www.energystarhomesamerica.com

Issue 2  Volume 3

February 2005

EPA Partner of the Year Award Recipients - 2005
Guaranteed Watt Saver & David Powers Homes
By Jennifer Boyle

       It has been a good year for Guaranteed Watt Saver and one their largest builders, David Powers Homes.  Both companies have been awarded the EPA ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for 2005.  GWSSI won in the category for HERS/BOP Provider/Rater and David Powers won in the Production Builder category.  The awards are given in recognition of superior technical accomplishments, public education, and ENERGY STAR promotional efforts that result in substantial energy and cost savings and a cleaner environment. The awards ceremony will be held in Washington D.C. on March 15th. The award winners will also be recognized at the RESNET national conference on February 28 - March 2 in San Antonio.
The award submission process is not a simple one, the EPA guidelines are strict and each company must meet a long list of requirements to be eligible. Support material must be furnished to substantiate all claims and then the company’s accomplishments must be summarized in two short pages. Following are some of the achievements that earned each company this prestigious award...

Guaranteed Watt Saver -
* achieved full-scale deployment of ENERGY STAR promotional products on a national level and have distributed products in over 30 states, including distribution of a second edition of an ENERGY STAR brochure that exceeds 70,000 copies

* actively promotes the ENERGY STAR Program in two of the largest homebuilding markets (Dallas and Houston) and works  with over 300 builders in Texas alone

* worked with municipalities and utilities on programs that evaluate the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures

* conducts comprehensive building science training with builders, raters, architects and other industry professionals

* assisted builders with the completion of more than 100 Energy Efficient Mortgages with gaining momentum

David Powers Homes -
* one of the first home builders in the Houston Market to become an ENERGY STAR Builder

* tests 100% of homes built for compliance with the ENERGY STAR Program

* earned 2003 GHBA Builder of the Year award due to outstanding company business practices, such as ENERGY STAR partnership

* participated in multiple advertising co-ops to help build consumer awareness of the ENERGY STAR Program and its benefits

* feature the use of fresh air mechanical ventilation to further improve indoor air quality and performance of their homes

* worked with Guaranteed Watt Saver to lobby state officials with the Texas A&M Energy Systems laboratory to adopt the ENERGY STAR Program as a vehicle to code compliance in the State of Texas

       Evidently, Guaranteed Watt Saver and David Powers Homes make an excellent team that excels in creating the highest quality of home and building public awareness about better building practices. Thanks to them for all of their hard work and congratulations on this prestigious and well-deserved award.

Inspector’s Corner
By: Bernardo Lopez - Regional Manager

The Importance of Blocking

    Why is blocking to stop air in energy-efficient framing important? In order to find a solution to this question we must first understand why there is a need for this action. The following is a brief outline of some reasons:

• Heat gain or loss is reduced
• Prevents thermal bypass
• Reduces dust and improves indoor air quality
• Moisture from air vapor reduced
• Stops biological growth inside exposed cavities

       One of the key reasons why air blocking is important is to reduce heat gain or loss in the building shell. The building shell is defined as the bottom floor, exterior walls, and the roof assembly of a home. Air blocking is defined as an air barrier to stop any outdoor air from entering areas that are connected to the thermal barrier of a building. The thermal barrier is the area where insulation is present and in direct contact with the drywall that is common with the conditioned air inside the home. One factor that is affected by air flowing through ‘unblocked areas’ is air travels through the insulation that is located within these areas. The insulation’s effectiveness is reduced when air flows through or around the fibers, thus converting the insulation into an expensive air filter. This condition is known as a thermal bypass. Not only does thermal bypassing occur, but any particulates or dust in the outdoor air is embedded on the surface of the insulation and allowed to enter into the interior of the home. Another factor that is caused by unblocked areas is loop convection. Loop convection is the result of the temperature difference inside the cavity and can lead to possible biological growth due to the condensation that can occur from air vapor.

         Now that we have some basic knowledge of the importance of air blocking, we can proceed to learn how to properly block and seal these open areas. The best way to seal these areas is with OSB, XPS, or any solid code appropriated material.  One should foam or caulk the edges, then insulate over the blocking material. The use of foam is encouraged to make an air tight seal in any gaps or seams around the blocking material. If you live in an older home and have a limited budget, I would recommend to start blocking the larger areas first. Should you require further information in this matter please contact Guaranteed Watt Saver at 1-888-488-0206

Announcements...

Attention Builders:
The 2005 RESNET Building Performance Conference is upon us.  The conference is scheduled for February 28 through March 2, and will be held at Plaza San Antonio.  This year’s theme is “Prospering in Changing Times” and will include an ENERGY STAR Builders Track. The sessions offered within this track are as follows...

“A New Environment for Builders” - changes to IECC
“Giving Credit to Quality Installation”
“Home Energy Ratings and Green Buildings” - USGBC & LEED
“Where Do We Go From Here?” - energy efficiency tax credits
“What it All Means” - changes to the rating score in 2006
“Let the Word Go Forth” - marketing
“New Business Opportunities with ENERGY STAR”
“Selling a Higher Quality Home”
“Defining Adding of Value Rating Services to Builders”
“Zero-Energy Homes Performance”

For more information, go to the RESNET site at www.natresnet.org
We hope to see you there!

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