Abstract

Based on the recent emphasis on energy-efficient buildings in the United States, a high demand exists for architects, engineers, developers, builders, and clients to understand the context in which energy efficient design and construction influence the overall energy consumption and costs of a building. This paper describes a research project that focuses on a comprehensive analysis and documentation of an energy-efficient low-income / close to market rate housing development in Park City, Utah, USA. The project consists of 13 single-family residences that will mainly be constructed with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs). The project will monitor and analyze building cost and construction efficacy of the energy efficient buildings and their components, and compare it to standard constructions in the Northern Utah Cold Climate Zone. The US Department of Energy DOE sponsors the research project as part of a strategy to transform the US housing market towards an energy-efficient, sustainable industry. Part of the strategy is to provide actors of that industry, which are mainly developers, contractors, and builders, with valuable knowledge on how to build energy-efficient houses. Despite comprehensive research in the field of energy-efficient buildings during the last two decades, most of the results have not reached the US architecture/engineering/construction (AEC) industries in the field of residential buildings yet. The paper will report on the project’s progress to analyze the specific building design, materials, components, and construction methods, to evaluate the strategies that will lead to a higher energy-efficiency compared to a traditional building. Obstacles and barriers that occur during the construction period will be comprehensively analyzed and compared to standard construction methods to better understand the resistance of the housing building industry towards new construction methods.