Posts in Category: IECC

Younger Homes - January Builder of the Month

Younger Homes - January Builder of the Month
This Austin, Texas, project embodies sustainable luxury through its two connected residences: a main home with a HERS of negative 30 with PV and a guest home with a HERS of 54, both EPA Indoor airPLUS certified. Thoughtfully designed, these residences merge elegance with energy efficiency, showcasing how sustainability enhances, not limits aesthetics. At the core of this property is a beautifully designed 30,000-gallon rainwater harvesting system, capable of capturing up to 6,000 gallons per inch of rainfall from the main residence, supporting irrigation, potable use, and gardens on the eleven-acre property. Solar energy is generated by discreetly positioned ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels, designed to meet the homes’ energy demands while minimizing their carbon footprint. For energy independence and resilience, the home integrates its own well for fresh water, the option to use city water, and a Generac generator to provide backup power during emergencies. Stepping... read more
 

Air Sealing Requirements for IECC 2021 with Building Code Expert Joe Nebbia

Excerpts from Module 6 of an 8-Part IECC 2021 Code Series

Module 6: Air Sealing for 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Compliance, presented by Joe Nebbia. Continue on to read or click on the video below to watch the one-hour session.

Installation of the air barrier and then testing of that air barrier are the most challenging parts of the residential energy code and have been since 2012. It's not something that you can get by with ignoring and hope you're going to pass. It is a challenge.  It is essential to pay attention to these details if you don't want to have a problem with compliance at the end of your build. 

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