New Construction Baseline Study
The Building a Strong Foundation for Wisconsin Energy Codes program includes the first ever comprehensive field study examining new construction practices in single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and commercial buildings through the state of Wisconsin. The results of this study will validate impacts of energy codes and other energy efficiency initiatives, identify training opportunities, and benchmark technology trends in single-family, multifamily, and commercial new construction.
Are you interested in being part of the study?
Help shape the future of construction practices! By joining our study, you can help provide valuable information that will be used to understand how new construction practices align with building energy codes. We are currently looking for new single-family, multifamily, and commercial buildings to join our study, which includes a review of design and construction documents and a site visit. We will be collecting data on the envelope, lighting, HVAC, and plumbing. We are offering a generous Home Depot gift card for those that participate. All information we collect in this study will be kept confidential and anonymous. Findings will be reported in aggregate and not on individual municipalities or buildings.
More details on buildings that qualify for our study
We are currently looking for buildings in one of two phases:
- Pre-drywall phase: The building shell is constructed with interior drywall not installed. Major assessments at pre-drywall phase include window performance, wall insulation grades, roof insulation, and foundation insulation values.
- Final phase: This is different depending on the type of building in the study:
- Single-family: The building is essentially complete with no occupancy. Final phase assessments include ceiling insulation checks, building air tightness performance, duct tightness testing, and lighting efficiency grading.
- Multifamily: The building is complete with early occupancy, common areas have typical HVAC and lighting operations. At least five dwelling units need to be not occupied for data collection as well as air leakage and duct tightness testing. Access to mechanical and electrical rooms and the building automation system (if applicable) is needed to document equipment nameplate information and control sequences.
- Commercial buildings: The building is complete with early occupancy and typical operations. Access to mechanical and electrical rooms and the building automation system (if applicable) is needed to document equipment nameplate information and control sequences.
How to participate
Help shape the future of construction practices! By joining our study, you can help provide valuable information that will be used to understand how new construction practices align with building energy codes. The results of this study will validate impacts of energy codes and other energy efficiency initiatives, identify training opportunities, and benchmark technology trends in single-family, multifamily, and commercial new construction.
What’s Involved:
- A review of your design and construction documents.
- A brief on-site visit to observe key building practices.
Your input will help inform smarter, more efficient building methods and improve industry standards.
Compensation for your time
In recognition of your time, we are offering gift cards to local establishments.