Browse by Category | Building America Solution Center

Guide describing how to conduct duct leakage tests on all components of the HVAC system (including the air handler, ductwork, register boxes/boots, and all air devices such as diffusers, registers, or grilles).

Overview guide describing how to prepare homes to be resistant to earthquake forces.

Guide describing methods for providing space cooling and refrigeration during extreme heat events and/or power outages.

Guide describing space planning for emergency supplies storage.

Guide describing how to use a blower door test to determine building envelope air leakage.

Guide describing methods for short-term control of erosion during construction and long-term measures for controlling erosion on sloped sites or sites with river banks or shore lines.

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.

Overview guide providing background information on extreme heat in the United States as it relates to homes and links to guides describing specific ways to make homes more resistant to extreme heat.

Guide describing how to properly grade a site so water will flow away from the foundation.

Guide describing wall assemblies and materials that are resistant to destruction from wildfires.

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

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Guide describing how to construct flood-resistant homes using pier, pile, post, or column foundations.

Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.

Overview guide describing residential floodproofing steps.

Guide describing construction of gable roof overhangs to resist uplift pressures in high winds.

Guide describing fuel tank anchoring practices for disaster resistance.

Guide describing garage doors that are pressure-rated to withstand wind pressures from hurricanes, high winds, and tornados.

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 describing best practices for testing and commissioning heat pump systems using smart tools during and after installation.

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

Whole-Building Design

Duct Leakage to Outdoors

Earthquake Overview

Emergency Air Conditioning and Food Refrigeration

Emergency Supplies Storage

Enclosure Leakage Test

Erosion Control for Slopes, Stream Banks, and Dunes

Exterior Doors Are Insulated, Impact Rated, and Fire Rated

Extreme Heat Overview

Final Grade Slopes Away from Foundation

Fire-Resistant Wall Assemblies

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Have Proper Ventilation

Flashing of Roof-Wall Intersections in Existing Homes

Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

Flood-Resistant Crawlspace Foundations

Flood-Resistant Pier, Pile, Post, and Column Foundations

Flood-Resistant Raised-Slab Foundations

Flooding Overview

Framing of Gable Roof Overhangs

Fuel Tanks Anchored for Disaster Resistance

Garage Doors are Pressure Rated

Generators for Back-Up Power During Outages

Gutters and Downspouts

Heat Pump Quality Installation and Commissioning

High-Performance (ENERGY STAR) Windows

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Whole-Building Design