..............................................................................................6

3.4 Schedule Monitoring Points .................................................................................................7

3.5 Implement Monitoring Points ..............................................................................................8

4 The Construction Quality Process with Enhanced Specifications ................................................. 9

4.1 Establish Project Goals (Step 1) ..........................................................................................9

4.2 Develop Enhanced Specifications (Step 2) ..........................................................................9

4.3 Determine Monitoring Points for the Enhanced Specifications (Step 3) and Schedule 

Monitoring Points (Step 4).................................................................................................13

4.4 Implement Monitoring Points (Step 5) ..............................................................................15

5 Applying the Detailed Construction Quality Process to Existing Homes: Vented Crawlspace 

Example............................................................................................................................................... 16

5.1 Establish Remodeling Goals (Step 1) ................................................................................16

5.2 Develop Remodeling Specifications (Step 2) ....................................................................20

5.3 Determine Monitoring Points for Remodeling (Step 3), Schedule Monitoring Points 

(Step 4), and Implement Monitoring Points (Step 5) .........................................................22

6 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 27

References ................................................................................................................................28

Appendix A: K. Hovnanian Homes Jockey Club High Performance Home Specifications............... 29

Appendix B: NCTH Example Review Detail............................................................................................ 31

Appendix C: K. Hovnanian Homes Jockey Club Performance Test Results...................................... 34
iv

List of Figures

Figure 1. A Building America prototype home by K. Hovnanian Homes. ............................................. 4

Figure 2. Monitoring points incorporated into construction schedule. ................................................ 8

Figure 3. Enclosure air sealing specification detail. ............................................................................. 13

Figure 4. GHI pre-design assessment checklist (p.1). .......................................................................... 18

Figure 5. GHI pre-design assessment checklist (p.2). .......................................................................... 19

Figure 6. GHI vented crawlspace pre-design assessment (p.3)........................................................... 20

Unless otherwise noted, all figures were created by Partnership for Home Innovation (PHI).
v 

List of Tables

Table 1. NCTH—Summary of Changes to Standard Builder Practice. .................................................. 5

Table 2. NCTH Monitoring Points. ............................................................................................................. 7

Table 3. Detailed Specifications by Trade Partner. ............................................................................... 10

Table 4. Enclosure Monitoring Points..................................................................................................... 14

Table 5. Detailed Specifications. ............................................................................................................. 21

Table 6. Comprehensive Construction Monitoring Table for a Crawlspace Energy Retrofit............ 23

Unless otherwise noted, all tables were created by Partnership for Home Innovation (PHI).
vi 

Definitions

BA U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

HPH High performance home

NAHB National Association of Home Builders

NCTH New construction test house

OVE Optimum value engineering

QA Quality assurance

QC Quality control

QMS Quality management system

SPFcc Closed cell spray polyurethane foam 

SOW Scope of work
vii 

Executive Summary

Historically, the focus of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building America (BA) 

program has been to accelerate the development of energy innovations that reduce operating 

costs, increase durability, improve health, safety, and comfort, and reduce energy use by 

validating benefits and costs via system and whole building research studies. The program aims 

to give builders and remodelers a clear understanding of why certain approaches perform better 

than others and to provide them with building science-based specifications that meet energy and 

green building program criteria.

As BA expands from new home construction to encompass high performance renovations, the 

quality processes developed for new homes must be translated to meet the needs of the existing 

home sector. The uniqueness of every remodeling project complicates the task of applying a 

quality management system (QMS) to renovations. However, the sheer number of existing 

homes, compared to the relative paucity of new homes, and the tremendous potential for 

increasing performance in this aging portion of the nation’s housing stock, lends tremendous 

importance to achieving success with high performance renovations. 

Even for companies with well-established QMS, constructing and renovating homes to meet the 

demanding performance goals of the BA program requires additional steps in the project 

schedule—and often additional time in the construction cycle. This extra time and attention to 

detail is necessary to accommodate more rigorous specifications, critical installation details, and 

products, methods, and construction sequencing that is often new or unfamiliar to builders and 

trade contractors. However, a systematic approach will minimize added time in the production 

schedule and maximize performance of the final product. 

The Partnership for Home Innovation (PHI) developed a construction quality process for new 

and existing high performance homes (HPH) in which high performance goals are established, 

specifications to meet those goals are defined, and construction monitoring points are added to 

the construction schedule so that critical energy efficiency details are systematically reviewed, 

documented, and tested in a timely manner. 

This construction quality process was demonstrated to facilitate the successful implementation of 

numerous energy enhancements in a new construction test house. These include the effective

installation of a tight building enclosure, in which numerous trade contractors were involved, and 

a vented crawlspace renovation. 

This report follows the evolution of the construction quality process from its development for 

new homes to its application in the construction of a HPH with enhanced specifications, and its 

application in a crawlspace renovation. In this project, a construction quality process is applied to 

a new construction test house and in the foundation retrofit phase of an energy efficient 

renovation project. 
viii

Acknowledgements 

The authors would like to thank builders K. Hovnanian Homes, Winchester Homes, Nexus 

Energy Homes, and Greenbelt Homes Inc. for their significant time and resources in support of 

this project. 
1 

1 Background 

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program (BA) strives to improve the energy 

performance of new and existing homes by providing examples of cost-effective solutions for all 

U.S. climate zones. Using a whole-house system engineering approach, the program unites 

segments of the industry that traditionally work independently—such as architects, engineers, 

builders, remodelers, trade contractors, utilities, manufacturers, material suppliers, community 

planners, and mortgage lenders—into cohesive teams working toward a common goal. 

Historically, the focus of BA has been to accelerate the development of energy innovations that 

reduce operating costs, increase durability, improve health, safety, and comfort, and reduce 

energy use by validating benefits and costs via whole building research studies. Traditional BA 

research activities focus on finding successful system innovations that are ready for deployment. 

The program aims to give builders and remodelers a clear understanding of why certain 

approaches perform better than others and to provide them with building science-based

specifications that meet energy and green building program criteria.

As BA expands from new home construction to encompass high performance renovations, the 

quality processes developed for new homes must be translated to meet the needs of the existing 

home sector. The uniqueness of every remodeling project complicates the task of applying a onesize-fits-all QMS to renovations. However, the sheer number of existing homes and the 

tremendous potential for energy usage reduction in this aging portion of the nation’s housing 

stock lends tremendous importance to achieving success with high performance renovations. 

A QMS generally involves a formal system of planning, implementing, checking, and acting 

toward the completion of a product or process. After overall project goals are visualized and key 

stakeholders are identified, the basic and essential steps of a QMS process are:

• Plan: develop/define a plan 

• Do: implement the plan

• Check: measure, test, and analyze to ensure the desired results

• Act: act and continuously improve the plan. 

