Insulated Vinyl Siding Adds Comfort and Reduces Energy Loss

Most exterior walls have insulation in between the wall studs, but allow significant energy loss through the studs themselves. Wall studs, both wood and metal, are poor insulators — when they come in contact with the exterior cladding, they allow heat to pass through them (which is called a thermal bridge).

Insulated siding is vinyl siding with rigid foam insulation laminated or permanently attached to the panel. It fights thermal bridging by blanketing a home's exterior to reduce energy loss through the studs. The green solution creates a thermal mass and increases the overall R-value of the wall. In energy codes and energy efficiency programs, such as LEED v4, insulated siding is recognized as a form of continuous insulation.

To find the best energy saving cladding for your home, look for VSI’s certification logo on cartons of certified insulated siding, product literature and websites. VSI’s Official List of Certified Products and Colors includes a full list of products and colors certified under the program. For more information about certified insulated vinyl siding, visit www.vinylsiding.org.

New Requirements Announced for Federally Insured Construction

New energy-efficiency requirements as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 go into effect this summer for new single- and multifamily homes insured through or with financing provided by some federal housing programs.

All homes using the programs must meet the requirements of either the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code or ASHRAE 90.1 Standard for energy efficiency.

Because the requirements are keyed to updates in the model building codes, the departments of Housing and Urban Development and Agriculture – the two agencies that administer the affected programs – estimate that the new standards will affect about 3,200 multifamily and 15,000 single-family units per year.

That is because the new rules only affect homes built in jurisdictions that have not yet adopted the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code for single-family or low-rise multifamily (three stories or less) or the 2007 ASHRAE 90.1 standard for mid- and high-rise multifamily construction.

South Carolina has adopted the 2009 IECC.

The Department of Energy says that only 12 states have building codes not meeting the requirements, although some jurisdictions within those states may already exceed them.

Excluded are homes built under HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, Indian Housing Programs, Community Development Block Grant Funds, or USDA multifamily housing programs.

HUD and USDA also will accept certain programs and properties as being in compliance if they meet equivalent or higher energy-efficiency standards. This includes homes built under the Public Housing Capital Fund, Section 811 Supportive Housing, Choice Neighborhoods and any unit built to Energy Star, Enterprise Green Communities, LEED or the performance path of the ICC-700 National Green Building Standard.

The agencies issued a Notice of Final Determination earlier this month establishing the standards as well as a timeline for when they are effective.

The notice included a nod to the National Association of Home Builders’s comments written last year when the preliminary determination was unveiled: NAHB asked for more time to allow builders and developers to make changes to their plans, and the final notice allows four months after the May 6 effective date for developers to file for FHA insurance under the existing program and grandfathers in seven months for single-family builders that already have obtained building permits.

It also acknowledges NAHB’s request to ensure cost effectiveness in any new requirements, estimating that the changes result in a payback of 5.2 years for low-rise residential, well within NAHB policy of 10 years.

Big Changes Coming for Water Heater Efficiency. Ready?

Home builders and remodelers who install large capacity water heaters (greater than 55 gallons) need to be aware that revised federal energy standards that go into effect in April 2015 are expected to have a significant impact on space requirements for these water heaters and on the way they are installed.

Smaller water heaters must also comply with the increased energy-efficiency requirements and are expected to be more costly as a result. However, they are not expected to have additional space and/or venting requirements like the larger capacity units.

The revised standard was imposed by the Department of Energy and will go into effect following a five-year transition period to allow manufacturers to gear up for production of the more efficient units. As of April 2015, manufacturers will no longer be allowed to construct water heaters not meeting the new requirements, but builders and remodelers will still be able to install the existing stock.

Water heaters that comply with the new energy-efficiency standard are expected to be more costly and bulkier than current models. In particular, some current models of large capacity electric water heaters may no longer be available because the higher energy factor standards will require heat pump water heater technology. This new technology requires the water heater to be installed in an area with sufficient household air volume for heat exchange.

Builders and remodelers whose projects include installation of large capacity gas-fired water heaters must accommodate the positive pressure venting needs of higher efficiency gas- or propane-fired units during installation. And remodelers and home owners replacing a water heater may also find that these bulkier large capacity water heaters are too large to fit into the existing space and/or require new exhaust venting. According to DOE’s market assessment, about 4 percent of gas-fired storage water heater shipments and about 9 percent of electric storage water heater shipments fall into the large-volume water heater category.

