Earn a High Performance Home checkmark by completing this comprehensive checklist.

HIGH PERFORMANCE HOME PROGRAM GUIDE

CERTIFIED FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMFORT, EFFICIENCY, DURABILITY & HEALTH

In addition to quality and value, today’s homebuyer is increasingly interested in:• lowering the on-going cost of ownership through savings on utilities • improving the quality of air in their home• reducing their footprint, or total impact, on the environment

The High Performance Home Program was specifically designed to address these concerns. When a residence meets the criteria for a High Performance Home, builders and homebuyers can rest assured that it has been constructed according to a very strict set of guidelines to ensure:

A b o v e & b e y o n d e n e r g y ’ sH i g h P e r f o r m a n c e H o m e P r o g r a m :

MEEtING—AND ExCEEDING—HOMEbUyER ExPECtAtIONs

DURABILITY ENERgY EFFICIENCY

HEALTHY AIR qUALITYCOMFORT

1. HERs INDEx RAtING OF 70 OR LOwER

Through energy modeling, a structure that earns the High Performance Home designation must be at least 15% more efficient than a home built to the minimum state energy code requirements, thus earning a 70 HERS Index Rating or lower. This criterion offers builders the flexibility to deliver greater energy efficiency at a lower cost.

Upgrades that will help improve a

home’s HERs Index: •RadiantBarrierRoofSheathing •100%HighEfficacyLighting •ENERGYSTARAppliances–refrigerator

and dishwasher •SlabEdgeInsulation •14SEER(orHigher)HVAC •RESNETGradeIinsulationorbetter •HybridWaterHeaters •Windowswith.32U-Factor

and.25SHGC •HVACandequipmentlocatedin

conditioned space.

2. HIGH PERFORMANCE HOME FRAMING & INsULAtION INsPECtION CHECkLIst

Ourthree-phase,41-pointchecklistensuresalignment of the home’s air and thermal boundaries, which will ensure comfort, durability, energy efficiency and air quality. Our certified HERS Raters or BPI Building Analyst professionals will verify compliance with the High Performance Home Framing&InspectionChecklist,aswellasthestateenergy code.

3. INsULAtION INstALLED PROPERLy (REsNEt GRADE II OR bEttER)

Insulation must be properly installed, free of gaps, voids, compression, misalignment and wind intrusion. grade II or better insulation is required and the insulator will need to install all insulation per manufacturer’s guidelines. Fiberglass batting must be split around wires, plumbing and other anomalies in the building cavity.

4. ADvANCED FRAMING

Advanced framing details shall be incorporated at corners, T’s and headers to allow for insulation. We also encourage builders to use greater spacing for walls, floors and roofing systems where possible. An architect, engineer or code official may over-ride this requirement on an as-needed basis.

5. ENvELOPE LEAkAGE tEst CONFIRMED At 5 ACH OR LEss

A HERS Rater must confirm through a blower door test that the envelope of the home meets a 5 ACH 50or.30cfmpersquarefeetofenvelope.Novisual inspection option is permitted.

6. HvAC DUCt LEAkAGE tEst CONFIRMED At 6% OR LEss

AHERSRatermustconfirmthattheHVACsystemandductworkdonotexceed6%ductleakagetotheoutside.

7. HvAC MANUAL J REvIEw

A copy of the Manual J 8th Edition must be submitted to Above and Beyond Energy for review duringthepreliminarystagetoensurethattheHVACequipment is sized appropriately. With a High Performance Home, it is critical that the system is designed to run long enough to dehumidify the air in the home.

8. MECHANICAL FREsH AIR

Fresh air must be introduced to the home utilizing a regionally appropriate strategy. When building a tight home, it is important to provide clean, dehumidified, filtered fresh air for the occupants.

9. HOME ENERGy MONItORING systEM

Every High Performance Home must incorporate a home energy monitoring system that will allow the homeowner to view, in real-time, the energy usage of individual appliances. Smart phone apps are available with these systems.

progrAm requirements:A b o v e & b e y o n d e n e r g y ’ s

MEEtING—AND ExCEEDING—HOMEbUyER ExPECtAtIONs

tHE HIGH PERFORMANCE HOME PROCEss: 3 phAses, 41 points, 1 Comprehensive CheCklist

PHAsE I: Preliminary rating Pass fail n/a

1. HOUsE PLAN REvIEw CONFIRMING HERs RAtING OF 70 OR LOwER q q qDuringthisprocess,weworkwiththebuildertoconfirmthattheenergyrelated features of the home will earn a HERS rating of 70 or lower. A ≤ 70 HERS rating will ensure that the home is at least 15% more energy efficient than a home built to minimum code.

2. MANUAL J – HvAC LOAD CALCULAtION REvIEw q q qThisreviewwillensurethattheHVACsystemandductworkaresizedproperly forthehome—acriticalstepthatisoftenoverlooked.HomeswithHVACsystemsthat are too large will not dehumidify the air properly, a problem that can result in moisture issues.If,duringourreview,wefindproblemswiththeload,weworkwiththeHVAC designer to correct the issues and ensure that the equipment is right-sized.

