Building America - Habitat for Humanity Partnership
Americus, GA

NEW - NEW - NEW Gulf Coast High Performance Demonstration Project BAIHP researchers are working with affordable housing providers in Louisiana and Alabama to produce high performance demonstration homes scoring in the range of 72-74 on the HERS Index. Each house will also incorporate features for improved indoor air quality, durability, and comfort. BAIHP will conduct a workshop for local builders and subcontractors to foster adoption of Building America’s proven approach to building homes that save 30% in whole house energy compared to the Building America Benchmark.

click here to view larger map

The Building America-Habitat for Humanity partnership, formed in 1995 at Habitat’s Environmental Initiative Kickoff, has brought BAIHP into the design, construction, and evaluation process of over 500Habitat homes across the nation built by 50+ Habitat for Humanity affiliates in more than 20 states. BAIHP activities with Habitat (including those conducted under the Energy Efficient Industrialized Housing Project) are listed in Table below.

BAIHP energy efficiency recommendations for Habitat homes need to meet 4 criteria to be successfully integrated into Habitat's construction process.

They must be:

Building America-Habitat for Humanity Partnership Update
Find your affiliate on the climate zone map of this Building America-Habitat for Humanity Partnership Update. Review the rest of the publication for links to Building America resources for your climate zone – such as the Building America Best Practices series and Houses that Work.

RESNET - Habitat for Humanity Partnership
Volunteer RESNET Energy Raters are pitching in to help Habitat Affiliates achieve their energy goals.
RESNET Certified Rater Directory | Example Case Study

Lakeland Habitat Case Study (Florida)
Lakeland Habitat for Humanity (Florida) has built 50 homes that save 30% in whole house energy use compared to the Building America Benchmark.
Project Summary | Full Case Study

Loudon County (TN) Habitat
Loudon County (TN) Habitat teams up with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to build Zero Enegry Homes.

Moses Lake Washington Energy Star Home
This Habitat home was among the first certified Energy Star Homes Northwest built in Washington State. 

Technical Assistance to Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI)
Americus, GA

Click here to read about the Building America partnership with RESNET and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) in the Fall edition of HFHI's Building Sustainability newsletter on page 8.

Partially because of Building America (and other DOE supported organizations) involvement with Habitat over the years, HFHI adopted Energy Star as one of their two Best Construction Practices for all U.S. affiliates. Best Practices are used to evaluate affiliate status. This represents a major commitment to energy efficiency from the highest ranks of Habitat. Habitat affiliates are encouraged to consistently achieve Best Practices and the demand for Energy Star ratings for Habitat affiliates is likely to surge as a result.

During the 6 th budget period FSEC researchers met with Habitat for Humanity International staff at HFHI headquarters in Americus, Georgia to discuss HabiBOP and a new Habitat initiative tentatively named “Habitat Better Built.” This new program will incorporate an energy package (HabiBOP, Energy Star Rating, local program, etc.), green building concepts, outside air ventilation, and combustion safety-related criteria tailored for small, affordable homes. A program draft was submitted in 2002 and the US EPA Energy Star Home Program committed to developing the technical option packages through ICF. ICF and BAIHP discussed the project and anticipated work beginning in April 2003.

The BAIHP-HFHI draft included a request to analyze additional Builder Option Packages (BOPs) for various Climate Zones as test runs for adding BOPs that emphasize envelope improvements over expensive equipment improvements. This is where the progress stalled and HabiBOPs remains a strong area of research need. The Jacksonville affiliate, HabiJAX, volunteered to pilot the HabiBOP Program in Year 5.

click here to view larger map

Structural Insulated Panel Construction Study, Plains, GA

Interior ducts are housed in a central corridor and connect to a heat pump in a central closet. Return air is drawn from each room through extra registers on the duct chase. A whole house fan at one end of the chase provides ventilation during shoulder seasons.

2003 Jimmy Carter Work Project (2003 JCWP)

Habitat International Director of Construction and Environment requested FSEC assistance for all three Carter Project affiliates: Calhoun County (AL) and LaGrange (GA). The JCWP affiliate in Valdosta (GA) did not request BAIHP assistance; however, a former Energy Monitor working at the Valdosta site organized an informal corps of volunteers to tackle air sealing and insulation details. The construction manager and executive director made the 2003 JCWP an example of high performance, high quality housing for affiliates and other builders in the region and consequently asked BAIHP for assistance in reviewing construction techniques.

Calhoun County HFH : The Calhoun County HFH affiliate (Anniston, Alabama) built 35 near Energy Star homes during the 2003 JCWP.

