How Building America Research is Removing Major Roadblocks to High-Performance Homes: Preprint

Today the U.S. housing industry is critically challenged to deliver homes that safely and effectively meet demanding new performance requirements of homeowners and modern building codes. But the housing industry must learn to better manage real and perceived risks that can impact occupant health, comfort, and building durability. It is clear from decades of applied research through the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Building America program that many building energy efficiency and performance improvements will not be adopted by the market or industry standards if the costs and perceived risks of change outweigh the known benefits, especially when the benefits do not accrue directly to businesses who must take those risks.