C004 -- Modular Multifamily Construction: A Field Study of Energy Code Compliance and Performance Through Offsite Prefabrication PDF

Prefabrication in a controlled, factory setting may improve the energy code compliance and energy performance of modular buildings compared to traditional sitebuilt buildings. A detailed literature review, however, found little data supporting this premise. As a result, a USDOE-funded 'pilot' study was funded to compare the energy code compliance of 10 modular and 10 sitebuilt commercial multifamily buildings under construction in 4 climate zones. This study also compares the post-occupancy energy performance of an additional 25 modular multifamily buildings to a baseline of more than 120 sitebuilt multifamily buildings.