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TechNote - Installation of Common Insulation Types: Wood-Frame Walls and Attics

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Thermal insulation is added to walls, roof/ceilings, and floors to slow down the flow of heat into or out of a home. For all types of insulation, the quality of installation is a significant factor in creating an energy-efficient and durable building enclosure and comfortable indoor environment. This TechNote provides practical information for the installation of three types of insulation in various applications. It is intended to help builders and designers meet the requirements of the energy code and maximize the value of each insulation type.

2017 BTO Peer Review - High Performance Building Envelope Assemblies

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Presentation on Home Innovation Research Labs’ “High Performance Building Envelope Assemblies” work under the Building America Research Program, created for the 2017 Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Office (BTO) Peer Review. Provides an overview of multi-year project results for three BA projects – Moisture Performance of High-R Wall Systems (2015-2017); Extended Plate and Beam (EP&B) Wall System (2015-2017); and Attic Retrofit Using Nail-Base Insulated Panels (2015-2017).

TechNote - Building Air Tightness: Code Compliance & Air Sealing Overview for Low-Rise Residential Buildings

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Significant changes to air tightness requirements have been made in the 2012 IRC/IECC (as well as the new 2015 codes) — the new requirements are 3ACH50 for climate zones 3 through 8 and 5ACH50 for climate zones 1 and 2. A building's air tightness describes the degree of air leakage into and out of the thermal enclosure which separates conditioned space from the outdoors. Air leakage is the uncontrolled flow through the thermal enclosure due to pressure imbalances caused by wind, stack effect, and mechanical equipment. Air leakage in a building should be minimized because homes that are more air tight are more energy efficient. However, reaching the levels of these new requirements can be a challenge for builders and create design and performance issues.

TechNote - Rain and Groundwater Management: Reducing the Risk of Water Intrusion and Damage

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Despite significant advances in design and construction practices, water intrusion remains one of the most common causes of building repair. Water intrusion can lead to mold, decay, and poor indoor air quality, and affect the durability of the home. Water entering a basement or crawl space can contribute to moisture problems in above grade areas due to increased relative humidity. Even minor omissions during design or construction can lead to significant water damage. Building codes establish minimum requirements for moisture control but don’t always provide sufficient implementation details.

Estimated Costs of the 2018 IRC Code Changes

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The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) provided a list of code changes approved for the 2018 International Residential Code (2018 IRC). Home Innovation Research Labs (Home Innovation) estimated the expected cost impact of these code changes on construction practices and materials for a number of reference houses sited in various cities nationwide. Cost estimates are aggregated in ranges of high to low based on various methods or components that might be used to comply with the code.

Construction Guide to Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5

File Under: Energy Efficiency & High-Performance Building

These Construction Guides to High-Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 provides time-proven, practical, and cost-effective strategies for constructing durable, energy-efficient walls. Part 1 addresses walls constructed with 2x6 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) exterior sheathing, and a cladding system installed over WSP sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories high. Part 2 addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories high.

TechSpec: HVAC Ducts Buried within Ceiling Insulation in a Vented Attic (Buried Ducts)

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A buried duct system is a practical and cost-effective alternative to installing ducts inside conditioned space or constructing unvented (semi-conditioned) attics for housing the HVAC system. If constructed in accordance with the recently-approved provisions of the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC), buried ducts provide an effective and energy-efficient air distribution system that ensures comfort and savings for the homeowner.

Equivalency Between IECC Prescriptive Path and IECC Energy Rating Index

File Under: Building Codes & Standards

This study reports HERS indices for defined configurations of typical houses (Standard Rated Homes) compliant with the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) minimum requirements. For all building characteristics not defined in the IECC, the “Methodology for Calculating Energy Use in Residential Buildings” (2012 Methodology) is followed. This Methodology was developed in 2012 by Home Innovation Research Labs (formerly NAHB Research Center) to provide guidance, uniformity, and practical construction and equipment choices for researchers comparing the energy performance difference resulting from code changes.

TechNote - Vapor Retarders: Reducing Moisture Risk in Frame Walls

File Under: Moisture Management

This TechNote provides an overview of building code requirements and design considerations for vapor retarders. The focus is on climate-specific recommendations for selecting interior vapor retarder products for frame walls.

Characterization of the Moisture Performance of Energy Efficient and Conventional Light Frame and Wood Wall Systems

File Under: Moisture Management

The recent changes in the minimum energy codes (2012 IECC) resulted in increased wall insulation levels and reduced wall air leakage for all light-frame wood systems (relative to 2009 IECC). The long-term moisture performance of these new wall systems is not well understood with regard to vapor drive, condensation risk, and drying capability. With moisture performance increasingly becoming a design consideration in the selection of wall systems, home builders and designers need practical guidance for construction of walls that ensure durability of wood buildings. This type of design guidance is particularly needed as various industry groups are advocating specific wall design solutions based on incomplete information.