• Habitat for Humanity-BAIHP Partnership

The Building America-Habitat for Humanity partnership, formed in 1995 at Habitat’s Environmental Initiative Kickoff, has brought BAIHP into the design, construction, and evaluation process of over 500Habitat homes across the nation built by 50+ Habitat for Humanity affiliates in more than 20 states. BAIHP activities with Habitat (including those conducted under the Energy Efficient Industrialized Housing Project) are listed in Table 14.

BAIHP energy efficiency recommendations for Habitat homes need to meet 4 criteria to be successfully integrated into Habitat's construction process. They must be:

• Cost effective
• Volunteer friendly
• Readily available in current market
• Easily maintained and repaired

In the fifth budget period BAIHP conducted training, provided design assistance to HFH affiliates, and continued development of the “HabiBOPS” program begun in the fourth budget period, BAIHP's outreach to Habitat affiliates has shifted away from assistance to individual affiliates and toward regional and national initiatives. Researchers continue to provide one-on-one design assistance to affiliates who request help. In addition, group training sessions were conducted at conferences and “blitz” builds with organizations like the Southface Energy Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Energy Efficient Building Association members.

Technical Assistance to Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI)

Partially because of Building America (and other DOE supported organizations) involvement with Habitat over the years, HFHI adopted Energy Star as one of their two Best Construction Practices for all U.S. affiliates. Best Practices are used to evaluate affiliate status. This represents a major commitment to energy efficiency from the highest ranks of Habitat. Habitat affiliates are encouraged to consistently achieve Best Practices and the demand for Energy Star ratings for Habitat affiliates is likely to surge as a result.

During the 5 th budget period FSEC researchers met with Habitat for Humanity International staff at HFHI headquarters in Americus, Georgia to discuss HabiBOP and a new Habitat initiative tentatively named “Habitat Better Built.” This new program will incorporate an energy package (HabiBOP, Energy Star Rating, local program, etc.), green building concepts, outside air ventilation, and combustion safety-related criteria tailored for small, affordable homes. A program draft was submitted in 2002 and the US EPA Energy Star Home Program committed to developing the technical option packages through ICF. ICF and BAIHP discussed the project and anticipated work beginning in April 2003.

The BAIHP-HFHI draft included a request to analyze additional Builder Option Packages (BOPs) for various Climate Zones as test runs for adding BOPs that emphasize envelope improvements over expensive equipment improvements. This is where the progress stalled and HabiBOPs remains a strong area of research need. The Jacksonville affiliate, HabiJAX, volunteered to pilot the HabiBOP Program in Year 5.

Structural Insulated Panel Construction Study, Plains, GA

Figure 15 Habitat SIP house built in Plains, Georgia.

At the request of HFHI, BAIHP tested a home built by Home Front, Inc. in Sarasota, Florida. The house scored an 87.6 on the HERS scale (Figure 15). Built with structural insulated panels (SIP), which contain a polystyrene core faced on both sides with a thin concrete board. The exterior finish is stucco with Hardy board trim. A structural steel wind-frame welded to steel plates imbedded in the slab was engineered to withstand hurricane force winds. The panels passed Dade County large missile impact and wind load testing.

Interior ducts are housed in a central corridor and connect to a heat pump in a central closet. Return air is drawn from each room through extra registers on the duct chase. A whole house fan at one end of the chase provides ventilation during shoulder seasons.

2003 Jimmy Carter Work Project (2003 JCWP)

Habitat International Director of Construction and Environment requested FSEC assistance for all three Carter Project affiliates: Calhoun County (AL) and LaGrange (GA). The JCWP affiliate in Valdosta (GA) did not request BAIHP assistance; however, a former Energy Monitor working at the Valdosta site organized an informal corps of volunteers to tackle air sealing and insulation details. The construction manager and executive director made the 2003 JCWP an example of high performance, high quality housing for affiliates and other builders in the region and consequently asked BAIHP for assistance in reviewing construction techniques.

Figure 16 Homeowner Sandy Sedano installs rigid insulation (part of the energy package) on her new home during the 2003 JCWP at the Anniston (AL) site .

Calhoun County HFH : The Calhoun County HFH affiliate (Anniston, Alabama) built 35 near Energy Star homes during the 2003 JCWP.

BAIHP worked closely with the mechanical contractor and the construction supervisors prior to the build to bring the initial HERS ratings of 78 up to 86. Though the houses had been slated to be Energy Star, a miscommunication resulted in the air conditioning efficiency being SEER 10 instead of SEER 12. In Anniston’s mixed-humid climate the difference was enough to drop HERS ratings below the 86 target. However, the homes are much more efficient than the previous convention and many volunteers were exposed to energy efficient design and construction as well as combustion safety design (Figure 16). Radon mitigation systems were provided by an Alabama environmental group.

Figure 17 2003 Jimmy Carter Work Project house in LaGrange GA – one of 22 Energy Star homes built in one week.

