Buildings

Environments for Living

Masco, a world leader in the manufacturing of home improvement and building products, is hoping to "redefine" the high-performance house as it relates to homeowners across the nation. The company not only makes products; its contractor-services division installs much of the insulation that goes into buildings around the country. To encourage builders across the nation begin applying the latest building science principles, Masco created the Environments For Living® program. In doing so, they tapped into the expertise of the country's foremost building scientists to assist in the definition, development, and administration of the program.

Creating the Right Environment

It's not a simple matter of selecting and installing predefined products that earns a builder the Environments For Living designation. Many different factors can influence how energy efficient a new home will be, as well as its durability and occupant health and safety. So the real challenge is understanding how various building materials and other influences come together to affect the house as a system.

Masco's program begins with a review of the builder's plans. To bring plans up to the Environments For Living standards, builders may need to make various plan changes. For example, they may need to reduce the size of the HVAC system, add a ventilation system, use better windows, or change framing details and insulation specifications. Although Masco provides a full range of building products, the program specifications are always performance-based, and do not require builders to use any particular manufacturer's products.

Builders can choose from three levels of program participation: Silver, Gold or Platinum. Requirements for construction and performance are progressively more demanding for each level. Certain levels of participation result in additional qualification under the EPA Energy Star® and DOE Building America programs.

The Benefit of Guaranteed Results

What does the Environments For Living program really mean to homeowners and builders?

To the homeowner, it provides a two-year guarantee that the home won't exceed a specified energy limit. If the energy actually used exceeds the limit, the homeowner receives a 100 percent refund of the cost difference. At the Gold and Platinum levels, homes also come with a guarantee that it will be comfortable throughout- within three degrees of the thermostat setting in the center of every room. Masco Contractor Services investigates deviations and works with the builder to make the needed adjustments if the house does not comply.
To the builder, it means better quality control, significantly fewer call-backs, and the ability to command attention and higher prices in a competitive market.

The Environments For Living program is offered by national and regional production builders and local custom builders, and is now available to homeowners in many states across the nation.

For More Information

Builders can visit www.eflbuilder.com to learn more about the Environments for Living program. Homeowners can find more information at www.eflhome.com.

Those wishing to know more about Advanced Energy's involvement with the program, or about Advanced Energy program development services may contact us (919) 857-9000 or moreinfo@advancedenergy.org.

When Masco needed help in defining its Environments for Living program, Advanced Energy stood poised to offer sound advice. Having nurtured Tucson Electric Power Company's Guarantee program and Louisiana-Pacific's Engineered for Life program, Advanced Energy is known for helping industries "raise the bar" in home building practices. Advanced Energy helped Masco devise a program that reaches beyond the common definition of high performance housing. Today, the Environments for Living program provides services to builders that go beyond guaranteed energy efficiency and into the realm of building homes that are also comfortable, healthy, safe, and durable.

Because studies show that sound plan specifications don't always deliver the anticipated benefits, Advanced Energy suggested that Masco provide well-trained "eyes and ears" on-site to consult with builders during the construction process. The program also includes post-construction testing that provides actual measurements to confirm that all parts of the "house system" are performing properly. Advanced Energy provides the training for the Masco professionals, known as Masters-Certified Contractors, who provide these on-site services to builders and maintain the integrity of the Environments for Living program.