A fully developed QMS program includes well-defined inspections, internal audits, clear 

performance metrics, and surveys and other tools to obtain feedback for continuous 

improvement. A QMS improves production and efficiency and reduces product defects, all of 

which translates to lower costs, higher profits, and predictable performance. The goal of a QMS 

is to systematically plan and check each aspect of a home’s construction such that uncertainty is 

minimized and the product consistently meets specifications. 

Recognizing that QMS programs are effective for facilitating change in any industry, BA

established a quality research and outreach program to support the home building and 

remodeling industry’s transition to higher performing homes. By systematically adopting QMS 

programs, builders have demonstrated the value of such programs to reduce construction defects 

and warranty claims. Successful QMS programs, adapted to high performance home (HPH) 

designs by methodically considering system interactions throughout the construction process, 
2 

affect not only the energy performance, but also the durability, health, safety, comfort, and 

affordability of homes. 

Quality activities under BA began with the development of scopes of work (SOW) for 

components of a HPH.1 This seminal work weaves HPH building specifications and procedures 

into the active management and implementation strategies of a comprehensive QMS. In addition, 

it addresses trade partnering and continual monitoring, feedback, and control. A wide variety of 

BA quality resources applicable to new construction activities are available on the BA2 and the 

Partnership for Home Innovation3 (PHI) websites, however, the systematic application of quality 

management processes in the high performance remodeling industry is just beginning to be 

documented, as described in the example in this report. 

 

1 See, for example, NAHB Research Center (2008), Four Scopes of Work for High Performance Homes, available 

from: http://www.toolbase.org/PDF/BestPractices/ScopesofWork.pdf. 2 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/residential/ba_index.html 3 www.toolbase.org and www.homeinnovation.com 
3 

2 Introduction to the Construction Quality Process 

When high performance goals are introduced, for example, when a builder wishes to improve 

energy efficiency by 40% to meet the BA Benchmark, the plans, process, and materials that go 

into producing that more efficient product also require fine tuning. Builders that have an existing 

successful QMS program have discovered that achieving BA performance goals requires 

additional steps in the project schedule. These additional processes are necessary because 

enhancing performance requires a combination of tightly controlled specification and installation 

details coupled with products, methods, and sequencing that is often new to trade contractors. 

Further, when a house plan is being built for the first time, identifying and accommodating the 

additional monitoring points on the construction schedule becomes all the more critical. 

PHI worked with builders to develop a comprehensive approach to successfully implement high 

performance changes to standard builder practice. This approach aligns with the traditional QMS 

approach (NAHB Research Center 2009, 2010, 2012) but adds high performance goals and 

monitoring points at critical points in the construction schedule. Because this comprehensive 

approach facilitated the smooth completion of a first build with numerous energy enhancements 

compared to builder standard practice, it was postulated that this process would likely be 

successful when applied to energy efficiency retrofits, as well.

The construction quality process consists of establishing goals, developing specifications, 

developing monitoring points, accommodating quality inspections in the construction schedule, 

and monitoring the project’s progress toward goals. This report follows the evolution of this

process from its development for new homes, to a detailed application in a HPH construction, as 

well as, its implementation in a vented crawlspace renovation.
4 

3 The Construction Quality Process applied to a High 

Performance Home 

The general QMS used by many builders was adapted to incorporate new HPH construction 

details. The construction quality process was developed with production builders for BA new 

construction test house (NCTH) projects and includes the following steps: 

• Establish HPH goals 

• Develop HPH specifications

• Determine monitoring points for the HPH specifications

• Schedule monitoring points 

• Implement monitoring points. 

The application of this construction quality process to a HPH is described below for an example 

NCTH built by K. Hovnanian Homes (New Jersey division) in its Jockey Club neighborhood. 

3.1 Establish HPH Goals

The first step of the process is to establish high performance project goals during an initial 

project meeting. The overall vision of the project and key stakeholders are identified. For BA 

projects, overarching goals often include achieving energy and green program certifications or 

performance targets. Specific goals could include, for example, “install entire HVAC system in 

conditioned space,” or “air seal to achieve 2 ACH50 in a manner that is affordable and 

repeatable.” 

For the K. Hovnanian NCTH shown in Figure 1, goals included meeting a specific energy 

savings target (40% over the 2008 BA Benchmark) and finding cost-effective solutions that were 

practical to construct. Additional specific goals for the 2,489 ft2

, 3-bedroom, and 2-bathroom 

house built in 2009 in the mixed humid climate included: 

• 2.5 ACH50 air sealing target 

• Optimized wall panels—or a framing design to minimize redundant lumber (OVE)

• Simplified heating and cooling duct layout with negligible leakage to outdoors. 

Figure 1. A Building America prototype home by K. Hovnanian Homes. 
5 

3.2 Develop HPH Specifications

The second step of the process is to determine the most appropriate specifications for cost

effectively meeting performance targets. This step requires a good deal of collaborative effort—

for the consultant to provide the builder with clear guidance regarding products and construction 

details appropriate for meeting performance goals and for the builder to determine actual costs 

and ease of construction for various systems. 

For this task, PHI conducted energy simulations that were used as a basis for discussing high 

performance features and tradeoffs with the builder. The selected energy efficiency solution 

package represented months of collaborative development during this design phase. In addition 

to PHI, the design team included the builder’s project manager, architect, purchasing manager, 

production manager, and site superintendent, wall panel and various product vendors, and trade 

partners: framing, insulation, HVAC, sprinkler, plumbing, and electrical. The vendors and trade 

partners’ participation was critical to ensure that each individual component of the solution 

package would be practical to construct and install. These features were selected for durability, 

practical and repeatable installation, and cost effectiveness. 

Together, the team arrived at a package of solutions for the NCTH, which is outlined in Table 1

and presented in detail in Appendix A. Changes from the builder’s standard practice were 

designed to dramatically reduce air leakage, improve insulating value of the building’s exterior 

walls and roof, and reduce losses from the HVAC distribution system. The finished NCTH, 

which has a HERS index of 41 with a 4.2-kW photovoltaic system, is predicted to use less than 

half the energy of an identical model built using the company’s standard practices. 

Table 1. NCTH—Summary of Changes to Standard Builder Practice. 

