Raised Heel Roof Trusses
One of the greatest sources of heat loss in many homes is through the roof, where gaps in insulation due to lack of coverage, especially at the eaves provide opportunities for heat to escape the building envelope. Not only does this cause heating bills to rise for the homeowner, but it also can result in ice damming, which has the potential to cause significant water damage in a home (see diagram below). To combat this problem, the Starter Home 2.0 project makes use of 'Energy Heel' or 'Raised Heel' roof trusses, which provide additional room for insulation at the roof eaves as well as space for air to flow above the roof insulation, which is a key factor in combating ice damming, moisture problems, and high heating bills.
