Expert Meeting Report: 

Key Innovations for 

Adding Energy Efficiency 

to Maintenance Projects

A. Wood and J. Wiehagen

NAHB Research Center

September 2012
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iii

Expert Meeting Report: Key Innovations for Adding Energy Efficiency 

to Maintenance Projects

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: 

A. Wood and J. Wiehagen 

NAHB Research Center

400 Prince George’s Blvd 

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 

NREL Technical Monitor: Stacey Rothgeb

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

September 2012 
iv

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v 

Contents

List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ vi

List of Tables .............................................................................................................................................. vi

Definitions .................................................................................................................................................. vii

Executive Summary................................................................................................................................. viii

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

2 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1

3 Expert Meeting Plan: Key Innovations for Adding Energy Efficiency to Home Maintenance 

Projects.................................................................................................................................................. 3

3.1 Motivation for the Meeting ..................................................................................................3

3.2 Meeting Topic ......................................................................................................................3

3.3 Purpose and Objectives ........................................................................................................4

4 Expert Meeting Summary .................................................................................................................... 5

4.1 Meeting Introduction ...........................................................................................................5

4.2 Adding Energy Efficiency Upgrades to Attic from Exterior ...............................................5

4.2.1 Roof Replacement: Adding Energy efficiency Upgrades at Attic from Exterior ....5

4.2.2 Gaps and Barriers: Technical Issues ........................................................................8

4.3 Key Innovations – New Insulated Roof System ..................................................................8

4.3.1 Roof Replacement: Key Innovations – New Insulated Roof System ......................9

4.3.2 Gaps and Barriers ...................................................................................................10

4.4 Attendees............................................................................................................................11

4.5 Next Steps ..........................................................................................................................11

References................................................................................................................................................. 13

Appendix A: Expert Meeting Agenda...................................................................................................... 14

Appendix B: Introduction Presentation – NAHB Research Center...................................................... 15

Appendix C: Adding Energy Efficiency to Roof Replacement – Energy Services Group................. 19

Appendix D: Expert Meeting Discussion Points – Adding Energy Efficiency to Roof 

Replacement ....................................................................................................................................... 23

Appendix E: Roof Deck Energy Upgrade – Zero-Energy Plans ........................................................... 24

Appendix F: Expert Meeting Discussion Points – Insulated Roof Deck ............................................. 33

Appendix G: Expert Meeting Attendees ................................................................................................. 34
vi 

List of Figures

Figure 1. 2009 remodeling spending by homeowners ............................................................................ 2

Unless otherwise noted, all figures were created by the NAHB RC team.

List of Tables

Table 1. Expert Meeting Attendees ......................................................................................................... 34

Unless otherwise noted, all tables were created by the NAHB RC team.
vii 

Definitions

BA Building America 

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

HVAC Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning 

IBS International Builders’ Show

NAHBRC-IP NAHB Research Center Industry Partnership

ROI Return On Investment

STC Standing Technical Committee
viii

Executive Summary

Energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes are often thought of in a whole-house setting

where energy improvements have been identified through an audit process, which provides the 

homeowner an extensive list of recommendations. This approach often results in only a subset of 

the recommendations being completed either as part of an energy upgrade or as part of another 

remodeling effort due to financing and other impediments. Similarly, many homes have major 

repair work performed due to needed maintenance or as a result of some damage, but rarely do 

these maintenance projects incorporate complimentary energy upgrades. As a consequence of 

these often lost opportunities, the NAHB Research Center Industry Partnership proposes to 

explore ways to enhance energy efficiency in existing homes that would complement typical 

larger maintenance/ remodeling projects. 

To help the Research Center explore the topic of addressing energy efficiency in maintenance 

projects, an expert meeting was planned in conjunction with the 2012 International Builders’ 

Show (IBS) on February 8, 2012, in Orlando, Florida. The topic, Key Innovations for Adding 

Energy Efficiency to Maintenance Projects, was intended to provide direction to more focused 

efforts to increase the efficiency of existing homes; in this meeting, the focus was specifically for 

re-roofing and the opportunities for adding energy efficiency upgrades during this major home 

repair activity. The two-fold purpose for the expert meeting was to expand the Building America 

(BA) program knowledge base and to focus the future research goals to address energy upgrades 

in existing homes. 