In preparation for the new energy-efficiency standard, builders and remodelers who routinely install large capacity water heaters are encouraged to reach out to manufacturers for details about availability and space and venting requirements. NAHB will continue to follow this issue and will provide members with information about installation and potential alternatives to the larger capacity units as it becomes available.

To read more about changes to efficiency standards for water heaters, click here.

SEER Standard for Residential HVAC Standards Will Change in 2015

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) minimum efficiency standards for residential HVAC systems will change in January.  The change specifically affects Southern states, including South Carolina.  For Southern states, the new standard applies to all systems while in Northern states a split system will still be allowed at 13 SEER.

Effective January 1, 2015, manufacturers will only manufacture 14 SEER or higher for use in Southern states.  Existing inventory of 13 SEER systems may still be installed as long as they are available on the market.

According to an analysis of 13 SEER and 14 SEER systems currently available on the market, the new standard will add about $200 to $300, depending on the size of the system, to the cost of a new HVAC system, plus installation costs.  However, cost for the higher-efficiency systems should ease over time.

The current minimum standard, 13 SEER, was set in 2006 when.  Prior to that the minimum standard was 10 SEER.

To read more about the minimum efficiency standards at energy.gov, click here.

Study suggests modern building codes can reduce energy usage

How big a role can building codes play in reducing energy waste?

That is the question economists at the University of Oregon and Yale University sought to answer by comparing monthly utility bills of 2,200 Gainesville, FL, homes built three years before and three years after Florida strengthened it building code in 2002.

According to the study, homes built after the change consumed, on average, 4 percent less electricity and 6 percent less natural gas—savings that homeowners achieved in a variety of ways, including using less-leaky air ducts, more-heat-resistant windows, better insulated attics and certain white roofing products.

The report estimated that the cost of compliance with the new code was less than $1,000 per house, with an average recoupment time for home owners of about 7 years.

Read the complete article: online.wsj.com.

New energy standards for water heaters go into effect in April

Home builders and remodelers who install large capacity water heaters (greater than 55 gallons) need to be aware that revised federal energy standards that go into effect in April 2015 are expected to have a significant impact on space requirements for these water heaters and on the way they are installed.

Smaller water heaters must also comply with the increased energy-efficiency requirements and are expected to be more costly as a result. However, they are not expected to have additional space and/or venting requirements like the larger capacity units.

The revised standard was imposed by the Department of Energy and will go into effect following a five-year transition period to allow manufacturers to gear up for production of the more efficient units. As of April 2015, manufacturers will no longer be allowed to construct water heaters not meeting the new requirements, but builders and remodelers will still be able to install the existing stock.

Water heaters that comply with the new energy-efficiency standard are expected to be more costly and bulkier than current models. In particular, some current models of large capacity electric water heaters may no longer be available because the higher energy factor standards will require heat pump water heater technology. This new technology requires the water heater to be installed in an area with sufficient household air volume for heat exchange.

Builders and remodelers whose projects include installation of large capacity gas-fired water heaters must accommodate the positive pressure venting needs of higher efficiency gas- or propane-fired units during installation. And remodelers and home owners replacing a water heater may also find that these bulkier large capacity water heaters are too large to fit into the existing space and/or require new exhaust venting. According to DOE's market assessment, about 4 percent of gas-fired storage water heater shipments and about 9 percent of electric storage water heater shipments fall into the large-volume water heater category.

In preparation for the new energy-efficiency standard, builders and remodelers who routinely install large capacity water heaters are encouraged to reach out to manufacturers for details about availability and space and venting requirements. NAHB will continue to follow this issue and will provide members with information about installation and potential alternatives to the larger capacity units as it becomes available.

2012 IECC will not be adopted in South Carolina

In a victory for HBA members, the South Carolina energy code has been locked in legislatively with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.  The 2012 IECC will not be adopted in South Carolina this year as it will be in many other states.

"This is a significant victory for our members and an example of the excellent work our government affairs team is doing for us in Columbia," Rick Quinn, President of the HBA of Greenville, said.  "Our members will save significantly on construction costs while still building a highly efficient house that is compliant with the 2009 IECC."

New Energy Code (IECC) Course Planned for Greenville and Clemson

The implementation date of the 2009 IECC or International Energy Conservation Codes is January 1, 2013.

To help you prepare for the new code, the Home Builders Association of Greenville will host two seminars that will on the new energy code:

• December 5, 2012, at Greer City Hall 
• December 11, 2012, location to be announced.

Each seminar day will feature two course sections:

• 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. section will focus on residential implementation
• 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. section will focus on commercial implementation

John England, of England Enterprises, Inc., has been chosen to be the exclusive provider for the courses. John, and his company, are well regarded in the construction industry for education and code enforcement.

