Building America Building Science Translator
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Building America Building Science Translator February 2015 NOTICE This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States government. Neither the United States government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, subcontractors, or affiliated partners, make any warranty, express or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represent that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States government or any agency thereof. Building America Building Science Translator Prepared for The U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Prepared by Sam Rashkin, U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office Lindsay Parker, Energetics, Inc. February 2015 i BUILDING AMERICA BUILDING SCIENCE TRANSLATOR Table of Contents List of Tables . ii 1 Background . 1 2 Terminology Strategy . 2. List of Tables Table 1 . High-Performance Thermal Enclosure . .4 . Table 2 . High-Performance HVAC System . 6. Table 3 . Efficient Components . .9 . Table 4 . Indoor Environment System . 11 Table 5 . Water Management . 13 Table 6 . Disaster Resistance . 14 Table 7 . Water Efficiency . 15 Table 8 . Passive Solar Home . 16 Table 9 . Solar Ready Home . .16 . Table 10 . Whole-House Solutions . 16 Table 11 . Home Commissioning (HC) . 17 ii 1 Background Housing industry leaders today are successfully building and selling high-performance new and existing homes. This includes DOE Zero Energy Ready Home (formerly DOE Challenge Home), ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, numerous green building programs, and performance-focused remodeling projects through Home Performance with ENERGY STAR. However, many stakeholders are frustrated that the transaction process fails to recognize the value associated with lower cost of ownership, greater comfort, improved health, ensured combus- tion safety, and more durability. While there are a myriad of activities educating key transaction players, Building America and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home believe that we need to more effectively communicate the value of high-performance homes. This begins by using terminology for high-performance measures that consistently convey the improved consumer experience, rather than the engineering function. This is an important and power- ful first step which is fully under our control, particularly if we facilitate a collective impact process engaging all stakeholders to develop and embrace this new language of ‘value’. The goal of this Building Science Translator is to begin this process by providing a new glossary of ‘Power Words’ that can be used across the industry to consistently reinforce the value of high-performance homes. This includes applying this new language consistently to all consumer-facing materials used by government programs and industry alike. 1 BUILDING AMERICA BUILDING SCIENCE TRANSLATOR 2 Terminology Strategy Glossary Goals: • Consistency of Language – terminology is used consistently throughout glossary • Effectiveness of Language – terminology addresses consumer experience vs. technical function • Inclusiveness of Language – terminology addresses all critical high-performance home measures High-Performance Definition: The combination of Energy Efficiency above code, standard, or business-as-usual, ensured Quality Installation, and product Performance that meets or exceeds consumer expectations: High-Performance = Energy Efficiency + Quality Installation + Performance Promote consistent terminology for quality in related industries (e.g., coordinate with RESNET, BPI, ACCA, etc.): Energy Efficiency: • High-Efficiency = minimum 15% above existing code, standard, or business-as-usual • Ultra-Efficient = minimum 50% above existing code, standard, or business as usual • If not calibrated, just use ‘Energy Saving _____’ (e.g., if talking about SIP technology in general, just use ‘Energy Saving SIP Construction’. Examples: • ‘High-Efficiency’ Insulation = minimum 2012 IECC for most of U.S which is ~15% more efficient than 2009 IECC. • Ultra-Efficient Insulation = 50% minimum above 2009 IECC • ‘High-Efficiency’ Window = ENERGY STAR Window minimum which is ~15% above standard window or ~R-3 • Ultra-Efficient Window = R-5 Window or better • High-Efficient Appliance = ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliance where labeled or equivalent • Ultra-Efficient Appliance = ENERGY STAR Most Efficient where labeled or equivalent Quality Installation: Installation practices that