Residential Estimator adjusts costs for items that affect energy conservation (i.e., insulation, framing and window glazing), based on an energy zone. Residential Estimator has four standard energy zones:
Mild: Single glazing, 2" x 4" stud construction and minimal wall and ceiling insulation.
Moderate: A weighting of single and double glazing, 2" x 4" or 2" x 6" stud construction, R-11 to R-19 wall insulation and R-19 to R-30 ceiling insulation.
Extreme: A weighting of double and triple glazing, 2" x 6" stud or comparable construction, R-19 to R-25 wall insulation and R-33 to R-45 ceiling insulation.
Superinsulated: A weighting of double and triple glazing, stud walls that can be double 2" x 4" or 2" x 8", R-30 wall insulation with an air infiltrate wrap and up to R-55 ceiling insulation.
To use the default energy zone displayed to the right, which is based on the ZIP/Postal Code, select Use Default here.
The default zone displays in the "Defaults" column, and is based on the following map in the United States:
To set a different energy zone, select one of the zones listed above. Residential Estimator also allows you to select Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Extreme.