Watch this site for more information.  To register at HBAofGreenville.com, click here.

Understanding High Performance Homes class offered for real estate agents and appraisers

New building codes, voluntary building standards and changes in technology are making new homes more efficient and healthier than homes from 20, 10 and even five years ago. Consumers are hearing about high performance homes and they are asking questions that real estate agents will need to be able to answer. These homes include features, products and building techniques that must be accounted for by appraisers or the true value of the home will be underestimated.

The Green Building Council of Greater Columbia saw a need for real estate agents and appraisers to learn more about this new type of home building and developed a class to fill the need. “Understanding High Performance Homes” has been designed to help these groups understand what makes high performance homes work, how they stack up to traditionally built homes, and how they are scientifically tested, verified and, in some cases, certified in a third-party program.

The class has been approved by the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation’s Real Estate Appraisers Board and will count toward Continuing Education credit needs for each profession. The class will be offered three times before the end of June in cities around the state. Sponsored by the SC Energy Office.

June 21 - Greenville, SC

• Hosted by the HBA of Greenville and Greenville Technical College 

June 26 - Lexington, SC

• Hosted by the HBA of Greater Columbia and SCE&G 

June 28 - Charleston, SC

• Hosted by the Charleston Trident HBA and Berkeley Electric Cooperative 

 Learn more and register to take the class at www.columbiabuilders.com or call (803) 256-6238. Class fee is $75/student in Lexington and $85/student in Greenville and Charleston. Approved for 7 CEUs for real estate agents and appraisers.

Quality and Value Driving Growth in the Green Building Market

Energy efficiency efforts become commonplace in new construction and remodeling projects, while remodelers place high value on waste management and sustainable materials.

McGraw-Hill Construction, part of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), today released its latest SmartMarket Report: New and Remodeled Green Homes: Transforming the Residential Market at the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) National Green Building Conference and Expo. The report includes McGraw-Hill Construction’s estimate that the green homes share of the construction market was 17% in 2011, equating to $17 billion, and expected to rise 29%-38% by 2016, potentially a $87–114 billion opportunity, based on the five-year forecast for overall residential construction.

The report reveals that two of the key factors driving this market growth are the fact that green homes are seen as having higher quality and that they save consumers money.

“In the current residential market, there is an enormous need to differentiate your homes for consumers,” says Harvey Bernstein, Vice President of Industry Insights and Alliances at McGraw-Hill Construction. “When builders are able to offer homes that not only are green, but also offer the combination of higher quality and better value, they have a major competitive edge over those building traditional homes.”

This report, produced by McGraw-Hill Construction in conjunction with the NAHB and Waste Management, is designed to provide key insights into product and market opportunities in the single-family home building and remodeling industries. It is backed by proprietary research surveys and the power of the McGraw-Hill Construction Dodge database.

“NAHB builder and remodeler members were surveyed on their green building practices, which allowed us to shine a light on the state of the green market in this new report,” said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. “The results highlight the tremendous growth in green building, and the potential market opportunities that lie ahead. As more projects seek green certification, NAHB and the NAHB Research Center stand ready to meet the demands of this exciting and ever-changing market.”

Factors driving the growth in the green home building and remodeling market include:

• Higher quality for both new home builders and remodelers. For those doing a high volume of green homes (at least 60% of the homes they build), its importance is magnified, with 90% who regard higher quality as an important trigger for building green, compared to 72% of builders overall. 
• Customers are strongly value-driven—around two-thirds of builders and remodeler respondents state that customers request green homes or remodeling projects in order to lower their energy use or save money, more than twice any other factor. 
• Higher first costs for building green are noted by a much lower percentage of builders as an obstacle now than they were reported in 2008.

The study also reveals the key practices and technologies taking over in the residential marketplace as a result of the shift toward green:

• More than 80% report that energy efficiency is making today’s homes greener compared to two years ago. Use of energy-efficient features is pervasive in the market—the top practice by nearly all surveyed builders and remodelers, regardless of their level of green building activity.
• Indoor air quality is growing in importance and focus for home builders. 60% of home builders believe that efforts to improve indoor air quality make homes greener than they were two years ago, and 95% of high volume home builders report including features that impact air quality.
• More than half consider durable materials one of the most important features in their homes today. In particular, remodelers emphasize this key aspect of their projects. Durability and better materials are key reasons why green homes and remodeling projects are considered of higher quality.