3. MECHANICAL FREsH AIR DEsIGN REvIEw q q qThis review ensures that a home receives fresh air through a designed ventilation system which improves the air quality for breathing and helps eliminate the potential for moisture, odors and pollutants to accrue in a home.

PHAsE II: rougH insPections – framing & insulation insPection cHecklist

Priortoplumbing,mechanicalandelectricalrough-ins,aframingwalk-through must be completed for all unique model types in order to address specific building details in the proper sequence. Then, at the insulation stage, all homes must be verified to meet the High Performance Home Framing and Insulation Inspection ChecklistbyaHERSRaterorBPIEnvelopeProfessional.

INsULAtION GRADING Pass fail n/a

4. Wall insulation is grade II or better q q q5. Floor insulation is grade II or better q q q6. Ceiling insulation is grade II or better q q q

wALLs — sIx-sIDED RIGID AIR bARRIERs FOR: Pass fail n/a

7. Walls behind showers and tubs q q q8. Walls behind fireplaces q q q9. Attickneewalls q q q10. Wall adjoining porch roof q q q11. Staircase walls q q q12. Double walls q q q

RIMs AND FLOORs Pass fail n/a

13. garage rim / band joist adjoining conditioned space q q q14. Cantilevered floor q q q15. Insulation in contact with floor above garage q q q16. Floor above unconditioned basement or crawlspace q q q17. Blockingunderallkneewalls q q q

CEILINGs Pass fail n/a

18. Dropped ceiling / soffit below unconditioned attic q q q19. All other ceilings q q q20. Rigid insulation dams at attic access and soffits q q q21. Access doors insulated and air-sealed q q q

PENEtRAtIONs Pass fail n/a

22. Duct / flue shaft q q q23. Plumbing / piping q q q24. Electrical / data wiring q q q25. Other plate penetrations q q q26. Bathroomandkitchenexhaustfans q q q27. RecessedICATlightingwithgasketand/orcaulk q q q

OtHER ENvELOPE REqUIREMENts Pass fail n/a

28. Sill plates sealed to floors over unconditioned space q q q29. Continuous top plates q q q30. Topplatessealedtosheetrock q q q31. Windowsanddoorssealedwithcaulkorfoam q q q32. Multi-family common walls air sealed q q q

ADvANCED FRAMING Pass fail n/a

33. Advancedframing–insulatedcorners,headers,T’s q q q34. Studspacing16”o.c.minimumandlimitedframingper structural code, no additional q q q35. High heel truss achieves R19 over outer edge top plate q q q36. Optional: increased spacing of joists, trusses and studs q q q

PHAsE III: final insPection witH Blower Door anD HVac Duct leakage test Pass fail n/a

At the final stage of construction, a HERS Rater will confirm that all of the designed energy features are installed in the home.

37. Confirmed rating of HERS 70 or lower q q q38. Blower door test confirmed at 5 ACH 50 or less q q q39. Ductleakagetestconfirmedat6%orless q q q40. Mechanical fresh air system installed q q q41. Home energy monitoring system installed q q q

we also provide documentation for energy code compliance at this stage and post an energy efficiency certificate in the home’s electrical panel.

high performAnCe home progrAmAdditionAl builder benefits

HIGH PERFORMANCE HOME CERtIFICAtE

The builder of each High Performance Home will receive a certificate featuring the company’s name

and information, the home’s address and its HERS Index score.

HIGH PERFORMANCE HOME bENEFIts bROCHURE

With each High Performance Home, the builder will receive a custom-designed consumer brochure

demonstrating the value of a High Performance Home.

HIGH PERFORMANCE HOME yARD sIGN

At the insulation stage, we will place a High Performance Home sign in front of each participating home.

HIGH PERFORMANCE HOME wINDOw DECAL

At the insulation stage, we will place a High Performance Home decal in a window in the front of the home.

HERs RAtING

HERS Ratings are part of the process, so you get the full value of a HERS Rating with computer modeling, inspections, testing and reporting at each phase, as well as a HERS Index score. The HERS Index is increasingly recognized as the international standard for measuring energy efficiency in homes. Appraisers, realtors and lenders are incorporating the HERS Rating System Index into theirlineofwork,givingbuilderswhoearnaHERSratingmorevaluefortheirhomescomparedtostandard new homes without the rating.

HIgH PERFORMANCE HOME CERTIFICATE HIgH PERFORMANCE HOME BENEFITS BROCHURE

Dual Designation:

IT’SEASYTOADDENERGYSTARORUTILITYINCENTIVEPROGRAmSTOOURHIGHPERFORMANCE HOME CERTIFICATION

We’vealreadyincludedNCand/orSCEnergyCodecompliancetestingofeachhome’senvelopeandHVACductsystem with High Performance Home Certification. Energy efficiency certificates will be posted in the electrical panel of the home demonstrating compliance with the energy code.

Additionally, the High Performance Home Program dovetails simply and easily with both ENERgY STAR and utility incentive programs to add even more high performance assurance to the homes you build.