Feature Standard Builder Practice New Construction Test House

Wall framing, foundation 2×4, 16-in. on center, slab on 

grade

Same, optimized to reduce 

unnecessary lumber

Sheathing, full coverage Wood structural R-5.5 structural insulating sheathing 

(1-in. thick)

Sheathing air sealing None Taped seams, top/bottom plate 

gaskets

Cavity insulation R-13 batt, Grade 1 installation same

Wall air sealing Bottom plate caulked, 

penetrations and window rough 

openings foamed

Same, plus top plates foamed from 

attic

Truss Top chord overhang Cantilevered overhang; integral 

trunk duct chase

Attic insulation R-38, blown R-49, blown

Space conditioning

equipment

Equipment and ducts in attic Equipment and return ducts inside, 

supply trunk duct in truss chase and 

foamed from attic, and supply ducts

deeply buried

In addition to selecting specific products and methods, this step of the process includes 

developing sets of details that can be used for reviews, scopes of work, and checklists for the 

builder, vendors, and trade contractors. Final short-term testing and long-term monitoring plans 

are also developed as needed. Much of this step in the process necessarily takes place during the
6 

early design stage before construction begins, but the need for other details may be identified and 

developed during the next steps in the process. For example, the NCTH foundation insulation 

specification had to be complete before construction began, but a final HVAC duct installation 

specification did not need to hold up the project and was developed after construction was 

underway. An example air sealing detail developed for the NCTH is included in Appendix B. 

3.3 Determine Monitoring Points

Determining the monitoring points for the new specifications is a key aspect to the construction 

quality process. This step helps tie together the design, construction, and verification of building 

a HPH. The term “monitoring points” is used to identify the tasks that are considered necessary 

to successfully implement the new high performance specifications. The monitoring points for 

the construction quality process are identified as follows: 

• Review: identifies that a meeting or call is required to finalize specification details, or to 

review these details before work begins. A review with the site superintendent and 

appropriate trades, ideally on site just before the work begins, is important to ensure that 

all agree on the implementation details and expectations of the particular task. 

• Document: identifies a required inspection to verify and evaluate the implementation of a 

particular component. Documentation can take the form of a completed checklist (e.g., 

energy program checklists), inspection form (e.g., equipment start-up procedure form), 

photographs, observation during and after implementation, verbal feedback from trades, 

or a combination of these. Documentation is important, particularly in a first-time build, 

to evaluate high performance enhancements for future practical installation. Additionally, 

this step provides an opportunity to correct any implementation errors in a timely manner 

(e.g., before work is covered), as required. 

• Test: indicates a physical test required to evaluate the project with respect to performance 

goals and expectations. Examples of testing include duct blaster testing, blower door 

testing, air balancing, and long-term monitoring. This monitoring point also allows for 

corrections as needed. 

For the K. Hovnanian Jockey Club NCTH, the team identified fifteen monitoring points 

consisting of five review, seven documentation, and three test points (Table 2). 
7 

Table 2. NCTH Monitoring Points. 

# Monitoring Points Description (oversight by the appropriate builder 

representative(s) and the participants identified below) 

Monitoring 

Points 

(Review,

Document, or

Test)

1 Review wall panel specifications

(wall panel vendor and framing trade partner) R

2 Review site air sealing goals and details

(framing and insulation trade partners) R

3 Document wall panel fabrication

(at vendor site) D

4 Document wall panel site installation D

5 Review window and door flashing details

(framing and siding trade partners) R

6 Review plumbing and HVAC installation and startup

(mechanical trade partners) R

7 Document thermal bypass checklist

(insulation and framing trade partners before insulation) D

8 HVAC duct leakage rough-in test

(HVAC trade partner) T

9 Review insulation and air sealing (insulation/framing trade partners, coordinate 

air barrier sequence) R

10 Document wall insulation D

11 Document drywall (air barrier, register boots) and attic sealing (top plates) D

12 Document attic insulation D

13 Document plumbing and HVAC startup D

14 Final short-term testing (blower door, duct blaster, air flows, hot water flow and

temperature) T

15 Long-term energy monitoring if applicable T

3.4 Schedule Monitoring Points 

The fourth step of the construction quality process is to incorporate the monitoring points into 

the construction schedule. Although this may seem trivial, it is very important to schedule 

monitoring points in a manner that makes them effective and produces minimal disruption to the 

flow of construction. This step is also identified separately from the previous step because 

different or additional personnel may be responsible to make this change to the builder’s existing 

QMS. 

Timing of monitoring points can be critical. Timely reviews ensure that products are installed in 

accordance with expectations and allow for corrections before work is covered and no longer 

accessible. The best date to perform each monitoring checkpoint should be established by 

examining the builder’s standard construction schedule and then adding to it. 

For the NCTH, the team identified a date that would fit into the construction schedule, and then 

each monitoring point was added to the builder’s standard construction schedule (Figure 2). This 

helped the site superintendent keep track of progress to ensure that the project was on time and 

that high performance features were incorporated correctly. 
8 

Monitoring 

Points

3.5 Implement Monitoring Points

The fifth step of the process is to perform the monitoring point tasks according to schedule. The 

review and documentation points help to ensure the proper implementation of the energy 

solution package components. Test points provide evidence of the building’s compliance with 

the target specifications. Successful implementation of the monitoring points allows for a 

thorough evaluation of the new products and methods to determine which components should be 

incorporated into the standard house design. 

For the NCTH, some of the monitoring points were combined and performed on the same day, 

and some documentation points were performed by builder personnel, to minimize travel time 

for team members and optimize efforts. The site superintendent was responsible for the

monitoring points schedule and notifying team members of any changes to the schedule. Group 

flexibility was critical during this dynamic step of the process. For example, inspection during a 

documentation point revealed that air sealing at the ceiling plane in several locations (where 

HVAC register boots had been sealed at the ceiling) was below specification and an additional 

spray foam application was required. The schedule had to accommodate another site visit by the 

spray foam insulation subcontractor without compromising the pre-scheduled installation time 

allotted to other subcontractors. The final house leakage results were one-third that of the 

builder’s standard practices (the NCTH tested at 2.4 ACH50, while the community model house 

tested at 7.25 ACH50). Other results gathered at the monitoring points demonstrated that 

specifications were installed and functioning as designed (Appendix C). 

The level of effort invested by the builder, vendors, trade partners, and researchers during the 

application of this construction quality process was important to the successful design and 

implementation of the NCTH, and for the development of plans and specifications for future 

homes.

Figure 2. Monitoring points incorporated into construction schedule.
9 

4 The Construction Quality Process with Enhanced

Specifications 

The same QMS process was applied to the construction of another NCTH. To reiterate the steps:

• Establish goals

• Develop enhanced specifications

• Determine monitoring points

• Schedule monitoring points 

• Implement monitoring points. 

Again, the project team included the appropriate builder’s representatives (project, quality, 

purchasing, design, and site construction managers and energy consultants), vendors (such as 

wall panel and products), and trade partners (framing, insulation, drywall, HVAC, sprinkler, 

plumbing, and electrical). 

