6/23/08

6/23/08

• Windows U-0.35
• Basement Walls R-10 to Frost Line
• Slab Insulation – R-10
• Recessed Lights – Air Tight and IC rated
• Ducts in Unconditioned Space
– Supply Ducts in Attics R-8
– All Other Ducts R-6
• Attic insulation at extends to outside edge of top plate R-30
3

• Duct systems that extend into unconditioned space must be visually inspected (mastic) or tested for leakage.
• Air tightness of the building must be visually inspected or tested.
• Access hatches and doors to unconditioned spaces must be insulated and weatherstripped.
4

• Fireplaces must have gasketed doors and outside combustion air.
• Using the Performance Option the efficiency of the HVAC system is not considered. The building envelope annual energy use must be equal to a building meeting the prescriptive requirements .
5

Definitions
Conditioned Space:
An area or room within a building being heated or cooled, containing uninsulated ducts, or with a fixed opening directly into an adjacent conditioned space.
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Definitions
Building Thermal Envelope:
The basement walls, exterior walls, floor, roof, and any other building element that enclose the conditioned space. This boundary also includes the boundary between conditioned space and any exempt or unconditioned space.
attic
Building Thermal Envelope
Conditioned space
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Building Thermal Envelope
• Components:
• Fenestration
• Windows, doors, skylights
• Ceilings
• Walls
• Above grade
• Below grade
• Mass walls
• Floors
• Slab
• Crawl space
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The Building Envelope Can Be Deceiving
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Carefully consider how to define the thermal envelope with an unconditioned basement or attic in the area surrounding the stairs
Notes:
Door to unconditioned space: insulated, weather stripped
Wall to unconditioned space: insulated and sealed on all 6 sides
Area above the stairs: insulated same as floor
Not required with conditioned basement.
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1. Will there be an HVAC system in the attic and will there be insulation on the ceiling?
2. Performance vs Prescriptive
3. Where and how the thermal barrier will be established (insulation location)
4. Where or how the air barrier will be established (insulation type)
5. Details of meeting Prescriptive requirements, such as ceilings without attic spaces
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6. What sub-contractor will be responsible for what job function
7. Insure all mandatory provisions are met
8. Provide blueprints with all insulation levels, window and door U-factors specified
– If blueprint includes insulated area square footage it will simplify calculations
–Areas should be provided for every unique external condition, such as walls next to an unconditioned attic.
8. Estimated air leakage rate
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Slab-on-grade floors
• R-10 (typically 2 inches) insulation in Zone 4
• Downward from top of slab a minimum of 24”
• Insulation can be vertical or extend horizontally under the slab or out from the building (must be under 10 inches of soil),
• Can be angled at edge of slab
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Foundation: Typical Slab Installation
How to insulate the top edge internally?
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Foundation: Typical Slab Installation
Local option allowed
Add taper to top of slab
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Needs to know
1. Will there be an HVAC system in the attic and will there be insulation on the ceiling?
a) must build platform and insulation dam
2. Where blocking is needed for air barrier a) Kneewall b) Cantilevered floors c) Bonus room over garage
3. Foam strip needed under wall plate
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Extension added to ceiling joists to allow the depth of insulation need to provide an R-38 or R-30, total height of 10 to 12 inches.
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No insulation possible
Insulation without bridging
Insulation with some bridging
Insulation without bridging
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½” Rigid
Insulation
2x Member
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Framer - Air Leakage Control
Rim Board
Glue or Foam Strip
Glue or Foam Strip
Glue
Glue
Foam Strip
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Unconditioned
Space
Conditioned
Space
Unconditioned
Space
Conditioned
Space
Unconditioned Space Conditioned Space
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All walls must have 6 solid side, top, bottom, front, back
No top plate
2x4 Flat – How to insulate???
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Who does what, when?
Ductwork in cavity must maintain R value
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Interior Wall
Exterior Wall v
Must be insulated before soffit installation
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Interior Wall
Exterior Wall
Must be insulated before air barrier installation
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Must be insulated before air barrier installation
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GARAGE BAND JOIST AIR BARRIER
Incorrect Correct
Filler blocking much simpler shape with dimensional lumber
Filler blocking much harder shape with
Engineered lumber
Two types of joist-gaps created between garage and conditioned space.
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Must be insulated before air barrier installation
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• Needs to insure
– Exterior walls are insulated and an air barrier installed prior to installing tubs or showers on exterior walls
• Needs to do normally
– R-2 insulation on a circulation hot water system with automatic or manual switch to turn off system when not in use (cost factor in bid)
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Must be insulated before air barrier installation
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• Needs to do normally
– Provide IC airtight rated recessed lights installed to manufacture’s specifications
– Prescriptive - 50% or more of permanently installed lighting be high-efficacy
• Compact fluorescent lamps, T-8 or smaller diameter linear fluorescent lamps
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• Type IC rated, and labeled with
no penetrations between the inside of the recessed fixture and ceiling cavity (sealed and caulked)
• Sealed with a gasket or caulk between housing and wall or ceiling covering
• Type IC rated, in accordance with ASTM E 283 to be an “Air-
Tight” enclosure
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Prescriptive Requirements
Lighting Equipment
• Applies to lamps in permanently installed lighting fixtures
