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Air Sealed, Insulated Basements

Guide

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.

Exterior XPS basement insulation is correctly installed to completely cover the foundation wall

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Foil-faced rigid foam and spray foam can be used to insulate a basement on the interior; use good moisture management techniques to keep the basement dry

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Exterior fiberglass insulation on this new home was (incorrectly) cut to terminate below-grade after backfill, which will expose the above-grade portions of the foundation wall to cold temperatures

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Proper flashing around windows is especially important when the rigid foam serves as the drainage plane in the wall

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Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Reference

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

DOE ZERH HIA 2017 Case Study: Thrive Home Builders, Courtyard Rows, Lone Tree, CO

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2017 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 41 without PV and 8 with PV.

DOE ZERH 2013 Case Study: e2 Homes Winter Park, Florida [2-page summary version]

Case Study

Case study describing the first certified DOE Zero Energy Ready Home—the “Wilson Residence” in Winter Park, Florida.

DOE ZERH HIA 2013 Case Study: e2 Homes, Winter Park, Florida

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2013 Housing Innovation Award Winner in Winter Park FL that scored HERS 57 without PV or HERS -7 with PV.

Install the starter strip for the vinyl siding along a chalk line

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Right: All joints in the rigid foam are taped to keep stucco out of joints for even drying. Mesh tape (shown here) is used with expanded polystyrene (EPS); acrylic sheathing tape or self-adhered membrane is used with XPS

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High Performance Builder Spotlight: Treasure Homes Inc.

Case Study

Case study describing the family-run Treasure Homes that achieved a HERS rating of 46 without PV on its prototype “Gem” home, located on the blustery shores of Lake Michigan in northern Indiana.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Reference

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Conway Street Apartments - Greenfield, Massachusetts

Case Study

Case study describing a deep energy retrofit, turning an old school into 12 high-end apartments in Greenfield, MA.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Reference

Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: One Sky Homes, Cottle Zero Net Energy Home, San Jose, CA

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 69 without PV and -1 with PV.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

Guide

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

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Green Home 3 - Mount Joy, Pennsylvania

Case Study

Case study describing the Green Home 3 project, which achieved a 44% whole-house energy savings over the Building America New Construction B10 Benchmark, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification, and National Green Building Standard Gold-level certification.

DOE ZERH HIA 2014 Case Study: M Street Homes, Smartlux on Greenpark Houston, TX

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home 2014 Housing Innovation Award winner that scored HERS 45 without PV and 32 with PV and is the first home in the world to use a tri-generation system to supply electricity, heating, and cooling on site.

Building Science Introduction - Moisture Flow

Information Guide

Information guide describing the concept of moisture flow in residential buildings.