Introduction

House as a System:
Advanced Building Science

You are here because

I am here because

Presented by:
Gregg Robinson, Residential Technical Specialist
Energy Trust of Oregon New Homes and Products,
Technical School Outreach

July 2009

You Are Here Because

You are interested in green building standards and codes

You are interested in green construction practices

You are interested in solar technologies and practices

You are interested in sustainable materials and resources

You are interested in learning about indoor air quality

You are interested in green career opportunities

Energy Trust of Oregon

Mission
To change how Oregonians produce and use energy by investing in
efficient technologies and renewable resources that save dollars and
protect the environment
Over $5.5 million cash back to customers in 2007!

Energy Trust Funding Structure

Energy Trust Service Areas

Utility Customers

Portland General Electric

Pacific Power

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Cascade Natural Gas

3% Public Purpose Fund

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Energy Trust Programs

New Homes and Products

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ENERGY STAR

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Products

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Technical Education

Appliances

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Technical School Outreach

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New Homes Program

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Technical School Outreach (TSO)

Learning tools including lesson plans, and classroom and fieldbased workshops for students and instructors

FREE builder support, certification and incentives for school-built

new home projects

FREE marketing and PR support to promote your innovative

program and projects

Green Building Fund Scholarship, dedicated for TSO participants

Access to the industry, leading experts, trainings and resources

Advocacy and support, working with the educational community,

(OR Dept. of Education, OR Dept of Community Colleges and
Workforce Development) to support the development of Green
Collar and Clean Tech career pathways and programs

Think Energy

The Basics:
Energy and Building Science
Fundamentals

Heating System Efficiencies

Energy usage in the average home

Electric resistance

Sp ace
Heat ing
34%

A p p liances
& Lig ht ing
34%

100% efficient $1.00 in = $1.00 out

Heat pump (At Outdoor Temp of 47F)

200% efficient $1.00 in = $2.00 out

250% efficient $1.00 in = $2.50 out

Gas furnace
Elect r ic
AC
11%

W at er
Heat ing
13 %
R ef r ig er at o r
8%

80% efficient

$1.00 in = $0.80 out

95% efficient

$1.00 in = $0.95 out

US DOE: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Electricity Generation in Oregon

Coal

6.9%

Think Heat
Portland

Oil

0.1%

$580/year for heating

Gas

26.2%

$115/year for cooling

Other Fossil Fuels

0.1%

Biomass

1.4%

$760/year for heating

Hydro

64.1%

$120/year for cooling

Wind

1.2%

Energy Concepts - A Quick Review

Bend

Btu Equivalents

British Thermal Unit (Btu)

A basic measure of heat (energy vs power)

The heat required to raise one pound of water 1F

Btu =

Watt-hour (Wh)

3.412 Btu

Killowatt-hour (kWh)

3,412 Btu

Propane (gallon)

91,500 Btu

Therm of natural gas

100,000 Btu

Heating oil (gallon)

140,000 Btu

Cord firewood

20,000,000 Btu

A kitchen match contains about one Btu of heat energy

Energy In = Energy Out

Consider Heat Loss

Instantaneous heat loss

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy is not created or destroyed, it merely changes form and moves

from place to place

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Heat moves from higher temperature regions to lower temperature

regions

An example: a home loses 20,000 Btu/Hour at an indoor temperature of

70F and outdoor temperature of 30F
The heating system adds 20,000 BTU/Hour to maintain 70F
The larger the temperature difference between the inside and
outside, the bigger the number
Annual (or seasonal) heat loss
An example: a home loses 50,000,000 BTU/year
The heating system adds 50,000,000 BTU to heat the home

Heat Transfer

Where Do Homes Lose Heat?

Types of heat transfer:

Conduction

Convection

Radiation

Mass transfer (air leakage)

No matter what type of heat transfer:

There must be a temperature difference

Movement is always from hot to cold!

Never up or bottom to top

Air Leaks
Attic
Walls
Windows/Doors
Floors

Air Leaks

The Question

The Answer

How to reduce heat loss?

OR
How to construct buildings to resist heat loss?

Build the house so it does not

lose heat?
Maybe we cant do
that...
Build the house so it
loses less heat?

