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Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.

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.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

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

Construct Roofs and Attics for Ice Dam Prevention

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

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Author(s)

Lstiburek Joseph W

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

February, 2010

Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.

Vertical Radon Ventilation Pipe

Guide describing how to install a radon-mitigating vertical ventilation pipe in new and existing homes with various types of house foundations.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Ventilation Systems

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

Whole House Ventilation Strategies for Existing Homes

Guide describing how to select and install whole-house ventilation systems for existing homes.

Spray Foam Insulation Applied to Existing Attic Floor

Guide describing how to apply spray foam insulation to ceilings in existing homes.

Air Sealing and Insulating Ceilings in Vented Attics

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a ceiling where the insulation is installed on top of the ceiling (on the attic floor) in a vented attic.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Attics, Ceilings, and Roofs

Information guide describing things to consider in the attic, ceiling, or roof before attempting retrofits of items including HVAC, wiring, or structural systems.

Mechanical Ventilation for Attached Garage

Guide describing how to install an exhaust fan in an attached garage to pull fumes out of the garage and to depressurize the garage with reference to the home.

Field Performance of Unvented Cathedralized (UC) Attics in the USA, PA-0502

Author(s)

Rudd Armin

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

October, 2005

Journal article reporting on field experience of unvented cathedralized (UC) attics in several environments in the United States.

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.

Air Sealing Attic Access Panels/Doors/Stairs

Guide describing how to air-seal attic access panels, doors, and stairs to provide a continuous air barrier at the ceiling.

Dropped Ceiling/Soffit Below Unconditioned Attic

Guide describing how to insulate and air-seal dropped ceilings and soffits to prevent air leakage.

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.

Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to install a bathroom exhaust fan to remove excess moisture.

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Complete and Fully Aligned Air Barrier

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

August, 2012

Case study describing the elimination of excessive humidity in the attic of a multi-floor, single-family home that was causing condensation and water damage along the roof and eaves.

Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing the installation of insulating sheathing above the roof deck on existing homes. This retrofit assembly is appropriate for homes with conditioned attics or where the retrofit is intended to create a conditioned attic.

Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to install efficient kitchen exhaust systems.

Wind Washing

Guide describing wind washing and how to prevent it.

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.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation Over a Sloped Roof

Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped and add insulation above the roof deck.

Whole-House Fans

Guide describing the types of whole-house fans, installation details to reduce energy loss, and how to operate them for comfort and energy savings based on climate zone.

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to air-seal bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.

Radon Fan

Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan with various types of house foundations.

Outdoor Air Intake Damper Controlled

No outdoor air intakes connected to return side of the HVAC system, unless controls are installed to operate intermittently & automatically based on a timer and to restrict intake when not in use (e.g., motorized damper)

Back-Draft Dampers at Shared Common Exhaust Duct

Guide describing how to install back-draft dampers in exhaust fans to make a shared duct possible.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Existing HVAC Systems

Information guide describing considerations for before retrofitting HVAC systems, retrofit scope considerations, and HVAC system replacement options.

Screens and Other Deterrents for Birds, Rodents, and Other Pests

Guide describing steps to keep birds, rodents, and other pests out of vent openings and other locations in new and existing homes.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Hazardous Materials

Information guide describing things to consider before attempting retrofits that may include hazardous materials.

Wiring Conduit for Solar PV Systems

This guide describes the need for installing a wiring conduit for future solar photovoltaic installations.

Solar Plumbing and Wiring Chase

This measure guide describes the need to install a plumbing and wiring chase for a future solar hot water installation.

Support at Intervals for Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to hang ducts with supporting straps or saddles to adequately support ducts so they do not sag and are not pinched or compressed in a manner that would cause damage to the ducts, the duct insulation, or the duct air barrier covering.

Ducts in Raised Ceiling Sections

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

Proper Installation of Furnace and Air-Handler Filters

Guide describing proper installation of high-MERV furnace and air-handler filters.