PHI developed an enhanced specification step with K. Hovnanian’s New Jersey division for a 

second NCTH in its Hunters Brook subdivision. The same construction quality process as the 

first NCTH was followed, but a higher level of specification provided enhanced details for

products, construction methods, sequencing, and responsibilities by trade. This higher level of 

detail provides indoctrination to the quality and HPH process for novice builders and remodelers 

who are eager to adopt a QMS.

4.1 Establish Project Goals (Step 1)

As with the construction quality process for the HPH, the first step is to establish project goals 

during an initial project meeting. The primary goal for the NCTH was to create a cost-effective 

high performance enclosure. Specifically, the enclosure needed to be tight (target air leakage rate

of 2.5 ACH50), contain an optimized HVAC duct design, minimize jobsite waste, and be 

practical to build.

4.2 Develop Enhanced Specifications (Step 2)

The process of determining more detailed specifications for this NCTH expanded and developed 

the HPH specifications. During this step, the team identified specific trade partner expectations, 

and coordinated construction activities to establish a sequence for installation of the enclosure 

components. All of the trades involved in the construction prior to the close-in inspection 

participated. Results of the compilation of the detailed specifications are contained in Table 3. 

This level of detail helps avoid confusion in the construction process when new responsibilities 

are introduced. Detailed specifications such as these will be especially useful in the energy 

retrofit/remodeling arena where there is a general void of scopes of work and high performance 

specifications.
10 

Table 3. Detailed Specifications by Trade Partner. 

ENCLOSURE SPECIFICATIONS

All Trade Partners

• Minimize size of holes through framing and air barriers

• Install appropriate Quickflash Weatherproofing Panel for all exterior penetrations

• Air sealing must always be continuous to be effective

Framing Trade Partner

• Factory built wall panels

o Exterior walls 2×6, 24 in. on center

o Factory installed second top plates except at panel ends for field installed second top plate

o 1⁄2-in. OSB sheathing raised 3⁄4 in. to attach to second top plate

o Factory installed gasket (BG32) between OSB and first top plate of second floor panels using 

Conservation Technologies BG32 EPDM cellular foam drywall gasket

http://www.conservationtechnology.com/building_gaskets.html 

o Siding attached at 24 in. on center to studs and additional nail at midpoint to sheathing 

o Interior walls 2×4, 24 in. on center; second top plates field installed

• Wall panel nailing schedule construction and installation specification

o May be required by inspector

o Panel-panel details including corners

o Panel-floor deck details

o Panel-panel air sealing not required with house wrap as exterior air barrier

• Engineered rim joists as first floor headers per design

• Efficient framing design to eliminate unnecessary exterior wall framing

o Additional framing for siding J-channel, if required, use 2×4 turned on edge

• Interior walls held 1 in. from exterior walls for continuous drywall

o Interior-exterior wall second top plate attachment using specified bracket 

• Pre-fabricated fireplace box (not a cantilevered floor)

• Air sealing

o Sill plate: attach 2×6 structural gasket (BG65) to sill plate 

o Install OSB gasket (BG32) at sill plate

o Caulk all bottom plates to sub-floor deck (standard practice)

o Install garage draft stops

o Attic access panel with gasket 

o Install framed cavity air barriers

– Fireplace wall, floor, ceiling (after insulation)

– Attic knee wall at front porch (before insulation)

– Attic knee wall at master bedroom cathedral ceiling (before insulation)

– Dropped ceilings on second floor (before insulation)

– Master bath tub and shower enclosure (after insulation)

– Duct chase and double wall for stairs at garage (after insulation)

– Cantilevered floor of breakfast bay (after insulation)

– Knee wall at garage attic

– Dropped soffit for plumbing in garage 

Siding Trade Partner

• House wrap will be the exterior air barrier as well as the drainage plane

• Covalence Barricade Plus house wrap field installed

o Use widest 9-ft width roll

o Consider starting with one, 3-ft width layer and continuing with two 9-ft width layers
11 

ENCLOSURE SPECIFICATIONS

• Seal bottom of house wrap to first floor OSB at sill plate

o Apply primer for 4 in. minimum butyl tape to OSB 

o Apply butyl tape with 1 in. overhang below bottom edge of OSB

o Install house wrap over butyl tape, leaving enough butyl tape exposed to apply house wrap 

tape

o Apply house wrap tape over house wrap and butyl tape

• Seal top of house wrap to second floor OSB at top plate

o Install house wrap to within 2 in. of top edge of OSB

o Apply primer to OSB for butyl tape

o Apply 3 in. minimum butyl tape to OSB and over house wrap

o Above applies to gable ends of house as well; continue with house wrap or building paper 

above wall for gable end water barrier 

o Does this conflict with frieze board installation by others before siding installation?

• Tape all vertical and horizontal seams and penetrations

• Cut window opening in house wrap per drawing 

• Install windows using self-adhered flashing per drawing

• Attach siding at 24 in. on center to studs and additional nail at midpoint to sheathing

Insulation Trade Partner

• Attic eave baffles

• R-49 attic blown fiberglass (as late as practical to avoid being walked on)

• R-21 wall cavity batt (Grade I installation; conform to cavity; slit insulation as required)

• Insulate attic access panel with gasket to R-49 and provide insulation dam

• Spray foam behind electrical boxes facing the interior and seal boxes facing the exterior

• Spray 1-in. thick SPFcc and then install fiberglass batt insulation (“flash and batt”):

o Garage draft stops

o Deck at conditioned floor above garage and fill floor cavity with batts

o All rim joist areas and R-19 fiberglass batts with tight fit

o Cantilevered bay floor and fill floor cavity with batts

o Fireplace floor and fill with batts

• Seal framed cavity air barriers

o Fireplace wall, floor, ceiling

o Attic knee wall at front porch 

o Attic knee wall at master bedroom cathedral ceiling 

o Dropped ceilings on second floor 

o Master bath tub and shower enclosure 

o Duct chase and double wall for stairs at garage 

o Cantilevered floor of breakfast bay 

o Knee wall at garage attic

o Dropped soffit for plumbing in garage

Electrical Trade Partner

• Electrical boxes facing exterior: putty around boxes

• Electrical boxes facing interior: install gaskets (spray foam behind box by insulator)

• Install gasket for all second floor ICAT recessed can fixtures at attic

• Install wire at bottom plate of exterior walls (standard practice)

• Install CFLs for all standard screw based fixtures

• “The Energy Detective” (TED) whole house energy monitor
12 

ENCLOSURE SPECIFICATIONS

Drywall Trade Partner

• Provide interior air barrier using the Airtight Drywall Approach 

o Seal top and bottom plates and around rough openings of exterior walls

– Seal for all top plates must be applied to the first (lower) top plate or between top plates

o Seal top plates of interior walls at attic (second floor)

o Seal all second floor ceiling penetrations

• Seal garage-side drywall at conditioned space: top and bottom plates, around door

• Airtight drywall approach air seal using DOW Great Stuff Pro Wall and Floor Adhesive

http://building.dow.com/na/en/products/sealants/gspwallfloor.htm

Plumbing Trade Partner

• A O Smith Vertex GPHE 0.90 EF, 50-gallon natural gas power vent heater 

• Substitute direct vent for NGBS points?

