National Green Building Standard

In 2007, the National Association of Homebuilders and the International Code Council partnered to establish the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard. Certified by the American National Standards Institute, this comprehensive green building program covers single-family homes, multifamily homes, residential remodeling projects and land development.  An online scoring tool is available atwww.nahbgreen.org.

Resource Efficiency

601.5: Prefabricated components – Maximum 12 points

SIPs qualify as a panelized building system. Four points will be awarded for each system used (walls, roof, floor).

606.2: Wood-based products – Maximum 4 points

If the SIPs used in the project are made of OSB certified under an approved forestry certification program, builders will receive points for using certified wood materials.

607.1: Resource-efficient materials – 3 points

SIPs use engineered wood products to achieve equal or better structural performance with fewer natural resources.

609.1: Life cycle analysis – 3 points

SIPs are eligible for three points if they are selected using an ISO 14044 compliant Life CycleAssessment (LCA) tool. LCA conducted on SIP homes demonstrates that by improving energy efficiency, SIPs have a positive environmental impact over their product life cycle.

Energy Efficiency

PERFORMANCE PATH

702.2: Energy cost performance levels – Maximum 120 points

Under the Performance Path, the home is awarded points based on overall energy performance, as determined by an accredited energy rater. Homes must be 60% more efficient than the 2006 IECC to receive the full 120 points.

PRESCRIPTIVE PATH

703.1.1: Building envelope – Maximum 35 points

The solid foam core of a SIP delivers continuous insulation and is available in a variety of thicknesses to help builders increase their building envelope performance.

703.1.2.1: Grade 1 insulation installation – 15 points

SIPs are deemed to provide Grade 1 insulation installation in the Chapter 7 Appendix.

703.2.1.1: Insulation and air sealing – Maximum 15 points

SIPs qualify as a complete air barrier if all interfaces and penetrations are properly sealed.

704.4.4: Ducts – 12 points

If a complete SIP building envelope is used, all ductwork will be located in conditioned space.

704.6.2.1: Installation and performance verification – Maximum 15 points

The builder can earn up to 15 points if a blower door test is conducted by a third party inspector. SIP homes routinely test below 1 ACH50, earning the maximum 15 points.

Indoor Environmental Quality

901.4.5: Wood materials – 4 points

SIPs use OSB structural panels that meet indoor air quality requirements for this credit. All other wood structural panels used on the home must be compliant to earn the credit.

901.11: Insulation – 4 points

The foam insulation used in SIPs meets the indoor air quality standards of this credit. Four points are awarded if qualifying insulation is used in the walls, roof and floor of the home.