2010 Media Releases & Alerts
NAHB Research Center Named by U.S. Department of Energy as One of the Elite
Building America Contractors
July 20, 2010, Upper Marlboro, Md. - The U.S. Department of Energy has
selected an elite group of Building America research teams to continue the
Agency's work of decreasing energy consumption in new and existing homes across
the U.S., while improving occupants' comfort and assuring home's safety,
quality, and durability. The NAHB Research Center, in Upper Marlboro, MD, was
one of the winning companies that will carry that important work forward.
Aligned with the Building America Program's energy saving goals, the Research
Center’s proposed research program covers all aspects of the low-rise
residential housing market, including remodeling of existing homes, new
single-family attached and detached homes, and low-rise multifamily housing in
five major climate zones with a focus on the Mid-Atlantic region with our major
team partner Southface Energy Institute of Atlanta, Georgia.
"The growing and aging American housing stock of more than 116 million units
represents a significant potential for controlling energy consumption," said
NAHB Research Center President Mike Luzier. "Our proposed work spans a
four-and-a-half year effort with 60 percent emphasis on existing buildings and
the balance on new construction."
New and enhanced building technologies, innovative solutions to problems,
technical resources, quality management systems, an expanded network of
energy-efficient builders and professionals, strategic and targeted
communication vehicles will all flow from the Research Center's proposed
research.
"These results will serve to enable an enduring change in construction practices
sustained by the industry without continued federal support. The benefits will
extend to improved housing energy performance, enhanced quality of American
homes, and a stronger industry outfitted for advancing the nation's economy,"
said Luzier.
As part of its core mission, the NAHB Research Center provides diverse technical
capabilities and communication services designed to remove barriers to the
diffusion of improved construction technologies into the marketplace. So,
broadly and effectively disseminating what is learned through this research to
the right stakeholders is a key component of the Research Center's work plan.
The Research Center will rely on its close relationships with the stakeholders
in the residential building market – remodelers, builders and manufacturers --
to facilitate and encourage the application of the research findings in the
real world.
The NAHB Research Center assembled an Industry Partnership to perform this
significant, multi-year research. The Partnership utilizes a diverse 76-firm
team – including construction companies, manufacturers, trade associations,
technical experts, state energy offices and entrepreneurs.
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