Yikes!

Basics of Heat Loss

Four primary means of heat loss

Reduce heat loss with

better thermal barrier and
insulation

Conduction

The transfer of thermal energy from one side of a solid object to

another.

Through multiple solid objects that touch.

An object or objects do not have to be warm or hot for conduction to

occur, only a temperature difference must be present.

Conduction
Convection
Radiation
Mass transfer (air leakage)

Conduction Through a Solid Surface

Solid Wall

Warm

Convection

The transfer of thermal energy from a fluid flowing over a solid

object.

Air is a fluid.

Cold

Convection

Convection in Other Places

Stud Cavity

Stud Cavity

Hot

Convective
Loop

Cold

Hot

Cold

Radiation

Radiant Heat Transfer

Heat transfer from one surface to another

Stud Cavity

Heat transfer away from

an object by means of
electromagnetic waves
or infrared waves

This process involves

only the molecules
of the substance
radiating the heat

Mass Transfer

Air Leakage
Stud Cavity

Engineering term for air leakage

Gaps and cracks leak conditioned, indoor air and allow undesired air
to replace it

Infiltration and exfiltration

Hot

Cold

Everybody Now!

Make it Stop

Stud Cavity

Convection and radiation in an insulated and

air sealed wall cavity

Stud
Cavity

= Conductive Wall

BAM!
Interior

Air-sealed at framing / sheathing

interface
Exterior

Advanced Building Science:

Applying the House as a System Approach
Hot

Cold

Insulation

The House as a System Approach

Building
Pollutants

Occupants

Comfort
Moisture

Heat loss
Operating cost

Environment

Components of a Building Shell

Framing

Insulation

Sheathing

Siding

Sheet rock

Fire safety

Mechanical
Systems

Components of a Building Shell

Cans - not a recommended sheathing

Components of the Building Shell

Vulcanized foundations?

10

Changes in Home Construction

R-Value and U-Factor (U-Value)

R-Value is used to measure thermal resistance

1950s

R-value: the bigger, the better

1970s

The higher the R-Value, the more resistant to heat transfer

1990s

Now

U-Factor: less is more

Better

The lower the U-Factor, less conduction is possible

U-Factor is used to measure thermal conductivity

Definition: U-Factor is a measure of how much heat transmits

through a 1 ft2 cross-section per hour when a 1 temperature
difference exists between two opposite surfaces.

R-Value and U-Factor (U-Value)

R-Value and 1 Divided by R-Value?

U-Factor is the inverse of R-Value

U=1R

R-Values can be added through an assembly

R-Values cannot be averaged over an area

U-Factors can be averaged over an area

U-Factors cannot be added through an assembly

Why?

R-Value is the inverse of U-Factor

R=1U
Example: Window

Example: Fiberglass batt

U-Factor - 0.38

U-Factor - 0.05

R-Value - 2.60

R-Value - 20

11

R-Value and U-Factor (U-Value)

R-Value and U-Factor (U-Value)

R-Values can be added through an assembly

U-Factors can be averaged over an area
Insulation (R-21)
Drywall (R-0.4)

UA1 + UA2 = UAtotal

Rinsulation + Rdrywall = Rtotal

R-21

R-0.4

= R-21.4

Wall R-Value
U-Factors cannot be added through an assembly

R-Values cannot be averaged

What is the overall R-Value?

So, weve got this wall

R-Value and U-Factor (U-Value)

77 ft2 of wall is insulation (R-21)

23

Overall R-Value

77 21 + 23 6
=
The easy way is wrong
100
1617 + 138
=
100
= 17 .5

ft2

UA1 =

of wall is framing (R-6)

R-21 Insulation

77 ft
1
77 = 3.67 23 ft
21
1
UA2 = 23 = 3.8
6
3.67 + 3.8 = U total 100
Lets try this again

R-6 Studs

U total

of wall is insulation (R-21)

of wall is framing (R-6)

UA1 + UA2 = UAtotal

R-21 Insulation

R-6 Studs

7.5
=
= 0.075
100

Ravg =

U Total

Ravg = 13.3

12

NFRC Window Sticker

The Energy Saver?

R-19 Fiberglass Batt

What is U-0.075 and R-13.3?

