Welcome to the ToolBase/PATH E-News. You can access prior issues or subscribe to this electronic news service on the ToolBase Services website - http://www.toolbase.org - by clicking the "Newsletters" link at the top of the page.
We want to hear about your housing-related news for future issues - email information to the E-News Editor. (The NAHB Research Center's ToolBase editorial staff reserves the right to refuse or condense any news submission.) Enjoy this issue of ToolBase/PATH E-News.
In This Issue:
NEW COLD CLIMATE BUILDING RESEARCH FACILITY OPENS:
According to a recent article in the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Sun Star (Molly Dischner, 09/26/06), the University has unveiled a new facility that will study how to makes houses more functional in cold climates. The Cold Climate Housing Research Center’s (CCHRC) Cold Climate Building and Infrastructure Research and Testing Facility, which got its start as an idea from the Alaska Home Builders Association in 2000, not only has labs to test new environmental and structural aspects of home building, the facility itself is a research project. For example, the facility's walls are insulated with a new technique that reverses the typical order of materials in order to achieve a more effective means of retaining heat and preventing mold. The walls have sensors that will collect temperature and moisture data to monitor the effectiveness of the new insulation. The facility’s smart ventilation system is designed to adjust the amount of air circulating by the number of people in the building. According to an article in the Alaska Journal of Commerce (Melissa Campbell, 09/17/06), sensors also monitor the permafrost under the foundation, with laser levels that watch for minute shifts in the foundation. The facility sits on 2-by-4-foot footings that can be jacked up or down — up to 4 feet if necessary — depending on the ground movement. To learn more, read the Sun Star article and the Alaska Journal of Commerce article.
PENNSYLVANIA TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL BREAKS GROUND ON AREA’S FIRST STUDENT-BUILT 'GREEN' HOUSES:
During the first week of October, the NAHB Research Center and the Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC) will kick-off construction for one of the first homes rated under the new NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. The Research Center, LCCTC, and the Lancaster BIA partnered to develop the home as a PATH field evaluation project, aimed not only at accelerating knowledge of advanced technologies to improve home performance, but also at creating a technologically advanced workforce, new markets and resources in the local economy, and meeting academic science standards. As Phase I to this project, a base home design submitted by a local builder was selected which already had some energy-efficient features, such as sealed ductwork and ENERGY STAR® appliances. Then, working groups examined each of the home's systems for ways to make them greener and ramp up the efficiency. While the home’s basic design and layout were not altered, several green and performance enhancing modifications were added such as:
With the selected modifications in place, the design's score under the Model Guidelines changed from one that did not warrant a Bronze rating (161 points) to one that easily achieved a Gold rating (400 total points). For more information about the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines, including advanced building and technology information, visit the ToolBase Services website.
INEXPENSIVE, WATERPROOF STEEL PANEL BASEMENT FOUNDATION:
Steel Panel Foundations (SPF) has introduced a new steel panel basement foundation technology that will enable builders and developers to construct water-tight finished basements in less time and at lower costs than conventional cement foundations, according to a press release (09/27/06). The galvanized steel foundation system employs modular, water-tight construction, including a membrane that prevents hydrostatic wicking and forms a compete seal from the bottom sill to the outer surface of the exterior decking. Materials are also asphalt-coated for additional moisture resistance. According to the company, the system can be installed year round and can be set in one day, allowing builders to begin framing and below-ground finishing immediately. To learn more, read the release.
SOLAR ATTIC FANS MAKE VENTILATING A BREEZE:
According to a recent article in Nation’s Building News (09/11/06), solar-powered attic fans are an affordable alternative to conventional fans. The fans, which are now available from many manufacturers, cost nothing to operate, reduce summertime cooling loads, and offer ventilation without added utility cost. They typically use a 10- or 20-watt solar panel to power a DC motor when the sun is shining and exhaust air at a rate of 800 to 1,200 cfm. They are usually mounted high on the roof, near the ridge, and are combined with soffit and gable vents for balanced intake and exhaust air streams. Solar-powered gable ventilators are also available. In new construction, a roofer can easily install these units, eliminating the need for an electrician and potentially offseting the higher initial price of the units. However, if there is inadequate attic intake air and poor sealing between the conditioned space of the home and the attic, powered attic fans can potentially draw air from the house into the attic, which can reduce energy efficiency, increase the risk of attic moisture problems, and increase the risk of backdrafting. To learn more, read the article, or check out the PATH Technology Inventory listing for this technology on ToolBase.org.