• Branch and tee piping system (not manifold)

• Minimize branch sizing (except where doing so will require a non-standard fitting)

• Hot water piping will not be insulated

• Low flow lavatory and shower heads (standard)

• Low flow or dual flush toilets?

HVAC Trade Partner

• Equipment and duct located in conditioned space

• Three zones controlled by automatic electronic zone dampers and bypass damper

• Simplified central return for each level with bedroom transfer grilles

• 95% AFUE, 2-stage, variable speed, 70,000 Btuh natural gas furnace

• 15 SEER, 3-ton cooling system

• Honeywell IAQ thermostat to control fresh air ventilation damper ducted to return

• MERV 10 minimum filtration

• Bath exhaust fan: individual spot ventilation fans; insulated duct in attic

• Seal duct system with mastic

• Seal bath exhaust fan at ceiling and hoods at exterior

• Seal kitchen range hood ducting to exterior

• Supply branch air balancing damper location

The detailed specifications brought to light overlapping areas of responsibility, such as areas 

where separate contractors were responsible for various components of the air sealing package. 

The siding contractor on this job was responsible for applying butyl tape to connect the house 

wrap to the OSB sheathing and the framing contractor was responsible for caulking joints in the 

framing. To clarify the specifications and enumerate job responsibility, PHI team developed an 

ancillary construction drawing detailing the air sealing strategy and related execution 

responsibilities (Figure 3). 

Details such as these may be used by various contractors and can help to provide a common 

understanding of responsibility. Remodelers will benefit by using the drawing initially as a 

checklist for identifying air leak locations and subsequently, customized, as the detail for action 

and responsibility in job execution.
13 

Figure 3. Enclosure air sealing specification detail. 

4.3 Determine Monitoring Points for the Enhanced Specifications (Step 3) and 

Schedule Monitoring Points (Step 4)

Continuing with the same methodology as employed in the HPH construction quality process, 

monitoring points must be identified and scheduled for the more detailed specifications. For this

NCTH, 17 monitoring points were identified consisting of eight reviews, six documentation 

points, and three testing points. This project added two additional review points: the early-on 
14 

meeting where project goals were established and the lessons-learned review where the changes 

to the builder’s standard building were evaluated for durability, practical installation, and cost 

effectiveness. These monitoring points that were incorporated in the construction schedule are 

outlined in Table 4. 

Table 4. Enclosure Monitoring Points. 

Activity Description

Monitoring 

Checkpoint

(Review, 

Document, 

Test)

Detail/ 

Results Schedule Actual Date

Project meeting – establish project 

goals R 

Design review – review modeling 

results, thermal enclosure alternatives, 

and mechanical design

R 

Review wall panel specifications, 

factory energy detailing and

installation details

R ASAP

Review site air sealing goals and details R ASAP

Document wall framing D Frame start

Review window and door flashing 

details R Prior to window and door installation

Review plumbing and HVAC 

installation and startup R Prior to MEP roughs

Document thermal bypass checklist D Following completion 

of rough MEPs

HVAC duct leakage rough-in test T Third day of HVAC 

rough installation

Review insulation and air sealing by 

insulation trade partner R Prior to batt insulation installation

Document wall insulation D 

Following batt 

insulation and prior to 

drywall

Document drywall (air barrier, register 

boots) and attic sealing (top plates) D During drywall hanging

Document attic insulation D Following spray foam 

application

Document plumbing and HVAC 

startup D Following final MEP start-up

Final short-term testing (blower door, 

duct blaster, air flows, air balance, hot 

water performance, install long-term 

monitoring hardware)

T 

Simultaneous to final 

ENERGY STAR 

inspection

Long-term energy monitoring (add if 

applicable to the project) T 1 yr post closing

Lessons-learned review R
15 

4.4 Implement Monitoring Points (Step 5)

The next step of the construction quality process is to perform the tasks as outlined by the 

monitoring points. For this NCTH, the monitoring points were implemented according to the 

established schedule and provided valuable information for the lessons-learned review. For 

example, the house leakage test result of 2.4 ACH50 met the target performance goal, so the air 

sealing effort was deemed effective, but some aspects of the air sealing strategy, observed during 

the documentation points, appeared to be problematic. The airtight drywall approach that relies 

on the drywall trade partner to install the sealant just prior to drywall required an additional crew 

member (in this case a foreman who understood the importance of this step). The project team 

decided that the airtight drywall approach could not be consistently implemented without a 

quality assurance representative on site during the entire installation process and therefore was 

not practical. Likewise, installing the house wrap as an air barrier did have some installation 

challenges, particularly at porch and garage attic knee walls, but this approach was considered 

workable with some modification to the procedure. 
16 

5 Applying the Detailed Construction Quality Process to 

Existing Homes: Vented Crawlspace Example

Translating the construction quality management process to existing homes adds complexity to 

the general process since the existing conditions of the home will affect various details in the 

remodeling project. Unlike new construction where a construction detail can be specified to 

always be implemented, the condition of the existing home will significantly influence both the 

construction detail and the product selection. Further, the often direct interaction of the 

homeowner in the remodeling project can change the specific selection of details. For example, 

the homeowner may limit the amount of insulation or air sealing based on costs or time 

constraints and therefore change the detail specification for the remodeler.

In addition to these nuances of remodeling projects, many HPH approaches to remodeling will 

occur piecemeal. Many remodeling projects are undertaken on a far more limited basis than a 

whole-house renovation. Given this much narrower focus for many projects, the general quality 

process will likely also be more narrowly focused, for example, on one building feature such as 

the attic, basement, or kitchen. 

However, with modification, the general construction quality process can be applied to and work 

well for existing home projects. As an example, this section details the process for a vented 

crawlspace renovation in PHI’s BA Greenbelt Homes, Inc. (GHI) existing home test house 

project in the mixed-humid climate of Maryland. 

When applied to an existing home, the general steps in the construction quality process do not 

change; however, some additional steps are necessary. The additional steps for this remodeling 

project are identified as an element of a larger task within the first step: 

1. Establish remodeling goals

o Inspect and evaluate the existing conditions of the project 

o Identify problems that require resolution 

o Identify existing conditions that are not intended for remodel/upgrade 

o Revise the original remodeling goals. 

