Builders, architects, and homeowners looking to reduce building energy use with structural insulated panels (SIPs) can take advantage of three free training seminars at the SIPA Annual Meeting & Roundup, April 10 – 12, 2012, at the Embassy Suites Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.  The seminars will cover [...]]]>

Builders, architects, and homeowners looking to reduce building energy use with structural insulated panels (SIPs) can take advantage of three free training seminars at the SIPA Annual Meeting & Roundup, April 10 – 12, 2012, at the Embassy Suites Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.  The seminars will cover how to incorporate SIPs into homes and commercial buildings to help save energy, reduce waste, improve sustainability, and speed up construction.

Designing with Structural Insulated Panels
1:00pm – 2:00pm, April 11, 2012
FREE

This introductory course for design professionals discusses the basics of designing and engineering energy-efficient buildings with SIPs. Attendees will earn one AIA Continuing Education Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) Learning Unit.

Advanced Design with Structural Insulated Panels
2:00pm – 3:00pm, April 11, 2012
FREE

Delve into more advanced design considerations for SIP construction, such as integrating SIPs with structural steel, engineering methods, and energy code compliance with this free seminar.  Attendees will earn one AIA Continuing Education Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) Learning Unit.

Building with Structural Insulated Panels
3:00pm – 5:00pm, April 11, 2012
FREE

For builders and homeowners new to SIPs, this two-hour course will explain the benefits of building with SIPs and give practical tips for new SIP installers.  Veteran SIP installer and SIPschool founder Al Cobb will also address common questions on integrating SIPs with wiring, plumbing, and exterior finishes.

SIPA Registered Master Builder Training
2:00pm – 5:00pm, April 9, 2012
8:00am – 5:00pm, April 10, 2012
Cost: $200

Get started on earning the SIPA Registered Master Builder designation by attending this hands-on training seminar.  After a half-day of classroom instruction, attendees will head to the Vantem Panels manufacturing facility to construct a mock SIP structure.  Completing the course satisfies one of the three major requirements of SIPA’s Registered Master Builder training program—the others are an online training module and documentation of a successful SIP project.

Space is limited and walk in registrations may not be accepted.  All events take place at the Embassy Suites Riverwalk, 125 E. Houston St., San Antonio, Texas.  Register online

SIPA members FischerSIPS and BASF are key product suppliers in the Cool Energy House, an energy-retrofit demonstration project made possible by the technical innovations of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building America Retrofit Alliance (BARA). The house, located in Windermere, Florida, will be open for tours during the NAHB International Builder’s [...]]]>

SIPA members FischerSIPS and BASF are key product suppliers in the Cool Energy House, an energy-retrofit demonstration project made possible by the technical innovations of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building America Retrofit Alliance (BARA). The house, located in Windermere, Florida, will be open for tours during the NAHB International Builder’s Show, Feb. 8-11, 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida.

The improvements to this 1996 home have reduced energy consumption by more than 50 percent. One of the major contributors to the energy reduction was the specification of structural insulated panels (SIPs) from FischerSIPS made of BASF Neopor insulation for the garage walls and two-story addition. Neopor insulation contains graphite particles that reflect and absorb thermal radiation and provide better insulating performance by up to 20 percent more than traditional expanded polystyrene (EPS).

“We know that energy efficiency starts with a well-insulated building envelope,” said Damian Pataluna, President of FischerSIPS. “Since FischerSIPS with Neopor can increase energy efficiency by up to 20 percent, using them in wall and roof systems makes it easier for builders and architects to reach aggressive energy-saving goals.”

To learn more about the Cool Energy House, visit the BARA team website.

As Generation Y floods the rental and housing market, more builders are finding success by catering to the growing demand for energy efficiency from value-driven consumers, argues John K. McIlwain of the Urban Land Institute.  His recent editorial on the Atlantic Cities website predicts that single and multifamily housing will [...]]]>

As Generation Y floods the rental and housing market, more builders are finding success by catering to the growing demand for energy efficiency from value-driven consumers, argues John K. McIlwain of the Urban Land Institute.  His recent editorial on the Atlantic Cities website predicts that single and multifamily housing will undergo significant increases in energy efficiency, culminating in widespread net zero energy or net plus energy homes by 2030.  Here’s a sample:

 Energy efficiency is, as one developer puts it, “the new granite countertop.” After all, no one asks what the payback period is for a countertop. Just as items that were once added to a new home or condo for an additional price are now standard, so too are energy-efficient equipment and design becoming standard features expected by the buyer or renter.