U-Value is a measurement of how much heat conducts through a
surface.
Number of Btus per hour that will travel from one side of the
surface to the other, per square foot of surface area at a
temperature difference of 1 F.
If there is a 1-degree temperature difference between inside and
outside the house, the inside needs 0.075 matches per square
foot of wall to maintain the inside temperature.

Saving energy for insulation installers everywhere!

13

Replacing Lost Heat

R-Value Recap

So, we have a wall, 100 ft2 with a 40 temperature difference.

F
o
0
4

t
f
0
0
1
F
o
u 2
t
t
f
B

r
h
5
7
0
0
0
.
3
0

u rt
ur
u
rt
th
h
B hB
B
=

Resistance to heat transfer

The bigger the R-Value, the greater the resistance to heat transfer

If you want the definition:

ft 2 o F hr
Btu

Pop Quiz
How do we reduce heating bills?
a)

Make a normal house with a really efficient (and possibly expensive)

heating system

b)

Build this house but put in really efficient windows

c)

Put in lots of attic insulation because heat rises

d)

Make the house so it doesnt need much heat

Advanced Building Science:

Applications and Practices

14

Fancy Contraptions to Save Energy

High efficiency equipment
After building an inefficient house?

Simple Contraptions to Save Energy

Air sealing (spray foam, caulk)

Complete/continuous insulation

Re-locate heating systems

Common sense

$20,000 for windows

Show me the pay-off in 10 years?
Infrared heating
Heat only one side of your body?
Insulating paint
Just like the stuff on the Space Shuttle?

Ah Ha!

If you reduce the need for energy, you dont need fancy contraptions to
reduce energy use!

In our climate, this equates to reducing heat loss from the house.

What Affects the Amount of Heat Loss?

R-Value of components
U-Factor of components
Surface area of those components
Temperature difference through those components
Amount of air leakage
High R-Values do not guarantee low air leakage

15

U-Value Calculations
Typical wall
Covered with:

The Oregon R-21 Wall

Building Material

R-Value

Interior air film

0.68

Drywall

0.45

Insulation/framing

13.3

OSB/plywood

1.32

Siding

0.81

Exterior air film

0.17

Total

16.7

Plywood/OSB
Interior air film

Sheet rock
Plywood/OSB sheathing

Siding

Siding
These are thermal bridges, providing a path for heat to conduct
Built with:
16 OC
77% Insulation
23% framing (thermal bridges)

Wall U-Values

Exterior air film

Drywall

R21 Insulation, framing

Plumbing and Electrical

Walls consist of:

Framing
Insulation
Sheathing
Siding
Sheet rock
And

16

Thermal Bridging - IR

Thermal Bridging
When conductive materials are touching one another, heat flows
rapidly through the building shell

The Oregon R-21 Wall

T he O

regon

R-16
.7

The Oregon Floor

Wall

on R-14.5
The Oreg

Wall

17

Insulated Floor

Oregon R-30 Code Floor

R-30 between floor framing members

Sub-flooring

Wood or carpet flooring

R-28.5 (if perfect)

R-20 R-25 (typical)

Photo Courtesy: 2004 Iris Communications Inc.

Attics
Oregon R-38 Attic

Standard Practice

Thermal Bridges

18

Minimal Spaces Near Eaves

R-38 turns into R-33

Air Leakage
How much air leakage?

R-38

R-33

Run a blower door test

What is an air change?

Blower-door test ACH @ 50Pascals

Average for Oregon

6.5 ACH @ 50 Pascals
0.32 Natural ACH

Air Leakage
CFM

ACH Volume
60

Case Study House

Volume = 2000 ft2 x 9 ft (ceiling) = 18,000 ft3
CFM = 0.32 x 18,000/60
CFM = 96 = Natural air leakage rate

Energy in Air
Each volume of air has a certain amount of energy
Each volume of air that leaks from the house is lost
energy from the house
Energy must be added for each volume of air that
leaks into the house
Each volume of air that leaks from the house is
replaced by air from outside, crawl space, attic or
garage

19

Calculated Heat Loss From Air Leakage

Total Energy Losses

Conduction
Walls

BTU/hr of energy loss

Windows/doors

= CFM x T x .018

Ceiling
Floor
Air Leakage

Potential for Energy Loss?