Troup-Chambers HFH (LaGrange, Georgia): The executive director for this affiliate adopted the Energy Star goal and spearheaded the construction of 22 Energy Star homes during the 2003 JCWP (Figure 17). Four plans were rated and scores ranged from 86.5 to 88.5. BAIHP consulted with the affiliate on window specifications, insulation levels, AC efficiency, and air sealing details particularly with regard to the air handler closets which were previously built with return plenums open to the attic. The affiliate plans to continue building using the JCWP specifications.

Habitat for Humanity Affiliates

BAIHP’s technical assistance to Habitat affiliates has shifted away from assistance
to individual affiliates, and toward regional
and national initiatives including:

• Ohio’s First Energy grant program for Energy Star affiliates,
• Building America level affiliates in Lakeland (FL), Houston, and Loudon County (TN), the latter being an ORNL partnership to build zero energy Habitat houses with FSEC monitoring assistance.

A cumulative list of affiliates receiving direct design assistance from BAIHP is shown in Table 14. Work conducted with individual Habitat affiliates, independent of national initiatives, is presented here, organized by state.

Figure 18 Transom return air pathway with operable louvers blends in with the vernacular aesthetics of this DESIGNhabitat Energy Star home built in conjunction with Auburn University’s College of Architecture.

Alabama: Auburn HFH

David Hinson from the Auburn University College of Architecture contacted BAIHP about a prototype “DESIGNhabitat” home. Three Energy Star homes have now been built with the local Habitat affiliates in Auburn. The prototype will be offered to affiliates statewide through the Alabama Association of Habitat Affiliates (AAHA) and non-profit Design Alabama. AHA requested indoor air quality and combustion safety testing plus design input on the prototype home in 2002 and 2003. The design features vernacular touches that enhance energy efficiency such as the screened front porch, operable transoms over doors (for ventilation and return air flow), metal roofing, and large overhangs (Figure 18). A sealed combustion closet for the gas water heater, sealed and tested ducts, and high efficiency heating and cooling complete the energy package.

Alabama: Birmingham HFH

In 2001, BAIHP researchers tested and rated 3 homes for this affiliate and provided the local construction manager with energy analysis and recommendations. Birmingham HFH continues to Energy Star homes in 2004 - many with HUD approved safe room construction.

Alabama: Calhoun County HFH

Please see 2003 JCWP above, in the summary of work conducted with HFHI.

Florida: Jacksonville (HabiJAX) HFH

This affiliate, located in Jacksonville, Florida, is one of Habitat’s most productive alliances. In anticipation of HabiJAX involvement in the HabiBOP pilot program, BAIHP completed preliminary HERS ratings on planned homes. Follow-up test results indicate that HabiJAX is a good candidate for the program, particularly after the construction manager agreed to incorporate a ventilation strategy and energy efficient lighting into their home designs.

Florida: East Orange County HFH

After attending courses and seminars taught by BAIHP staff over several years, this affiliate’s construction manager began building interior duct systems. One of those homes was tested in April and found to be well separated from the unconditioned attic above as desired.

Figure 19 Habitat for Humanity energy efficient home in Lakeland, Florida.

Florida: Lakeland HFH

This affiliate has constructed 8 Building America level houses since 2002 (Figure 19). During this budget period, the affiliate ramped up construction and trained a new group of construction volunteers completing 8 more homes in the first quarter of 2004. Testing is underway and these will be the first Habitat homes put through the BA Benchmark exercise by BAIHP.

Florida: Alachua HFH

Florida H.E.R.O. has worked with Alachua Habitat for Humanity for many years. Currently the affiliate is building a subdivision called Celebration Oaks. Summary of specifications is provided in Table 15.

Georgia: Atlanta HFH

Energy simulations were conducted for insulated concrete form (ICF) homes in Houston and Atlanta. Comparative studies could be conducted in both cities since the same floor plans will be used to build ICF and wood frame homes in those areas. Simulation results from the homes were evaluated to develop suggested improvements that would bring the homes to Energy Star levels. The Houston affiliate is planning a 100-home development and is looking for home performance strategies that would allow them to reach Energy Star at a minimum. Simulations using the measured test data were conducted and recommendations made for their consideration.

The Atlanta home will incorporate substantial thermal mass with concrete ceilings and concrete interior walls. Simulations on the thermal mass benefits were completed and reported. These simulations focused on the use of thermal mass to reduce the size of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

Georgia: LaGrange (Troup-Chambers) HFH

Please see 2003 JCWP above.

Georgia: Sumter County HFH

This affiliate attended several courses and seminars taught by BAIHP staff in recent years. As a result, in 2000 the Sumter construction manager began building interior duct systems. One of those systems was tested in March 2002, as part of the Air Handler Air Tightness Study, and found to be connected to the unconditioned attic above. These results were similar to findings in BAIHP’s sister project on Interior Duct Systems. After discussions at the April construction roundtable, modifications were made to the construction approach which became part of their standard building practice for the affiliate.

As of 2003, Sumter County HFH is no longer building houses because all remaining qualifying residents have declined partnership.