Key outcomes from the expert meeting included: 

• General agreement that adding energy efficiency to maintenance projects, specifically 

roof replacement, is a real and timely opportunity for roofing companies. This is 

achievable and can result not only in additional profit centers for the companies, but cost 

savings and better long-term performance for the homeowner. These additional 

homeowner benefits are often overlooked in many re-roofing projects. 

• A clear acknowledgement that this approach can easily be extended to other major 

maintenance/remodeling projects to address the needs within the energy retrofit industry. 

The lessons learned from this meeting will be used by the NAHB Research Center Industry 

Partnership, as well as the BA Standing Technical Committee (STC) for Implementation Tools, 

to refine its retrofit research agenda and objectives as they relate to energy retrofits. In addition, 

the results will support the BA teams’ work in implementing energy efficiency into remodeling 

projects.
1 

1 Background 

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America (BA) program is a research program that 

aims to develop cost-effective, energy efficient solutions for new and existing homes within all 

U.S. climate zones. This goal will be met using a whole-house system engineering approach and 

by uniting segments of the industry that traditionally work independently of one another, 

including architects, engineers, builders, remodelers, trade contractors, utilities, manufacturers, 

material suppliers, community planners, and mortgage lenders. 

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

innovations that reduce operating costs, increase durability, increase health and safety, increase 

comfort, and reduce energy use by validating benefits and costs via whole building research 

studies. Traditional BA research activities focus on advancing successful system innovations that 

are “deployment-ready.” This includes developing a clear understanding of why specific 

approaches work better than others and key building science specifications that are required for 

use in voluntary deployment programs like ENERGY STAR® and utility demand side 

management (DSM) programs.

2 Introduction

Improving the energy efficiency of existing homes is of increasing importance in the BA 

program and crucial to achieving sustained energy savings in U.S. housing. While the number of 

residential energy efficiency programs has grown significantly over the past 10 years, their 

primary success has been in the realm of weatherization that focuses on techniques designed to 

easily locate, seal, and/or insulate the major areas of an older building where energy losses are 

evident and the costs of the improvements are minimal. Major efficiency upgrades such as 

substantial wall and ceiling insulation and air sealing; duct, and HVAC system improvements; 

and foundation insulation enhancements are often much more costly and less likely to be 

implemented, even when an energy audit might have recommended the improvement. 

While energy efficiency upgrades are often considered in a whole-house setting, this approach is 

often limited in remodeling projects due to funding and other impediments. As shown in Figure 

1, much of the money spent by homeowners in remodeling is for an individual project. Because 

of this, there is an opportunity to discuss energy efficiency upgrades during these individual 

projects. However, in discussions with market remodelers, this approach takes careful planning 

to ensure that the energy upgrades are within the scope of the project requested by the 

homeowner. For example, if a homeowner is remodeling the kitchen, it is challenging to discuss 

attic insulation. However, energy efficient lighting and appliances as well as upgrading exterior 

wall insulation in the kitchen are within the scope of the project and offer the potential to 

enhance the project.
2 

Figure 1. 2009 remodeling spending by homeowners 

As a result, the NAHB Research Center Industry Partnership proposed that there could be an 

opportunity to explore ways to enhance energy efficiency in existing homes through typical 

maintenance or remodeling projects. Addressing energy efficiency in typical maintenance/ 

remodeling projects is advantageous because some projects allow opportunities that provide 

access to otherwise inaccessible areas. For example, during a roof replacement, there is the 

opportunity to remove the roof deck to air seal around the top plates of the house. In many 

homes, this would be the only time that this area is accessible and visible.

