AIA Evaluates Green Building Rating Systems

Thanks to AIA for unbiased assessment of so called “Building Green” associations that are amazingly lacking in knowledge of actual construction procedures and materials used. In my 31st year in the construction business, mostly custom home construction, I have strived to build consumers homes with the most efficient and newest designed components available. With the advent of trussed floors and roofs, truss joists, “Superior” tm. insulated foundation walls, osb, and new subfloor and roofing materials, it is much easier to accomplish this goal. For the past 20 years our crews have “Built Green” in many ways that NAHB, Leeds, Energy Star, and others have yet to become aware of, such as insulated exterior corners, intersecting wall tees, and headers. Cantilevered roof trusses and cantilevered ceiling joist and rafter construction has been our standard construction for 20 years. In the recent Building Green movement The Advanced Wall and Ceiling guide seems to be the preferred method adopted by DOE, Energy Star and all others. In a recent seminar on this method over 60 of most prominent builders in Chattanooga area, as well as myself, attended. Very few builders were familiar with these construction techniques, and the presentation described the ups and downs of this Advanced Framing that these Associations want contractors to adopt. The end product of these designs were acceptably much more energy efficient than the methods used by 99% of these builders, however, the added expense of these methods in both time, labor and overall slowdown of framing, inspection failures, and most of all, added labor and expense of using 5/8″ drywall and drywall clips on all inside corners, makes the “Advanced Framing” method one that very few experienced builders would ever consider. In my opinion this method is less structurally sound, primitive in design, cost and labor prohibitive. and not likely to lead us to a totally insulated structure that will conserve energy and resources. in numerous communications and conversations with DOE officials, NAHB, LEEDS, ORNL, TVA, Energy Star, Building Code Inspectors, all men and women in charge of researching, testing, evaluations, and ultimately in charge of assisting the development of new designs and components I have yet to find anyone who is actually familiar with construction procedures and components. No one knows what an insulated corner, tee, header, cantilevered roof design, and other components we have designed over the years. These designs will greatly increase the efficiency of our homes, leading to energy savings, savings in construction time, cost, labor, and the use large dimensional lumber. I have had little response from any one in these associations and agencies. I would like to find someone who is truly interested in conserving energy that will assist me in bringing these designs to market. I especially need assistance in testing and accreditation as just how much more energy efficient these designs will be. They are tried and proven designs we have used with great success and appreciation of homeowners. I would be glad to send drawings, pictures, and information. Looking forward to your response. Lynn Edwards