IBACOS Builder System Performance Packages: January 2003 to December 2003

This report presents system design packages for cold and mixed-humid climates. Builders and contractors can use these design packages to construct homes that achieve a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score between 86 and 88. This represents a reduction in space-conditioning and domestic hot-water energy consumption of between 30% and 40%, compared to a similar home built to meet the 1993 ModelEnergy Code. The six different design packages, three for each climate zone, give the builder flexibility in their design strategy by allowing them to choose the most cost-effective approach. The recommendations presented in these design packages are based on more than 10 years of experience that IBACOS has had working with builders throughout the United States on Building America projects.