Energy Efficiency

Things are heating up for this November’s critical ICC ballot to update America’s Model Energy Code.  Local and state officials recognize the critical role buildings play in sound energy and climate policy, and are signaling their intent to vote. 

The United States has long had tax incentives encouraging domestic energy production, for everything from oil and gas to nuclear and wind power. We do this for many reasons: to ensure stable supplies of home-grown power, to make energy more affordable, and to incentivize cleaner, greener options.

Crandell’s presentation provides an excellent primer on the many applications of continuous insulation based on a comprehensive body of building science knowledge resulting in recent building code and energy code advancements.

For a boat hull, it is best to essentially eliminate wetting potential with the use of a highly water- and vapor- resistive hull, or at least outer coating on the hull, right?

Unlike boats, a building’s walls must have some capability to “breathe” instead of being totally impervious to all forms of water.

I’m a second-generation home builder working in northeastern Connecticut, and I’ve been building net-zero energy homes for about 10 years. In my early years doing this, I experimented with structural insulated panels (SIPs) and other methods, but these days, I have settled down to a formula based on a cellulose-insulated double stud wall sheathed with plywood on the outside, and a flat attic with deep blown cellulose.

Halo Exterra, a foam board insulation for above-grade exterior insulation applications is also designed to be a water-resistive barrier (which means that no building paper needs to be used).

Sto Corp., the innovative world leader in full system facades, prefabrication, air barriers, coatings, and restoration solutions, has recently introduced StoTherm ci Mineral, the only U.S. decorative and protective high-performance exterior wall system with the unique advantages of mineral wool.

In the U.S., our understanding of air leakage through building envelopes has evolved over the course of 100 years or more.

Today, it is well understood that controlling air leakage through building envelopes by proper use of air sealing materials and methods is crucial for many reasons.