Roof Energy Heel

The option 1 figure to the right shows a raised energy heel.

Roof energy heel.

There are a couple of options for designing energy heels. More importantly the raised heel provides the opportunity to increase energy efficiency to meet new energy code requirements. The extra height of a raised heel truss roof provides additional space for uncompressed attic insulation and the full depth of insulation to be extended right to the outside of the top plate. Raised energy heel typical truss heel height is about 12 but may be designed to most any height per the building designer specification.

Architectural home design software all content support videos chieftalk forum. To create an energy heel in the build roof dialog check trusses no birdsmouth uncheck automatic birdsmouth cut specify the desired energy heel height as a positive raise off plate value automatically generate or manually draw the roof planes then draw and position the first truss. Raised heel trusses also known as energy heel trusses deliver cost effective energy performance especially when used with continuous plywood or osb sheathing. Open this truss s specification dialog check energy heel and force truss rebuild then click ok and use the multiple copy edit tool to replicate the truss as needed.

Framing with raised heel trusses and continuously sheathing exterior walls improves structural and energy performance and offers many savings that benefit both the builder and the homeowner. Truss heel height the vertical depth of the truss at the outside face of the bearing. Standard heel typical truss heel height is about 4. An energy heel has a taller heel height which allows for the adequate amount of insulation to reach the outside wall and eliminate the cold spot.