BAIHP worked closely with the mechanical contractor and the construction supervisors prior to the build to bring the initial HERS ratings of 78 up to 86. Though the houses had been slated to be Energy Star, a miscommunication resulted in the air conditioning efficiency being SEER 10 instead of SEER 12. In Anniston’s mixed-humid climate the difference was enough to drop HERS ratings below the 86 target. However, the homes are much more efficient than the previous convention and many volunteers were exposed to energy efficient design and construction as well as combustion safety design (Figure right). Radon mitigation systems were provided by an Alabama environmental group.

Congress Build America (CBA)

At the event, Michelle Connor, Executive Director of Almost Heaven HFH, and John Reisenweber, District Field Represntative for Representative Capito were presented with DOE approved “Certificates of Recognition” for their dedication to building energy-efficient, durable affordable homes.

According to HFHI’s Congress Building America estimates, about 100 houses will be built by Habitat affiliates working in partnership with members of U.S. Congress. The MOU between the affiliates and the HFHI includes language making the Building America technical review part of the standard process. BAIHP is working with Ren Anderson at NREL to develop the details of the technical review now. We will keep you posted on progress.

Washington D.C. Following this field work, BAIHP researchers attended HFHI’s Urban Conference in Washington D.C. where they talked about the technical support being available to Habitat’s CBA affiliates (and other affiliates). Response was very positive. Mr. Edward Pollock and George James attended a CBA luncheon and addressed the group with an introduction into Building America and our systems engineering approach.

J. McIlvaine visited the office of Senator Bill Nelson, a native of Brevard County, home of the Florida Solar Energy Center, and met with Ms. M. Bridget Walsh, Deputy Legislative Director, introducing her to Building America program and encouraging Senator Nelson’s office to participate in the Congress Building America project.

Troup-Chambers HFH (LaGrange, Georgia): The executive director for this affiliate adopted the Energy Star goal and spearheaded the construction of 22 Energy Star homes during the 2003 JCWP (Figure below). Four plans were rated and scores ranged from 86.5 to 88.5. BAIHP consulted with the affiliate on window specifications, insulation levels, AC efficiency, and air sealing details particularly with regard to the air handler closets which were previously built with return plenums open to the attic. The affiliate plans to continue building using the JCWP specifications.

Habitat for Humanity Affiliates

A cumulative list of affiliates receiving direct design assistance from BAIHP is shown in Table above. Work conducted with individual
Habitat affiliates, independent of national initiatives, is presented here, organized by state.

Alabama: Auburn HFH

Alabama: Birmingham HFH

In 2001, BAIHP researchers tested and rated 3 homes for this affiliate and provided the local construction manager with energy analysis and recommendations. Birmingham HFH continues to Energy Star homes in 2004 - many with HUD approved safe room construction.

Alabama: Calhoun County HFH
Please see 2003 JCWP above, in the summary of work conducted with HFHI.

Florida: Jacksonville (HabiJAX) HFH

This affiliate, located in Jacksonville, Florida, is one of Habitat’s most productive alliances. In anticipation of HabiJAX involvement in the HabiBOP pilot program, BAIHP completed preliminary HERS ratings on planned homes. Follow-up test results indicate that HabiJAX is a good candidate for the program, particularly after the construction manager agreed to incorporate a ventilation strategy and energy efficient lighting into their home designs.

Florida: East Orange County HFH

After attending courses and seminars taught by BAIHP staff over several years, this affiliate’s construction manager began building interior duct systems. One of those homes was tested in April and found to be well separated from the unconditioned attic above as desired.

Florida: Lakeland HFH

Florida: Alachua HFH

Florida H.E.R.O. has worked with Alachua Habitat for Humanity for many years. Currently the affiliate is building a subdivision called Celebration Oaks. Summary of specifications is
provided in Table below.

Georgia: Atlanta HFH

Energy simulations were conducted for insulated concrete form (ICF) homes in Houston and Atlanta. Comparative studies could be conducted in both cities since the same floor plans will be used to build ICF and wood frame homes in those areas. Simulation results from the homes were evaluated to develop suggested improvements that would bring the homes to Energy Star levels. The Houston affiliate is planning a 100-home development and is looking for home performance strategies that would allow them to reach Energy Star at a minimum. Simulations using the measured test data were conducted and recommendations made for their consideration.

The Atlanta home will incorporate substantial thermal mass with concrete ceilings and concrete interior walls. Simulations on the thermal mass benefits were completed and reported. These simulations focused on the use of thermal mass to reduce the size of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

Georgia: LaGrange (Troup-Chambers) HFH
Please see 2003 JCWP above.