Oops

Dont forget duct losses

Add another 20% onto that number

At least 20% (Note the last slide)

20

Where is Most Heat Lost?

Attic

Floor

Wall

Windows

How Much Heat Do We Need?

Air
Leaks

Duct
Losses

(0.32 ACH)

U-Value

1/32 =
0.031

Area

1025

T
70o Indoor

35o
35o Attic

ft2

1/25 =
0.04

1/14.5 =
0.069

ft2

ft2

975

1937

About 22,500 Btu/hr

On the statistically coldest day

0.35
366

90 AFUE furnace
ft2

100,000 Btu/Therm

96 CFM

$1.40 per Therm

30o
40o Crawl

47o
23o Outdoor

47o
40o
23o Outdoor 30o avg

About $8.40 for 24 hours

Electric Resistance Heating (no ducts)

Heat Loss
Rate

1112
Btu/hr

1170
Btu/hr

6280
Btu/hr

6020
Btu/hr

4147
Btu/hr

3750
Btu/hr

3,412 Btu/kWh
$0.08 per kWh
About $10.60 for 24 hours

Energy Modeling Programs

Computer Models

REM/Rate
Floors

Attic

Walls

Windows

Air
leakage

Duct
losses

Total

Calculated

1120

1170

6280

6030

4210

3760

22570

Modeled
(REM)

600

1200

5200

5500

4900

12200

29600

eQuest
Energy Gauge
WrightSoft
Elite HVAC
HomeCheck

21

Why a Larger Furnace?

Setback temperatures

How Can Heating Load be Reduced?

Reduce heat loss
Stop air leaks

Example: Raise temperature from 60oF to 70oF

Future expansion
Air flow for air conditioning

Add insulation
Bring ducts inside

Start with the architect or designer!!!

Lets Build a House!

Low air leakage

Ducts inside

Strong envelope

Efficient heating system

Nice mechanical ventilation

What is the Priority?

Walls?

Windows?

Q:

Air sealing?

What is cheap and easy?

Hint: It saves a lot of energy!

Air sealing!

22

Air Sealing Priorities

Air Sealing Target

1.

Align air and thermal barrier 9.

Shafts (mechanical/electrical/etc)

2.

Garage and other band joists 10. Plumbing/electrical penetrations

3.

Walls behind showers/tubs

4.

Wall behind fireplace

11. Dropped ceiling/soffit

12. Recessed lighting

Reduce air leakage by 30 70%

13. Common walls between units

5.

Attic knee-walls

6.

Skylight shafts

7.

Cantilevered porches/floors

8.

Staircase walls

14. Tongue and groove sub-flooring

15. Caulk under bottom plate

Cantilevered Floors

Rim and Band Joists

23

Common Walls

Install Insulation Properly

Improved Wall Systems

Comparing Performance
R-25 16 OC

Typical Oregon wall is approximately R-14.5

R-25 24 OC

U-Value = 0.048

U-Value = 0.047

R-Value = R-21

R-Value = R-21

Lets improve the overall to R-24 or better

R-30 16 OC

R-30 24 OC

U-Value = 0.044

U-Value = 0.042

R-Value = R-22.7

R-Value = R-24

R-38 16 OC

R-38 24 OC

U-Value = 0.035

U-Value = 0.034

R-Value = R-28

R-Value = R-29

Insulation must be installed properly to achieve performance!

24

Insulate Thermal Bridges

Great Insulation, but

Rigid insulation on exterior provides a continuous thermal break

Add 1 Rigid Insulation

Staggered Stud Wall

2x6, 2x8, 2x10 plate options

About $1 per square foot

R-5 per inch

Properly insulated Oregon wall improves to R-22

Removes most thermal bridges / weak points in wall

25

Staggered Stud

R-Values of Staggered Stud

2 x 6 12 OC
R-22 Cavity Fill

R-19.3

2 x 8 12 OC
R-30 Cavity Fill

R-26

2 x 10 12 OC
R-38 Cavity Fill

Improved Window U-Values

Code 0.35 U-Value or lower

ENERGY STAR 0.32 U-Value or lower

If you are building a better wall construction: U-0.30 or better

R-33

How to: Bring the Ducts Inside

Move the ducts and air handler to conditioned space

Turn unconditioned space to conditioned space

26

Web Joists

Trusses for Internal Ductwork

End-on view of the plenum truss, built by Space Coast Truss. The
plenum, which is airtight, was faced with 1/16-inch Thermoply. Only
the sides of the plenum were insulated with batts. The rest was
insulated to R-19 with blown-in fiberglass.
Energy Design Update, March 2001

