Net Zero News
BASF to unveil net zero Beyond.High Performance home

“This program introduces a new way of thinking to sustainable construction,” said Rick Davenport, director of sustainable construction for BASF in North America. “The Beyond.High Performance home focuses on the people inside the structure—how they live and their well being. In essence, this program unites chemistry and humanity to ensure that all individual parts of the home work together to achieve comfort, efficiency and affordability.”

The net-zero energy home is a result homebuilders can achieve from using the Beyond.High Performance program, says the company, offered by BASF’s Center for Building Excellence. This program provides consulting, plan reviews and other services that enable builders to construct sustainable houses affordably. This includes a range of metrics and features for support before, during and after the build.

The program emphasizes cost-effective techniques to reach “extraordinary levels of efficiency”. All homes built to Beyond.High Performance requirements must achieve a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index score of 50 or lower.

Construction techniques include a high-performance, hybrid insulation design in the roof decking, consisting of open-cell spray foam applied on a layer of closed-cell foam. Another unique technique is the use of fluid, spray-applied flashing on the exterior for “superior air and moisture barrier performance”.

Other features of the Beyond.High Performance home include use of:

• insulated concrete forms
• advanced framing techniques to reduce lumber use
• LED lighting
• low-flow faucets

“Right-sizing the mechanicals to select the right equipment is part of our holistic systems approach when building these homes. This approach allows the homeowner to enjoy smart technology and reduced energy use at an affordable cost,” said Davenport. “Every aspect of this home—from the ground up—works as part of a system to create the most energy-efficient and sustainable environment possible.”