Georgia: Sumter County HFH

This affiliate attended several courses and seminars taught by BAIHP staff in recent years. As a result, in 2000 the Sumter construction manager began building interior duct systems. One of those systems was tested in March 2002, as part of the Air Handler Air Tightness Study, and found to be connected to the unconditioned attic above. These results were similar to findings in BAIHP’s sister project on Interior Duct Systems. After discussions at the April construction roundtable, modifications were made to the construction approach which became part of their standard building practice for the affiliate.

As of 2003, Sumter County HFH is no longer building houses because all remaining qualifying residents have declined partnership.

Ohio Affiliates

A utility grant program in Ohio spurred a broad interest among HFH affiliates in reaching Energy Star level. Affiliate homes built to the Energy Star standard in the utility’s service area will receive a grant that equals the cost of the home. Several affiliates acquired the Example Energy Star Packages from HFHI’s web site and called to discuss them. In response to this interest, HFHI conducted a workshop in early July 2002 attended by sixty people. Subsequently, all affiliates (~30) attending the course have built and had certified at least one Energy Star home. Each has collaborated with a local certified HERS rater. Several affiliates contacted BAIHP to clarify aspects of the process and only one affiliate experienced difficulty with the certifying process and received direct support from BAIHP.

Louisiana Affiliates

FSEC arranged a partnership with Superior Environments in Metarie to provide support to the Baton Rouge HFH affiliate’s April Energy Star home “blitz build.” Four high efficiency homes were built during the 2002 blitz build. Though all home met Energy Star status, documentation has not yet been received that the homes were registered. (Please see Table below.)

Nevada Affiliates

FSEC was contacted by Portland Cement Association (PCA) to collaborate on an HFH house planned for the 2003 Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. This collaboration was a joint effort between BAIHP, PCA, and the Las Vegas Habitat for Humanity.

New Mexico : Albuquerque HFH

BAIHP completed an initial home design analysis for the Albuquerque HFH which was revised with feedback from the affiliate. Final recommendations were submitted to Albuquerque HFH to assist them in reaching Energy Star status.

Tennessee: Loudon County HFH

In partnership with Oak Ridge, BAIHP prepared to instrumented a second zero energy home (ZEH) built by Loudon County (TN) HFH - their fourth (Figure right). BAIHP previously instrumented and collected data on ORNL’s behalf from Loudon County’s first ZEH which showed results of $80 net annual electric cost and an ACEEE paper was authored by ORNL and FSEC. The affiliate has provided valuable feedback on the SIP construction process to other interested affiliates. The fourth ZEH, like the first one, features SIP construction, a PV array, a heat pump water heater with damper to harvest cool dehumidified air in the summer, high performance windows, optimum orientation, overhang shading, and interior ducts. The model also features poured walls in the walkout basement with a side by side comparison of damp-proofing products. Data is available on-line at www.infomonitors.com.

Texas: Ellis County HFH

This affiliate reports that they have been building Energy Star homes and now are interested in moving toward a Zero Energy Home similar to the Loudon County HFH project in Tennessee.

Texas: Houston HFH

In 2001, BAIHP completed a preliminary evaluation of the concrete homes built in partnership between Houston HFH and the Portland Cement Association. Staff tested and rated the homes in January 2002 and made recommendations for reaching beyond Energy Star to the Building America standard. Later that year, the affiliate’s construction manager reported that they were now implementing BAIHP energy efficiency, durability, and indoor air quality recommendations. Final home design recommendations included construction of a passive ventilation system and an interior duct system. In 2004, this affiliate reported that all homes (~100) built since FSEC’s 2002 recommendations have exceed Energy Star (rated by local utility) and have passive fresh air ventilation ducted to the air handler with a separate, soffit-mounted filter.

Washington Affiliates

In 2004, WSU staff began providing technical support to Habitat for Humanity for two site built projects in Olympia, WA (marine climate) and Grant Co. (cold climate). Technical support included HVAC design, Energy Gauge analysis and field testing assistance. WSU continues to evaluate these homes; final case studies will be completed by the spring of 2006.

The Grant country home utilized standard construction materials and framing, ENERGY STAR HVAC, lighting and appliances. This home moved 100% of the duct system into the conditioned space; from the attic, crawlspace and garage where it was to be installed, at little or no additional cost.

The Olympia home highlighted the challenges of integrating “green” technologies; such as Icynene insulation, and Rastra block walls. The home also used instant flow gas combo hydronic HVAC and HRV systems, and energy star lighting, appliances and was built “solar ready”.

For More Information

• Case Study: Building America Partners with Habitat for Humanity
  Case Study: Habitat for Humanity - Energy Star Examples
  Case Study: Habitat for Humanity - Plains, GA
• Habitat for Humanity International Website