Building Cavities Not Used as Supply or Return Ducts

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

Jump Ducts

Guide describing how to install jump ducts in bedroom walls to balance air pressures between rooms, enabling constant air flow for conditioning and freshness even when room doors are closed.

Roof Eaves Sealed with Self-Adhering Membrane in Cold Climates

Guide describing how to apply heavy membranes at eaves in cold climates to help guard against ice dams.

Building Science Introduction - Air Flow

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

Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate flex ducts.

Air Sealing the Air Handler Closet

Guide describing the repair and reconfiguration of the air handler closet and platform when replacing the air handler.

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.

Compact Air Distribution

Guide describing design and installation of compact duct systems for central heating and cooling systems.

Duct Leakage to Outdoors

Guide describing how to conduct duct leakage tests on all components of the HVAC system (including the air handler, ductwork, register boxes/boots, and all air devices such as diffusers, registers, or grilles).

Sealed and Insulated Metal Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate metal ducts.

Total Duct Leakage Tests

Guide describing how to conduct duct leakage tests per RESNET protocols.

No Ducts or Air Handlers Located in Garage

Guide describing how to design HVAC systems to be located within the conditioned space of the home, either in a utility closet or in an air sealed conditioned attic, basement, or crawl space.

No Kinks or Sharp Bends in Flex Duct Installation

Guide outlining how to correctly install flex ducts without kinks or sharp bends.

Whole-House Dehumidification

Guide describing options for adding dehumidification equipment to a home to maintain indoor relative humidity below 60%.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation over a Flat Roof

Guide describing an approach to re-roofing an existing flat roof to improve thermal, water, and air control performance.

Air Seal HVAC Cabinet Seams

Guide describing air-sealing of the seams and holes in HVAC air handler and furnace cabinets.

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.

Condensing HVAC has Corrosion-Resistant Condensate Drain Pan

Guide describing how to install a corrosion-resistant drain pan in condensate-producing HVAC equipment.

No Excessive Coiled or Looped Flex Ducts

Guide outlining how to correctly install flex ducts without excessive coils or loops.

Sufficient Cavity Space for Flex Ducts

This measure guide describes how to correctly install ducts, ensuring enough cavity space to avoid compression.

Low-E Exterior Storm Windows

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

Air Conditioning

Guide describing refrigerant-based compression-cooling air conditioning systems for space cooling.

Sealed and Insulated Fiber Board Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate fiber board ducts.

Proper Clothes Dryer Venting

Guide describing how to correctly vent a clothes dryer.

Interior Storm Windows and Panels

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

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.

Reduce Pest Intrusion

Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.

Direct Vent Equipment

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

Seismic and Insulation Retrofits of Solid Masonry Walls

Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy efficient retrofits.

Existing Skylights Repaired or Replaced and Fully Flashed

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

Building Science Introduction - Heat Flow

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

Ductless (Mini-Split) Heat Pumps

Guide describing ductless heat pump systems used for single-room or whole-house heating and cooling.

Traditional Split Heat Pumps

Guide describing the split system heat pumps used for central forced air heating and cooling.

Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply an air control layer directly over existing wall sheathing and cover with two layers of insulating sheathing held in place by vertical furring strips.

Building Science Introduction - Moisture Flow

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

High-MERV Filters

Guide describing the uses, selection process, and specification of high-MERV filters.

Enclosure Leakage Test

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

Transfer Grilles

Guide describing how to install transfer grilles 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.

Condensing Boilers

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

Evaporative Cooling Systems

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

Oil-Fired Boilers

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

Air Sealing Attached Garage

Guide describing ways to air-seal an attached garage in new and existing homes.

Ventless (Condensing) Clothes Dryers

Guide describing condensing clothes dryers, which have a secondary heat exchanger and do not require exterior venting.

Combustion Furnaces

Guide describing combustion furnaces with selection and installation guidance.

Gas-Fired Boilers

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