Duct Distribution System Design

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit

Drawing courtesy of www.homeenergy.org

27

Dropped Ceiling Soffits

Source: www.eleanor.com

Conditioned Attic

Unvented Crawl or Short Basement

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.buildingscience.com

Best Practice- Air Handler Installation

Supply runs
integrated into open
web floor trusses or
i-joist with engineered
duct punch-out

Use proper
ceiling returns

Return delivered
directly to air handler
with or without
ducting

Air Handler located

centrally in conditioned
basement

Photo Courtesy of: http://www.buildingscience.com

28

Best Practice- Air Handler Installation

Air handler placed centrally on
middle floor in conditioned space,
insulate enclosure walls

Best Practice - Air Handler Installation

Air Handler in
Conditioned attic

Return delivered
directly to air handler
with or without ducting
Supply runs
integrated into open
web floor trusses or
i-joist with
engineered
duct punch-out

Best Practice - Air Handler Installation

Use proper
ceiling returns

Central Air Handler 2-Story Home

Air Handler placed centrally

on highest floor in
conditioned space,
insulate enclosure walls

Return delivered
directly to air
handler
without ducting

Supply runs
integrated into
open web floor
trusses or i-joist
with engineered
duct punch-out

29

Ductless Heat Pumps

Ductless Heat Pumps

Some other heads

Mounts flush to the ceiling

These are not small
2 x 2 3 x 3
Goes above the ceiling.
You attach a short duct run to it.

A below-window radiator

Photo: Jeff Pratt

Ductless Heat Pumps

Ductless HP Efficiencies
7.7 9.5 HSPF

200 300% efficiency

At 47 degrees
Reduced efficiency as outdoor temperature falls

Dont buy cheap units

Inverter driven

Most important

From Asia

30

Other Benefits for Bringing Ducts Inside

Floor and Attic Insulation

Smaller heating plant

R-50 attic insulation with raised heel truss

Shorter duct runs

R-38 under floor insulation

Not as much crawl space or attic work for install or maintenance

Improved air flow (smaller duct runs)

Remember This!

Learning curve

Different material needs i.e. engineered joists

Suggest using metal duct

Involve multiple trades in design process = Integrated Design

Architect/Designer
HVAC

Mechanical Ventilation

ASHRAE 62.2

7.5 CFM per occupant (#bedrooms +1)

Plus 0.01 CFM per square foot

( 3 + 1 ) x 7.5 + 2000 x 0.01

= 50 CFM

Framer

31

Heating Energy Use After Improvements

Attic

Floor

Wall

Windows

Air Leaks
(0.15 ACH)

U-Value
Area

1/50 =
0.02

1/38 =
0.029

1/26 =
0.038

0.30

1025 ft2

975 ft2

1937 ft2

366 ft2

45 CFM

Mech.
Ventilation

Heat Loss Comparison

Duct
Losses

50 CFM

Attic

Floor

Wall

Windows

Air Leaks
(0.15 ACH)

Code
Home

1120
Btu/hr

1170
Btu/hr

6280
Btu/hr

6030
Btu/hr

4147 Btu/hr

Improved
Home

717
Btu/hr

848
Btu/hr

3450
Btu/hr

5160
Btu/hr

1944
Btu/hr

Mech.
Ventilation

Duct
Losses
3750
Btu/hr

(70%Recovery)

DT
70o
Indoor
Heat
Loss
Rate

35o
35o
Attic
717
Btu/hr

30o
40o
Crawl
848
Btu/hr

47o
23o
Outdoor

47o
23o
Outdoor

40o
30o
average

3450
Btu/hr

5160
Btu/hr

1944
Btu/hr

40o
30o average
1512
Btu/hr

Code vs. Improved Home

Code Home

13,630 Btu/hr at 23oF

REM/Rate 12,900 Btu/hr

0
Btu/hr

0
Btu/hr

Now, How Much Heat Do We Need?