• Requires 50% to be high-efficacy
 Compact Fluorescent
 T-8 Linear Fluorescent
 Lamps with a minimum efficacy of o 60 lumens per watt (for lamps
> 40 watts) o 50 lumens per watt (for lamps
< 15 watts) o 40 lumens per watt (for lamps fr0m 15 to 40 watts)
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• Needs to know
– Location of the thermal envelop
– Is the house meeting energy by Performance certification
– Insulation levels including windows and doors on blueprint for load calculations
– The estimated air leakage rate
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• Needs to provide
– Estimated duct leakage rate
– Heating and cooling load calculation using
Manual J or approved software
– R-8 supply ducts in unconditioned attic unless house is Performance Certified then R-6
– R-6 for all other ducts in unconditioned spaces
– Sealed duct work that can pass duct test and meet estimate used for load calculations
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• Needs to provide (continued)
– One programmable thermostat
– Heat pump control to prevent backup heat operation in mild weather
– R-3 insulation on all piping carrying fluids over
105 °F or under 55°F
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Mandatory Requirements
Controls
Programmable Thermostat
• At least 1 thermostat for each separate heating and cooling system.
• Programmable thermostat required when forcedair furnace is primary heating system
Heat Pump Supplementary Heat
• Controls for heat pumps with supplementary heat
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Mandatory Requirements
Ducts
• All ducts, air handlers, filter boxes… used as ducts must be sealed
• Locate All Ductwork in
Conditioned Space
OR IF ANY DUCTWORK IS IN
UNCONDITIONED
SPACE…
• Duct testing must be performed on the system or
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No return boot through floor.
Consumer duct tape used on duct system
Square insert does not seal I-joist
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Mandatory Requirements
Ducts
• Seal all ducts, air handlers, filter boxes, and building
cavities used as ducts.
• Seal and securely fasten all joints, transverse seams and connections with:
– welds
– gaskets
– mastics
– mastic-plus-embedded fabric systems
– tapes
• Unlisted duct tape is not permitted as a sealant on any metal ducts – must be UL-181 A/B listed
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Mandatory Requirements
Mechanical Ventilation and
Equipment Sizing
• Ventilation
– Outdoor air intakes and exhausts shall have automatic or gravity dampers that close when the ventilation system is not operating
• Equipment Sizing
– Load calculations determine the proper capacity (size) of equipment
– Calculations shall be performed in accordance with ACCA Manual S and Loads from ACCA
Manual J or other approved methods
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Duct Insulation
If ducts are NOT located within building thermal envelope:
– Supply ducts in attics: R-8
•R-6 allowed with
Performance option
– All other ducts: R-6
Building framing cavities shall not be used as supply ducts
(return ducts still OK- but not recommended)
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Two Options for Checking Duct Sealing
Duct Leakage Test
Duct Joint Inspection
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• Needs to provide
– Certification that ducts meet Postconstruction minimum standard or
• To outside - 8 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area serviced by that system OR
• Total - 12 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area serviced by that system
– Certification that ducts meet Rough-in minimum standard
• Total - 6 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area serviced by that system with air handler OR
• Total - 4 cfm per 100 ft2 of conditioned floor area serviced by that system without air handler
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• Duct Blaster
– Seal supply and return registers
– Pressurize to 25 Pascals
– Measures Total Leakage (12 cfm per 100 ft2 requirement)
– Combined with Blower Door to measure Leakage to Outside (8 cfm per 100 ft2 requirement)
• Subtraction (Can not measure Total Leakage)
– Seal supply and return registers
– Pressurize to 25 Pacals
– Difference between reading with and without sealed registers is duct Leakage to Outside (Must meet 8 cfm option)
• Delta Q
– No commercial software available
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Inspection for duct sealing of the following:
• All joints sealed with mastic
– All joints must remain visable
– ??? Building Cavities used as return ducts
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• Needs to do normally
– Sealing of all penetrations through thermal envelop
– Air blocking for all insulation if not provided by framer
– Sealing around windows (air barrier must be provided)
– Batt insulation cut to fit around an items in cavity being insulated, wiring, pipes, etc
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Air permeable insulation can not be used for air sealing
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Mandatory Requirements
Air Leakage
402.4.1 Building Thermal Envelope
Requires the envelope to be sealed to limit air infiltration.
Sealing methods between dissimilar materials should all for differential expansion and contraction.
All sources of infiltration should be caulked, gasketed, weatherstripped, or otherwise sealed with an air barrier material, suitable film, or solid material.
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Air Leakage Materials Selection
Care must be taken on the selection and use of air sealing materials, such as caulk to insure they are appropriate for the application and applied in the appropriate manner.
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Areas for Air Leakage (Infiltration)
Need to be addressed
• Site-built windows, doors and skylights
• Openings between window/ door assemblies and their jambs/framing
• Utility penetrations
• Dropped ceilings /chases adjacent to the thermal envelope
• Knee walls
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Areas for Air Leakage (Infiltration)
Also…
• Walls/ceilings separating a garage from conditioned space
• Behind tubs and showers on exterior walls
• Common walls between dwelling units
• Attic access openings
• Rim joist junction
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Some is created by the required fire and smoke blocking.
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Air Leakage Control
Plumbing Pipes and Vents
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Air Leakage Control
Chimney Chases
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Air Leakage Control
Electrical penetrations
Foam sealant must be tested to ASTM
184 for use in fire-rated assemblies 75