Ohio Affiliates

A utility grant program in Ohio spurred a broad interest among HFH affiliates in reaching Energy Star level. Affiliate homes built to the Energy Star standard in the utility’s service area will receive a grant that equals the cost of the home. Several affiliates acquired the Example Energy Star Packages from HFHI’s web site and called to discuss them. In response to this interest, HFHI conducted a workshop in early July 2002 attended by sixty people. Subsequently, all affiliates (~30) attending the course have built and had certified at least one Energy Star home. Each has collaborated with a local certified HERS rater. Several affiliates contacted BAIHP to clarify aspects of the process and only one affiliate experienced difficulty with the certifying process and received direct support from BAIHP.

Louisiana Affiliates

FSEC arranged a partnership with Superior Environments in Metarie to provide support to the Baton Rouge HFH affiliate’s April Energy Star home “blitz build.” Four high efficiency homes were built during the 2002 blitz build. Though all home met Energy Star status, documentation has not yet been received that the homes were registered. (Please see Table 16.)

Nevada Affiliates

New Mexico : Albuquerque HFH

BAIHP completed an initial home design analysis for the Albuquerque HFH which was revised with feedback from the affiliate. Final recommendations were submitted to Albuquerque HFH to assist them in reaching Energy Star status.

Tennessee: Loudon County HFH

In partnership with Oak Ridge, BAIHP prepared to instrument a zero energy home (ZEH) built by Loudon County (TN) HFH - their fourth (Figure 20). BAIHP previously instrumented and collected data on ORNL’s behalf from Loudon County’s first ZEH which showed results of $80 net annual electric cost and an ACEEE paper was authored by ORNL and FSEC. The affiliate has provided valuable feedback on the SIP construction process to other interested affiliates. The fourth ZEH, like the first one, features SIP construction, a PV array, a heat pump water heater with damper to harvest cool dehumidified air in the summer, high performance windows, optimum orientation, overhang shading, and interior ducts. The model also features poured walls in the walkout basement with a side by side comparison of damp-proofing products. Data is available on-line at www.infomonitors.com .

Texas: Ellis County HFH

This affiliate reports that they have been building Energy Star homes and now are interested in moving toward a Zero Energy Home similar to the Loudon County HFH project in Tennessee.

Texas: Houston HFH

In 2001, BAIHP completed a preliminary evaluation of the concrete homes built in partnership between Houston HFH and the Portland Cement Association. Staff tested and rated the homes in January 2002 and made recommendations for reaching beyond Energy Star to the Building America standard. Later that year, the affiliate’s construction manager reported that they were now implementing BAIHP energy efficiency, durability, and indoor air quality recommendations. Final home design recommendations included construction of a passive ventilation system and an interior duct system. In 2004, this affiliate reported that all homes (~100) built since FSEC’s 2002 recommendations have exceed Energy Star (rated by local utility) and have passive fresh air ventilation ducted to the air handler with a separate, soffit-mounted filter.

• Heat Pipe Technology

Florida H.E.R.O. met with Chuck Yount, National Sales Manager, and the residential engineering staff to discuss the requirements and anticipated performance of their stand-alone dehumidification system, the BKP series. This system has the ability to provide outside air and maintain positive pressurization, and it can be used in conjunction with a condensing section to reject heat generated through dehumidification. During the 4 th budget period, Florida H.E.R.O. suggested the use of this technology to several contractors who build large homes.

• HKW Enterprises (Lewis Place Association, Ltd., Meadowbrook Development Inc., Millpond Development Corp., and Joyner Construction.)

Florida H.E.R.O. worked with HKW Enterprises and its subsidiaries to incorporate Building America specifications in

• 1 apartment complex with 112 units (Lewis Place)
• 2 town house developments with 210 units (Williamsburg and Monticello),
• 1 single family home built by Joyner Construction.

Figure 21 Interior duct system under construction at Lewis Place – the first Energy Star apartment complex in the country.

Lewis Place was the first Energy Star low income apartment complex in the country and it incorporated an interior duct system (Figure 21) with a comprehensive air sealing protocol that included cellulose wall insulation with a gasket between the top plate and the drywall. The units also featured direct vent gas water heaters for good indoor air quality. The Williamsburg and Millpond townhouse developments and the single family home built by Joyner Construction were built with similar features.

• Homes of Merit

In 2002, Florida H.E.R.O. performed multiple diagnostic tests and conducted a site survey on a mobile home with mold problems in Marathon, Florida. Florida H.E.R.O. determined that the mechanical system was significantly oversized, and the home was operating under negative pressure during system operation. The owner left the central system fan in the "on" position, further exacerbating the indoor humidity problem. Measured indoor relative humidity levels were about 70%, consistent with outdoor humidity levels. Since this case has gone into litigation, researchers have not had the opportunity to determine the final outcome.

In 2001, Florida H.E.R.O. met with plant personnel and LaSalle Air Systems at Lakeland Homes of Merit factory to discuss Energy Star compliance for model homes and HUD code factories. The researcher also performed duct tests on several models at the Bartow manufacturing plant, assisted in development of material and system specifications, and conducted the Energy Star Energy Star Manufactured Home Plant Certification at the Lake City and Bartow plants.