2. Develop remodeling specifications

3. Determine monitoring points for the remodeling project 

4. Schedule monitoring points 

5. Implement monitoring points. 

5.1 Establish Remodeling Goals (Step 1)

As with the construction quality process for new homes, the first step for existing homes is to 

establish project goals during the initial project meeting. The goal of this project was to improve 

the energy efficiency and durability of the home’s crawlspace. In this step during a renovation 

project, a homeowner would most likely be closely involved. 

Remodeling project goals will often be initiated by the remodeler rather than by the homeowner. 

The remodeler may need to outline the associated costs and benefits of various alternatives (i.e., 

insulating the crawlspace walls versus insulating the floor above the crawlspace). While this 
17 

aspect of Step 1 is not an assigned item, it is appreciably supported by having the construction 

quality process defined and available for consideration. 

The project goals may be discussed initially in a more general way, for example, to improve 

energy efficiency or comfort. However, once the decision to move forward is made, a more 

thorough review of the actual conditions of the space will be performed. This review will lead to 

identification of specific conditions that may lead to a revision of the original project goals.

These details are a subset of Step 1 but are important to developing a final set of project goals 

based on the actual conditions encountered. 

A Pre-Design Assessment Checklist was developed for the GHI crawlspace upgrade project

(Figure 4 and Figure 5). This checklist can be used to identify the project goals (Step 1) and 

develop project specifications (Step 2). 
18 

Figure 4. GHI pre-design assessment checklist (p.1). 
19 

Figure 5. GHI pre-design assessment checklist (p.2). 

Based on a thorough review of the existing conditions, the project goals may be modified to 

resolve unanticipated problems or to better improve the performance of the space.
20 

5.2 Develop Remodeling Specifications (Step 2)

For remodeling conditions, Step 1 necessarily includes determining existing conditions so that a 

detailed specification can be developed that correctly reflects the improvements to be made in 

Step 2. This may be very specific to almost every new project; however, where generic drawings 

can be used to establish overall goals, these can aid in outlining the potential extent of the 

specifications. Figure 6 shows an example of a simple drawing that was used to help specify the 

extent of the work to be performed for the GHI project so that all trade contractors could

understand their role and make accurate estimates of time and cost. 

Figure 6. GHI vented crawlspace pre-design assessment (p.3). 
21 

Once the existing conditions are known and documented, an outline of work scope can be 

established in conjunction with the building’s owner. From this, detailed specifications can be 

developed to meet the project’s goals. The specifications that were developed for the GHI 

existing home vented crawlspace are outlined in Table 5 (NAHB Research Center May 2012). 

Table 5. Detailed Specifications. 

VENTED CRAWLSPACE SPECIFICATIONS

Outside of Crawlspace Existing Responsible Party & Repair

Moisture Management & Exterior Drainage

Exterior grade Several front vent grilles 

blocked with mulch build up

Owner will remove mulch and 

repair grade for positive flow 

away from front foundation

Rear left downspout extension 6 in. elbow to 2 ft. splashblock Owner will extend downspout 3

ft–5 ft away from building and 

crawlspace access

Grade at crawlspace access Grade and downspout 

channeling water into 

crawlspace door hatch at left 

side rear

Owner will repair grade for 

positive flow away from 

crawlspace access

Inside of Crawlspace Existing Responsible Party & Repair

Moisture Management and Interior Grade

Sump pump and pipes Standing water in pit; unable to 

engage pump

Owner will repair sump pump

Perimeter drain tile/trench Some of the drain tile pipe is 

above the stone in the drainage 

trench

Contractor will place drain tile 

into stone trench and repair 

grade in and around trench to 

promote drainage to sump pit

Ventilation grilles Rear vent grille has fallen out of 

opening in concrete masonry 

unit

Contractor will install left rear 

vent grille with existing or 

similar replacement

Vapor barrier Discontinuous at stone trench. 

Seams are not taped and 

overlaps at walls/columns are 

not taped

Contractor will add 10 mil 

material from existing vapor 

barrier, across stone trench and 

6 in. up wall. Tape all seams 

and edges.

Insulation in floor joists R-11 fiberglass batts; falling out 

and incorrectly installed

Contractor will remove and 

discard all existing insulation 

from joists and crawlspace

Contractor will install R-19 SPF 

and thermal/ignition barrier as 

required by manufacturer
22 

5.3 Determine Monitoring Points for Remodeling (Step 3), Schedule Monitoring 

Points (Step 4), and Implement Monitoring Points (Step 5) 

PHI developed a comprehensive construction monitoring table that combines specifications, 

monitoring points, scheduling, and implementation. This comprehensive table (Table 6) provides 

a simple method for tracking the construction or remodel quality process. 

For the GHI vented crawlspace, 20 monitoring points were identified consisting of four reviews, 

14 documentation points, and two tests. This checklist was helpful to review and document 

progress and verify that specifications were followed. The checklist has areas for the installer 

and inspector to initial and date during the post-retrofit inspection. Finally, the performance test 

results will be used to evaluate whether project goals were met. 
23 

Table 6. Comprehensive Construction Monitoring Table for a Crawlspace Energy Retrofit. 

CONSTRUCTION MONITORING Project & Building LH

Existing Vented Crawlspace Foundation Location: Greenbelt, MD (CZ4)

Date 08/20/12

Specification

Monitoring 

Checkpoint 

(Review,

Document,

or Test)

Details/ 

Results Schedule Date Installer Initial/Date

Inspector 

Initial/Date

Plans have been reviewed and will be on the job at all times R

SOW has been reviewed and will be on the job at all times R

Insurance requirements see RFP and contract documents R

Access to crawlspace provided by owner R 24 hr notice

8 am - 5 pm

Power provided by one 110 Volt receptacle in crawlspace D Additional by 

contractor

Contractor to provide adequate lighting to perform and inspect the work D

Contractor to specify and supply all safety equipment necessary for performing

the work and assures OSHA, state and local safety standards are met D 

Contractor warrants that labor is trained in installation practices specified by the 

product manufacturer(s) and jobsite safety standards D 

Subcontract trades: None

Outside of Crawlspace Existing Repair/Upgrade

Crawlspace Ventilation 3 ft2 required; calculated 

vent area of 3.6 ft2 clear

None Required

1 rear vent grille fell out 

of opening

See below under 

VENTILATION GRILLES

Overhangs 1 in. and 5 in. gutters None Required

Moisture Management and Exterior Drainage

Exterior grade Several front vent grilles 

blocked with mulch build 

up

Remove mulch and 

repair grade for positive 

flow away from 

foundation (front)