meet or exceed manufacturer specifications and industry standards Quality Installation Terminology = Professionally installed 2 HVAC Systems and Components: • HVAC System = Comfort System • HVAC Equipment = Comfort Equipment • HVAC Ducts = Comfort Delivery System [analogy: lungs of home] • HVAC terminals = Comfort Outlets • HVAC pressure balancing = Comfort Balancing • HVAC transfer grill or jump duct = Comfort Vent • HVAC thermostat = Comfort Control Zero Energy Ready Home Definition: A high-performance home so energy efficient, all or most annual energy consumption can be offset with renewable energy. Alternate Options: Terminology will typically have alternate options that address different performance attributes. This will allow the same measure to be listed multiple times in marketing material for optimum linkage to all improved consumer experiences. Alternate Options Example: High Performance Window System • Comfort – Enhanced Comfort Window System • Efficiency – High Efficiency (e.g., R-3) or Ultra-Efficient (e.g., R-5)Window System • Healthful – Quiet Window System • Advanced Technology – Advanced Window System Technology • Quality – Professionally Installed Window System • Durability – Enhanced Durability Window System 3 BUILDING AMERICA BUILDING SCIENCE TRANSLATOR Table 1. High-Performance Thermal Enclosure Building America Building Science Translator – Page 1a Alternate Terms Building New Building Lives Better Works Better Lasts Better Science Science Engineered Healthful Advanced Enhanced Measure Terminology Ultra-Efficient Quality Built Comfort Environment Technology Durability Professionally- High-Performance High-Performance Enhanced Comfort Moisture Managed High-Efficiency Advanced Enclosure Low-Maintenance Installed Thermal Thermal Enclosure Thermal Enclosure Enclosure Enclosure Enclosure Technology Enclosure Enclosure High-Efficiency or Professionally- High-Performance High-Performance Enhanced Comfort Quiet Window Advanced Window Enhanced Durability Ultra-Efficient Installed Window Window System Window System Window System System System Technology Window System Window System System High-Efficiency or High-Efficiency Enhanced Comfort Advanced Window Sun Protection High-R Window Quiet Window Ultra-Efficient Window Window Technology Window Window Sealed and Flashed Professionally- Draft-Free Window Moisture Managed Energy Saving Advanced Window Professionally- Weather-Protected Window Installed Window Installation Window Installation Window Installation Installation Installed Window Window Installation High-Efficiency or Professionally- High-Performance High-Performance Enhanced Comfort Enhanced Quiet Advanced Insulation Next-Gen Insulation Ultra-Efficient Installed Insulation Insulation System Insulation System Insulation System Insulation System System System Insulation System System High-Efficiency or High-Efficiency or Enhanced Comfort Enhanced Quiet Advanced Insulation High-R Insulation Ultra-Efficient Ultra-Efficient Insulation Insulation Technology Insulation Insulation High-Efficiency or High-Efficiency or High-R Wall Enhanced Comfort Enhanced Quiet Advanced Wall Ultra-Efficient Wall Ultra-Efficient Wall Insulation Wall Insulation Wall Insulation Insulation Insulation Insulation High-Efficiency or High-Efficiency or High-R Floor Enhanced Comfort Enhanced Quiet Advanced Floor Ultra-Efficient Floor Ultra-Efficient Floor Insulation Floor Insulation Floor Insulation Insulation Insulation Insulation High-Efficiency or High-Efficiency or High-R Attic Enhanced Comfort Enhanced Quiet Advanced Attic Ultra-Efficient Attic Ultra-Efficient Attic Insulation Attic Insulation Ceiling Insulation Insulation Insulation Insulation High-Efficiency or High-Efficiency or Enhanced Comfort Enhanced Quiet Advanced High-R Foundation Ultra-Efficient Ultra-Efficient Foundation Foundation Foundation Insulation Foundation Foundation Insulation Insulation Insulation Insulation Insulation Enhanced Comfort Enhanced Quiet Energy Saving Moisture Control Insulation Quality Premium-Installed Advanced Insulation Professionally- Insulation Insulation Insulation Insulation Installation Insulation Installation Practices Installed Insulation Installation Installation Installation Installation Professionally- Fully Aligned Air Whole-House Draft Whole-House Draft Air Contaminant Energy Saving Air Advanced Air Barrier Moisture Control Air Installed Draft Barriers Barrier Barrier Barrier Barrier Technology Barrier Barrier 5 4 Table 1. High-Performance Thermal Enclosure (cont.) Building America Building Science Translator Alternate Terms Building New