BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Wrong: This return air plenum is not lined and air sealed

Image

Air Sealing Duct and Flue Shafts

Guide

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

Air seal at chase walls - plan

CAD File

No insulation installed in cavity and not air sealed

Image

Air Sealing Colorado Homes – 10.634

Reference

Fact sheet describing air-sealing concerns and remedies, including HRV/ERV installation, caulking, spray foam, and weatherstrip installation.

Building Code Training - Residential Thermal Envelope - Air Sealing

Presentation

Presentation describing the Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code air barrier requirements, envelope concepts including air flow and thermal properties, and common missed insulation and air-sealing opportunities.

Wrong: The return plenum is not air sealed to separate it from the wall cavities and it should not be used for storage

Image

Wrong: Open wall cavities in the un-air-sealed return plenum connect the plenum to attic spaces

Image

Right – The termination of this kitchen exhaust duct is sealed to the wall to keep out air and water and is screened to keep out pests.

Image

Wrong - This is a poorly sealed chase with no solid air barriers along the sides of the chase and no caulk around the electrical wires installed through the ceiling of the chase.

Image

Wrong: open wall cavity connected to this return air plenum is allowing cellulose attic insulation to be pulled into the furnace

Image

Wrong: This wall cavity is open to the attic allowing unconditioned, attic air to enter the HVAC system, bypassing the filter, and degrading system life and performance

Image

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Deep Energy Retrofit in the Pacific Northwest

Case Study

Case study describing a whole-house, deep energy retrofit project in the marine climate.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Tom Walsh & Co., New Columbia, Portland, OR

Case Study

Case study describing a new construction building project of 20 homes that earned HERS scores that represent greater than 50% energy savings in heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC.

Form a sheet metal shield around the flue pipe

Image

Form sheet metal shield around pipe keeping 3-inch clearance

Image

Install wood framing cross pieces in the attic rafter bays on each side of the duct chase

Image

HVAC Ducts Shall Not Be Run within Exterior Walls

Guide

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

Chamberlain Heights Redevelopment: A Large Scale, Cold Climate Study of Affordable Housing Retrofits

Reference

Report about City of Meriden Housing Authority's (MHA) collaboration with Jonathon Rose Companies to complete a gut renovation of 126 residential units in the Chamberlain Heights retrofit project.

Small Commercial Building Fact Sheet - Building Envelope

Reference

Fact sheet describing building envelope performance measures applicable to residential and small commercial construction.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Nelson Construction: Hamilton Way, Farmington, CT

Case Study

Case study describing the design and testing of 10 high-performance homes in Farmington, Connecticut.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity, Edgewater, FL

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 49 without PV.

Building America Best Practices Case Study Whole-House Solutions for New Homes - Artistic Homes, Albuquerque, NM

Reference

Case study about Artistic Homes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first home builder in the United States to offer true net zero energy construction to the average home buyer on every home it builds.

Wisdom Way Solar Village: Design, Construction, and Analysis of a Low Energy Community

Reference

Report describing the design and construction of a highly energy efficient community of ten duplexes in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: David Weekley Homes, Houston, Texas

Case Study

Case study describing new home construction in the hot-humid climate, optimizing thermal enclosure, HVAC, water heating and lighting measures.