SPHERE PROJECT TESTS DURABILITY OF CAULK:
The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) is supporting a project conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Building and Fire Research Laboratory on the durability of caulking. According to a recent PATH release (09/27/06), although caulking is vital for keeping moisture out of buildings and increasing energy efficiency, no widely-accepted, analytical method for predicting its durability exists. As a result, it is difficult for builders to select caulking that offers the best value. NIST has worked with the caulking industry to develop a test device called the SPHERE (Simulated Photodegradation via High Energy Radiant Exposure), which exposes caulking samples to high intensity sunlight equal to the intensity of 50 suns at controlled temperature and humidity. The test takes between two and three weeks. NIST is currently in discussions to license the design of the SPHERE for use by testing labs nationwide. To learn more, read the release.
PATH DEVELOPS PROFILE OF INNOVATIVE PRODUCTION BUILDERS:
The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) recently published a report that profiles how production builders select, implement, and communicate innovation. "Characteristics of Innovative Production Home Builders" analyzes the results of a 2005 national survey of builders who construct 200 or more homes per year. The survey found that (1) larger national production home builders are more innovative; (2) decentralization contributes to innovation at regional and local operational levels; and (3) purchasing departments play a large role in influencing and making decisions on new products and materials. The survey also found that most production builders believe building technology innovation involves serious risks but also that innovation can contribute to higher quality and performance. The builders surveyed also indicated they were most likely to invest in innovations that can reduce construction defects and callbacks, improve subcontractor dependability, or improve the style and attractiveness of homes, followed by investment in cost reduction and reduced cycle times. To learn more about the survey results, read the release or view the report.
"GROWING GREEN" CONFERENCE OFFERS TECHNICAL TRAINING:
According to a press release (09/14/06), Affordable Comfort Inc. (ACI) will present its 2006 New England Conference “Growing Green with Building Science” on October 4 and 5. The conference aims to show builders how to boost business with the latest whole-house performance techniques. The conference will offer 34 training sessions on the latest in energy efficiency techniques, combustion appliance and carbon monoxide safety, indoor air quality and moisture, diagnostic testing tools and techniques, federal tax credits for new energy efficient homes and home improvements, and new technologies in oil and gas and propane heating. Manufacturers will also demonstrate their latest technologies and provide hands-on product and diagnostic demonstrations. To learn more, read the release, or visit the ACI website to register online.
CALL FOR ENTRIES FOR SUSTAINABLE BUILDING AWARDS:
The Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) is seeking residential, commercial, and institutional building submissions for its annual awards program to recognize building industry professionals in the Best Sustainable Practice and Exemplary Sustainable Building categories. Projects must have been built within the last five years and occupied for at least one year. Entries will be evaluated on whole building design objectives, unity, building benefits, and innovation. Winning projects, which will be announced on December 6, 2006 at the SBIC Awards Reception, will be published as case studies. Entries must be submitted by October 27, 2006. To learn more, read the release or visit the SBIC website for the call for entries, submission guidelines and applications.
ENTRY PERIOD UNDERWAY FOR GREEN BUILDING AWARDS:
The entry period is now open for the 2007 NAHB National Green Building Awards, which recognize individuals, companies, and organizations for helping to move green into the mainstream of the housing industry through their designs and construction practices. According to a recent release (09/04/06), NAHB members must submit a completed application package by Decemer 29, 2006. Entered projects must have been started by June 2005 and substantially completed by December 2006. The program’s honors include Project of the Year awards for single-family home, multifamily, land development, and remodeling projects, as well as awards for Advocate of the Year, Green Building Program of the Year and Outstanding Green Marketing Program. The 2007 NAHB National Green Building Awards will be presented during ceremonies at the National Green Building Conference in St. Louis, March 25-27, 2007. To learn more, read the release.