To explore the topic of addressing energy efficiency in typical maintenance/remodeling projects, 

the NAHB Research Center hosted an expert meeting in conjunction with the 2012 International 

Builders’ Show (IBS) on February 8, 2012, in Orlando, Florida, titled Key Innovations for 

Adding Energy Efficiency to Maintenance Projects . Building America expert meetings are a 

strategic planning tool focused on key system areas that help to advance the knowledge of the 

BA program. These meetings assist in building partnerships with groups and experts outside of 

BA as well as gather feedback on current research, and identify next steps, gaps, priorities, and 

opportunities with maximum impact for BA systems research. The results of an expert meeting 

include specific conclusions about the research topic, action items, and next steps. 

18.0%

17.9%

13.4% 14.6%

11.0%

10.4%

6.5%

5.7%

2.5%

2009 Remodeling Spending by Homeowners

Room Additions 

Exterior Replacement

Other Additions/Replacements

Systems & Equipment

Kitchen Remodels

Interior Replacements

Bath Remodels

Disaster Repairs

Outside Attachments

Source: "A New Decade of Remodeling," Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2011
3 

3 Expert Meeting Plan: Key Innovations for Adding Energy 

Efficiency to Home Maintenance Projects

The expert meeting is one of several efforts by the NAHB Research Center to meet with leaders 

and experienced professionals within the existing homes sector who have expertise in energy 

retrofits to identify the gaps and barriers of implementation. In addition, the meeting reviewed 

innovative systems and system performance specifications that provide substantial benefits to 

stakeholders and homeowners that can ultimately be implemented on a broad basis. This is of 

particular importance in remodeling due to the high degree of industry fragmentation and 

consumer involvement in every aspect of the remodeling process. 

3.1 Motivation for the Meeting

There are several reasons to consider adding energy efficiency to home maintenance/remodeling 

projects. Some of these include:

• Larger maintenance/remodeling projects are opportunities where a contractor is already 

performing significant work on the house and can offer energy efficiency upgrades, often 

at a lower net cost to the homeowner. 

• There are many typical maintenance/remodeling projects that are prime opportunities to 

add significant energy efficiency upgrades such as re-siding where walls can be insulated 

and air-sealed much more easily during the re-siding. If this is not included in the major 

maintenance project, it may be many years before there is another such opportunity. 

• Many trade contractors do not yet associate related energy improvements with the 

specific task for which they are providing repairs, and new networks of related home 

inspection and energy assessment must be developed. 

• Home builders and trade contractors have increasingly adopted a quality system to 

implement “beyond-code” technical and construction practices encouraged by various 

efficiency and green programs. Adoption of a similar program by the remodeling industry 

could have a positive impact on a national scale energy retrofit effort. 

• As residential remodelers and trade contractors move toward producing a high 

performing energy retrofit product, construction management tools and resources can

accelerate this process. 

• A systems approach to energy retrofits based on fundamental building science principles 

is another way in to deliver a high performing product at an affordable price to the 

homeowner with associated energy savings while also yielding profits for the remodeler 

and trade contractor. 

3.2 Meeting Topic

The topic of this expert meeting was “Key Innovations for Adding Energy Efficiency to 

Maintenance/Remodeling Projects.” This topic was selected as an alternative approach to energy 

efficiency improvements that may, for instance, be based on an energy audit. This meeting was 

focused on major home repairs where the addition of energy efficiency approaches can 

significantly improve the energy performance of the home as the major repair is being 

completed. The premise was that many contractors are called on-site for maintenance and repair 

(such as a re-roofing, re-siding, HVAC replacement, etc), providing a unique opportunity for 

energy efficient upgrades, often at a marginal cost. According to Mike Rogers at GreenHomes 
4 

America, this is an opportune time to discuss energy efficiency upgrades.1 For this expert

meeting, the focus was specifically for re-roofing and the opportunities for adding energy 

efficiency during this major home repair activity.

3.3 Purpose and Objectives 

The meeting’s two-fold purpose was to expand the BA program knowledge base and to focus the 

future research goals to address energy upgrades in existing homes. The BA program as a whole 

will use the information and insights obtained in this and similar meetings to facilitate adoption 

of energy efficient practices as part of remodeling activities. This meeting will provide a 

preliminary review of the expected benefits and performance requirements that can lead to key 

energy efficiency innovations in implementing common home repair and maintenance activities, 

as well as identify knowledge and technical gaps in achieving long-term implementation success.

