Low Temperatures, High Performance: A Case Study on Studio 26 Homes

Through the Department of Energy’s Building America program, IBACOS (Integrated Building and Construction Solutions) is tackling energy conservation one home at a time. Current research includes system based approaches for achieving 40% to 50% whole house energy savings in the cold climate zone.

One participant of the pilot home program is located in the Allentown, PA area. Studio 26 Homes is a start-up residential construction company that is owned and operated by three members of the Baker family. While, collectively, they have experience with management, architecture, and construction, they have never overseen the building of a house from start to finish. So, with a strong commitment to building quality homes in mind, they turned to IBACOS for help.

IBACOS assisted Studio 26 in designing a two story, 3,835 square foot pilot home that will contain a variety of high performance features to improve its comfort, durability, and energy efficiency. When completed, the home will demonstrate more than 40% energy savings over the typical new home (as noted in the Building America Benchmark December 29, 2004 version).

When the home is completed it will feature improved insulation techniques in the foundation, walls, and the roof that will provide thermal performance ratings of R-31.5, R-33, and R-40, respectively. Advanced water management practices will be employed and effective flashing techniques will be integrated into the sheathing membrane (housewrap). High performance windows and a continuous air barrier will help keep the building enclosure airtight. In addition, an optimally sized geothermal heat pump system that provides heating and cooling at HSPF 11.25 and SEER 14 will be installed. All ductwork in the fully ducted air distribution central return system will be sealed and air leakage will be no more than 5%. Finally, to further save energy, the home will include energy efficient lighting and appliances.

All the planning is finally coming to fruition as Studio 26 began construction on the foundation of the home August 2 nd. Throughout the project, IBACOS will continue to work with Studio 26 until the pilot home is finished, teaching the builder a variety of best practices for constructing high performance homes.

The home is just the first of an 11 home community, which Studio 26 Homes will begin building shortly after finishing this first pilot home. Studio 26 is very confident in the quality of the pilot home. In fact, a member of the Baker family plans to purchase the high performance house once it is completed.

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