Thank you for joining us!

The following are links to resources mentioned in our course titled “Sustainable Homes: Desiging, Verifying + Communicating Home Performance” for the Atlanta REALTORS Association on May 14, 2025:

Eight Key Points

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory simulation study found eight metrics matter most in houses (ranked in order of statistical importance):

  1. Envelope Leakage

  2. Ceiling Insulation (R-value)

  3. Exterior Wall Insulation (R-value)

  4. Foundation Insulation (R-value)

  5. Window Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

  6. Window U-value

  7. High-Efficiency Lighting

  8. HVAC Duct Leakage

Air Sealing Guidance

Some of the diagrams we review are included in Appendix RA, Air Sealing and Insulation Key Points available for free in the Georgia amendments to the state energy code. Click on the link for the 2020 amendments for the International Energy Conservation Code, 2015 Edition, with Georgia Supplements and Amendments and scroll to page twenty-eight:

https://dca.georgia.gov/community-assistance/construction-codes/current-state-minimum-codes-construction

The mandatory compliance certificate we discuss is the last page of the amendments package linked above.

Free Access to Building, Energy and Electrical Codes

We show excerpts from some of the building codes. You can find free access here:

https://learningcommunity.ryantaylorarchitects.com/courses/building_code_access

Public Access to the RESNET National Registry

You can find a description of what’s available plus a link to the registry here:

https://www1.resnet.us/registry/

Advanced Framing

We reviewed how framing can act as a thermal bridge - allowing heat to flow through the framing faster than it flows through other building components… such as insulation. Reducing the amount of (wood) framing reduces thermal bridging and cost for materials and labor. Here’s a link to the guide to Advanced Framing from the Engineered Wood Association:

https://www.apawood.org/advanced-framing

Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum

The Appraisal Institute created a document to capture impactful information about projects so that information can be shared in the process of describing the value of a property. Here’s a link to the Appraisal Institute web page on which you can find a link to addendum:

https://www.appraisalinstitute.org/insights-and-resources/resources/standards-of-professional-practice/pro-practices-pdf-library/ai-reports-residential-green-and-energy-efficient-addendum

Got Questions?

You might think of a question after you’ve left the in-person course at the ARA. You can contact us here:

https://www.ryantaylorarchitects.com/contact

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