Another objective of this meeting was to learn how trade contractors and remodelers typically 

approach larger maintenance projects, specifically in the re-roofing exercise, and to discover 

what resources are needed to facilitate the addition of energy efficiency upgrades to these 

projects. Particular emphasis was placed on the initial home assessment and follow-up inspection 

processes. Some of the items that were addressed to meet the objectives during the meeting 

included: 

• Examining current approaches (both technical and consumer-related) to roofing 

maintenance projects 

• Identifying additional steps or assessment procedures to the approach of these 

maintenance projects to add energy efficiency upgrades 

• Identifying technical gaps and barriers needed to enable addition of energy efficiency 

measures to these projects.

 

1 Mike Rogers “Business Strategy for Existing Homes” presentation. EEBA Conference 2011. Las Vegas, NM. 
5 

4 Expert Meeting Summary

The meeting agenda (see Appendix A for the full agenda) included: 

• Presentation of a major home maintenance/remodeling activity e.g. roof replacement 

• Outlining options for adding energy efficiency upgrades during the roof replacement 

• Determining what is needed to integrate the roofing and energy upgrade activities: 

o Identify various approach(s) to adding energy efficiency upgrades to the primary 

project 

o Detail how trade partnering might work in either developing or implementing the roof 

replacement/energy upgrade based on the various approaches 

o Catalog the knowledge and technologies needed to facilitate this new approach 

o Identify the gaps and barriers to adding energy efficiency upgrades to a particular 

maintenance/remodeling project beyond the initial technical specifications. 

4.1 Meeting Introduction 

The meeting began with presentations to detail the premise of the meeting and help facilitate 

discussions. Following introductions, Joe Wiehagen from the NAHB Research Center began the 

meeting with an initial presentation summarizing the meeting topic (see Appendix B for the 

presentation). This presentation outlined the basic opportunity to add energy efficiency to a 

common maintenance/remodeling project, in this case, a roof replacement. It also detailed the 

search for key innovations within this context to determine the gaps and barriers. 

4.2 Adding Energy Efficiency Upgrades to Attic from Exterior 

This first presentation was the outline for the first half of the meeting discussion regarding 

adding energy efficiency to roof replacement. Thom Marston from the Energy Services Group 

identified energy-related problems that manifest themselves on the exterior of the home, and in 

particular, the roofing system problems that stem from attic energy problems. The presentation 

provided the relationship between common roofing problems with attic insulation and air-sealing 

deficiencies. The discussion focused on the opportunity to add specific energy efficiency 

upgrades during a roof replacement (see Appendix C for the presentation). In addition, the 

NAHB Research Center developed discussion points for this portion of the meeting, as detailed 

in Appendix D. The summary of this discussion is described below within the discussion point 

outline.

4.2.1 Roof Replacement: Adding Energy efficiency Upgrades at Attic from 

Exterior

During the initial discussion, the experts discussed adding energy efficiency to a re-roofing 

project. The discussion included the following insights ordered by the discussion topics provided 

to the attendees.

Lost opportunity if business as usual: 

• Re-roofing and large maintenance/remodeling projects are not frequent (one opportunity 

every 15 years). There is opportunity at this time to add energy efficiency upgrades in 

areas that may not be accessible again for a long time (e.g. top plate areas). 
6 

• A possibility is for the roofer to have the expertise to explain why a roof did not last. As 

part of this, the conversation with the homeowner needs to change to more fully explain 

the idea of what should come with a roof replacement. 

• Numbers will not sell a house, emotions sell a house. As a result, homeowners make 

buying decisions based on emotion and use the numbers to justify. This is one way to 

discuss and sell energy upgrades. 

• Ultimately, roofers need an interest from consumers to ask for energy upgrades. 

Process for adding on energy efficiency upgrades to work: 

• The process to add energy efficiency needs to include first upgrading the building 

envelope. 