Chimney Chase Air Sealing
Flashing, caulk
(possibly fire rated) at each side
See IRC 1001.11
Rock wool with heavy duty aluminum foil rolled around it -- Caulk to chimney and framing
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Air Leakage Control
Caulking Rim Board
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Seal foundation penetrations!
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Sec. 303.1.1 Building thermal envelope insulation –
Insulation installers shall provide a certificate listing type, manufacturer and R-value
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Sec. 303.1.1.1 Blown or sprayed roof/ceiling
insulation – Blown in attic floor insulation must have a depth marker for every 300 sq ft. throughout the attic space
Note: Depth of blown insulation is not a good measure of proper insulation R-value because blown insulation can be fluffed. Blown insulation bags give the manufactures coverage for a desired R-value.
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Sec. 303.1.2 Insulation
mark insulation –
Insulating materials shall be installed such that the manufacturer’s Rvalue mark is readily observable upon inspection.
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Right Wrong
For Wiring
Electrical Boxes
Right Wrong
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Insulation Installation – Good
Examples
Assumes an air barrier on the back side.
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Wood-Framed Roof
R-38
R-30

Access Hatches and Doors
Attic Hatches
– Air sealed & weatherstripped
– Same insulation level as floors around them
Vertical “Hatches”
(in Kneewalls)
– Also air sealed and insulation equal to wall insulation level.
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Insulation Note: Above Grade Walls
Insulate walls including those next to unconditioned spaces
Don’t forget to insulate rim/band joists
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• Space can be an unheated basement, a crawlspace or outdoor air
• Zone 4: R19
• Insulation must maintain permanent contact with underside of subfloor
• Example of poor insulation job
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Zone 4: R10 (continuous) or
R13 (cavity)
- down to frost line
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Basement Walls – Good Examples
Interior Studding
Exterior Foam
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Insulating Rim Board
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Insulating Rim Board
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Insulated Crawl Space Walls
Crawl Wall Insulation: This practice eliminates the need for insulation in the raised floor above the crawl.
 Crawl space may not have ventilation openings to the outside
 Must be mechanically ventilated or supplied with conditioned air (1 cfm/50 sq. ft)
 Crawl floor must be covered with an approved vapor retarder material
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Crawlspace Wall Insulation
If insulating crawlspace walls
• R-10/13 (same as basement wall requirement)
Nice Job!
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Vented Crawlspace
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Inspection for proper insulation installation of the following:
• Continuous thermal barrier around conditioned space
• No gaps
• Not compressed – fills space
• Cut to fit around items in the cavity such as wiring, pipes, etc
• Insulation under a floor is supported to maintain contact with the floor
104

Inspection for proper insulation installation of the following:
• Blocking between conditioned and unconditioned spaces
– Cantilevered floor cavity
– Floor cavity of bonus room over garage
– Top plates exist
• Behind tubs and showers on exterior walls
• Common walls between dwelling units
105

