BAIHP Partnership with
Southern Energy Homes
Addison, AL

Southern Energy Homes quality control engineer conducts in-plant duct leakage test.

During the 1st budget period, BAIHP held a meeting to introduce Building America to the industry. Representatives from Southern Energy Homes attended in hopes of finding solutions to moisture problems they were experiencing in coastal areas. In 2000, BAIHP researchers conducted building science diagnostics in several moisture damaged homes in coastal Louisiana and found contributing factors to be duct leakage and inadequate return air pathways from bed rooms.

Southern Energy Homes took steps to achieve substantially leak free duct systems in all their homes. They switched from UL 181 approved tapes to mastic and fiberglass mesh for forming component connections in all their duct systems and began testing duct systems during production (Figure above).

In 2002 FSEC received a request to certify the Southern Energy Homes (SEH) factory in Addison, Alabama for Energy Star compliance. A plant visit in August 2001 examined opportunities to enhance manufacturing productivity. Three model homes were tested for Energy Star certification, recommendations were made, and Energy Star plant certification paperwork submitted to US EPA.

In 2003 discussions continued with SEH plant personnel for conducting an analysis at one of their factories using the UCFIE simulation tool. On January 27 and 28, FSEC conducted site visits and performed diagnostic tests on several problem homes and submitted recommendations in a trip report in February. Based on these recommendations, FSEC conducted duct test training for factory personnel in four Southern Energy Homes factories.

In May of 2003 FSEC certified a Southern Energy Homes factory for EnergyStar production. FSEC conducted diagnostic field visits to Southern Energy homes in December 2003 and January of 2004 and provided recommendations in trip reports. Infrared inspection of the recommended retrofits were done in April 2004.

In 2004 two Moisture related home inspections were done, the first in August and the second in September. Recommendations were made in trip reports.

For More Information

• For more BAIHP Partnerships and Projects see: http://www.baihp.org/casestud/index.htm
• Southern Energy Homes Website