Spotlight Article:
The Perfect Wall and the Building Science Blues
What is the Perfect Wall? And, why does it give me the building science blues? This article answers both of those questions, and it tells how some of the best building scientists on the continent, ...
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Refining Straw Bale R-values
A new test of the thermal performance of a wall built with 19-inch straw bales laid flat revealed that the wall had an R-value of 27.5. [continue reading]
Prefab Utility Walls Save Up-Front Costs
A new product called the Residential Utility Core Wall (ResCore) can save from $500 to more than $2,000 in construction costs for site-built homes. [continue reading]
Insulation Systems: Same Tightness
The National Association of Home Builders Research Center recently compared various wall insulation products, and found that with good air sealing, different insulation systems do not necessarily change a home's airtightness. [continue reading]
Foam Forms Bring Concrete Results
Sales of insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are growing over 50% per year, and last year an estimated 4,000 houses were built with ICFs. [continue reading]
ICFs and HERS: Guaranteed Performance, Easy Financing
For the last 10 years, Reward Wall Systems, a manufacturer of insulating concrete forms (ICFs) in Omaha, Nebraska, has offered an energy guarantee: their ICFs save homeowners 70% on heating and cooling compared to the 1992 Model Energy Code (MEC), or Reward pays 110% of the difference in energy costs. [continue reading]
New Wall System Keeps the Lead Out and the Heat In
The presence of lead-based paint in older multifamily housing is a major public health concern. Dealing with these lead hazards offers opportunities for improving not only the health of the occupants but also the energy performance of the units. [continue reading]
When Wall Insulation Doesn't Save
Wall insulation clearly saves heating energy, but does it save cooling energy as well? [continue reading]
Wall R-Values that Tell It Like It Is
Several new wall systems are gaining popularity, due to increasing interest in energy efficiency, alternatives to dimensional wood framing, and building sustainable structures. [continue reading]
Building Performance Journal Editors
Our Blog Has Moved
Thanks for your interest in contributing a blog to the Building Performance Journal (formerly Home Energy magazine). We’re ...
Jim Gunshinan
Is Energy Efficiency an American Value?
Energy efficiency is good for the economy, good for families, good for workers, and good for the environment.
