Energy-Efficient, Mold Resistant Materials and Construction Practices for New California Homes. Final Report: Fid-Bau Portal

Energy-Efficient, Mold Resistant Materials and Construction Practices for New California Homes. Final Report

The Energy-Efficient, Mold-Resistant Building Assemblies for the New California Homes project was a 30-month project funded by the California Energy Commission, Gas Research Institute, and participating builders, utilities, manufacturers, and consultants. This project investigated residential building construction practices and innovative building assemblies that are resistant to mold formation and growth to identify, evaluate, and recommend cost-effective residential construction practices and building assemblies that resist mold growth in the presence of moisture. The project also published guidelines on building materials and construction practices that prevent or limit moisture migration and provided a relational database linking water damage claims incidences, construction details, and climatic conditions. Project findings informed California Title 24 building standards revision, and project recommendations were incorporated into seven homes built by Clarum Homes and John Laing Homes Inland Division, with materials provided by 17 participating manufacturers. The demonstration homes provided installed cost and performance information on recommended practices in real-world applications. In addition, several mold risk reduction strategies recommended in this project are being implemented by participating builders. Widespread implementation of this projects recommendation in the new construction market and in future Title 24 revisions could provide significant indoor air quality, cost, and energy efficiency benefits for electricity ratepayers in California.