• The HVAC needs to be considered any time following any upgrade to the building 

envelope. 

• Working back from an energy audit, is there information that can be developed for use by 

the roofer to be left with the homeowner? 

• A specific standard energy upgrade list available to the roofer may help in consumer 

education/awareness (may be needed based on housing type, maybe as part of the utility 

data for a given location). 

House assessment for energy efficiency upgrades added to re-roofing: 

• Adding energy efficiency to re-roofing needs homeowner education including: 

o Value of incorporating energy efficiency into homes 

o Developing pull from consumer (the industry has developed plenty of push) 

o From utility point of view it is prudent to have certified auditors to assess the house. 

• Some communities require energy audits on point of sale: 

o Beginning with the roof is not the place to start. 

o Homeowner education is needed and is easier as homeowners get more information. 

The utility bill is a great start for the conversation, can be used for marketing, and is a 

real opportunity for education. 

Technical issues for roofer: 

• One issue for the roofer is that adding energy efficiency does not have a consistent 

solution (one size doesn’t fit all): 

o For example, clay-style roof is not replaced as a whole and therefore, this opportunity 

may not be available at all. 

o In addition, in many cases there is more roof repair than full replacement. 

• Roofers doing energy upgrades is like pushing the chain uphill—it needs to get to the 

point that homeowners are asking for upgrades. 

• There is more than one solution to every issue at varying costs: 

o One way to address this is to offer (1) good, (2) better, (3) best solutions in all 

scenarios that vary based on price. 

o Solutions for typical maintenance/remodeling projects are not just about energy, but 

also about replacement cost down the line. 

o How long the customer plans to stay in the house can change the best solution for 

them. 
7 

o In many cases, there are multi-dimensional issues that are very involved, including 

costs, technologies, whole-house considerations, etc.

• If a roofer sees issues with the house, by fixing one issue are we going to create other 

issues? In addition, are there other issues in the house (that should be addressed)? 

• What ranges of products are available for the roofer to select from in performing 

upgrades and what training is necessary to use the products effectively? 

Other contractors/partners needed: 

• Working with industry to increase energy efficiency is not just a roofing thing or utility 

thing―everyone needs to work together. 

• In addition to roofers, home inspectors and/or appraisers should also be educated 

regarding these issues to offer suggestions on ways to add energy efficiency to re-roofing. 

• Relationship to BPI (or similar) professionals to verify improvements and safety. 

• One issue with home inspectors is that there are not qualifications and they are typically 

not going to be hired again like a remodeler might. 

• One way to simplify the need for additional education is to have a menu of solutions that 

various partners could use for education. 

• Key utility company partnerships can be very successful when the utility provides 

homeowners with a guide on average energy use. This allows a homeowner to compare 

their energy use to the neighborhood average (like an ENERGY STAR label for energy 

use) to see if they use more or less than the average. In addition, this increases 

homeowner energy use awareness.

• The solutions for adding energy efficiency needs to be a holistic systems view that 

involves leaders in the industry and educated homeowners. 

• There is an opportunity to get business from referrals. 

• In many cases, the homeowners that need this the most are the ones that are not able to 

finance, so partnering is needed for financing projects. 

• Roof replacements based on immediate need such as an insurance claim, do not often 

lend themselves to adding an expanded work scope to include energy efficiency. 

• Market pull is needed, potentially driven by a public consumer education program. 

• Utility partners in particular have/can:

o Encourage energy upgrades during reroof project 

o Develop a ROI metric for various energy upgrades

o Provide financing mechanisms. 

• Opportunity extends well beyond roofer; other trades can benefit from this same 

approach. 

Testing needed: 

• The experts thought that the roofing contractor industry would benefit from a 

health/safety and energy efficiency training (something like BPI training): 

o Looking at the vast majority of roofing contractors, there is not currently a lot of 

training available. 

o This type of training is typically simple to get into. 

o The issues in adding energy efficiency to a re-roofing project starts and stops with 

education. 
8 

Implication on rest of house: 

• Energy performance is the issue―the roofers need to start the discussion of performance 

with the homeowner. They need to help the homeowner understand how their house is 

performing now and how could perform in the future from upgrades (e.g. air sealing, 

insulation). 

