BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Flexible Residential Test Facility: Impact of Infiltration and Ventilation on Measured Cooling Season Energy and Moisture Levels

Reference

Research report assessing the moisture and cooling load impacts of airtightness and mechanical ventilation in homes in hot-humid climates.

Development of an Outdoor Temperature Based Control Algorithm for Residential Mechanical Ventilation Control

Reference

The main principle of smart ventilation used in this study is to shift ventilation from time periods with large indoor-outdoor temperature differences, to periods where these differences are smaller, and their energy impacts are expected to be less.

Direct Vent Equipment

Guide

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

Integrated Ventilation System Increases Energy Efficiency and Ease of Installations

Reference

Fact sheet describing the newly developed Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System (VICS) that reduces space requirements and eliminates costly ductwork for separate heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, all while enhancing performance, addressing the demand for energy-efficient homes, and...

Building America Top Innovations 2014: ASHRAE Standard 62.2. Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Case Study

Case study describing a DOE Building America 2014 Top Innovation on research that was instrumental in developing and gaining adoption of the ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation standard.

Attic Eave Minimum Insulation

Guide

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

Field Validation of a Smart Energy Recovery Ventilation System Using Low-Cost Indoor Air Quality Sensors

Reference

Technical report on a field validation study that utilizes low-cost indoor air quality sensors to assess a smart ventilation system's effectiveness in maintaining acceptable indoor humidity in low-load homes in humid environments, revealing that while the smart ventilation algorithm demonstrated...

BrHEAThe Instruction Video

Video

Video describing the brHEAThe air circulation system in a low-air infiltrating Galena, Alaska home.

Fundamentals of Smoke Control

Reference

Article describing methods of smoke control in buildings.

Ventilation Fans

Reference

ENERGY STAR overview on certified ventilation fans.

CCHRC: Combustion Safety Test

Video

Video describing a combustion safety test and how to fix resulting issues for a house in Alaska.

How to Keep Attic Vent From Freezing Up in Winter

Video

Video describing techniques to prevent attic plumbing vents from freezing during Alaskan winters.

Smoke Control Systems

Reference

Article describing building smoke control systems.

Ceiling Fan Basics

Reference

ENRGY STAR webpage discussing the basics of certified ceiling fans.

Building Science Insights: To Vent or Not to Vent

Video

Video presentation describing proper attic venting design for energy efficiency and weather resistance.

Your Northern Home: Air Leakage/ Blower Door Test

Video

Video describing a house air leakage test and the most common leakage sources for an Alaskan house.

Ceilings and Attics

Reference

Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

If your home doesn't ignite it can't burn

Video

Video from National Fire Protection Association on the most common ignition points on homes.

Natural Ventilation

Reference

DOE Energy Saver webpage providing a brief summary of natural ventilation for houses.

Earthship Huts – Low Hanging Fruit in the Fight Against Poverty

Reference

Article describing earthship homes.

Inspecting the Dryer Exhaust

Reference

Article describing the correct installation of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.

Attic and Ceiling Insulation with Baffles

Reference

Articles describing attic and ceiling insulation, including mentions of baffles with protect insulation from wind washing.

Options for Balanced Ventilation & Tighter Envelopes

Presentation

Webinar from Dan Wildenhaus of BetterBuiltNW explaining the benefit of balanced ventilation for tighter homes along with a review of common ventilation strategies. Free EEBA login required.