_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Materials leading to equipment cost savings and potentially lower energy bills.
The 2024 NAHB New American Home: A case study in sustainable innovation
The 2024 NAHB New American Home exemplifies how modern insulation technologies contribute to energy efficiency and sustainability. To achieve this, the builder used Enverge EasySeal. 5 ® open-cell spray foam insulation, creating an airtight envelope that resulted in a blower door test score of 0.35 air changes per hour at 50 pascals, far exceeding industry standards. As a testament to its effectiveness, the home achieved a HERS Index rating of-54, highlighting the important role of advanced insulation in reducing overall energy consumption.
Regulatory and financial incentives supporting energy efficiency
Programs like the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home( ZERH) initiative and ENERGY STAR for Homes set performance benchmarks, helping builders achieve maximum energy efficiency. According to ENERGY STAR, certified homes are at least ten percent more energy efficient than those built to minimum code thresholds, with an average improvement of 20 percent. Additionally, the 45L Tax Credit rewards builders who incorporate energy-efficient technologies, offering up to $ 5,000 per singlefamily home that meets DOE ZERH criteria.
With increasing regulatory support, builders who adopt high-performance insulation solutions can gain a competitive edge while enhancing sustainability and benefiting from tax incentives.
The future of residential construction: prioritizing energy efficiency
The rising adoption of spray foam insulation signals a broader industry shift toward highperformance materials that improve home efficiency and resiliency. Spray foam insulation represents a modern, innovative solution that not only improves energy efficiency but also supports homeowners in achieving long-term savings and comfort.
Advances in insulation technology continue to drive the industry forward, enabling builders to meet stricter energy codes without compromising design flexibility. Enverge is at the forefront of this transition, offering advanced spray foam solutions that enhance airtightness and provide superior durability. Projects like the 2024 NAHB New American Home serve as proof of concept, demonstrating the impact of advanced insulation materials in achieving net-zero energy goals.
As demand for energy-efficient homes grows, partnerships between builders, material manufacturers, and insulation specialists will remain key to innovation. By leveraging cutting-edge materials, financial incentives, and evolving building codes, the industry can ensure homes are more sustainable, durable, and resilient than ever before *. ■
* Holcim and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors.
Aaron Davenport www. envergesprayfoam. com
Aaron Davenport is Director of Building Science, Enverge Spray Foam, a leader in the spray foam insulating market. It is on a mission to change the way the world insulates by providing highperformance spray foam insulation products, industry-leading training and support, and building expertise to customers and partners to create healthier living environments and more energy-efficient buildings.
modernhb. com 17