energystar reaction

A few years back, we received a call from Sam Raskin and Blaine Collision from the EPA regarding five houses in the Chicago area. These houses were approximately 5,000 to 5,500 square feet of heated and cooled area and were being monitored by the EPA to refine and validate their HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Program. The EPA was puzzled and was about to learn that R-values alone do not accurately predict real-world performance.

One of the five houses was a Wise Engineered, ICF structure with six inches of open cell polyurethane foam sprayed onto the roof rafters in a non-vented attic. We had analyzed this home using our proprietary Wise Energy Analysis software and engineered the mechanical layout. The other four houses were built to standard "EnergyStar" construction specifications. Blaine told us that according to their rating system they had predicted slightly better performance from the Wise Engineered Home. However, all of the homes were rated between 82 to 84 on their HERS Rating Program and they expected all of the homes to be close in actual energy consumption. What their consumption monitoring revealed surprised them. While the Wise home averaged $125 per month (total utilities for the year) as we predicted, the other four houses averaged between $500-$600 per month. This was the start of ongoing discussions with the EPA. Put simply, the EPA wants to know how we do it.

When using the Wise Engineering Program, you will be in Positive Cash Flow from Day One!

The thing to remember is that a "leaky" home or building is not "WISE." We begin by calculating the HVAC requirements for each structure including zoning and sizing of all HVAC equipment and room by room CFM load requirements. Air-infiltration is addressed based on the type of construction used. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF), Structural Insulated Panels (SIP) and Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulated structures, by nature, provide a monolithic exterior shell that is very tight. We require caulking every place where air can infiltrate multiple joints, window and door frames, sill plates, plumbing and electrical penetrations, etc... Wise shows you everything you need to do at a very affordable price. By following Wise guidelines, you will be in positive cash flow from day one when you factor in the dramatic energy savings you will achieve compared to typical "leaky" construction that uses inferior insulations and poor mechanical designs.