BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Retrofit Contractor Case Study: GreenHomes America, Syracuse, New York

Case Study

Case study describing the origin and operations of a large HVAC company specializing in whole-house energy efficiency that upgrades 400 homes per year.

Multifamily Ventilation Retrofit Strategies

Reference

Research study examining the performance of existing multifamily ventilation central systems and explored alternative solutions in retrofit situations.

Retrofit Improvements - Fuel Tank Anchoring

Reference

A guide on how to anchor fuel tanks to avoid damage from flooding and seismic events to the home by using straps and solid concrete slabs.

Construct Roofs and Attics for Ice Dam Prevention

Guide

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

Refrigerator Thermometers: Cold Facts about Food Safety

Reference

When it comes to protecting yourself and your family from foodborne illness, one of your most effective tools is the kitchen refrigerator.

No-Regrets Remodeling: How to Create a Comfortable, Healthy Home that Saves Energy, Second Edition

Reference

Book providing home owners with building science information to help make good decisions when planning a home remodel or renovation.

Experimental Evaluation of Installed Cooking Exhaust Fan Performance

Reference

Report on the performance of range hood exhaust fans.

Choosing, Installing, and Operating an Efficient Swimming Pool Pump

Reference

You can save energy and maintain a comfortable swimming pool temperature by using a smaller, higher efficiency pump and by operating it less.

Garage Performance Testing

Reference

Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.

Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards

Reference

RESNET standards aimed to ensure that accurate and consistent home energy ratings are performed by accredited home energy rating providers through their raters nationwide.

Thermal Performance and Wall Ratings

Reference

Report proposing a procedure for estimating the whole opaque wall R-value (whole-wall R-value), independent of system type and construction materials.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Innovative Retrofit Foundation Insulation Strategies, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Case Study

Case study describing methods to retrofit foundations and basements in climate zones 6 and 7.

Insulated Siding as Home Insulation: Guide for Users and Energy Raters

Reference

A guide for users and energy raters of insulated siding as home insulation.

NFRC 100A-2010 Procedure for Determining Fenestration Attachment Product U-factors

Reference

Standard providing a procedure for determining fenestration attachment product U-factors.

Bulk Water Control Methods for Foundations, BA-1015

Reference

Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.

High Performance Building Details - Garage Band Joist Air Barrier

Reference

Information sheet about air barriers.

Did You Know? Hurricane Retrofit a Home (#5349)

Video

Video segment educating homeowners on how to make their communities more disaster-resistant, from Michael Holigan's Your New House Home Improvement TV Show.

Understanding Attic Ventilation, BSD-102

Reference

BSD-102 report providing guidance about whether to construct a vented or unvented attic based on hygro-thermal zone.

Foam Shrinks, and Other Lessons, PA-1201

Reference

Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.

Sewer Backflow and Pumps

Video

Video explaining issues with backflow from drains and sewer lines and a discussion about different valve types used in water management practices from LSU AgCenter.

Home Flood Recovery - Do More Than Restore

Video

Video giving guidelines on how to restore a home after a flood to prevent further issues. Recommendations from LSU AgCenter.

2012 International Fuel Gas Code - IFGC

Reference

2012 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

ACCA Standard 5 - HVAC Quality Installation Specification

Reference

Standard providing a universally accepted definition for quality installation for residential and commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning applications.

Advanced Framing Construction Guide

Reference

Guide describing advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.

Swapping ECM for PSC fan motor

Reference

Question and Answer article in Energy Design Update describing the cost and savings benefits of electronically commutated motors (ECMs) for HVAC equipment.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

Reference

Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

Air Leakage in Recessed Lighting

Reference

Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.

Indoor Airflow – Perfect Balance vs. Door Undercut

Reference

Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.

WaterSense Labeled New Home Specification, 1.0

Reference

Resource that provides a checklist of program criteria for water-efficient new homes under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program, version 1.0.

Building America Webinar: Who's Successfully Doing Deep Energy Retrofits?

Presentation

Webinar focusing on the technical strategies used in successful real-world deep energy retrofits (DER).