Guides A-Z | Building America Solution Center

Steam System Balancing for Multifamily Existing Buildings

Guide describing best practice venting strategies for existing steam heating systems in multifamily buildings.

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.

Structural Sheathing (plywood/OSB) in Exterior Walls

Guide describing the need for adequate structural sheathing in exterior walls in homes in high-wind areas.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

Sufficient Cavity Space for Flex Ducts

This measure guide describes how to correctly install ducts, ensuring enough cavity space to avoid compression.

Sump Pump Cover Gasket

Guide describing the need for covers on sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Support at Intervals for Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to hang ducts with supporting straps or saddles to adequately support ducts so they do not sag and are not pinched or compressed in a manner that would cause damage to the ducts, the duct insulation, or the duct air barrier covering.

Swales, Drains, and Site Grading for Stormwater Control

Guide describing the use of swales, French drains, and site grading to minimize saturation of foundations and ponding of stormwater runoff on sites.

Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

Guide describing techniques for installing insulating sheathing as a continuous drainage plane on walls.

Termite-Resistant Foundations and Walls

Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.

Testing of Mechanical Ventilation Systems

Guide describing design of a mechanical ventilation design to enable accurate measurement of ventilation system airflow.

Thermostat Controls

Guide describing the use and testing of programmable thermostats.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves on Steam Heating Systems

Guide describing how to analyze boiler and building performance and install thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) to reduce temperatures in over heated spaces.

Toilets and Flushing Urinals

Guide describing toilet and urinal requirements and selection for EPA's WaterSense program.

Total Duct Leakage Tests

Guide describing how to conduct duct leakage tests per RESNET protocols.

Traditional Split Heat Pumps

Guide describing the split system heat pumps used for central forced air heating and cooling.

Transfer Grilles

Guide describing how to install transfer grilles in bedroom walls to balance air pressures between rooms and to enable stale air to return to a central heating system's air handler for reconditioning even when room doors are closed.

Undercut Doors

Guide describing how to undercut the doors in bedroom walls to balance air pressures between rooms and to enable stale air to return to a central heating system's air handler for reconditioning even when room doors are closed.

Unvented Attic Insulation

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented attic along the roof line.

Unvented Combustion Appliances

Guide describing how to properly ventilate un-vented combustion appliances such as sealed fireplaces.

Unvented Conditioned Attic with Spray Foam Insulation Below Roof Deck

Guide describing a method for insulating an unvented attic by spraying foam insulation along the underside of the roof deck.

Unvented Insulated Sloped Roofs

Guide describing construction of sloped roofs that are unvented and are insulated above the roof deck.

Unvented, Insulated Crawlspaces

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented crawlspace or conditioned basement with rigid foam on the interior side of the walls to provide an insulated space for HVAC equipment.

Variable Speed Pool Pumps

Guide describing replacement of a single-speed pool pump with variable-speed pump.

Vented versus Unvented Attic

Guide describing options for designing and locating the thermal boundary at either the attic floor or along the roof line in new and existing homes.

Ventilate Home Before Occupancy (Indoor airPLUS Requirement)

This information guide describes the need for ventilating a home before occupancy to reduce the concentration of VOC emissions in the home.

Ventilation Air Inlet Locations

Guide describing how to install ventilation air inlets in open locations at a safe distance from potential air contamination sources.

Ventless (Condensing) Clothes Dryers

Guide describing condensing clothes dryers, which have a secondary heat exchanger and do not require exterior venting.

Vertical Radon Ventilation Pipe

Guide describing how to install a radon-mitigating vertical ventilation pipe in new and existing homes with various types of house foundations.

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

Wall Bracing for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance

Guide describing how to construct the walls of a home with bracing to resist wind and earthquake loads.

Walls Adjoining Porch Roof

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to separate the porch attic from the conditioned space.

Walls Behind Fireplaces

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to walls behind fireplaces.

Walls Behind Showers and Tubs

This guide describes how to install a rigid air barrier to walls behind showers and tubs.

Water Heater Elevated and Secured

Guide describing how to elevate a water heater above the base flood elevation to protect it from flood damage.

Water Managed Existing Sill Beams and Sill Plates

Guide describing how to insulate the sill beam or sill plate on the exterior side in a way that allows drying to the exterior, as part of an exterior wall upgrade.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation over a Flat Roof

Guide describing an approach to re-roofing an existing flat roof to improve thermal, water, and air control performance.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation Over a Sloped Roof

Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped and add insulation above the roof deck.

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.

Water Management of Existing Crawlspace Floor

Guide providing information about treating bulk water drainage issues and moisture control measures in existing basements and crawl spaces.

Water Softeners

Guide describing how to determine an efficient and effective water softener.

Water-Efficient Landscape Design

Guide describing how to design a water-efficient landscape that will minimize the need for supplemental water by using the WaterSense® Water Budget Tool.

Water-Resistant Flooring

Guide describing appropriate flooring for wet areas of the home.

Whole House Ventilation Strategies for Existing Homes

Guide describing how to select and install whole-house ventilation systems for existing homes.

Whole-House Dehumidification

Guide describing options for adding dehumidification equipment to a home to maintain indoor relative humidity below 60%.

Whole-House Fans

Guide describing the types of whole-house fans, installation details to reduce energy loss, and how to operate them for comfort and energy savings based on climate zone.

Whole-House Ventilation Strategies for New Homes

This guide describes how to install a whole-building ventilation system to provide adequate dilution of indoor air contaminants.

Wildfire Overview

Overview guide describing wildfire risks and construction strategies to increase the wildfire resistance of homes located in wildland urban interface areas.

Wind Washing

Guide describing wind washing and how to prevent it.

Window Rehabilitation

Guide describing how to rehab a window in an existing home.