North Carolina ENERGY STAR Conference“Saving the World One House at a Time”

November 15, 2007,

Energy Efficient Homes

Top Ten List:

Myth vs. RealitySam Rashkin, R.A.

National Director ENERGY STAR for HomesNational Director, ENERGY STAR for Homes

Myth:Myth No. 1:Myth:Myth No. 1:Sales Agents

R litReality:O d T kOrder Takers

Myth:Myth No. 2:

Myth:Build Tight, Ventilate Right

Reality:Reality:Build Tight,Build Tight, Maximize Source Control, Ventilate as Needed

Source Control

• Moisture [Bulk, Vapor][ , p ]• Radon• Combustion Emissions• Combustion Emissions • Toxic Building Materials• Biological Pollutants

…plus Educate Home Owners!

Myth:Myth No. 3:

Myth:Wood Framing Increasing in Cost

Reality:Reality:Wood Framing Must be FreeWood Framing Must be Free

Where 4 5 must and 9 isWhere 4 is good;

5 must be better;

and 9 is Great!

Courtesy of Building Science Corp.

Myth:Myth No. 4:

Myth:R-Value

Reality:Reality:Effective R-Value

Effective R-Value Example:U i l t d C /I t tiUninsulated Corners/Intersections

uninsulated corner uninsulated wall intersection

~48 wall corners and intersections= 12 - 80 feet Uninsulated Wall!

Courtesy of Building Science Corp.

Myth:Myth No. 5:

Myth:SEER and AFUE = Efficiency

Reality:Reality:Best Practices HVAC = EfficiencyBest Practices HVAC = Efficiency

Equipment Right-Sizing

Right-Sized HVAC EquipmentL O ti C t

Right-Sized EquipmentLower Operating Cost

78

Lower Operating Cost

4567

ER

~~30% > eff.30% > eff.

ER

1234

EE

Increase cycle time Increase cycle time from 3 to 8 min.from 3 to 8 min.

EE

01

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Run-Time (minutes)Run-Time (minutes)

Best Practice HVACRight-Sizing Equipment (ACCA Manual J/S)

Ducts (ACCA Manual D)Terminals (ACCA Manual T)

Air Distribution( )

Air-Tight/Internal DuctsCompact DuctsStatic Pressure

Flow Across CoilRoom-by-Room Air FlowRoom by Room Air Flow

Pressure BalancingExhaust Fan Flow Rates

Air Handler Air-Tight CabinetHigh-Efficiency Fan

Refrigerant Charge TestingTXV Valve

Myth:Myth No. 6:Myth:Myth No. 6:% > Code Defines Efficiency

R litReality:% C d Mi L H i F it% > Code Misses Low Hanging Fruit

Low Hanging Fruit *Missed by Code-Based Programs*

• Moisture Control• Effective R-Value• Solar Orientation• Efficient Water Distribution• Efficient Water Distribution• Best Practice HVAC Systems• Advanced Lighting• Size* some exceptions

Myth:Myth No 7:Myth:Myth No. 7:Defects Out Of Sight Out of MindDefects Out Of Sight, Out of Mind

Reality:Defects No Longer Invisible

Defects Out of Sight

AFFORDABILITY PROBLEMS:Defects No Longer InvisibleAIR LEAKAGE

11

2

3 443

6

55

Courtesy of Building Science Corp.Courtesy of Building Science Corp.

Used Homes Obsolete?

New Homes Obsolete?

THE SCIENCE BEHIND HOME PERFORMANCE

WHY COMPLETE AIR BARRIER

Courtesy of Fort Collins Utilities

Courtesy: Tremco Barrier Solutions, Inc.

CODE NONCOMPLIANCE EXPOSED

Most thermal bypass details required by code but not enforcedby code but not enforced…

Are builders still liable?

MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE…

REDUCED RISK

The Ultimate Scary Man

“Construction defectsConstruction defectscan dramatically change the comfort and quality

f h W h l !of your home… We can help!...

O $430 000 000Over $430,000,000awarded to our clients!!!”awarded to our clients!!!

http://www.kasdansimonds.com/constructiondefects.asp

Myth:Myth No. 8:Myth:Myth No. 8:Minimize Cost During Soft Market

Reality:Maximize Value During Soft Market

Minimize Cost: Maximize Value:ENERGY STAR Cost:

$2,500New Home Avg. Cost:

$500,00+

100 Home Subdivision <1%vs.

Purch. Man. Dilemma: $2,500 x 100 homes =

<1%investment

• Visible Quality $ ,

$ 25• Obsolete Competition• Reduced Liability

I d S ti f ti$.25million • Increased Satisfaction• Recognition as Leader

Myth:Myth No. 9:Myth:Myth No. 9:Green

Reality:Wild, Wild, West

Point Categories = Complexity:

• Innovation and Design Processg• Location and Linkages• Sustainable Sites• Sustainable Sites• Water Efficiency• Energy and Atmosphere• Materials and Resources• Indoor Environmental Quality• Awareness and Education• Awareness and Education

4 Shades of Green

• Certified• Silver• Gold• Gold• Platinum

What Else Do Homebuyers Care About?• Schools• Low Maintenance• Low Maintenance• Security• Energy EfficiencyEnergy Efficiency• Indoor Air Quality• Allergy Resistance

What if every valued attribute Allergy Resistance

• Disaster Resistance• Structured Wiring

was offered in 4 shades?g

• Finish Package• Appliance Packagepp g…and the list goes on

Does Green Pass the ‘Laugh Test’?