1512
Btu/hr

Lights &
Appliances
Heating

Improved Home

Lights &
Appliances

Heating

Water
Water

Cooling

Cooling

32

Envelope Upgrade Costs

Wall Upgrade

Attic Upgrade

2x8 Staggered Stud

R-38 to R-50 Raised Heel Truss

R-30 Low Density Foam

Insulation

About $0.20/ft2 upgrade

About

Blown-in Blanket Upgrade

$1,500

$200 upgrade cost

$2/ft2 upgrade

$8,000 upgrade cost

Envelope Upgrade Costs - Alternates

Plus framing upgrade cost $1,600

Window Upgrade

Floor Upgrade
R-30 to R-38 Joisted Floor
About $0.20/ft2 upgrade

U-0.35 to U-0.30

Advanced Framing with 1 Exterior Rigid Foam Upgrade

$2,000

$1/ft2
$400 upgrade cost

$200 upgrade cost

Air Sealing Upgrade Costs

Pay attention to air sealing at crawl space and attic connections,

electrical boxes, hatches, garage, other penetrations!

No tongue and groove sub-flooring

$100

HVAC Upgrade Costs

Duct sealing

$400

Ducts inside

$800

Heat recovery ventilator

$2,000

33

Total Upgrade Costs

Computer Modeling Results

Code Home

Envelope

$4,000 - $9,000
$1,556 per year utility costs

HVAC

$500 - $3,200

Air sealing

Improved Home

$100

$1,220 per year utility costs

Utility savings $336 per year
Mortgage increase per year $720 ($10,000 @ 6.0%)

Total Investment = $5,000 - $11,000

Mortgage increase per year $360 ($5,000 @ 6.0%)

Alternate

What is the Incentive?

State Tax Credits

Advanced Framing with inch foam (not as air tight)

Energy Costs: $1,295 per year
Savings: $261per year

Advanced Framing with no foam (typically fiberglass batts installed)

Energy Costs: $1,353 per year
Savings: $203 per year

High Performance Home

R-49 Attic (U-0.30)

U-0.050 Walls

U-0.025 Floors (R-38 between joists)

U-0.32 Windows - Glazing limited to 16% Window : Floor ratio

Shell tightness < 5.0 ACH50

HVAC

Efficient water heating

Renewable energy system

Additional Measure

34

Energy Trust Incentives

High Performance Home

Introductory Oregon High Performance Home meets all requirements (except renewable
energy system and additional measure):

Energy Trust of Oregon Incentive Levels

ENERGY STAR

$800

ENERGY STAR + Ducts in Conditioned Space

+ $800

State HPH envelope, HVAC, DHW requirements

(all but renewable and additional measure)

+ $800

+ Renewable energy (solar hot water and/or PV)

++++++

Net Zero

++++++

$2,400 from Energy Trust

$2,000 Federal Tax Credit

High Performance Home is currently hard to meet with electric heating systems
(including heat pumps)
Advanced High Performance Home, with renewable energy (solar hot water or PV):

$2,750 from Energy Trust (with solar hot water)

More $$$s with PV or other advanced energy performance measures

Oregon High Performance Home Tax Credit for Builders up to $12,000

http://oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/BUS/docs/HPH_handout.pdf

I Want to Build a Net Zero Home

Design and build the home we discussed. Add:

Better windows

Improved Air Sealing (Make the home really tight)

Really efficient heating system

Add renewable energy
Turn off the lights and phantom loads

Educate homeowners

Online Resources
Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc.

www.energytrust.org

ENERGY STAR New Homes

www.energytrust.org/ESNH

Home Energy Solutions, Existing Homes

www.energytrust.org/TA/he
s/index.html

Earth Advantage

www.earthadvantage.com

US Green Building Council, LEED for Homes

www.usgbc.org

Building Science Corporation

www.buildingscience.com

U.S. Dept. of Energy Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy

www.eere.energy.gov

EPA ENERGY STAR

www.energystar.gov

ENERGY STAR, Federal Tax Credits

www.energystar.gov/index.
cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

35

Online Resources - Continued

Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE)

www.oregon.gov/ENERGY

Print Resources

Brand, Steward. How Buildings Learn: What Happens After Theyre Built New York:
Penguin Books, 1995.
Burnett, John F. and Eric F.P Straube. Building Science for Building Enclosures
Westford: Building Science Press, 2005.

