BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

A direct-vent sealed-combustion fireplace takes its combustion air directly from outside through a dedicated air inlet and vents combustion products directly outside

Publication Date

Mon, 02/04/2013 - 12:00

Right – Raised heel trusses allow room for insulation over the exterior wall top plates, while baffles direct ventilation air to flow above the insulation from the soffit vents to the ridge vents.

Publication Date

Thu, 09/30/2021 - 12:00

Vented versus Unvented Attic

Guide describing options for designing and locating the thermal boundary at either the attic floor or along the roof line in new and existing homes.

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Have Proper Ventilation

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

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Crawlspaces and Basements

Information guide describing things to consider in the basement or crawlspace before attempting retrofits of adjacent items including HVAC, wiring, or structural systems.

Ventilation Air Inlet Locations

Guide describing how to install ventilation air inlets in open locations at a safe distance from potential air contamination sources.

Calculating Attic Passive Ventilation

Information guide describing how to calculate attic passive ventilation with example calculations.

Hurricanes and High Winds Overview

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

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.

Building Science Introduction - Heat Flow

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

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Ventilation Systems

Guide describing how to evaluate existing ventilations systems before performing home upgrades.

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.

Ducts in Interstitial Floor Framing

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

Building Science Introduction - Air Flow

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

Home Performance Assessment

Information guide describing how to apply a whole-house approach to home improvement with energy efficiency upgrades, improved indoor air quality, and increased comfort.

Decks are Wildfire-Resistant

Guide describing how to properly construct decks and other building attachments to be resistant to ignition in the event of a wildfire.

Design for Wildfire Resistance

Information guide describing defensible space, fire-resistant materials, and other features to include when designing a home for wildfire resistance.

Whole-House Ventilation Strategies for New Homes

This guide describes how to install a whole-building ventilation system to provide adequate dilution of indoor air contaminants.

Moisture-, Impact-, Fire-, and Pest-Resistant Exterior Siding

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

Fuel Tanks Anchored for Disaster Resistance

Guide describing fuel tank anchoring practices for disaster resistance.