“These findings confirm the shift we’ve seen in the market,” says Jim Halter, Vice President, Construction Solutions for Waste Management. “Builders and remodelers are placing more emphasis on energy efficiency, increases in sustainability focused waste management practices and more products made from post-consumer materials. These important factors are pushing our industry forward.”

The key findings from the study were presented by McGraw-Hill Construction on May 1 at a plenary session at NAHB’s National Green Building Conference and Expo in Nashville, Tenn., followed by a panel of industry experts discussing its impact on the market. For a copy of the report, visit: http://nahb.bz/ISdfcM.

Homes of Hope Unveils New Energy Efficient Home Program

HBA member Homes of Hope, a nonprofit organization that builds homes for low-income families, unveiled plans to build two energy-efficient, affordable homes for two families at the poverty line.  The initiative, called LoCal Housing, will provide long-term housing that will appreciate in value.  In addition, the program will provide job training for workers on the job site.  The homes will be LEED certified.

Read the entire report at GSABusiness.com by clicking here.

HBASC announces 2012 Housing Advocacy Agenda

Your Home Builders Association of South Carolina announced the Housing Advocacy Agenda for 2012 following its annual Legislative Conference in Columbia on November 9.

1. Multi-lot Discount: Allow for a grace period for annual re-certification to reduce risk of losing property tax discount, and increase from 5 to 8 the years the discount is available due to the economic downturn. Bill up in Senate. 
2. Reverse Anti-Economic Development Case: SC Supreme Court decision said any discharge into the environment must be permitted, and anyone can have standing in the case. Ominous decision for land development & construction – permit nightmare! Bill to be introduced. 
3. IECC 2009 Adoption: The PURC Advisory Committee is scheduled to move forward with recommendations to the General Assembly to adopt the IEEC 2009 energy code. Bill to be introduced. 
4. Immigration Reform: There is new political pressure in our state due to concerns over the Hispanic growing population in the US. We would anticipate that immigration reform legislation may have to be introduced if the Court rules against the recently passed state law - similar to the Arizona law. Bill challenged in court! 
5. Impact Fees: HBA has to defend the state impact fee law every year every year, as some areas of the state continue to push for school impact fees, and more liberal interpretation of our state’s impact fee law. Recent court action helped! 
6. Comprehensive Tax Reform: General Assembly will possibly pursue a comprehensive review of taxes in 2012 based on some of the TRAC Committee recommendations with additions, deletions, and changes to the SC tax code. Tax reform bill likely be introduced. 
7. Private Transfer Fees: A bill was passed last session to ban the use of private transfer fees in SC. Bill will be up for passage in Senate in 2012. 
8. Labor Unions Expand Their Influence: Business interests are concerned that labor unions will attempt to undermine our right-to-work state by state and federal legislation.

Watch for Calls to Action from your Home Builders Association in support of these housing-related public policy issues.

Remodelers Decry Cut in Tax Credit for Energy Savings

Provisions in the $858 billion federal tax bill signed into law by President Obama on Dec. 17 could be bad news for home owners interested in remodeling projects to conserve energy.

The law slashed the popular tax credits for energy-efficient remodeling from the current 30% of an improvement’s cost ($1,500 maximum per taxpayer) to a 10% credit, with a $500 maximum for expenditures on insulation materials, exterior windows and storm doors, skylights and metal and asphalt roofs that resist heat gain. The law also clamped new dollar-specific limits on key improvements that had been eligible for 30% credits. These include a $150 tax credit limit on the costs of energy-efficient natural gas, propane and oil furnaces and hot water boilers, plus a $300 credit limit on the costs of central air-conditioning systems, electric heat pump water heaters, biomass stoves for heating or water heating, electrical heat pumps, and natural gas and propane water heaters.

The new law also limits allowable tax credits for energy-efficient windows installed during 2011 to a total of $200, compared with the previous $1,500. On top of that, it prohibits taxpayers who have taken total tax credits in past years exceeding $500 from claiming any additional credits on energy-conservation projects they undertake in the coming year.

Donna Shirey, chairman of NAHB Remodelers Council and president of a contracting firm in the Seattle area, said the gutting of energy-efficiency credits “is a big step backward. It’s bad for the environment, bad for consumers and, of course, bad for jobs in our economy. We’re heading the wrong way here, sending absolutely the wrong message.”

Washington Post (12/30/10); Kenneth R. Harney

2009 International Energy Conservation Code Available for Free

The International Code Congress, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Energy, is making the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code available for free. While not currently the energy code in effect in South Carolina, the S.C. General Assembly is expected to consider adopting this new code. Be prepared and get your copy while it's FREE!

