Priority Energy Leads Trial of DOE's Extended Plate & Beam System

Priority Energy will lead a trial installation of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Extended Plate & Beam wall system for a Chicago-area home builder. The Extended Plate & Beam (EP&B) wall system will allow for the integration of higher insulation values while maintaining traditional framing methods.

This process, which was developed and tested by Home Innovation Research Labs for the U.S. DOE, will soon be launched nationwide and will deliver superior energy efficiency and unsurpassed indoor comfort. High R wall technologies have been proposed for over 25 years, but only a few custom builders have actually  implemented them. The DOE's goal is to create a high performance wall system that is easier and more attainable for mainstream builders. 

Data has shown the EP&B system does not have a big impact on overall construction costs if planned for in the initial design phase. "We want to help builders understand and adopt this method because the comfort benefits combined with the utility cost savings are worth the slight change in process," said Robert Schildgen, owner and founder of Priority Energy.

To read the 2016 report by the U.S. Department of Energy, go to: Advanced Extended Plate and Beam Wall System in a Cold Climate House.

Priority Energy is committed to helping builders create high performance homes. Their code compliance, HVAC design and training will ensure projects begin and end with the highest performance results.