EA New Homes Measures Guide - Earth Advantage

2012 Earth Advantage Residential
Measures Resource Guide
3.10.1
Accountability Form: General Energy Health Land Materials Water
Recycled Content Insulation: Cellulose, Cotton or Fiberglass (25% - 50% / 0 0 0 1/2 0
51% and greater Post-consumer) (20-50% / 51-100%)
Description: Insulation must meet one of two post-consumer recycled content thresholds: 25 - 50 percent or greater than 50 percent. At
least all of one component is to meet this spec to be eligible for the points (i.e., floors, walls or ceilings).
Benefit: Cellulose: Cellulose insulation is made from a minimum of 75 percent post-consumer recycled paper, typically from phone books
or newspaper, treated with borate that repels insects, deters mold, and resists fire. Cellulose is a loose material that can be dry-blown or
dense-packed into enclosed cavities, or wet-sprayed into open wall cavities. It is commonly blown into attics. Because of it is blown in, it
fills spaces well. This feature improves its energy efficiency by preventing cold spots in the building shell. This limits the pressure on scarce
natural resources, as well as the demand for space in local landfills. Cellulose may also lower the overall embodied energy of the home if
used instead of insulation made from virgin materials.
Cotton: Cotton insulation is made from 100 percent post industrial recycled cotton. The insulation comes in batt form and is currently
available in R-13, R-19, R-21 and R-30 products. The benefits are the same as cellulose insulation.
Fiberglass: All fiberglass insulation contains some recycled content, although the amount and the sources vary between manufacturers. A
product that is made from recycled bottles and other post consumer glass goods helps promote recycling, as well as supplementing the
production of new products by using what was once in the market.
Verification: EA Rater will verify the type of insulation present. The amount of post-consumer recycled content for cellulose and cotton will
be assumed to be greater than 50 percent. The builder or responsible party will sign an Accountability Form attesting to the recycled
content of the product.
3.10.2
Blown-in Vaulted Ceiling or Floor Insulation
Energy
Materials
Water
0 0 0 1 0
Description: Blown-in insulation can also be installed in ceilings and floors. To be eligible for points, one component, either vaulted ceilings
or floors, must use this practice. This refers to BIBS, Spider and similar proprietary insulation systems that use either fiberglass or cellulose
material.
Health
Land
Benefit: Blown-in insulation fills the cavity more effectively around obstructions, such as pipes and wires, than batt insulation. This method
also tends to reduce air leakage through the building shell, which is reflected in a better air leakage test (Measure 3.11.1). Becuase it is
installed at a higher density than batts, blown-in insulation has a higher R-value, too.
Verification: EA Rater will check to be sure that insulation fills the cavity. If the insulation is installed behind netting, the netting should be
taught and firm to the touch.
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