Page 35 - Green Builder Sept-Oct 2019 Issue

Annual Building Science Roundup 2020 A GRAND SYNERGY

Sunlight makes right. LED-based lights and Energy Star®-
rated appliances are among the items that optimize use of
natural solar and limit the need for electric lights each day.
COURTESY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, GRAND TRAVERSE REGION

“Net zero is where it’s at. This is the direction
everyone should be going.”—––Ryan McCoon,

Habitat for Humanity, Grand Traverse Region
energy use, compared to a standard home build that just meets the
State energy code.
The Depot Neighborhood dwelling was constructed with 2-by-6,
24-inch on-center wood-framed walls. The wall cavities were filled
with 5.5-inches of dense-packed, blown-in fiberglass insulation,
which provides an R-23 cavity insulation value. The walls were
wrapped with 0.5-inch sheathing plus a continuous layer of insu-
lation consisting of a pair of two-inch-thick layers of rigid foam
equaling R-20, for a total wall R-value of 43, well above Michigan’s
current code-required R-20 insulation level. Fiber cement lap siding
was installed over 1-by-4 furring strips placed vertically over the
foam board to create a 0.75-inch air gap between the foam board
and siding that helps prevent moisture buildup. on the north-facing roof. The roof’s 7/12 pitch is slightly steeper than
But the builders kept solar panels in mind when designing the would be ideal for solar gain but the angle is necessary to help shed
home. The home’s south-facing roof was kept free of obstructions, snow more quickly.
with all vents, chimneys and other roof-mounted obstructions located Two-foot overhangs at the eaves and gable ends help protect the

www.greenbuildermedia.com September/October 2019 GREEN BUILDER 33

14-36 GB 0919 Building Science.indd 33 9/23/19 1:11 PM