HomeTown – Neighborhood Development

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BASIC COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM

1. Framing System: 2x4 @ 16" or 24" o.c. - NAHB's OVE details
a. Less lumber means more insulation
b. Thermal break - 1" polyisocyanurate
c. Joists 16" or 24" o.c.
d. Single top plates
2. Ceiling - R40
a. Blown with wedged batts at the edges.
3. R-3 Window System: vinyl thermo, low-E with argon
4. Airtight construction
a. Use foil back drywall or polyethelene as vapor diffusion barrier
b. Urethane foam and closed cell gaskets and caulk
c. Very careful at tubs and stairs and soffits
5. Mechanical Ventilation -
a. Kanalflact fan draws air from each bath
b. hot wired to run continuously

We use conventional furnaces and water heaters. However, we install them so that they are outside the air envelope of the house, but inside the insulation envelope.

We build a "Utility Closet" between the house and garage. Access to the Utility Closet is from a B-label door in the garage, since we do not want the compartment to be considered as part of the garage. It is in the insulation envelope of the house, but it is outside the air envelope of the house. As a result, it is impossible for spillage of CO or backdrafting into the house. And we gain the advantage of using conventional, inexpensive furnaces and water heaters.

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