Greenbelt Homes Energy Retrofit Pilot Project: Final Technical Report

In the fall of 2010, a multiyear pilot energy efficiency retrofit project was undertaken by Greenbelt Homes, Inc, (GHI) a 1,566 home cooperative of circa 1930 and 1940 homes in Greenbelt, Md. GHI established this pilot project to serve as a basis for decision making for the roll-out of a decade-long, community-wide upgrade program to incorporate energy efficiency improvements to the building envelope and equipment with the modernization of other systems such as plumbing, mechanical equipment, and cladding. This report summarizes the Phase 2 (of 3) activities in the pilot program, including crawlspace, attic, and wall upgrades, testing, and energy use summary. In addition to this summary of retrofit upgrades, this report includes an analysis of interior insulation options, which were of interest to some GHI members seeking to maintain the exterior “block” profile of the original buildings. The report also includes an analysis of heating and cooling system options, costs, community impact, as well as a cost-benefit analysis.

Mathematical Analysis of Practices to Control Moisture in the Roof Cavities of Manufactured Houses

A mathematical model is presented that predicts moisture and heat transfer in ventilated cavities such as attics, roof cavities, and cathedral ceilings. The model performs a transient moisture and heat balance as a function of time of year and includes the storage of moisture and heat at the construction layers. The model includes both molecular diffusion and capillary transfer within the materials. Radiation exchange among the ventilated cavity surfaces is predicted using a mean-radiant-temperature-network model. Latent heat (i.e., the effect of water evaporating from one place and condensing at another place) is distributed within the materials. Airflow from the house into the ventilated cavity is predicted using a stack effect model with aggregated effective leakage areas. Air exchange between the ventilated cavity and outdoor environment is predicted by a semi-empirical model. The relative humidity in the house is permitted to vary during the winter and is calculated from a moisture balance of the whole building.

Model Quality Plan for Use of Drainage EIFS

This document outlines key quality control points for builders and installation contractors using Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) cladding for residential construction.

Model Quality Plan for Use of Drainage EIFS

This document outlines key quality control points for builders and installation contractors using Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) cladding for residential construction.

Quality Management System Primer

Building high performing homes (HPH) that are energy efficient, durable, comfortable, and safe to live in does not simply require knowledge of building science principles. It also requires the ability to properly design, specify, and install new technologies and systems. Quality management systems (QMS) provide the infrastructure necessary to ensure repeatability as well as manage continual improvement to increase first time quality, reduce warranty, and increase customer satisfaction. As a result, QMS is needed as the industry shifts from building conventional to HPH and ultimately state-of-the-art homes such those meeting the DOE’s Challenge Home.

Quality Assurance Roadmap for High Performance Residential Buildings

BSC’s Quality Assurance Roadmap outlines the approach to quality assurance in the construction process as recommended by Building Science Corporation for new residential construction. Seven process steps are described from the assessment of current construction practice, through design and documentation changes, to training and quality control for on-site personnel.

Quality Assurance Activities for New Homes Appendix B

The cost and energy savings from high performance homes can be quantified through energy simulations in conjunction with testing and monitoring. Similarly, the value of a quality management system can be quantified in new home construction through quality performance metrics.

Quality Assurance Activities for New Homes Appendix A

With high performance homes, energy performance and cost savings are quantifiable. Energy performance in the Building America program is estimated in the design phase using energy simulations and verified through testing and monitoring. In addition the economic cost benefits of energy efficiency for both the builder and ultimately the homeowner are also quantifiable. One Building America goal is that for each high performance home the amortized costs of energy efficiency upgrades is less than that of the monthly utility bill savings. The result is a home that is more energy efficient and is cost effective for a homeowner to buy and operate.

Quality Assurance Activities for New Homes

Introduction to Quality Research for New Homes

This report is an interim report by Home Innovation Research Labs regarding their quality management activities for new high performance homes from January 2010 through June 2010. It is a summary and an overview of four full individual reports included in the Appendices. The report includes Home Innovation Research Labs’s current quality research products for new home construction.

Quality: Hotspot Inspections

This package is companion information to the article “HotSpot Inspections,” appearing in the March 2000 issue of Professional Builder magazine.