• Related changes that might have to go on from other improvements should be included: 

o For example, amount of combustion 

o Possible, but still gets back to performance. 

 

4.2.2 Gaps and Barriers: Technical Issues

Energy performance: 

• Performance is the key issue and discussion with the homeowner. 

• Problem of understanding the energy audit and what to do with the information. 

• Partnering is also very important: 

o This approach will not work with every homeowner however, it is only necessary to 

have success with a few. 

o A small group of people can then turn into a larger group 

(http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500523_162-57371195/swedish-sheep-herdingbunny-becomes-viral-hit/). 

• Consumer education is necessary to avoid “up-selling” complaints. 

• Consumer-contractor relationship very important (credibility factor). 

• Homeowner awareness is needed to push the market. 

• Some type of consumer checklist may be helpful in developing market “pull.” 

• Consumer access to an energy advisor/expert is minimal right now. 

• Low energy use depends on the homeowner use as much as the house itself. 

• Decision process to identify when a full assessment needs to be completed and when 

simple improvements can be generally implemented. 

Building codes: 

• There is also an opportunity to discuss performance through a comparison of building 

code that can enable a homeowner to rebuild home at current energy code levels (or 

ENERGY STAR levels). 

Construction sequence: 

• Insurance can be an issue, as in some cases the insurance company is in charge of the reroofing project instead of the homeowner; therefore this can affect the construction 

sequence and motivation. 

4.3 Key Innovations – New Insulated Roof System 

The second half of the meeting began by a presentation from Ted Clifton from Zero-Energy 

Plans (see Appendix E for the presentation). This presentation detailed increasing the energy 

efficiency during a roof replacement by installing an insulated roof system. As with the first half 

of the meeting, the NAHB Research Center developed discussion points for this portion of the 

meeting as detailed in Appendix F. The summary of this discussion is detailed below organized 

within the second discussion point outline. 
9 

4.3.1 Roof Replacement: Key Innovations – New Insulated Roof System

Lost opportunity: 

• During roof replacement, there is an opportunity to move the insulation to the roof deck. 

The group primarily discussed using Structural Insulated Panel (SIP) Nailbase (a.k.a. 

retrofit panels) for this approach although there are other methods as well.

• There is opportunity during roof replacement to add energy efficiency in areas that may 

not be accessible again for a long time (e.g. top plate areas). 

Roofer or remodeler for this approach: 

• Either a roofer or remodeler could do this work, however, it may be out of the realm for 

many roofers. 

• As far as sales, many roofers have a sales team to sell roofing that would need training to 

be able to discuss insulating the roof deck to create a conditioned attic.

• Qualified leads are needed for this type of roof replacement and the issue-solution 

discussion can work well to discuss this upgrade with a homeowner. 

o Pain factor – leak, frost, ice dam

o Have solution – up-sell to fix pain (can now up-sell). 

• Even with knowledgeable roofers and remodelers capable of including energy upgrades 

in typical work scopes, a better understanding of the issues and solutions by the consumer 

as the market driver, is necessary.

• Roofers and remodelers can use this technique to take small opportunities and turn them 

into bigger ones (potential new profit center for roofer).

• In addition, homeowners need to expect more. With any project, homeowners should 

ask―what else can we do?

Design issue: 

• With roof replacement using SIP Nailbase/Retrofit Panels, there are other design 

requirements such as redoing fascia and air sealing. 

• A roof replacement using these panels works well with simple roof designs. For example, 

a typical 1970’s house is a perfect house for SIP Nailbase/Retrofit Panels. 

Technical issues for roofer/remodeler

• Roofers will be able to install insulation over sheathing or the SIP Nailbase/Retrofit 

Panel—no specific technology limitation. 

• Roof insulation technology and integration will require other exterior work i.e. gutters, 

fascia, etc.

• Any roofer can do air sealing; however, they may want to partner with an existing 

company already performing air sealing. 

