Guides A-Z

Guide providing information about ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps including an overview of technology and guidance on compliance and installation.

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

This guide provides information about heat pump water heaters.

Guide describing lighting choices and installation procedures in new and existing homes.

This guide describes the uses, selection process, and specification of high-MERV filters.

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

Guide describing materials and methods for incorporating thermal mass into the construction of a home for temperature regulation, energy savings, and resistance to extreme heat and cold.

Guide describing the advantages and disadvantages of gable roof and hip roofs and how both designs react under high wind loads.

Guide describing the use of building cavities as supply or return ducts.

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with basement foundations, crawlspace foundations, or crawlspace foundations with a "cripple" wall.

Guide describing the design and installation of indoor automatic fire sprinklers in residential settings.

Guide describing how to thoroughly seal HVAC ducts to ensure air delivery without leakage, and to ensure economical and quiet performance of the HVAC system.

Guide describing how to insert a replacement window in an existing home.

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

Guide describing how to install insulated concrete forms to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.

Guide illustrating how to insulate a floor over unconditioned space with conditioned space above by adding insulation and air sealing.

Guide describing air sealing of non-ICAT recessed lights installed in accessible attics of existing homes.

Guide describing how to upgrade a wall with a floor overhang (or cantilever) on an existing home by adding rigid insulating sheating and or closed-cell spray foam insulation and air sealing.

Guide with information about how to upgrade a garage ceiling when a portion of the interior of the house is located directly above the attached garage by adding insulation and air sealing.

Guide describing insulation of piping in exterior walls.

Guide describing how to install insulation below attic platforms

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

This guide describes RESNET Grade 1 level installation of insulation in walls, attics, and floors.

Guide describing installation procedures for combined space and water heating systems.

Guide describing how to install low-e interior storm windows.

Guide describing how to choose ENERGY STAR fans.

This measure guide describes the need to install a mounting surface for equipment related to a future solar photovoltaic installation.

Guide describing how to install jump ducts 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.

Guide describing how to install efficient kitchen exhaust systems.

Kitchen exhaust ventilation, properly ducted to the outside, is an essential component of good indoor air quality (Figure 1). Research has identified kitchens as the primary location where most harmful pollutants are generated in the home. During the cooking process, moisture and pollutants are...

Guide describing ways to use landscaping to keep a home cooler.

Guide describing how to brace gable end walls to resist wind pressures.

Guide describing how to install and test all water-using fixtures, equipment, and appliances to ensure there are no leaks.

Guide describing how to install low-e exterior storm windows.

A guide describing how to install low-sloped ("flat") roofs with insulation above the roof deck that resist wind pressures during high-wind events.

Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.

Guide describing how to construct homes and decks to manage heavy snow loads in winter weather.

Guide describing mechanical ventilation tools and methods required for accurate airflow measurement.

Guide describing compression cooling air conditioning systems for space cooling.

Guide describing how to install an exhaust fan in an attached garage to pull fumes out of the garage and to depressurize the garage with reference to the home.

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

Guide describing the use of micro-irrigation systems to reduce water usage in residential landscaping.

Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards the home is likely to face within its lifetime.

This measure guide describes the need to install a mounting surface for equipment related to a future solar hot water installation.

Guide describing how to properly apply mulch to landscaping.

Guide describing water metering in multi-family buildings.

Guide describing how to design HVAC systems to be located within the conditioned space of the home, either in a utility closet or in an air sealed conditioned attic, basement, or crawl space.

Guide outlining how to correctly install flex ducts without excessive coils or loops.