ENERGy stAR

ENERgY STAR certified new homes are designed and built to be 15% more energy efficient compared to typical new homes built in the Carolinas. A new home that has earned the ENERgY STAR label has undergone a process of inspections, testing and verification to meetstrictrequirementssetbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),delivering better quality, better comfort, and better durability.

UtILIty INCENtIvE PROGRAMs

Withrebatesrangingfrom$800to$4,000,variousutilitiesprovidegenerouscashincentivestobuildersanddeveloperswho build new energy-efficient homes and multi-family residences.

sALEs tRAINING

Wewillprovidetrainingseminarsdesignedtohelpyoursalesagentsbecomefamiliarwith,andcomfortabletalkingabout, the High Performance Home Program and energy efficiency in your homes.

CO-bRANDING OPPORtUNItIEs

Youwillhavetheoptionofco-brandingyourbusinesswithourHighPerformanceHomeProgram,makingyourhomessynonymous with quality and energy efficiency that are certified as above and beyond the standard. You will receive marketingmaterialstoassistwiththiseffort.

Additionally, builders who commit to 100% HERS Ratings for all of their homes are licensed to use the EnergySmart BuilderlogoandothermarketingresourcesofferedbyRESNET.

ACH 50

Air Changes per Hour at 50 Pascals, commonly referred to as ACH, it’s the main unit of measurement for a blower door test.

ADvANCED FRAMING

Framing method where insulation is allowed at corners, interior/exterior wall intersections and headers without compromising structural integrity.

AIR bARRIER

An air barrier is usually a solid material, such as plywood, thermo ply or foam board that stops the flow of air through the home’s envelope. House wrap is only considered an air barrier if it is sealed at the perimeter and seams.

AIR sEALANt

Anairsealantisaflexiblematerial,suchascaulkorfoam,that fills gaps or seams in air barrier materials to stop the flow of air through the home’s envelope.

bLOCkING

The process of adding framing members to the structure in specific locations to create proper air barriers.

bLOwER DOOR tEst

Theindustrystandardtooltoquantifyahome’sairleakagerate;itisameasureofleakageataspecifiedpressureof50Pascals compared to the home’s volume.

CFM 50

Cubic feet per minute at 50 Pascals

DUCt bLAst tEst

TheHVACandductsystemtestisperformedthroughtheuseofa“ductblaster,”atoolthatquantifiesductleakagevolumeinCFmat25Pascals.Thisisthemethodusedtodemonstratecompliancewiththeductleakagerequirementsof the High Performance Home Program, North Carolina energy code and HERO code.

glossAry of terms

ENERGysMARt bUILDER

Builders who commit to 100% HERS Ratings for all of their homes are licensed to use the EnergySmart BuilderlogoandothermarketingresourcesofferedbyRESNET.

ENvELOPE

Sometimes called a home’s shell or thermal envelope, it is the boundary of the home that follows the conditioned space as it abuts unconditioned space, usually comprised of the floors, walls and ceilings. Ideallythehome’sinsulation(thermalbarrier)andairbarriersworktogethertocreateaneffectiveenvelope.

HERO CODE

North Carolina’s optional HERO code stands for High Efficiency Residential Option. It is a more stringent optional code that some utilities and builders may choose to follow.

HERs INDEx

HomeEnergyRatingSystem(HERS)Indexisanumber given to a home after a confirmed rating has been performed by a HERS Rater. The HERS Index indicates how much more or less efficient a home is ascomparedtothe2006InternationalEnergyCodes(IECC).Forexample,ahomewithaHERSIndexof70meansituses30%lessenergythanastandardhomebuilttothe2006IECC,whichwouldhavearating of 100.

HERs RAtING

HomeEnergyRatingSystem(HERS)ratingisthestandardized process for evaluating and estimating a home’s energy consumption.

HOME ENERGy MONItORING systEM

Asystemthatprovidesinstantfeedbacktooccupantsabout energy use and the costs of home operation.

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kNEE wALLs

Verticalwallsofahome’senvelopewithconditionedspaceon one side and attic space on the other.

MANUAL JA document that specifies the process of producing a load calculation for a home, which then determines the correct sizeoftheHVACequipment.

MECHANICAL FREsH AIRA mechanical fresh air system, using ducts and fans, that provides clean, dehumidified, filtered fresh air for the occupants.

REsNEt

ResidentialEnergyServicesNetwork(RESNET)isthegoverning body for the industry and HERS Ratings.

RIGHt sIzED

ThedescriptivetermforHVACequipmentthatcanmostefficiently and effectively handle the load for the home, ensuring dehumidification and avoidance of issues that arise from moisture accumulating in the home.

sHGC

Solar Heat gain Coefficient is a rating for windows which expresses the amount of solar thermal radiation that is rejected and not allowed to pass through the window. A SHGCof.30meansthat70%oftheradiantheatcomingthroughsunlightisblockedandnotallowedtoenterthehome.

stANDARD HOME

A home built to the minimum energy code.

U-FACtOR

A rating of the thermal performance of material, typically for windows and doors. Expressed as a fraction, the U-Factor is theinverseofR-ValueandthelowertheU-Factor,thebetterthermal performance of the window.

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