• Not every roofer/remodeler will want or be able to do this type of roof replacement. The 

select few that do will have a profit center from this work. 

• The things to consider when adding energy efficiency to re-roofing (as well as HVAC, 

siding, etc): 

o Become front runner 

o Provide more information to homeowners. 
10 

• There are other technologies to include in adding energy efficiency to roof replacement 

including cool roofs, ventilation, etc.

Implication on rest of house: 

• The major whole-house implications for replacing a roof with the SIP Nailbase/Retrofit 

Panels are:

o Should the insulation in the attic floor be removed as part of the project? 

o Based on the roof insulation and any air-sealing improvements, are other testing or 

equipment requirements necessary to ensure safe operation of the home? 

4.3.2 Gaps and Barriers

Products and standard design details: 

• One large gap with SIP Nailbase/Retrofit Panels roof replacement is the need for standard 

details.

o Stay in standard dimensions for fascia, as this will simplify the install. 

o Currently used primarily in commercial, not typical in residential roof upgrades. 

• Assessment tools to determine if the roof can accept insulation and how to implement 

based on house features. 

Installation: 

• One installation barrier is the fact that roofers do not currently use subcontractors and 

they may need to partner with air sealing company to complete this work. Therefore, the 

air sealing may limit some roofers with this approach. 

Energy performance: 

• SIP Nailbase/Retrofit Panel upgrades for roof replacements allow energy performance 

improvements along with easy installation. 

Building codes: 

• A possible code barrier is that a roofer needs to work with local code officials to ensure 

that this method is appropriate for approval.

• With the use of thicker foam products, certain fire protection issues may arise. 

Construction sequence: 

• The only gap with the construction sequence is the fact that air sealing may be performed 

by another trade and that typically roofers do not use subcontractors. 

Climate: 

• Climate is an issue, specifically the amount of insulation (thickness of the panel) and if 

the existing insulation in the attic should stay or be removed. 

• Ultimately, it would be helpful to have a matrix of climate zones detailing these items. 

o Simple rules of thumb

o Safe amount of foam (thickness of panel) 

o Remove/keep existing attic insulation. 
11 

Incentives: 

• Incentives would help this type of work, particularly financing options 

o Something like PACE 

o Local initiatives

o Investment bonds.

• Incentives should come from two directions including local incentives as well as support 

from state/federal. 

• Improving energy efficiency of houses comes from various places; homeowner and 

utility are two opportunities. 

• Brochure from authority is needed to detail tradeoffs: 

o Good, better, best solutions 

o Resources from a third-party. 

• Make a business case outlining the monetary benefits of energy efficiency including the 

impact of future utility rates.

• Improved messaging that upgrading the energy efficiency of a house is safe investment; 

compare rate of return with other types of investments (e.g. stock market). 

• Opportunity to discuss “payback” for roofing – not a typical approach and presents an 

opportunity for a new perspective for roof replacement projects. 

• “Pain factor” – drives some consumer decisions to increase the efficiency of the home

• Third party assessment may add credibility to the overall approach. 

4.4 Attendees 

Attendees included leading experts in the remodeling and energy performance remodeling 

industries and building industry professionals in construction protocols and procedures. The 

attendees of the meeting are listed in Appendix G. 

4.5 Next Steps 

The expert meeting concluded with a facilitated discussion on overarching methodologies of 

including energy efficiency upgrades in a typical maintenance/remodeling project that may apply 

to any similar project regardless of its scale and approach. The experts believed that adding 

energy efficiency to typical maintenance/remodeling projects, specifically roof replacement, is 

an opportunity for roofers that is possible and achievable. This can result not only in additional 

profit for the remodeler, but cost savings and better long-term performance for the homeowner. 

This discussion also acknowledged that this approach can be used for other major maintenance/ 

remodeling projects to address needs within the energy retrofit industry. 

The lessons learned from this meeting will be used by the NAHB Research Center Industry 

Partnership as well as the STC for Implementation Tools to refine its retrofit research agenda and 

objectives as they relate to energy retrofits. In addition, the results will support the BA teams’ 

work in implementing energy efficiency into remodeling projects. 