Oregon Department of Energy, Residential

Energy Tax Credits (RETC)

www.oregon.gov/ENERGY
/CONS/RES/RETC.shtml

Carmody, John, Stephen Selkowitz, Dariush Arasteh and Lisa Heschong. Residential
Windows New York: Norton, 2007.

Oregon Department of Energy, Business

Energy Tax Credits (BETC)

www.oregon.gov/ENERGY
/CONS/BUS/BETC.shtml

Harley, Bruce. Insulate & Weatherize: Expert Advice from Start to Finish (Build
Like a Pro) Newton: Taunton, 2002.

Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)

www.natresnet.org

Krigger, John and Chris Dorsi. Residential Energy: Cost Savings and Comfort for
Existing Buildings (4th Edition). Helena: Saturn, 2004.

Lstiburek, Joseph, PhD. Builders Guide to Mixed-Humid Climates Minneapolis:

EEBA, 2005.

Building Performance Institute

www.bpi.org

Lstiburek, Joseph W., PhD. Water Management Guide Building Science Press, 2006.

Energy Efficient Lighting

www.lightingplans.com

Rose, William B. Water in Buildings: An Architects Guide to Moisture and Mold

Wiley, 2005

Energy Efficient Windows Collaborative

www.efficientwindows.org

Wilson, Alex and John Abrams. Your Green Home: A Guide to Planning a Healthy,
Environmentally Friendly New Home Gabriola Island, BC: New Society, 2006.

High Performance Walls

Rain Screens

Advanced Framing: Basic and Intermediate

Rain Screen Walls

Fine Homebuilding, February/March 2001

36

Code Corner: Advanced Framing

24 O.C.

Advanced Framing
Advanced framing saves
money, lumber and energy

Drywall Clip
Allowed for 2x6 and 2x4 Wall Construction

Reducing Framing Materials, Thermal

Bridging through Advanced Framing
Standard Frame: R-13.6

Standard Frame: Exterior Corner Detail

Walls are commonly framed in a way that does not allow insulation to be
installed at exterior corners

Advanced Frame: R-16

18% Improvement at less cost

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Advanced Frame: Alternate Exterior

Corner Detail

Standard Frame: Interior - Exterior

Wall Intersection Detail
Walls are commonly framed in a way that does not allow insulation
to be installed at interior exterior wall intersections

Source: Builders Guide to Cold Climates, Lstiburek. 2005

Standard Frame: Interior Exterior

Wall Intersection

Advanced Frame: Alternate InteriorExterior Wall Intersection Detail

Photo 2008 CSG

Source: Builders Guide to Cold Climates, Lstiburek. 2005

38

Advanced Frame: Insulated Wall

Intersection

Intermediate Advanced Framing

Frame wall intersections to allow for full insulation installation

Raised Heel Truss

Strapped Walls

Stagger Studs

2 grid layout of window and doors openings

Photo 2008 CSG

Advanced Framing: Raised Heel Truss

Roof and Wall Intersection Details

Built up truss to allow for full depth insulation to extend to roof/wall

intersection.

Foam blocking set to be foamed in place for an air tight seal

Photo 2008 CSG

Photo 2008 CSG

39

Advanced Framing: Strapped Walls

Spray in cellulose insulation with 2x strapping over studs reduces
thermal bridging through the wall assembly.

Resources: Advanced Framing,

High Performance Wall
Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA)
2008 Annual Conference Presentations
http://www.eeba.org/conference/2008/sessions.htm

Valuing Energy Efficiency in the Marketplace

Thermal Metric for High Performance Enclosure Walls: The

limitations of R-Value

The future of Framing is Here: Case Study Advanced Framing

Building America Special Research Project: High R-Walls Case

Study Analysis

Photo courtesy Mike OBrien, City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development 2007

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