Inspection for proper insulation installation of the following:
• Attic access cover
– Includes both access scuttle doors and pull down stairs
– Approximately 8 inches for rigid foam insulation for R-38
• Platform provided to any equipment in unconditioned attic space
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• Needs to know
– Construction details expected to reduce air leakage, such as:
• Top plate to drywall joint detail
• Needs to do Normally
– Carefully cut openings where needed
– Mud gaps where larger than necessary openings have been cut
• Especially true on any openings on the ceiling
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• Needs to provide
– Certification that the house air leakage meet the minimum standard
• 7 ACH50 maximum
– Measured air leakage with estimate of natural air leakage for minimum ventilation rate considerations
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Blower Door Test
(Testing Option)
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Inspection for air sealing of the following:
• All joints, seams and penetrations
• Site-built windows, doors and skylights
• Openings between window and door assemblies and their respective jambs and framing
• Utility penetrations
• Dropped ceilings or chases adjacent to the thermal envelope
113

Inspection for air sealing of the following:
• Knee walls
• Walls and ceilings separating a garage from conditioned spaces
• Behind tubs and showers on exterior walls
• Common walls between dwelling units
• Attic access openings
• Rim joint junction
• Other sources of infiltration
114

Overview of Mandatory
Compliance
Requirements
Mandatory
Requirements
(sec. 301, 303, 401-403)
Prescriptive
Requirements
(sec. 402-404)
REScheck
Software
(sec. 402.1.4 - UA
Alternative)
Performance
(sec. 405)
Mandatory Requirements Handout
115

Prescriptive
Compliance
Requirements
Prescriptive
Requirements
(sec. 402-404)
Mandatory
Requirements
(sec. 301, 303, 401-403)
REScheck
Software
(sec. 402.1.4 - UA
Alternative)
Performance
(sec. 405)
116

Compliance using REScheck
Software
Prescriptive
Requirements
(sec. 402-404)
Mandatory
Requirements
(sec. 301, 303, 401-403)
REScheck
Software
(sec. 402.1.4 - UA
Alternative)
Performance
(sec. 405)
117

• Total UA Alternative
– Same as U-factor alternative but allows tradeoffs across all envelope components
•Approach used in REScheck software
118

Simulated Performance
Alternative
Compliance
Prescriptive
Requirements
(sec. 402-404)
Mandatory
Requirements
(sec. 301, 303, 401-403)
REScheck
Software
(sec. 402.1.4 - UA
Alternative)
Performance
(sec. 405)
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• Requires computer software with specified capabilities
(local official may approve other tools)
• Compliance path allows greatest flexibility - credits such features as:
– Tight building envelope
– Tight ducts (must be leak tested) or hydronic systems
– Exterior shading, favorable orientation, thermal mass,
SHGC, etc.
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Simulated Performance Alternative
• Analysis includes
– Proposed R-values/U-factors
– Solar Gain
– Various duct and distribution efficiencies
– Service Water Heating
– Infiltration
– Duct tightness
– Orientation
• Mandatory requirements still necessary
– Sections 401, 402.4, 402.5 and 403
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Simulated Performance Alternative
• Analysis limits on standard reference house
– Limits Widows area to a maximum 15% of condition floor area
– Uses standard efficiency HVAC equipment for both the houses
– Does not credit tight houses without mechanical ventilation
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Calculation Procedure and Compliance Software
Tools
Proposed
Design
Energy Use of Proposed
Design less than
Standard
Design
Energy
Estimation
Tool
Energy Use of Standard
Design
(“Proposed Building meeting the energy code requirements ”)
In KY – Most Likely
Software Used will be
REMRate
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• 1488 ft2, slab on grade, one story
• Walls = Block with R-3 on exterior
• Ceiling = R-38
• Windows = U-0.35, SHGC-0.40
• Slab = R-10
• Air Leakage = 0.25 ACHn
• HVAC system in attic
– Duct leakage = 119 cfm (8 cfm per 100 ft2)
Will it meet 2009 IECC?
124

Prescriptive – Fails
Wall R below requirement
UA Compliance - Passes
• 2009 Code = 320.7
• As Designed = 311.6
Energy Cost Compliance - Fails
• 2009 Code = $1,728
• As Designed = $1,766
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• Provides necessary inspections, insulation, and testing, blower door and duct leakage, to prove compliance with
2009 IECC
• Supported by many utilites
• Sales tool to demonstrate house’s energy efficiency
• Energy Smart Builder designation
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