Guides A-Z | Building America Solution Center

Ducted Returns

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.

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation

This guides describes buried ducts in loose-fill attic insulation, a method that can only be used in dry climates.

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation and Encapsulated

This guide describes approaches to buryng and encapsulating ducts in unconditioned attics to increase the overall R-value of duct insulation.

Ducts in Dropped Ceilings

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

Ducts in Interstitial Floor Framing

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

Ducts in Raised Ceiling Sections

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

Earthquake Overview

Overview guide describing how to prepare homes to be resistant to earthquake forces.

ECM Air Handler Fans

Information guide describing the use of ECM fan motors in air handlers used for heating, cooling, and ventilation.

Emergency Supplies Storage

Guide describing space planning for emergency supplies storage.

Encapsulated Ducts

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.

Enclosure Leakage Test

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

ENERGY STAR Windows

This guide provides criteria and installation guidance for ENERGY STAR windows.

Erosion Control for Slopes, Stream Banks, and Dunes

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.

Evaporative Cooling Systems

This guide describes evaporative cooling technologies which can be used to cool homes in dry climates.

Existing HVAC System Upgrade or Expansion

Guide describing how to upgrade or expand an existing HVAC system.

Existing Skylights Repaired or Replaced and Fully Flashed

Guide describing how to repair or replace skylights in existing homes.

Exterior Doors Are Impact Rated and Fire Rated

Guide describing the use of doors that are impact rated or have protective coverings in hurricane and high wind zones.

Exterior Edge Insulation for Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to install slab edge insulation when retrofitting existing slab-on-grade foundations.

Exterior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

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

Final Grade Slopes Away from Foundation

Guide describing how to properly grade a site so water will flow away from the foundation.

Fireplaces/Stoves with Proper Ventilation

Guide describing how to provide combustion air for fireplaces and how to test fireplaces for combustion safety.

Flashing at Bottom of Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply flashing to the bottom of exterior walls to create a continuous drainage plane.

Flashing of Penetrations in Existing Roofs

Guide describing how to provide a continuous water control layer across the roof assembly by sealing all penetrations for pipes, vents, etc. in existing roofs.

Flashing of Roof-Wall Intersections in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Flooding Overview

Overview guide describing residential floodproofing steps.

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.

Footing Drain Pipe

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

Framing of Gable Roof Overhangs

Guide describing construction of gable roof overhangs to resist uplift pressures in high winds.

Garage Doors are Pressure Rated

Guide describing garage doors that are pressure-rated to withstand wind pressures from hurricanes, high winds, and tornados.

Garage Rim/Band Joist Adjoining Conditioned Space

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

Gas-Fired Boilers

Guide describing gas-fired boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Gas-Fired Tankless Water Heaters

Guide describing how to install a tankless hot water heater in a new or existing home to provide domestic hot water that is heated on demand without the standby losses associated with tank storage water heaters

Geothermal Heat Pumps

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

Ground-Source Heat Pump Foundation Heat Exchanger (FHX)

Guide describing sizing and installation of foundation heat exchangers, which can be connected to a heat pump system used for spacing conditioning as well as domestic water heating.

Gutters and Downspouts

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

Heat Pump Water Heaters

This guide provides information about heat pump water heaters.

High-Efficacy Lighting

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

High-MERV Filter

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

Hip Roof vs Gable Roof

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

Home Performance Assessment

Hurricanes and High Winds Overview

Overview guide outlining home construction techniques used in hurricane and high wind areas.

Indoor Sprinklers for Fire Protection

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

Injected Spray Sealant for Existing HVAC Ducts

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.

Insert Replacement Window

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

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

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

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Floors above Unconditioned Spaces

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

Insulating and Air Sealing Existing Non-ICAT Recessed Lights

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

Insulating Existing Floor Overhang

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.