D Owner to 

repair

Overhangs No action

Gutters, sump outflow Gutters 5 in. No action
24 

Outside of Crawlspace Existing Repair/Upgrade

Rear left downspout 

extension

6 in. elbow to 2 ft

splashblock

Extend downspout 3 ft–5 

ft away from building 

and crawlspace access

D Owner to 

repair

Grade at crawlspace 

access

Grade and downspout 

channeling water into 

crawlspace door hatch 

at left side rear

Repair grade for positive 

flow away from 

crawlspace access D Owner to 

repair

Foundation plantings, 

mulch

Shrubs and mulch 

within 0 in. of 

foundation

No action Owners and

occupants to 

address

Foundation insulation 

and finish

None No action

Foundation 

dampproofing

No action

Flashings at building 

penetrations

Generally in good repair No action Review again 

at siding 

phase

Pest control No action

Contaminants No action

Inside of Crawlspace Existing Repair/Upgrade

Moisture Management and Interior Grade

Sump pit or floor drain Yes No action

Sump pump and pipes Standing water in pit; 

unable to engage pump

Repair sump pump D Owner to 

repair

Inside of Crawlspace Existing Repair/Upgrade

Perimeter draintile/trench Some of the drain tile 

pipe is above the stone 

in the drainage trench

Replace drain tile into 

stone trench and repair 

grade in and around 

trench to promote 

drainage to sump pit

 D 

Ventilation grilles Rear vent grille has 

fallen out of opening in 

CMU

Install left rear vent grille

with existing or similar 

replacement

 D 
25 

Vapor Barrier Discontinuous at stone 

trench. Seams are not 

taped and overlaps at 

walls/columns are not 

taped

Add 10 mil material from 

existing vapor barrier, 

across stone trench and 

6 in. up wall. Tape all 

seams and edges.

 D 

Foundation Walls 16×8×8×32-in. CMU; 

dry cond. and good 

repair.

No action

 

Air barrier Not required - vented 

foundation

No action 

Thermal barrier Not required - vented 

foundation

No action 

Ignition barrier Not required - vented 

foundation

No action 

Floor Assembly 2×8 at16 in. on center No action

Insulation in floor joists R-11 FG batts; falling 

out and incorrectly 

installed

Remove and discard all 

existing insulation from 

joists and crawlspace

D 

Install R-19 SPFcc and 

ignition barrier as 

required by 

manufacturer

D 

Name 

manufacturer 

and 

thickness

Air barrier Provided by 3 in.+ of 

SPFcc

T 

Thermal barrier Supply and install as 

required by 

manufacturer

 

Ignition barrier Supply and install as 

required by 

manufacturer

 

Load Path Tie Down 

Hardware

No action 

Crawlspace 

Conditioning

None - ventilated No action 
26 

General Conditions Existing Repair/Upgrade

Remove debris D

Building permit by owner No permit 

required 

Building inspections 

scheduled and attended 

by subcontractor

 No permit 

required 

Long-term monitoring Ongoing No action T Continue
27 

6 Conclusion

A comprehensive construction QMS process that establishes performance goals and outlines 

inspection points for verifying progress toward those goals has been successfully demonstrated 

on the two HPH projects by K. Hovnanian that are subjects of this report. Subsequent to its 

application in new home construction, the same QMS process was adapted for use in a 

foundation retrofit project to incorporate high performance details in existing homes. To 

encompass all of the details unique to existing houses, a thorough inspection and detailing of 

existing conditions was added to the first step of project goal establishment. The following steps 

and components recap the QMS process for high performance existing homes that was presented

herein: 

1. Establish remodeling goals 

o Inspect and evaluate the existing conditions of the project 

o Identify problems that require resolution 

o Identify existing conditions that are not intended for remodel/upgrade 

o Revise the original remodeling goals. 

2. Develop remodeling specifications

3. Determine monitoring points for the remodeling project 

4. Schedule monitoring points 

5. Implement monitoring points. 

The project goals are identified by stakeholders during the first step of the QMS process. In an 

existing building, the first step necessarily includes a thorough inspection and identification of 

existing conditions. The existing conditions become the blueprint for further action or inaction, 

and observed conditions requiring remediation are added to project specifications. For both 

remodeling and new construction projects, the second step requires a collaborative effort among 

owner or builder, designer, and teams that will be participating in the construction—either as 

component or trade labor suppliers. 

The monitoring points that are established, scheduled, and acted on in steps 3 through 5 will 

define the tasks and trades required to implement the specifications and eventually measure 

progress toward the project goals while there is time and access for remediation. Monitoring 

reviews can be used to hone details and ensure team members agree on scope and responsibilities 

prior to commencement of a phase of the project. Documentation points are used to inspect and 

verify the work, and allow the opportunity to make timely corrections if necessary. Test points 

identify physical tests required to evaluate the project’s performance. 

The comprehensive construction monitoring table (Table 6) that was developed for the retrofit of 

an existing home’s foundation provides a template for application of this QMS process of 

monitoring checkpoints to an existing home energy retrofit. The table can be adapted to cover 

many other high performance existing building components and facilitate a quality-oriented, 

well-defined, approach to creating design specifications, assigning responsibilities among 

construction teams, and measuring progress toward project goals consistently in remodeling 

projects. 
28 

References

NAHB Research Center (2009). NAHBRC 4.3.1.1 – Gate 2 - Prototype House Evaluations: 

ZEH2 (JWM Companies), Green Home 1 (LCCTC), & Monmouth HPH (K. Hovnanian NJ 

Division). 

NAHB Research Center (2010). NAHBRC 4.5.2 – Quality Assurance Activities for New Homes 

(Interim Project Report) (Economics of Quality, Veridian Homes Case Study, Crawlspace SOW, 

Hotspot Implementation Guide & Tools). 

NAHB Research Center (2012). Quality Management Primer for High Performing Homes 

(Quality Assurance Strategy for Existing Homes). April 2012. Accessed at: 

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/qual_assur_strategy_e

xstg_hms.pdf. 