 This shift is perhaps happening fastest in the single-family home industry as it looks for whatever it can find to move its homes. Green, it turns out, is the most effective way to sell a home. Buyers find it more appealing to buy a home that is already efficient than a less expensive home that needs major retrofitting as well as new appliances and HVAC systems.

 It is still hard to show that renters will pay more for an energy-efficient apartment than for a standard one, even when they are paying for the utilities. That said, there is growing evidence that energy-efficient and green apartments rent up faster than other ones, and are experiencing less turnover, both of which drop to the bottom line.

Read the rest at Atlantic Cities

Much [...]]]> On a recent trip to Washington D.C., accompanied by SIPA Executive Director Bill Wachtler and Past President Frank Baker, I had the opportunity to meet with a number of government officials, trade organizations and energy efficiency advocates.  I was astounded by the amount of interest in SIPs we encountered from nearly everyone we visited.

Much of the recent enthusiasm comes from the dramatic increases in energy efficiency being enacted through changes to the International Energy Conservation Code, the popular ENERGY STAR for Homes program, and other building performance programs like the Builders Challenge, the 2030 Challenge, and LEED.  The amount of additional effort and materials required to meet these more rigorous energy efficiency standards with conventional wood frame construction is significant.

As these standards increase, SIPs become the clear solution.  I’m convinced that now is the ideal time to promote SIPs as the building system of the future and push SIP construction into the mainstream.  We have the best product out there for what everyone is trying to accomplish—a high R-value building system with minimal thermal bridging and excellent air sealing that will help builders meet increased energy codes.

There was plenty of other promising news on the trip.  We met with representatives from the Forest Products Laboratory to explore how we might partner on future research projects, such as seismic testing.  We also stopped by the NAHB Research Center, who recently received a $300,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to examine deep energy retrofits with retrofit insulated panels.

At the federal level, SIPA is an active member in a lobbying coalition led by RESNET that is advocating incentives for energy-efficient construction.  The latest incarnation of such legislation is the SAVE Act, which would modify mortgage and appraisal standards to include consideration of energy efficiency.

I know that this trend towards energy-efficient construction will be one of the key topics at the SIPA Annual Meeting & Roundup, April 10-12, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas.  SIPA is putting together an impressive lineup of speakers, networking events, and even a tour of the Vantem Panels SIP manufacturing facility.  Registration is now open online, so I encourage you to register and make hotel reservations early before the hotel rooms fill up.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Terry Dieken, Extreme Panel Technologies
SIPA President

Experienced carpenter Tim Tudor teaches classes on LEED and green building at the Boston Carpenter Apprenticeship and Training Fund. He’s now put some of his lessons in to practice by doing a deep energy retrofit on his own home. The Tudor project was one of the first energy-efficient retrofits completed under 

Experienced carpenter Tim Tudor teaches classes on LEED and green building at the Boston Carpenter Apprenticeship and Training Fund. He’s now put some of his lessons in to practice by doing a deep energy retrofit on his own home. The Tudor project was one of the first energy-efficient retrofits completed under Cape Light Compact’s Deep Energy Retrofit Pilot Program that provides major incentives for homeowners wishing to improve their home’s energy efficiency by 50 percent or more.

Tudor improved the insulation and air tightness of his home by adding a combination of structural insulated panels (SIPs) and retrofit insulated panels to the exterior.  He installed 12-inch SIPs on the roof and 4-inch retrofit insulated panels over the existing sheathing on the exterior walls.  Retrofit insulated panels, commonly called “nailbase,” provide continuous insulation along with a nailing surface for the attachment of a weather resistant barrier and siding.  Both products were supplied by R-Control SIP manufacturer Branch River Plastics.

These improvements helped Tudor achieve an impressive 70 percent reduction in energy use, earning him $17,000 in rebates through the utility pilot program.

Read more on the R-Control blog.

SIPA is now accepting entries for the 2012 Building Excellence Awards.  This is a great opportunity for SIPA members to gain exposure and showcase their best work.

