Reports

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TechNote - Vapor Retarders: Reducing Moisture Risk in Frame Walls

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.

Estimated Costs of the 2012 IRC Code Changes

File Under: Building Codes & Standards

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) provided a list of code changes approved for the 2012 International Residential Code (2012 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.

Moisture Performance of Walls in Energy Efficient Homes

File Under: Moisture Management

Recent changes in the minimum energy code (2012/2015 IECC) significantly increased wall insulation levels and reduced wall air leakage targets for light-frame wood walls, relative to the 2006 and 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 residential buildings.

TechNote - Window and Door Flashing: Code Requirements and Best Practices

File Under: Air Sealing & Building Envelope

This TechNote provides an overview of building code requirements and best practices for flashing at window and door frames. The focus is on common flashing applications for new construction. Although each window/door manufacturer may have its own set of flashing instructions, the strategies and general principles apply to the vast majority of flashing situations.

Estimated Costs of the 2009 IRC Code Changes

File Under: Building Codes & Standards

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) provided a list of code changes approved for the 2009 International Residential Code (2009 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.

Estimated Costs of the 2015 IRC Code Changes

File Under: Building Codes & Standards

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) provided a list of 47 code changes to the 2012 International Residential Code (2012 IRC), which were approved for incorporation into the 2015 IRC. NAHB then asked Home Innovation Research Labs to conduct an analysis to estimate the expected cost impact of these code changes on construction practices and materials. A number of the selected code changes were found to be inconsequential (e.g., no cost increase or savings) and are therefore not reflected in this report. Reported as cost variance to the builder, the results are aggregated in cost estimate ranges to estimate a cumulative cost impact on an average house in selected climate zones.

Greenbelt Homes Energy Retrofit Pilot Project: Final Technical Report

File Under: Energy Efficiency & High-Performance Building

This completely cooperative-funded project presents a unique opportunity to evaluate and prioritize the wide range of benefits of high-performance retrofits based on the consumer’s experience with, and acceptance of, the retrofit measures implemented during the pilot project. Addressing the complex interactions between benefits, trade-offs, construction methods, project management implications, realistic upfront costs, financing, and other considerations, serves as a case study for energy retrofit projects to include high-performance technologies based on the long-term value to the homeowner.