NAHB Research Center (2012). Energy Efficient Crawlspace Foundation Retrofit – Mixed 

Humid Climate. May 2012. Accessed at: 

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/crawlspace_found

_retrofit.pdf 
29 

Appendix A: K. Hovnanian Homes Jockey Club High Performance 

Home Specifications4

Shell Specifications

• Factory built wall panels: 2×4 studs, 16 in. on center, double top plates

o Cavity insulation: R-13 fiberglass batts (same as standard practice)

o Interior walls held 1 in. from exterior walls for continuous drywall

• Structural Insulated Sheathing (SIS) 1-in. thick R-5.5 panels (standard practice: OSB and 

felt paper) to provide an exterior air barrier, drainage plane, and thermal break

• Slab on grade: R-10 slab edge, R-5 slab 24 in. perimeter insulation

• Roof truss

o Raised heel

o Simplified: tray and coffered ceilings framed on site

o HVAC duct chase

• Attic insulation: R-49 blown fiberglass (standard practice: R-38)

o Additional draft stopping at attic insulation edges

• Windows: 0.34 U-factor and 0.26 SHGC (standard practice: 0.37 U-factor)

• Air sealing 

o SIS panels: factory installed gaskets at top and bottom plates and taped seams provide 

exterior air barrier

o Seal garage-side drywall of walls common to conditioned space 

o Spray foam top plates and HVAC supply trunk and register boots from the attic 

o Air barriers at framed cavities (fireplace, dropped ceilings, behind tub) 

o Thermal bypass checklist

o Recessed ICAT lights sealed to sheetrock using gasket-tape

HVAC Specifications

• Heating

o Gas furnace and coil installed in conditioned space (standard practice: installed in attic)

o 95% AFUE 2-stage, variable speed 46,000 Btuh gas furnace (standard practice: 92% 

AFUE, 92,000 Btuh)

• Cooling

o 15 SEER, 2.5-ton cooling system (standard practice: 13 SEER, 4-ton) 

• Ventilation

o Honeywell VisionPRO IAQ programmable thermostat and equipment interface module

o Honeywell fresh air damper (standard practice: bath exhaust fan for mechanical 

exhaust ventilation) 

o Honeywell MERV 13 media air cleaner (standard practice: 1 in. throwaway filter)

o Fantech multi-point bath exhaust fan system (standard practice: individual bath 

exhaust fans)

 

4 Project details can be found in NAHB Research Center (2011). NAHBRC-IP Deliverable 11.2.2 – Final “Best in 

Class” Report, Energy Efficient Exterior Wall Design. November 2011. 
30 

• Ducts

o Simplified HVAC central return in conditioned space with bedroom transfer grilles 

(standard practice: ducted returns in each bedroom, ducts in attic) 

o Simplified HVAC metal supply trunk and flexible branches in attic; R-8 insulation; 

deeply buried; 1 in. closed cell spray polyurethane foam (SPFcc) foam over trunk and 

register boots; truss chase (standard practice: attic duct system using all flexible duct 

hanging from roof trusses) 

o Hart and Cooley 92HVO supply diffusers with 9200V opposed blade dampers 

(standard practice: Hart and Cooley 661)

Plumbing and Water Heating Specifications

• Water heating

o Navien 0.98 EF direct vent water heater (standard practice: AO Smith Vertex GPHE50, 0.74 EF) 

o Centrally located water heater

• Fixtures

o Low flow lavatory faucets, shower heads, and water closets

Lighting Specifications

• Fixtures

o ENERGY STAR light fixtures (minimum of three required)

• Bulbs

o CFL bulbs in all standard screw base fixtures 

o Dimmable CFL bulbs and ICAT fixtures

Whole House Energy Monitoring Specifications 

• The Energy Detective (TED)

Photovoltaic System Specifications

• 4.2 kW
31 

Appendix B: NCTH Example Review Detail

K. Hovnanian Jockey Club HPH

Construction Change Monitoring

Activity 9: Review Insulation Installation

May 22, 2009

Air Sealing Details by Insulation Trade Partner

Before drywall: 

 Caulk sill sealer at interior bottom plate of exterior wall panels (see figure 1)

 Foam or caulk vertical joints between exterior wall panels as required

 Foam electrical and plumbing penetrations (recommend behind electrical boxes)

 Foam window and door jambs (low expanding foam)

 Seal framed cavity air barriers:

 All coffered / dropped ceilings at trusses and exterior walls (see figure 2)

 Framed fireplace enclosure at trusses

 Behind tubs on exterior walls (see figure 3)

 Garage wall air barrier (see figures 4, 5, and 6)

 Front porch / attic plane (see figure 7)

Thermal Bypass Checklist Inspection

After drywall: 

 Spray foam insulation, 1 in. thick closed cell, all top plates from attic

 Spray foam insulation over HVAC attic supply trunk and ceiling register boots

 Spray foam insulation at furnace closet ceiling penetrations 

 Caulk or foam plumbing penetrations on exterior walls, before cabinets

 Caulk drywall at recessed lights (in addition to gasket)

 Caulk drywall at HVAC register boots and bath exhaust housings (HVAC contractor)

 Garage-side drywall air sealing (drywall trade partner)

Insulation Details

 Install per K. Hovnanian specifications

 Install per Thermal Bypass Checklist

 Install per RESNET Grade I Installation (attachment)

 Walls: R13 fiberglass batts

 Ceiling: R49 blown fiberglass

 Deeply buried duct:

 Recommendation: install stake flags to indicate location of buried duct

 Blown insulation must cover the top of all ducts by a minimum of 3.5 in.
32 

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 3
33 

Figure 6

Figure 7
34 

Appendix C: K. Hovnanian Homes Jockey Club Performance Test 

Results 

K. Hovnanian Jockey Club HPH Testing Results

Air Leakage Performance

• Thermal envelope air leakage test (blower door)

o HPH: 900 cfm50 (0.36 cfm/100 ft2; 2.4 ACH50)

o Community Model House: 2,717 cfm50 (1.09 cfm/100 ft2; 7.25 ACH50)

o Rough-in before foam at HPH (top plates and supply trunk duct): 3,124 cfm50

o Rough-in after foam at HPH: 1,309 cfm50 (Note: register boots were not foamed and 

bath exhaust fans and recessed lights were not sealed at this point)

Duct Performance 

• Duct leakage test (duct blaster)

o HPH: 22.5 cfm25 total 

o Model: 165 cfm25 total and 74 cfm25 to outdoors 

o Rough-in supply duct (no equipment or return duct): 25 cfm25 total 

o (Note: rough-in test was before foaming of trunk and supply register boots)

• Approximately 40% less measured duct material area in the HPH than the model home

o Approximately 70% less return duct material

o Approximately 28% less supply duct material

• Air balance testing

o Total air flow and air flow balance measured within ACCA HVAC Quality Installation 

Specifications

o Example result: Master bedroom actual air flow in the Model home is 57% of design; 

the master bedroom in the HPH slightly exceeds design needs 

Long-term Monitoring

• Energy and performance monitoring (ongoing):

o Indoor, outdoor, attic, plenum, and buried duct temperature and relative humidity 

o Air handler, compressor, and whole house energy consumption

Certifications and Ratings

• HERS index: 41 with PV; 60 without PV

• Building America 40% energy savings home

• National Green Building Standard Bronze Performance Level Home

• Builders Challenge Award
DOE/GO-102013-3859 ▪ August 2013

Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at 

least 50% wastepaper, including 10% post-consumer waste.