January 26, 2022
BetterBuiltNW January 2022 Newsletter
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Every month this section features must-read content from past newsletters – just in case you missed it.
- BetterBuiltNW Webinar: Washington and Oregon State Energy Code Envelope Requirements
- Article: EPS Quick Reference Guides Feature
- Article: BetterBuiltNW Announces Three New Training Catalogs
BetterBuiltNW Releases Continuous Exterior Insultation Factsheet
As energy codes advance across the Northwest, requirements to install building envelopes with less heat loss and gain, build in greater resiliency, and reduce thermal bridging is leading builders and tradespeople to evaluate new wall designs and insulation strategies. The BetterBuiltNW team has identified several wall construction methods that can assist builders in both meeting new codes and in building homes that will produce comfort at lower home operating costs.
BetterBuiltNW recently published the Continuous Exterior Insulation Factsheet. Developers, architects, home builders, key trades, Raters/Verifiers, and inspectors will benefit most from this document and can find content tailored for each audience.
Note, this factsheet is one of a series on advanced wall construction, please see BetterBuiltNW’s Thermal Break Shear Wall factsheet in conjunction with the Continuous Exterior Insulation factsheet.
BetterBuiltNW Publishes Ductless Heat Pump Resources
Resources are newly available on the BetterBuiltNW website about ductless heat pumps for installers and builders. These resources were originally developed by the NW Ductless Heat Pump Project (which will be retired in April 2022).
The resources explain best practices for installation and how to maximize efficiency, especially in cold climates. Note, BetterBuiltNW will feature two ductless heat pump resources each month in upcoming newsletters. The first two resources are available at the links below.
PROGRAMS IN THE NEWS
RESNET: Draft of PDS-03 of BSR/RESNET/ICC 380-202x Released
RESNET’s Standards Development Committee 300 has authorized release of the third draft, PDS-03 BSR/RESNET/ICC 380-202x, for public comment. To view this article, visit RESNET’s website here.
RESNET: HERS Standard Development Procedure Changes
RESNET standard development procedures require that major changes to the RESNET HERS standards are implemented on January 1 and July 1 of each year. To view these changes, visit RESNET’s website here.
RESNET: Path to Move Quality Assurance Beyond the Gold Standard
RESNET’s Quality Assurance process is currently seen as the gold standard for the inspection, testing, and labeling of a home’s energy and water performance. As part of its dedication to continuous improvement, RESNET management recently met with the RESNET Quality Assurance Team to chart a path on moving RESNET’s quality assurance forward to a higher level. To learn more, visit RESNET’s website here.
RESNET: Apply Now for RESNET ELC Fellowship
RESNET’s Emerging Leadership Council is offering the Emerging Leader Fellowship for HERS® Raters and Rating Field Inspectors (HERS professionals with five years of less experience) for the Virtual 2022 RESNET Building Performance Conference, March 10-11, 2022. RESNET will award up to five fellowships for 2022. To apply, visit RESNET’s website here.
Built Green: Cost-Effective Options for Meeting 2018 WSEC, Built Green, And Priority Green
In February of 2021, the Residential 2018 WSEC came into effect, and with it came the new 2021 Built Green Single Family/Townhome New Construction and Multifamily Checklists. Both the new code and Built Green offered a few challenges and opportunities with their updates. Code now includes the Fuel Normalization Credits (Table R406.2), and Built Green now offers three different pathways to meet their energy efficiency requirements. This article focuses on one pathway: the prescriptive approach for residential projects. To read the article, visit Built Green’s website here.
Zero Energy Project: 2021 EEBA Team Zero Inventory of Zero Energy Homes
The Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) is embarking on the 6th annual EEBA Team Zero Inventory of Zero Energy Homes and invites all zero energy builders, designers, architects, developers, and owners to upload their projects to the database. The yearly report tracks zero energy single and multifamily home trends and leaders across the U.S. and Canada. To read the article and submit your projects, visit Zero Energy Project’s website here.
Sightline Institute: King County Sets the Standard for Clean Energy Financing
On November 16, the King County council unanimously passed a new ordinance that greenlights a fossil fuel-free C-PACER program, with a key amendment that syncs up this creative financing tool with the county’s climate goals. To learn more, visit Sightline Institute’s website here.
Washington State University Energy Program: HERS Program Training
The Washington State University Northwest Raters Program is planning on scheduling HERS training and ENERGY STAR® new residential and multifamily training opportunities in late January and February. Specific times and dates will be available soon. For more information, please visit the Washington State University Energy Program’s website here.
Energy Vanguard: The Top Articles in the Energy Vanguard Blog in 2021
Energy Vanguard recently published a blog piece that details their most popular posts in 2021. Topics include HVAC equipment explainers (including heat pumps), air sealing the building envelope, and indoor air quality. To read the article, visit Energy Vanguard’s website here.
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counites: Area Updates
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties recently published multiple articles highlighting a slew of updates in Arlington, Kirkland, Shoreline, Marysville, Sammamish, Everette, Mountlake, and Seattle. To read the articles, visit Master Builder’s blog page here.