www.energystarhomesamerica.com

Issue 7, Volume 2

July 30, 2004

Welcome to a Look Inside the GWSSI Planning Deparment
by Donney Dorton, Plan Department Supervisor

Welcome to a look inside the Guaranteed Watt Saver Plan Department. My name is Donney Dorton and I am the Plan Department Supervisor.  The Plan Department is committed to dependable quality service for our clients with a short turnaround time. We strive to
complete an HVAC sizing and Energy Star report for our clients within 10 working days of receiving the plans. We will complete a REScheck (Code Compliance) within 48 hours of receiving the plans and can complete Address Specific reports within 24 hours if the base plan is already done. To meet this commitment it is vital that our clients enroll their houses as soon as they can in order for us to plan and coordinate our services.  The plan department follows a very intricate process to assure accurate reports within the allotted time frame. Let’s follow a new plan through the process.

New enrollments are received (hopefully electronically) from the client and entered into our database. Next we await the arrival of plans in either digital form or a hard copy print.  We look for square footages, perimeters, window sizes, and exterior dimensions to be on the plans. This is critical information and without this the plans cannot be analyzed.  The plan and other digital forms of plans are then printed and given to a plan tech for analysis.

Each plan is met with exacting scrutiny from the Plan Techs as they strive to give the best service possible to our clients. The plan is analyzed by
the Plan Tech with the use of computer programs and components specified by the builder on a
form called the Builder Profile. It is critical the builder completes the Builder Profile correctly and if any changes have been made to their structures, they promptly change their Builder Profile.  After the Plan Techs complete the work, the plan then goes through Quality Control. Every plan goes through Quality Control. The reports are then placed on the web site or are emailed or faxed to the client.  The Plans and Folders are then filed for future reference. 

 This brief version of the Plan Department process becomes more complex as we meet the individual needs of our clients.  The Plan Department process allowed GWSSI to perform over 4000 plans in 2003 and we are on track for analyzing 6000 plans in 2004. The key for the builder client to help us move their plans efficiently through the process is to enroll their houses early and keep their Builder Profiles current. By communicating closely with our clients we can have their reports to them on time or even before they need them.

.The Difference Between
Energy Star and Code

by Kenneth Lackey, DFW City Supervisor

The provisions of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) regulates the design of building envelopes for adequate thermal resistance and low air leakage and the design and selection of mechanical, electrical, service water-heating and illumination systems and equipment which will enable effective use of energy in new construction.

This code is founded on principles intended to establish provisions consistent with the scope of an energy conservation code that adequately conserves energy; provisions that do not unnecessarily increase construction costs; provisions that do not restrict the use of new material, products or methods of construction; and provisions that do not give preferential treatment to particular types or classes of material, products or methods of construction.

There are several paths to compliance: Chapter 4 (System Analysis Approach), Chapter 5 (Component Performance Approach) and Chapter 6 (Simplified Prescriptive Approach).

Chapter 4 (although not listed by name) is where the EPA Energy Star Program comes into play. Under the System Analysis Approach, compliance may be demonstrated by an analysis of the proposed building’s annual energy usage. The building is considered in compliance if the calculated energy consumption is not greater than a “Standard Design” meeting the minimum performance requirements of the code. Generally, this comparison uses engineering calculations or a computer simulation.

Under Chapter 4, tests are conducted to determine the air infiltration and air distribution systems to ensure compliance.

Under the Energy Star Program more emphasis is placed on applied building science principles, addressing issues such as airflow, heat flow, moisture flow, and air quality, which combine to make one consider the house as a system.

These are but a few of the differences.  For an in-depth analysis or to sign up for the Energy Star Program contact Guaranteed Watt Saver @ 1-800-488-0206

Ref: 2003 IECC

Training News

     On Tuesday, July 27th, Dr. Joe Lstiburek paid a visit to Oklahoma City as the speaker for an EEBA Houses That Work training session. The turnout was excellent (over 125 people) and the session was highly informative as well as entertaining.  Dr. Lstiburek is a principal of the Building Science Corporation and an EEBA Certified trainer. He is a former homebuilder and professional engineer with a Ph.D in Building Science from the University of Toronto. He is also a building science expert who specializes in the areas of rain penetration, air & vapor barriers, air quality, durability and construction technology. Dr. Lstiburek uniquely combines his technical expertise with humor and personal anecdotes making building science accessible and easy to understand. We suggest you attend any of the EEBA educational sessions and look forward to this years EEBA Sunbelt Builders Show in Dallas on October 20-23, 2004. 

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