Table 5. South Region Building Code Characteristicsa

Characteristic MEC95 Compliant MEC95 + 30 % MEC95 + 40 % MEC95 + 50 %
Efficiencyb Costc Efficiency Cost Efficiency Cost Efficiency Cost
Heat Pump 10.0/6.8 4,100 15.5/9.4 5,500 15.5/9.4 5,500 15.5/9.4 5,500
Roof Insulation R-20 1,116 R-27 1,382 R-27 1,382 R-50 2,413
Wall Insulation R-11 706 R-11 706 R-13 826 R-15 974
Windows U-.48 924 U-.48 924 U-.48 924 U-.29 2,200
Slab Insulation None 0 None 0 R-5.2 564 R-5.4 1,486
Air Infiltration 0.63 157 0.63 157 0.63 157 0.63 157
Total Cost 7,004 8,670 9,353 12,730
Incremental Cost -- 1,666 2,230 5,726
aColumbia, SC, 1,800 square feet, built on slab.
bEquipment efficiencies are given in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heat pumps and as AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) and SEER for gas furnaces and central air conditioners.
cAll costs given in 1998 dollars.
Sources: Cost data from Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Energy Data Sourcebook for the U.S. Residential Sector (September 1997), and Energy Information Administration, Technology Forecast Updates: Residential and Commercial Building Technologies--Reference Case, prepared by Arthur D. Little, Inc. (Washington, DC, September 1998).

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