Guides A-Z

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 sill plates in single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

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

Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.

Guide describing how to create a capillary break at all crawlspace floors using polyethylene sheeting to manage moisture in crawlspaces.

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Guide describing how to conduct combustion appliance zone testing.

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

Guide describing installation of sump pumps in the basement or crawlspace of a home.

Guide describing space planning for emergency supplies storage.

Guide describing how to insulate a new foundation wall or an existing foundation wall by adding rigid insulation to the exterior side.

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

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate the floor above an unconditioned basement or crawl space.

Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.

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

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.

Vapor retarder plastic should not be installed over fibrous insulation on basement or crawlspace walls unless rigid foam or spray foam is installed directly against the concrete, behind the blanket insulation.

Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan with various types of house foundations.

Guide describing different options for providing seismic and thermal resistance for homes with 'cripple' wall crawlspace foundations, which are known for their instability.

Guide describing principles of insulating and air sealing band joists as a stand alone energy upgrade, or as part of creating a closed crawlspace.

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

Guide describing how to insulate an existing foundation wall by adding spray foam insulation to the interior side of the wall.

This measure guides describes how to install structural insulated panels to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.