Are you building a new home in Maryland? If so, you’ll want to build it right, from the start. That means following Maryland’s energy codes and going beyond the basics to make sure your homes are more efficient, durable, and comfortable for future homeowners.
An Owens Corning® Certified Energy Expert® (CEE) professional can help. These highly trained pros guide builders through the latest codes and implement the best energy solutions for every project. The result? Homes that perform better, use less energy, and offer big cost savings over time.
Meeting Maryland’s High Energy Code Standards
Maryland takes home energy performance seriously. Every new home must follow strict building codes based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). These rules are part of the Maryland Building Performance Standards, and they’re designed to reduce utility costs, improve efficiency through lower energy consumption, and protect the environment.
Today’s newly built homes must include high-quality insulation and air sealing measures to meet the current code. Meeting or exceeding these current building codes goes beyond just improving energy efficiency. They also enhance the safety, durability, and comfort of each home by providing better moisture control, improved indoor air quality, and stronger protection against Maryland’s weather.
A Certified Energy Expert® (CEE) Professional’s Value
Certified Energy Expert® professionals are well-versed on our state’s climate, insulation needs, and updated building energy codes. Working with a CEE pro ensures your new home project meets Maryland’s strict energy codes and is optimized for Maryland’s climate. According to the Department of Energy, the 2021 Maryland building code standards will save homeowners 10.6% a year in energy savings, or an estimated $4,213 in energy costs over a 30-year mortgage. These energy management benefits are major selling points for you and your team of builders.
Specialized Training in Building Science
What Sets a Certified Energy Expert® Apart
Only a small number of insulation contractors earn the title of Owens Corning® Certified Energy Expert®, and it shows. Every CEE professional has successfully completed rigorous training and certification by Owens Corning®, a leader in the energy industry. Training focuses on all aspects of building science and energy performance, providing every CEE pro with technical expertise in key areas that are critical to new home construction.
Core Competency Areas
Building Science & Whole-House Approach
Certified Energy Expert® professionals understand how all parts of a home work together as an interconnected system. These parts include a home’s insulation, HVAC system, windows, and air barriers. When one area is improved it can impact other areas.
For example, a high-efficiency HVAC system won’t work as intended if your home project’s attic is poorly insulated or the ducts leak. Applying this whole-house approach helps identify areas that affect performance, meet energy goals, and lower overall energy usage, ensuring optimal overall performance.
Thermal Performance (Insulation R-Values)
A new home needs insulation (and air sealing) to effectively resist heat flow for a warmer home in winter and a cooler home in summer. CEE professionals are trained to recommend the right type and level of insulation for your home project and install insulation that meets full rated R-values without gaps or compression.
Our mixed climate (falling mostly in climate zone 4) requires specific R-values to keep new homes energy efficient, such as the attic which needs a minimum R-value of R-49.
Moisture Prevention
Our humid climate makes moisture control critical to help prevent mold and structural damage in homes. A Certified Energy Expert® knows how to keep your new home project dry and durable long-term. They have advanced knowledge of moisture dynamics in buildings. It’s their job to ensure the use of vapor retarders or breathable materials in insulation systems, seal hidden gaps that could allow moist air inside wall cavities and help prevent unseen condensation that can lead to mold or wood rot over time.
Air Infiltration & Sealing
Creating a tight building envelope is the benchmark of energy-efficient construction. To accomplish this involves closing the small cracks, seams, and penetrations throughout your home building project with air sealing. A Certified Energy Expert® knows exactly how to seal around windows, doors, and plumbing and electrical penetrations with caulking, foam sealants, or weatherstripping. These measures result in less stress on the HVAC system, less energy usage, less drafts, and a more comfortable home.
Every new home in Maryland must pass an air leakage test and your CEE professional will help make sure you do.
Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality
You can count on a CEE professional to address the best ways to control home ventilation as well. They have a deep understanding of the ASHRAE 62.2 residential ventilation standard and a “build tight, ventilate right” mentality that balances air sealing with proper ventilation strategies. You can count on a Certified Energy Expert® professional to deliver homes that are both well-sealed and properly ventilated for comfort and safety.
Quality Assurance and Long-Term Value
Quality Assurance Benefits
Working with an Owens Corning® Certified Energy Expert® (CEE) professional gives local builders an extra layer of quality assurance. Owens Corning® handpicks participants and only certifies contractors with proven skills and training, great customer satisfaction ratings, and solid licensing and insurance. You can rest assured that CEE professionals have fewer install errors and inspection failures, higher trust from buyers, and smoother projects with fewer callbacks.
Exclusive Warranty Coverage
Certified Energy Expert® professionals also offer unmatched warranty protection, backed by Owens Corning®.
Warranty coverage includes:
- A lifetime limited product warranty on insulation materials
- A 10-year limited warranty on installation workmanship
These warranties aren’t available through standard contractors. This level of assurance helps builders stand out and gives homeowners real peace of mind.
Building a Better Home with Certified Expertise from DeVere
The benefits of hiring a Certified Energy Expert® go beyond just checking boxes, they help you and fellow builders save money, meet Maryland’s strict building standards, and build better homes. Our team at DeVere Insulation is proud to be an Owens Corning® Certified Energy Expert®. Our hard work and dedication allow us to deliver advanced technical knowledge, reliable service, and comprehensive warranty support that sets us apart from our competition.
We have been faithfully serving builders and homeowners throughout our Baltimore community since 1987. Today, we continue to provide expert, tailored insulation and air sealing solutions that help make each home build a model of energy efficiency and comfort from the ground up. As your local Owens Corning® Certified Energy Expert®, your building project is in good hands with us. Contact us today for your free estimate.
References
Maryland Energy Administration. (n.d.). Policy energy codes. Maryland.gov. https://energy.maryland.gov/pages/policy-energy-codes.aspx
Maryland Energy Administration. (n.d.). Your home and the energy code [PDF]. Maryland.gov. https://energy.maryland.gov/documents/yourhomeandtheenergycode.pdf
SiteLogiq. (n.d.). Why hire an energy consultant? https://www.sitelogiq.com/blog/why-hire-an-energy-consultant/
The Cotocon Group. (n.d.). 3 reasons why hiring an energy consultant is important for businesses. https://www.thecotocongroup.com/blog/3-reasons-why-hiring-an-energy-consultant-is-important-for-bu
University of Maryland Extension. (n.d.). Understanding home energy. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/understanding-home-energy
U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). ASHRAE Standard 62.2: Ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality in low-rise residential buildings. Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/ashrae-standard-622-ventilation-and-acceptable-indoor-air-quality-low-rise
U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Build tight, ventilate right. Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/indianenergy/articles/build-tight-ventilate-right
U.S. Department of Energy. (July 2021). Cost-Effectiveness of the 2021 IECC for Residential Buildings in Maryland. Energy.gov. https://www.energycodes.gov/sites/default/files/2021-07/MarylandResidentialCostEffectiveness_2021.pdf
U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Insulation. Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/insulation