ENERGY EFFICIENCY FEATURES Spectrally Select Glass SSG reflects much of the sun's energy back outside, reducing the need for air conditioning; it reflects the furnace's heat back into the home, lowering heating costs. SSG reduces fabric fade by 75%, yet lets in 90% of visible light. Sealed Ductwork Located Within Conditioned Space Residential HVAC supply ducts typically leak 15-20% of the conditioned air they convey. Tightly sealed supply ducts increase the amount of conditioned air that is distributed so heating and cooling systems operate more efficiently resulting in quicker recovery and a more consistent level of comfort. HVAC equipment is designed to condition return air that is at or near room temperature. Leaky return ducts located in unconditioned spaces can draw air that is hotter or colder than the return air increasing the loads and decreasing the efficiency of the HVAC systems. Non-sealed combustion furnaces and leaky return ducts located in attics, vented crawlspaces and garages can draw pollutants such as dirt, dust, mold, fumes from solvents, and carbon monoxide exhaust from cars into homes. High-Efficiency Properly Sized HVAC Equipment 90% AFUE sealed combustion furnaces and 12 SEER air conditioners save money, come with longer warranties and have fewer maintenance problems. Duct sealing and locating ductwork in conditioned space allows the installation of smaller equipment reducing operating expense. Inspections & Diagnostics Energy features are inspected and tested by a third party to ensure quality of installation of insulation, caulking and sealing, windows (U-value & SHGC), and HVAC ductwork. Final on-site inspections confirm required efficiency equipment has been installed. Room-by-room airflow, duct leakage and static pressure is measured, and the integrity of air sealing is confirmed with a blower door test. Home Energy Rating A Home Energy Rating documents that the energy features have been installed and inspections & tests passed. This document increases efficiency and energy savings, and can lead to higher resale value. Energy Efficient Mortgage Loan Docs Money Saved on monthly energy bills can be applied toward more house or more upgrades. Energy Star and GemStar Earns the Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR® Seal of Approval and the GemStar 5 Star Rating VALUE-ENGINEERED FRAMING FEATURES * Contributes to Energy Efficiency Stacked Framing * Roof trusses, wall studs, and floor joists spaced 24 inches O.C. and aligned directly over top each other reduces wood waste, increases structural efficiency, promotes thermally efficient walls and reduces drywall cracking. 2 X 6 24 Inch O.C. Exterior Wall Framing * 2 x 6-inch studs set 24 inches apart instead of 2 x 4 inch studs set 16 inches apart allows more room for thicker insulation, enhances the strength of the house, and reduces thermal bridging through the studs. It also reduces the overall amount of wood used in the construction of the home. Raised Heel Roof Trusses * Allow for R-42 attic insulation to extend over the exterior walls reducing heat loss. It also allows for improved attic ventilation. Insulated Door and Window Headers * In two-story homes, structural rim joist eliminates the need for headers in first floor exterior walls allowing for full insulation. In single story homes and in second floor walls of two-story homes, single headers allow for partial insulation. Insulating Sheathing * 3/4 inch tongue & groove polyisocyanurate, high efficiency closed-cell foam core R-3.9 sheathing installed over structural sheathing provides a thermal break to reduce heat loss and heat gain through thermal conductance. Horizontal joints are flashed with poly Z-flashing so that it acts as an exterior air barrier as well as a drainage plane for rain control. This exterior sheathing eliminates the need for building paper or housewrap. Engineered Lumber The use of TJI floor joists, laminated structural lumber, Sturd-I-Floor subflooring, and oriented strand board wall and roof sheathing reduces the impact on old growth forests, reduces problems associated with shrinkage and warpage, and allows more flexibility in design 5/8 Inch Type X Gypsum Wallboard Installed throughout the home offers improved occupant comfort through increased sound control, added safety through increased fire resistance, long term durability through increased impact resistances, and more flexibility in decorating through flatter, smoother wall and ceiling surfaces.