| Energy Must Haves |
In 2006, the nation's builders produced 200,000 Energy Star qualified homes, a whopping twelve percent of all housing starts that year. All Energy Star qualified homes share a quartet of key elements and building practices called the “must-haves” of the program. To build energy efficient homes, you must include the following four features. 1. Air-Sealing and Insulation The bulk of energy loss is caused by dozens of small holes and cracks around your home that allow air leakage. It sounds unbelievable, but if you add up all the air leakage caused by these holes in an average home, it will account for the same amount of air leakage as one window kept open year-round. Thankfully, builders today have more insulation options than traditional air-permeable fiberglass batt insulation. Moreover, energy-savvy builders are not accepting a “one size fits all” approach that is rarely effective in every location or application. Open cell spray foam such as Icynene®, which expands to 100 times its volume, is used effectively to fill the smallest of voids and gaps providing an airtight building shell. A dual performing insulation and air barrier material, Icynene® minimizes random air leakage helping homeowners save up to 50% on average energy costs. 2. Ducts That Don't Leak Centralized, forced-air distribution is the predominant system for heating and cooling in most new homes. The sections of rigid metal ducts connected and woven throughout the house also make it a system that is inherently prone to air leaks that reduces its efficiency and wastes plenty of money. As with air-sealing and insulation products, manufacturers of HVAC equipment, duct components, and accessory products have followed the lead of building science to create systems that reduce air leaks through better design, proper and more secure connections, and finally with air-impermeable insulation. Improved performance allows energy-conscious builders the confidence they need to assure homebuyers of reduced energy consumption and utility costs because 20% of the average amount of air that is lost through a home's air distribution system is due to duct leaks, holes and poor connections. 3. Advanced Windows Using advanced windows allows builders to incorporate large expanses of glass providing enhanced daylight, better control over solar gain and improved indoor comfort without sacrificing energy efficiency. These days, builders are specifying low-e windows; insert gas between glass panes to further retard heat loss and unwanted solar gain. According to Energy Star, the range of annual energy cost savings achieved per window by replacing double-paned, clear glass windows with advanced, Energy Star qualified windows is from $25 - $110. 4. Independent Inspections and Testing With rising consumer demand for energy efficient housing, just about every builder in the market is making the energy efficiency claim. While energy efficient housing may be good for the industry and environment, market saturation by these claims erodes the efforts of builders performing at the highest level. This is mainly the reason proactive builders are going for green certifications and stringent inspections and testing to provide qualified and indisputable levels of energy efficiency and preserving the market distinction from poor-performers. Independent tests such as the blower door test for air leakage, duct blaster test for duct leakage and infrared camera imaging pinpointing the areas of heat loss are a few measures adopted by builders and reward product manufacturers who make this distinction possible. Icynene is an Energy Star partner and helps builders gain a competitive edge by creating higher performing homes. Icynene® with its superior air-sealing quality helps buildings gain accreditation in national residential green building programs such as USGBC's LEED-H and NAHB's NGBS. Icynene® allows the builders to deliver what homeowners want – A Healthier, Quieter, More Energy Efficient® Home. |