BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Right - Spray foam insulation has been sprayed onto the underside of the sloped roof and the gable end wall to provide a sealed, insulated attic for housing the HVAC ducts

Step 4. Install insulating sheathing and vertical furring strips on the retrofitted exterior wall; seal around pipe or duct with urethane sealant.

This whole house fan is suspended from rafters and connected to the intake grille by a curved insulated duct, greatly reducing vibration and noise in the occupied space

Publication Date

Sat, 01/01/2022 - 12:00

Right - This new sealed attic has 5.5 inches (R-20) of spray foam insulation along the underside of the roof deck providing a conditioned attic space for the heating and cooling ducts.

Unvented Attic Insulation

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented attic along the roof line.

Unvented, Insulated Crawlspaces

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented crawlspace or conditioned basement with rigid foam on the interior side of the walls to provide an insulated space for HVAC equipment.

Right – R-25 of open-cell spray foam lines this new home’s attic ceiling, to protect HVAC ducts from heat and cold.

Step 5. Install sheathing tape flashing over the duct or pipe and wood blocking on either side for later attachment of trim.

Attic Air Sealing, Insulating, and Ventilating for Ice Dam Prevention

Information guide describing proper attic air-sealing, insulation, and ventilation to combat ice dam formation on roofs in cold climate zones.

Air Sealing, Insulating, and Venting Attics and Roofs to Reduce Heat Gain

Information guide providing links to guides describing specific ways to air-seal, insulate, and ventilate attics and roofs to minimize heat gain in new and existing homes.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide providing guidance on insulating attic eaves in new and existing single-family homes and multifamily buildings.

Unvented Conditioned Attic with Spray Foam Insulation Below Roof Deck

Guide describing a method for insulating an unvented attic by spraying foam insulation along the underside of the roof deck.

Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.

Below Deck Spray Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing how to add spray foam insulation to the underside of the existing roof deck as part of the conversion of a vented attic to an unvented, insulated attic.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Lancaster Live/Work Townhome Prototype

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2010

Case study describing a building project in the marine climate.

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.

Right - Open-cell polyurethane spray foam to R-28 on underside of roof turns new attic into conditioned space for HVAC.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Pine Mountain Builders, Pine Mountain, Georgia

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

January, 2013

Case study describing a builder in Georgia that designs energy-efficient homes for a green community, yielding homes with HERS scores as lowas 59 and electric bills as low as $50 a month.

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

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

April, 2012

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

Design for Extreme Heat

Information guide describing ways to design a home to be resistant to extreme heat.

Managing Indoor Humidity and Ventilation in Cold Weather

Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.

Combustion Furnaces

Guide describing combustion furnaces with selection and installation guidance.

Condensation Control in Attics and Roofs in Cold Weather

Guide describing causes of condensation in attics and roof assemblies during cold weather and ways to reduce this condensation.

Condensation Control for Walls in Cold Weather

Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.

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.

Attic Ventilation Fans

Guide describing the use of attic ventilation fans to mechanically pull outside air through the attic in an attempt to cool the attic, control moisture, and prevent ice dams.

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Have Proper Ventilation

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

Construct Roofs and Attics for Ice Dam Prevention

Guide describing how ice dams form and how roofs can be constructed to prevent them.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Post-Disaster Home and Site Hazards

Information guide describing best practices for ensuring the safety of those returning to a home after a disaster.

Flood-Resistant Crawlspace Foundations

Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Flood-Resistant Pier, Pile, Post, and Column Foundations

Guide describing how to construct flood-resistant homes using pier, pile, post, or column foundations.

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.

Emergency Air Conditioning and Food Refrigeration

Guide describing methods for providing space cooling and refrigeration during extreme heat events and/or power outages.

Creating a Cool Room for Extreme Heat Events

Guide describing how to create a designated shelter-from-heat space in a home to help occupants successfully weather an extreme heat event.

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

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

Condensing Boilers

Guide describing condensing boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Integrated Heating and Hot Water with Tankless Gas or Electric Water Heating

Guide describing installation procedures for combined space and water heating systems.

Gas-Fired Boilers

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

Flood-Resistant Raised-Slab Foundations

Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.

Drainage Plane Behind Exterior Wall Cladding

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

Direct Vent Equipment

Guide describing categories of direct-vent combustion space- and water-heating equipment and combustion safety testing.

Interior Storm Windows and Panels

Guide describing how to install low-e interior storm windows.

Gas-Fired Tankless Water Heaters

Guide describing the installation of a tankless hot water heater to provide domestic hot water that is heated on demand without the standby losses associated with tank storage water heaters.

Low-E Exterior Storm Windows

Guide describing how to install low-e exterior storm windows.