Click here to complete the online form and download your online version of the 2009 IECC.

Addison Homes Receives ENERGY STAR® Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Addison Homes, LLC, with the ENERGY STAR® Excellence in Efficient Homes Award for Five Year Sustained Commitment. The award recognizes Addison Homes' ongoing commitment to build ENERGY STAR®-qualified homes and to educate consumers and new home buyers about the benefits of building sustainable, energy efficient homes.

New Study Shows American Dream Under Threat from Excessive Regulation

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 6, 2010 — New research from Demographia, an international public policy consulting firm, shows that the American Dream of home ownership has all but ended in some metropolitan areas.

The just released Demographia Residential Land & Regulation Index shows, for example, that new house costs have skyrocketed in San Diego as a result of land and regulation costs, which have risen to 13 times normal. In four other metropolitan areas (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Portland, Seattle and Washington-Baltimore) land and regulatory costs have risen from two to six times normal. In contrast, land and regulation costs in six metropolitan areas (Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Indianapolis, Raleigh-Durham and St. Louis) remain at historic normal levels.

The increase in land and regulation cost is estimated to have added $220,000 to the price of entry-level new housing in San Diego and from $29,000 in Minneapolis-St. Paul to $74,000 in Washington-Baltimore. “Excessive regulations have driven house prices up strongly in some metropolitan areas, where the American Dream of home ownership could become a thing of the past,” said Wendell Cox, principal of Demographia. He added that “in other metropolitan areas, the Dream of home ownership remains alive and it is not surprising that households are flocking to these areas.”

Cox went on to say that “this massive loss in housing affordability was an unanticipated consequence of regulations that have imposed urban growth boundaries, building moratoria, excessively expensive development impact fees and bureaucratic processes.” Before the restrictive regulations were imposed, there was little difference in new or existing house prices relative to incomes among the nation’s metropolitan areas.

More restrictive regulations often go by the innocent sounding labels of “smart growth” and “growth management,” however these regulations are routinely adopted without any consideration of the longer term impacts on housing affordability and the standard of living for average Americans. These impacts are particularly ominous given the recession, proposals for higher tax increases, and the possibility that job creation and economic growth may be less robust in the future.

Economic research has documented the association between more restrictive land use regulations and house prices. This reduces the standard of living by leaving less household income for other needs. Just as importantly, more restrictive land use regulations tend to reduce job creation and economic growth in the metropolitan areas where implemented.


Read the entire report by clicking here.

NAHB's Top 10 Actions To Benefit Members in May

These are the Top 10 Actions taken by NAHB to benefit members in May:

1. Credit Crisis: NAHB worked with members of Congress to draft the Residential Construction Lending Act. The bill is pending.
2. Cash for Caulkers: NAHB has taken steps to ensure that members will be tapped to participate in the work resulting from legislation that will offer tax-free rebates for residential energy-efficiency improvements. The bill is pending. www.nahb.org/energyefficiencyretrofits
3. Financial Regulatory Overhaul: NAHB was actively involved in passing the financial regulatory overhaul bill, Restoring American Financial Stability Act. The bill has passed Congress.
4. Green Multiple Listing Service Toolkit: NAHB developed a toolkit to help real estate appraisers provide more reliable valuations of homes with energy-efficient features. www.greenthemls.org
5. Study demonstrates benefits of housing tax incentives: NAHB's Economics and Housing Policy Group recently completed a study that demonstrates that households across the economic spectrum benefit from housing tax incentives.
6. Technical Assistance Hotline: NAHB has implemented a hotline where HBA members can find out about building products, techniques, technologies, and best practices. www.nahbrc/techassist
7. Construction Forecast Conference: NAHB's semi-annual Construction Forecast Conference is held in the Spring and the Fall, and is now available via webcast.
8. Homebuyer Tax Credit: The credit expired on April 30. NAHB has developed a useful brochure called "Opportunity Knocks" that outlines why now is a great time to buy a new home. www.nahb.org/homebuyerbrochure
9. OSHA Workplace Safety Agreement: NAHB and OSHA renewed a formal agreement to work together to provide home builders with information, guidance, and access to training to protect your workers on the job site. www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/hang.nahb.html
10. Webinar on Using Social Media: The NAHB Professional Women in Building Council hosted a webinar to teach builders how to use social media to build their brand and sell more homes.

HBA of Greenville members benefit from a three-in-one membership. As an HBA member, a portion of your dues are sent to NAHB and your receive membership benefits like those above from the National Association of Home Builders.