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Information guide providing an overview of winter weather issues for home owners and building science solutions for home builders.

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.

Guide describing how to air-seal attic access panels, doors, and stairs to provide a continuous air barrier at the ceiling.

Guide describing ways to seal drywall to the top plate of an exterior wall to air-seal the wall cavity.

Guide discussing disaster resistance related to asphalt shingle roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.

Information guide describing proper attic air-sealing, insulation, and ventilation to combat ice dam formation on roofs in cold climate zones.

Guide providing guidance on insulating attic eaves in new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal attic knee walls and floor joist cavities under knee walls.

Guide describing sizing methods for cold climate heat pumps.

Guide describing combustion furnaces with selection and installation guidance.

Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.

Guide describing causes of condensation in attics and roof assemblies during cold weather and ways to reduce this condensation.

Guide describing condensing boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Guide describing how ice dams form and how roofs can be constructed to prevent them.

Guide describing how to apply water management strategies to below-grade walls.

Guide describing space planning for emergency supplies storage.

Guide describing the use of doors that are insulated and are impact rated or have protective coverings for resistance to hurricane, high winds, wildfires, and thermal losses.

Guide describing how to provide combustion air for fireplaces and how to test fireplaces for combustion safety.

Information guide describing options and considerations for installing a generator for backup power in case of temporary power outages.

Guide describing the installation of gutters, downspouts, and alternate options for managing rainwater run-off from roofs.

Guide providing information about high-performance and high-efficiency windows including ENERGY STAR-certified windows.

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.

Guide describing how to insulate plumbing pipes.

Guide describing design and installation considerations for combined space and water heating systems using a tankless on-demand water heater, a hydronic heating coil and air handler, and optional cooling coil.

Winter Weather

Winter Weather Overview Guide

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

Asphalt Shingle Roofs

Attic Air Sealing, Insulating, and Ventilating for Ice Dam Prevention

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Attic Knee Walls

Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing and Selection

Combustion Furnaces

Condensation Control for Walls in Cold Weather

Condensation Control in Attics and Roofs in Cold Weather

Condensing Boilers

Construct Roofs and Attics for Ice Dam Prevention

Damp-Proof Exterior Surface of Below-Grade Walls

Emergency Supplies Storage

Exterior Doors Are Insulated, Impact Rated, and Fire Rated

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Have Proper Ventilation

Generators for Back-Up Power During Outages

Gutters and Downspouts

High-Performance (ENERGY STAR) Windows

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Insulating Plumbing Pipes

Integrated Heating and Hot Water with Tankless Gas or Electric Water Heating

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Winter Weather