Roof Energy Heel

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.

Roof energy heel.

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. The option 1 figure to the right shows a raised energy heel. 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. To create a truss with an energy heel a vertical member is added over the supporting wall and the bottom chord stops there rather than extending into the overhang.

Raised heel trusses also known as energy heel trusses deliver cost effective energy performance especially when used with continuous plywood or osb sheathing. 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. 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. There are a couple of options for designing energy heels.

This is created by designing the truss with a heel height tall enough to meet the r value requirements. More importantly the raised heel provides the opportunity to increase energy efficiency to meet new energy code requirements. Standard heel typical truss heel height is about 4. Design a raised heel.