Features of a typical Building America home built in the Midwest

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Published Saturday, July 4, 1998

Features of a typical Building America home built in the Midwest

90 percent-efficient sealed-combustion furnace

Sealed ductwork within the building envelope

The plastic vapor barrier on exterior walls keeps warm, moist air from

coming in contact with the batt insulation. The insulation is cut carefully

and installed to fill all spaces between the wall studs. On the wall at the

bottom right is an outlet that is set into a sealed box that prevents air

leakage in and out of the wall cavity.

Power-vented water heater

Mechanical ventilation

Air-sealing techniques:

Sealed and taped 1-inch exterior sheathing with an insulating value of R5

Glued wallboard and taped interior vapor barrier

High-performance, double-glazed gas-filled windows

Sealed outlets and recessed light boxes

More information

For information on the Building America Program, write to ,

program manager, at the Office of Building Systems, EE-41, U.S. Department

of Energy, 1000 Independence Av. SW, Washington, D.C. 20585-0121. Or visit

the Department of Energy's Web site at

http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/building_america.

Similar programs

New home initiatives that are similar to Building America include the

American Lung Association's Health House program, which emphasizes indoorair

quality, and the Energy Department's Energy Star Program, emphasizing energy

savings through construction techniques and energy-efficient appliances.

© Copyright 1998 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.