The next step will be to work with the remodeler roofing industry and energy rater/audit 

company partners to identify a potential existing home project(s) that can include energy 

efficiency upgrades to the selected re-roofing project. The intent will be to document a 

successful reroofing project that enhances energy efficiency, as well as successfully meets the 

original intent of the project of roof replacement. The result of this test project will include any 
12 

technical details necessary to ensure energy efficiency such as air sealing, insulation, etc. If this 

approach proves successful with roofing contractors and remodelers, there is potential to work on 

additional maintenance/remodeling projects, such as re-siding, to take a similar approach to 

increasing energy efficiency in existing homes. 
13 

References 

Case, B (2011). “Challenges in Bringing Energy Efficiency to Existing Single Family Housing 

Stock.” Presented at the U.S. Department of Energy Building America Residential Energy 

Efficiency Stakeholder's Meeting. Atlanta, GA. March 16-18, 2011: 

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/ns/eemtg032011_a22

challenges_single_family.pdf

Fisette, P (2011). “Preventing Ice Dams” Building and Construction Technology, University Of 

Massachusetts. Amherst, MA. 2011, web publication, http://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/bytitle/preventing-ice-dams/. 

Fisette, P (2008). “Reroofing and Residing to Save Energy.” NAHI Journal. May/June 2008. 

Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (2011). “A New Decade of Growth for 

Remodeling, Improving America’s Housing” Harvard Graduate School of Design. Cambridge, 

MA. Accessed March 2012: 

http://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/jchs.harvard.edu/files/2011_remodeling_color_version.pdf. 

Larson, T, Hendricks, L, Huelman, P, Revisions by Richard Stone (2009). Ice Dams. Accessed 

March 2012: 

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/dk1068.html#preventing). 

University of Minnesota, Extension Service. St. Paul, MN. 

Rodgers, M (2011). “Perspective from the Field: Scaling Home Energy-Efficiency Retrofits.” 

Presented at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America Residential Energy 

Efficiency Stakeholder's Meeting. Atlanta, GA. March 16-18, 2011: 

(http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/building_america/ns/eemtg032011_a12

scaling_retrofits.pdf).
14 

Appendix A: Expert Meeting Agenda
15 

Appendix B: Introduction Presentation – NAHB Research Center
16 
17 
18 
19 

Appendix C: Adding Energy Efficiency to Roof Replacement – 

Energy Services Group
20 
21 
22 
23 

Appendix D: Expert Meeting Discussion Points – Adding Energy 

Efficiency to Roof Replacement
24 

Appendix E: Roof Deck Energy Upgrade – Zero-Energy Plans
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 

Appendix F: Expert Meeting Discussion Points – Insulated Roof 

Deck 
34 

Appendix G: Expert Meeting Attendees 

Table 1. Expert Meeting Attendees

Name Company Description

Matt Belcher Verdatek Solutions Manufacturer, Remodeler, & Builder

Ted Clifton Zero-Energy Plans & Clifton View 

Homes (CVH) Remodeler & Builder

Tim Ellis T.W. Ellis Remodeler

Don Ferrier Ferrier Companies Remodeler & Builder 

Mark Graham National Roofer Contractor 

Association (NRCA) Association & Technical roofing expert

Kim Hibbs Hibbs Homes Builder

Pat Huelman University of Minnesota Energy expert & Building America (BA) team

Daniel Kauffman Truveon Manufacturer

Sid Koltun Laclede Gas Gas Utility

Travis Laminack Ferrier Companies Remodeler & Builder 

Thom Marston Energy Services Group Energy Rater & Consultant

Stacey Rothgeb NREL Energy expert & BA technical monitor

Ray Tonjes Ray Tonjes Builder Remodeler & Builder

Sam Taylor Consultant Energy expert

Joseph Wiehagen NAHB Research Center BA team

Amber Wood NAHB Research Center BA team
DOE/GO-102012-3600 ▪ September 2012

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