Guides A-Z | Building America Solution Center

2009 and 2012 IECC Code Level Insulation – ENERGY STAR Requirements

This guide describes IECC 2009 and 2012 and ENERGY STAR Certified Homes insulation requirements.

Air Leakage Testing Garage to House Air Barrier

Guide describing how to properly test the air barrier between the garage and house, and how to ensure the air barrier is tight enough to prevent garage air from entering the home.

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

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.

Air Sealing and Insulating Ceilings in Vented Attics

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a ceiling where the insulation is installed on top of the ceiling (on the attic floor) in a vented attic.

Air Sealing Attached Garage

Guide describing ways to air-seal an attached garage in new and existing homes.

Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

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

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to air-seal bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Air Sealing Drywall to Top Plate

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

Air Sealing Duct and Flue Shafts

Guide describing how to air-seal duct and flue shafts.

Air Sealing Electrical Wiring

Guide describing how to air-seal electrical wiring throughout a home.

Air Sealing Light Tubes

Guide describing how to air-seal around light tubes.

Air Sealing Multifamily Party Walls

Guide describing how to air-seal common walls between dwelling units in multifamily housing.

Air Sealing Plumbing and Piping

Guide describing how to air-seal around plumbing and piping penetrations through walls, ceilings, and floors.

Air Sealing Recessed Light Fixtures Below Unconditioned Space

Guide describing how to air-seal around recessed light fixtures below unconditioned space.

Air Sealing Sill Plates

Guide describing how to air-seal sill plates in single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Air Sealing Window and Door Rough Openings

Guide describing how to air-seal the rough openings around doors and windows.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

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

Attic Knee Walls

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

Attic Radiant Barriers

Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.

Building Science Introduction - Air Flow

Information guide providing background information about air flow in residential buildings.

Building Science Introduction - Moisture Flow

Information guide providing background information about moisture flow in residential buildings.

Cantilevered Floor

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a cantilevered floor.

Complete Window and Frame Replacement

Guide describing a complete window replacement in existing homes.

Continuous Air Barrier in Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to install continuous air barriers in exterior walls.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing

Guide describing continuous rigid insulation installation procedures to reduce thermal bridging and help provide thermal protection.

Double-Wall Architectural Feature

Guide describing air barrier installation, insulation installation, and air-sealing for double walls (half or full walls included in a home design as an architectural feature that provides a more dimensional appearance).

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal dropped ceilings and soffits to prevent air leakage.

Ducts in Raised Ceiling Sections

Guide describing method for designing and installing ducts in a raised ceiling chase.

Enclosure Leakage Test

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

Floor Above Garage

Guide describing how to create an air barrier between the garage and the conditioned space above it to prohibit pollutants from entering a home's interior.

Floor Above Unconditioned Basement or Vented Crawlspace

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

Garage Rim/Band Joist Adjoining Conditioned Space

Guide describing the air-sealing of rim joists on walls connecting homes and attached garages.

High-Performance (ENERGY STAR) Windows

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

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

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

Insulation Below Attic Platforms

Guide describing how to install insulation below attic platforms

Insulation Installation Achieves RESNET Grade 1

Guide describing RESNET Grade 1 level installation of insulation in walls, attics, and floors.

Low-E Exterior Storm Windows

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

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

Slab Edge Insulation

Guide describing how to insulate slabs on grade in climate zones 3 and higher.

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

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

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.