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Resources Help Builders Start Energy-Efficient Construction
Many excellent, objective technical resources are available to support builders who are just getting started on energy-efficient construction, according to the NAHB Research Center, and many of them are free and easily accessible online.
When 2009 EnergyValue Housing Award winner Urbane Homes of Louisville, Ky., was starting out, partners Abe Gilbert and Zane Underwood did a lot of research on the Internet and found technical Web sites like www.buildingamerica.gov, www.toolbase.org and www.buildingscience.com very helpful.
“But the biggest resource for us,” according to Gilbert, “was having a mentor that was willing to take calls.” Steve Baczek, now the firm’s architect, was one of a few energy gurus who were willing to lend advice and share information gratis. “We found “people who were just being nice,” said Gilbert.
After signing on with DOE’s Building America program, the company benefitted from individualized help in making its efficiency decisions.
“We build homes with Home Energy Rating Indices in the mid 50s, but sales prices starting at $125,000,” says Gilbert. “We have to do a cost-benefit analysis on everything to maximize affordability and energy efficiency. The NAHB Research Center engineers, working on behalf of Building America, can run different scenarios in computer simulations to find the perfect blend for us.”
Gilbert cites this ideal combination of affordability and efficiency as a major factor in the company’s 100% growth over the past year.
Other builders prefer a more traditional learning experience and are fortunate to have an abundance of training courses to choose from.
Chris Miles of GreenCraft Builders — another 2009 EVHA winner — started out in energy-efficient home construction about 10 years ago by attending seminars provided by NAHB, local home builders associations and the Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) to learn about the science behind energy efficiency.
Visiting energy-efficient homes, according to Miles, has been extremely helpful, especially houses included in the annual local tours at the NAHB Green Building Conference.
He quickly discovered that building energy-efficient homes isn’t just about the products and technologies that go into a house, but rather about the way the house is put together. “You make the system work rather than just throwing the components together,” says Miles. “You size the air conditioner to work with the insulation and windows. It all ties in and works together.” Miles has one note of caution, however, “You can’t get all the knowledge in a big hurry.”
Following are several online resources that can help builders get started in energy-efficient home construction:
- Building America Climate-Specific Best Practices Guides (www.buildingamerica.gov). This series of guides covers five climate regions and each delivers sound advice for building energy-efficient homes. Best practices developed from years of research and practical implementation under the Building America program are presented for home owners, corporate managers, marketers, site planners and developers, designers, site supervisors and trade contractors. Most of the technical information — including clear graphics and photographs — can be found in the designer and trade sections. Included in the guides’ appendices are tear-out pages featuring code references for uncommon energy-efficiency details that can be handed directly to code officials to help ease the code approval process.
- EEBA Builder Guides. The Energy and Environmental Building Association’s climate-specific builder guides are considered a preeminent resource for energy-efficient construction. Each of the four guides — cold, hot-humid, hot-dry/mixed-dry and mixed-humid — provides hundreds of pages of clearly-illustrated details for framing, air sealing, insulating and mechanical systems with respect to energy efficiency and moisture control. The guides can be purchased at EEBA’s bookstore for $45 each.
- ToolBase Services Web Site. With one click on “energy efficiency” from www.toolbase.org, builders and remodelers can find a list of design and construction guides related to energy efficiency. Clicking on “zero energy homes” on the ToolBase homepage links to a list of performance reports and case studies on highly energy-efficient homes.
Especially of note to remodelers is a series of training modules on energy-efficient remodeling. Organized by type of remodeling project, these educational presentations provide photos, diagrams, clearly understandable text and action items to add value to remodeling projects.
- DSIRE Database. This Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency is an up-to-date, comprehensive listing of the state, local, federal and utility incentives available for energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Web site also includes information about codes and regulations.
- EnergyValue Housing Award Magazine. Produced annually to honor the winners of the EnergyValue Housing Award, this magazine describes the practices of the cream-of-the-crop of America’s energy-efficient home builders. The “2005 EVHA Gold-Winning Best Practices” book is another great resource for gathering tried-and-true ideas by climate region and type of home.
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NAHBGreen Online Scoring Tool & Verifiers. Not to be overlooked, NAHBGreen resources can help builders as they pursue a path to energy efficiency. The free Green Scoring Tool walks builders step by step through all the elements of green building — including energy efficiency, obviously a vital element. The tool allows builders to compare various energy-efficient options that they think may work for their region of the country and their customers.
National Green Building Certification-accredited verifiers, who are listed on the Web site, are also a great resource. Many of these verifiers — who have been trained, tested and accredited by the NAHB Research Center — are also energy raters and energy efficiency experts.
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Consumers Guide to Home Energy Savings. Despite its name, this handy resource is also useful to remodelers and builders. Although much of its focus is on the most energy-efficient equipment available and the very basics of major home appliances, it contains sections on air sealing and insulating existing homes, selection and installation of equipment, and tables on making such decisions as when to replace aging equipment. The book is available for $17.95 from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy; a condensed version of the guide is available online at www.aceee.org/consumerguide.
For more information about EVHA, energy efficiency and joining the NAHB Research Center’s Building America team, contact the Research Center at www.nahbrc.com/BAcontact.
 ‘National Green Building Standard’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“The National Green Building Standard,” available through BuilderBooks.com, provides “green” practices that can be incorporated into multifamily and single-family new home construction, home remodeling and additions and site development.
The standard covers lot design, resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environment quality; and owner education.
Currently the first and only ANSI-approved green building rating system, the National Green Building Standard is the benchmark for green homes.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here.
 The Future of Residential Construction Is Green
The Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation teaches builders, remodelers and other industry professionals techniques for incorporating green building principles into homes using cost-effective and affordable options.
Earning the CGP demonstrates to clients and peers your commitment to the best and latest in green building practices and techniques. More than 3,800 people have earned the CGPdesignation to date.
For more information, visit www.nahb.org/CGPinfo.
 ‘Build Green and Save’ Available at BuilderBooks.com
“Build Green and Save: Protecting the Earth and Your Bottom Line,” available through BuilderBooks.com, is a comprehensive, easy-to-read reference that shows builders how to identify and select green building materials; implement green construction techniques; explain the benefits of green housing and offer affordable green building solutions to consumers; and use resources wisely and reduce water and energy consumption.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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