Guides A-Z

Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.

Guide describing how to install dishwashers in new and existing homes.

Guide describing strategies for effectively utilizing integrated consumer heat pump water heaters (HPWH) in multifamily buildings.

Guide describing construction and insulation techniques for double wall framing.

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).

Guide describing basic steps for designing a drainback solar hot water system.

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

Guide describing installation of a fully sealed continuous weather resistant barrier to provide a drainage plane to keep rainwater out of above-grade walls.

Guide describing EPA WaterSense requirements for drinking water treatment systems including water softeners.

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

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).

Guide describing how to install ducted returns 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 ductless heat pump systems used for single-room or whole-house heating and cooling.

Guide describing buried ducts in loose-fill attic insulation, a method that can only be used in dry climates.

Guide describing approaches to burying and encapsulating ducts in unconditioned attics to increase the overall R-value of duct insulation.

Guide describing method for installing ducts in a duct chase above a dropped ceiling.

Guide for designing and installing interior ducts in an interstitial floor cavity in new and existing homes.

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

Guide describing the use of electronically commutated motors (ECMs) in HVAC central air handler fans to reduce power consumption compared to a single-stage fan motor.

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 that illustrates how and when to encapsulate ductwork in unconditioned attics, increases the R-value of duct insulation, mitigating condensation issues and reducing air leakage.

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.