All contest entries will be displayed online and recognized during the Building Excellence Awards ceremony, to be held April 12, 2012 during the SIPA Annual [...]]]>

SIPA is now accepting entries for the 2012 Building Excellence Awards.  This is a great opportunity for SIPA members to gain exposure and showcase their best work.

All contest entries will be displayed online and recognized during the Building Excellence Awards ceremony, to be held April 12, 2012 during the SIPA Annual Meeting & Roundup in San Antonio, Texas.

To be eligible, projects must be completed during 2011 and use SIPs for a minimum of 50 percent of the building envelope.  The deadline for entry is March 15, 2012, so get started!

 Awards guidelines and entry form (pdf)

Nearly 200 visitors stopped by Eric Thomas’ and Alexandra Salmon’s open house last weekend to catch a glimpse of the first net zero energy home in Ballard, Washington.  The open house marks the fruition of the couple’s goal to construct a net zero energy house for roughly the same cost of purchasing [...]]]>

Nearly 200 visitors stopped by Eric Thomas’ and Alexandra Salmon’s open house last weekend to catch a glimpse of the first net zero energy home in Ballard, Washington.  The open house marks the fruition of the couple’s goal to construct a net zero energy house for roughly the same cost of purchasing a comparable existing home.

Their extensive research led them to SIPA member Zero Energy Plans, LLC of Coupeville, Washington, who designed the home with Premier SIPs and a host of other energy-saving technologies, along with 6 kW of onsite solar generation.  The homeowners also chose to incorporate several green features into the home, including reclaimed cast-iron bathtubs, no-VOC paint, and a rain garden that handles all storm water onsite.

See more photos  on the Zero-Energy House Seattle blog.

Gig Harbor, Washington – The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) will join the NAHB Research Center and a team of remodeling contractors to research cost-effective solutions for residential energy efficiency improvements in New York State.  The NAHB Research Center was selected to receive a $300,000 grant from the New York State Energy [...]]]>

Gig Harbor, Washington – The Structural Insulated Panel Association (SIPA) will join the NAHB Research Center and a team of remodeling contractors to research cost-effective solutions for residential energy efficiency improvements in New York State.  The NAHB Research Center was selected to receive a $300,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Deep Energy Retrofit Program to improve the energy efficiency of three existing homes using retrofit insulated panels.

Retrofit insulated panels, also referred to as “nailbase,” consist of rigid insulating foam laminated to oriented strand board (OSB) sheathing.  The panels are attached over the wall or roof sheathing of an existing home, adding continuous insulation and a complete air barrier without disturbing the interior.  Increased insulation and proper air sealing can significantly cut energy costs for New York homeowners, who pay on average $995 per year just to heat their homes.

“Bringing innovative technologies such as retrofit insulated panels to the housing industry ultimately improves the quality and affordability of homes and home building products,” said Mike Luzier, President of the NAHB Research Center.  “This project will look at a wide array of issues that will provide information and guidance that could accelerate use of this technology.”

Adding insulation on the exterior of existing homes has been shown to be effective in reducing energy use, but can prove complicated when it comes to installing siding, flashing, and windows.  Retrofit insulated panels provide a solid OSB nailing surface that is ready to accept a weather resistant barrier, window trim, and virtually any type of siding.

“Retrofit insulated panels present a great opportunity for homeowners to cut their utility bills and add value to their home,” said Bill Wachtler, Executive Director of SIPA.  “And for remodeling contractors, the solid nailing surface greatly simplifies both the installation and detailing of continuous exterior insulation.”

Along with installing retrofit panels on the three homes, the NAHB Research Center will apply construction details for attaching retrofit insulated panels over a variety of architectural features.  Researchers will also present best practices for moisture protection, sealing, and flashing to facilitate the adoption of the technology by New York State remodeling contractors.

Each project will be field tested before and after to determine the amount of energy saved by insulating the home.  This will be paired with real-world construction costs to demonstrate the return on investment for homeowners considering retrofit insulated panels.

Materials for the project will be provided by SIPA members Timberline Panel Company of Cambridge, New York and Thermal Foams of Buffalo, New York.  Retrofit insulated panels are available from a number of structural insulated panel manufacturers across North America. For a complete list of suppliers, check out our membership directory.