BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Strategies for Energy Efficient Remodeling: SEER 2003 Case Study Report

Reference

Report providing information based on research and case studies, to remodelers and consumers about opportunities to increase home energy performance.

High Performance Home Building Guide for Habitat for Humanity Affiliates

Reference

Document providing a roadmap to aid Habitat for Humanity affiliates in building high performing houses by using materials and techniques that are affordable, do not add any maintenance burden, and are volunteer friendly.

Adding Automated Shading to the High Performance Toolkit: HVAC, Health & Wellness, and High Tech

Presentation

Webinar from Katie Cort and Shannon Christie on automated window shading and its applications for energy efficiency and demand response, leading to a discussion on integration for complete smart homes.

How to Cut Your Heating & Electric Bill and Carbon Footprint to Zero, by Someone Who Has Done It

Presentation

Webinar from Zero Carbon LLC explaining how to conserve energy and reduce a home's carbon footprint through use of the 'fab four' residential energy efficiency upgrades: heat pumps, insulation, triple-glazed windows, and solar panels.

How To Strengthen Your Home for Under $10,000 – Insulated Concrete Forms

Video

Video interview explaining the benefits of installing insulated concrete forms for both energy efficiency and disaster resistance in either new or existing homes for under $10,000. Recommendations from FLASH Strong Homes.

How to Cut Your Heating & Electric Bill and Carbon Footprint to Zero, by Someone Who Has Done It

Presentation

Webinar from David Green and EEBA explaning how to conserve energy and reduce a home's carbon footprint through use of the 'fab four' of heat pumps, insulation, triple-glazed windows, and solar panels. Free EEBA login required.

Adding Automated Shading to the High Performance Toolkit: HVAC, Health & Wellness, and High Tech

Presentation

Webinar from Katie Cort and Shannon Christie on automated window shading and its applications for energy efficiency and demand response, leading to a discussion on integration for complete smart homes. Free EEBA login required.

Controlling Cold-Weather Condensation Using Insulation, BSD-163

Reference

Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather

A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with Energy Star

Reference

Guide for homeowners describing how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.

Batt Insulation for Existing Vented Attics

Guide

Guide describing how to increase insulation in existing homes by installing batt insulation on the ceiling plane of a vented attic.

Best Practices Case Study: S&A Homes, East Liberty, PIttsburgh, PA

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the cold and very-cold climate zones.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: HartmanBaldwin Design/Build, Pasadena, California

Case Study

Case study describing a retrofit project in the hot-dry and mixed-dry climate zones.

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: Kacin Homes, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the cold and very-cold climate zones.

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: Palm Harbor Homes - Bimini II, Plant City, FL

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the hot-humid climate zone.

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: Rural Development Inc., Turner Falls, Massachusetts

Case Study

Case study describing a building project in the cold and very-cold climate zones.

Characterization of Framing Factors for Wood-Framed Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Reference

Case study characterizing the framing factors for the exterior walls, ceilings, and floors of 180 wood-framed low-rise residential buildings across the United States.

Insulating sheathing is installed on exterior of an existing framed wall with water control between existing sheathing and insulating sheathing

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Side view showing how the existing garage wall and ceiling are air-sealed prior to installing rigid foam insulation on the garage side of the shared wall of an existing home.

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Side view showing air-sealing and rigid foam insulation is installed over existing wall and ceiling under a room above, then covered with new gypsum board.

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Spray foam extends down the foundation wall to the slab, which has been retrofitted by adding dimple plastic drainage mat and rigid foam insulation.

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Rigid insulation and water control layers are installed on the exterior of a flat foundation wall; spray foam insulates the rim joist

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Retrofit of cantilevered wall showing details at the outside corner for installing air sealing and rigid foam insulation in the wall and closed-cell spray foam in the overhanging floor

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Retrofit of cantilevered wall with beam showing details at the outside corner for installing air sealing and rigid foam insulation plus water control membrane in the wall and overhanging floor

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This exterior wall retrofit permits drying to the exterior of a sill plate installed on an untreated irregular foundation wall

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This exterior wall retrofit permits drying to the exterior of a sill plate installed on an untreated flat foundation wall

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Rigid foam insulating sheathing is installed on existing garage ceiling and covered with a new gypsum board fire protection layer installed over the foam.

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Unvented roof assembly at rake retrofitted with spray foam installed along the underside of the roof deck and extended to the rake edge to insulate and air seal the attic

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Unvented roof assembly at eave retrofitted with rigid foam, spray foam, and taped top edge of existing house wrap or building paper

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Vented roof assembly at eave retrofitted with rigid foam, spray foam, and fully adhered membrane to air seal the top of wall-to-roof transition

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Fort Benning Indianhead Townhome Renovations

Reference

Report outlining the energy upgrade package implemented in Ft. Benning, GA, Indianhead Townhomes project and the findings of the Southface Energy Institute's post-renovation analysis.