• Truly Energy Efficient?

Does Green Pass the Laugh Test ?

• Truly Energy Efficient? • Truly Water Efficient?• Truly Durable?

[Assured Bulk Moisture Control]

• Truly Healthy? [Toxic Material Limitations]

• Truly Resource Efficient?[Sustainable Products, Job-Site Waste]

….and the list goes on

Myth:Myth No. 10:Myth:Myth No. 10:Zero Energy Home

R litReality:C b N t l HCarbon Neutral Home

Example: 800 kWh/month home O ti 1 Z E (2 kW PV S t )Option 1: Zero Energy (2 kW PV System)Revenue: Cost:Revenue:2 kW x 5 hr./day = 10 kWh/day

Cost:2 kW x $10,000/kW =$20,00010 kWh/day

X 30 day/mo. =300/kWh/month

$20,000

X $.13/kWh =

$40/monthat 6.5% mortgage =

$140/month$40/month $140/monthPlus: Insurance/Maintenance:Insurance/Maintenance:$10-20/month?

Example: 800 kWh/month homeOption 2: Carbon Neutral Home

A tiAssumptions:$.045 renewable power premium from utility

Cost :300 kWh/mo. x $.045/kWh =

~$15/month near carbon ne tral~$15/month = near carbon neutral800 kWh/mo. x $.045/kWh =

~$35/month = carbon neutral

Example: 800 kWh/month home:pComparison

Z E H C b N t l HZero Energy Home:2 kW PV System

Carbon Neutral Home:$.045/kWh RP premium

-$100+/month500 kWh/month

-$15/month500 kWh/month 500 / o

carbon footprint500 / ocarbon footprint

5.5 kW PV System

-$250+/month -$35/month$250+/monthno carbon footprint

$35/monthno carbon footprint

Myth Busting Strategy: ENERGY STAR

Myth:

#1: Sale Agents

Myth:Marketing Tools:• Established ‘Brand’• Established Brand• Web Site• Outreach Campaign• Sales ToolKit• Sales Training

Myth Busting Strategy: ENERGY STAR

Myth:

#2: Build Tight, Ventilate Right#3: Wood Framing Increasing in Cost

#4 #5 #6: Flawed Metrics: R-Value SEER/AFUE CodeMyth:#4, #5, #6: Flawed Metrics: R Value, SEER/AFUE, Code#7: Defects Out of Sight, Out of Mind#8: Minimize Cost During Soft Market

Technical Specifications:Technical Specifications:• Old Specifications

N S ifi ti• New Specifications• Indoor Air Package• Future Specifications

ENERGY STAR For Homes Old Spec

Ti ht Ad dAd d Effi i t Fi ldAiTight Ducts

AdvancedAdvancedWindowsWindows

EfficientEquipment

FieldVerified

AirSealing

ENERGY STAR For Homes N SNew Spec

InsulationI t ll ti Thermal Bypass Right SizingInstallation Thermal Bypass Right Sizing

ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Packageg

•Radon Control•Pest Management

+Moisture

+•Pest Management•HVAC Systems•Combustion Systems

=MoistureControl

y•Materials INDOOR AIR

PACKAGE

ENERGY STAR For Homes F t SFuture Spec

ThermalBridging

HVACSystem

WaterDistrib.

Lighting/App. SizeHigh Eff.

Equip.

+MoistureMoistureControl

Myth Busting Strategy: ENERGY STAR

Myth:

#9: Green#10: Zero Energy Home

Myth:

Future Developments:Future Developments:• Green Begins with Blue

Carbon Neutral Home• Carbon Neutral Home

‘Green’ Begins with ‘Blue’D fi i G d M ki it Si lDefining Green and Making it Simple

Resource

Indoor

ResourceEfficiency

•WaterMaterials

Energy Efficiency

Environment•Bulk Moisture•Radon

•Materials•Waste

Efficiency•Envelope•DistributionEquipment

•Pest Control•HVAC•Combust. Safety

•Equipment•Lighting•Appliances

•Materials

EPA W t SENERGY STARENERGY STAR

EPA Water Sense+ 6 Mandatory Items+ 6 Mandatory ItemsENERGY STAR IAPENERGY STAR IAP

ENERGY STAR C b N t l HCarbon Neutral Home

ENERGY STAR

+ENERGY STARFuture Spec

On-SiteRenewable

+CarbonOffsets

For More Information:

On the Web at:On the Web at:http:www.energystar.gov/homes

Sam RashkinSam RashkinSam RashkinSam Rashkin(202) 343(202) 343--97869786

rashkin sam@epa govrashkin.sam@epa.gov