High-Performance Building Envelopes: A Key Component for More Energy Efficient Homes
The Importance of High-Performance Building Envelope Systems in New Home Construction
The construction of new homes is evolving rapidly, with energy efficiency, sustainability, and resilience becoming essential components of the building process. At the heart of this evolution is the building envelope system—a critical aspect that separates the indoor environment from external elements. The Building Envelope helps regulate temperature, manage moisture, and maintain energy efficiency in a home. With more stringent building codes, growing demand for energy-efficient certifications such as ENERGY STAR® and Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH), and increasing buyer expectations, incorporating high-performance building envelope systems is no longer optional but essential.
Why High-Performance Building Envelopes Matter
A well-designed building envelope plays a crucial role in reducing energy consumption, optimizing indoor comfort, and improving the long-term durability of a home. This system regulates the exchange of heat between the inside and outside of the building, reducing heating and cooling costs for homeowners. Given that residential and commercial buildings account for 35% of carbon emissions, 40% of energy consumption, and 74% of electricity use, focusing on energy efficiency is vital for reducing the environmental impact of new construction.
High-Performance Building Envelopes and Evolving Building Codes
With the increasing push toward decarbonization and sustainable building practices, modern building codes, such as the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2021, have become more stringent. These codes require homes to meet higher energy efficiency standards, with a particular focus on improved insulation, tighter air sealing, and advanced moisture control. High-performance building envelope systems are key to helping builders comply with these requirements.
IECC 2021 introduced measures to reduce the air leakage rate of homes, bringing the permissible air changes per hour (ACH) down to as low as 3 ACH in certain climate zones. Achieving this level of airtightness requires advanced products such as the portfolio of advanced Building Envelope Systems from Henry®, a Carlisle Company. These systems seal the building envelope, reduce uncontrolled airflow, and help homes meet and exceed the updated standards.
In fact, homes utilizing products such a Henry® Blueskin® VPTech™ on the walls combined with an unvented attic with SealTite™ PRO XTR Open Cell Spray Foam Insulation saw a 73% reduction in air changes per hour compared to homes built using other methods.* This reduction demonstrates the impact that high-performance building envelope systems can have in meeting the latest code requirements while also enhancing the energy efficiency and durability of homes
Certifications: ENERGY STAR® and Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH)
Achieving certifications such as ENERGY STAR 3.2, and Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) is a growing priority for builders and homebuyers alike. These certifications are synonymous with energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and high-quality construction. High-performance building envelope systems play an essential role in earning these certifications by contributing directly to a home's energy efficiency and performance.
ENERGY STAR homes must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A well-sealed building envelope that controls heat flow, air leakage, and moisture is critical to achieving the ENERGY STAR label. The latest version, ENERGY STAR 3.2, tightens the energy efficiency requirements even further, making high-performance building envelope systems a must for builders seeking certification.
The Zero Energy Ready Home certification takes energy efficiency a step further by preparing homes to achieve net-zero energy consumption. Homes certified under the ZERH program are built to an exceptionally high standard, requiring a building envelope that minimizes heat loss, controls moisture, and prevents air leaks.
Products such as Henry Blueskin VPTech, which integrates a water-resistive barrier with continuous insulation, help builders meet the enhanced energy performance standards required by ENERGY STAR 3.2 and ZERH. These products work in tandem to improve the overall energy efficiency of the home, providing homeowners with lasting comfort and cost savings.
Financial Benefits and Market Appeal
For builders, the benefits of integrating high-performance building envelope systems go beyond energy efficiency. Financial incentives, such as the Section 45L New Energy Efficient Home Credit, provide builders with tax credits for constructing energy-efficient homes. Builders can receive a $2,500 tax credit per unit for ENERGY STAR-certified homes and up to $5,000 per dwelling for homes certified under the Zero Energy Ready Home program. By combining these federal credits with state and local incentives, builders can significantly reduce their costs while delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes.
In addition, homebuyer preferences are increasingly shifting toward energy-efficient homes. Builders report that 95% of buyers request energy-efficient upgrades, making high-performance building envelope systems a valuable selling point. These systems not only make homes more comfortable and cost-effective to operate but also meet the growing demand for environmentally responsible living.
The Role of Building Envelope Systems in Moisture and Air Control
In addition to energy efficiency, a high-performance building envelope provides critical moisture and air control, protecting the structural integrity of the home. Poorly sealed envelopes allow air and moisture to infiltrate the home, leading to mold growth, rotting, and structural damage. Products like Blueskin VPTech and VP100 are designed to mitigate these risks by creating continuous barriers that prevent moisture and air from entering.
With advanced solutions like these, builders can protect homes from moisture-related issues and improve indoor air quality, making the home healthier and more durable over time.
Long-Term Value: Warranties and Performance
Another key advantage of using high-performance building envelope systems is the long-term value they offer. Henry provides a 30-Year Residential Building Envelope System Warranty, covering both materials and labor in the event of a product failure when their building envelope systems are used together on a home. This extensive warranty protects both builders and homeowners, ensuring that the home remains energy-efficient, comfortable, and durable for decades.
Conclusion: Building for the Future
The construction industry is moving toward more sustainable, energy-efficient building practices, driven by tighter building codes, evolving certifications, and rising buyer expectations. High-performance building envelope systems are at the heart of this transformation, offering a solution that meets stringent energy efficiency standards while delivering long-term financial and environmental benefits.
By incorporating high-performance building envelope systems like those from Henry, a Carlisle Company, builders can confidently create homes that are resilient, comfortable, and energy efficient. These systems are not just a trend—they are essential for building homes that will stand the test of time while meeting the growing demand for sustainability and efficiency in modern construction.
* Testing conducted with independent installers. Blower door tests conducted by Home Innovation Research Labs, February 2024.
