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The foil-faced insulation behind this fireplace provides an air barrier and thermal shield.

The foil-faced insulation behind this fireplace provides an air barrier and thermal shield.

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Right – Insulation meets RESNET Grade I prior to air barrier installation

Right – Insulation meets RESNET Grade I prior to air barrier installation

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Right – Insulation installed behind fireplace prior to air barrier installation

Right – Insulation installed behind fireplace prior to air barrier installation

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Wrong - Wind baffle installation will not allow insulation over the top plate.

Wrong - Wind baffle installation will not allow insulation over the top plate.

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Right – The band joist over this wall was properly insulated and air-sealed.

Right – The band joist over this wall was properly insulated and air-sealed.

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The attic knee walls were constructed from 2x6s and insulated with R-19 batt, backed with 1 inch of XPS foam board with taped joints to provide a solid air barrier over the insulated surfaces.

The attic knee walls were constructed from 2x6s and insulated with R-19 batt, backed with 1 inch of XPS foam board with taped joints to provide a solid air barrier over the insulated surfaces.

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2012 IECC Code Level Insulation – DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Requirements

Video

Video describing insulation and air sealing strategies to meet 2012 IECC code levels.

Conceptual insulation practice at attic-style truss system - above unconditioned space

CAD File

Conceptual insulation practice at attic-style truss system - above conditioned space

CAD File

Air sealing wall between a porch roof and attic with 1 inch of rigid insulation

Air sealing wall between a porch roof and attic with 1 inch of rigid insulation

CAD File

Taped plywood provides an air barrier beneath the cork insulation installed on the exterior of this home.

Taped plywood provides an air barrier beneath the cork insulation installed on the exterior of this home.

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A site-built rafter roof with a raised top plate allows for more insulation underneath.

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Limited attic access can make inspections for missing air barriers and insulation challenging

Limited attic access can make inspections for missing air barriers and insulation challenging

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Air barrier at garage band joist - 1 1/2 inch rigid insulation with 2x4 sleepers

CAD File

Wrong - Rigid insulation blocking is installed but not air-sealed with spray foam around edges.

Wrong - Rigid insulation blocking is installed but not air-sealed with spray foam around edges.

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Right - Walls and ceilings shared by the garage and living space must be air sealed and insulated.

Right - Walls and ceilings shared by the garage and living space must be air sealed and insulated.

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Install a continuous air barrier below or above ceiling insulation and install wind baffles.

Install a continuous air barrier below or above ceiling insulation and install wind baffles.

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Right - Wind baffle installation will allow proper insulation depth over the top plate.

Right - Wind baffle installation will allow proper insulation depth over the top plate.

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2015 IECC Air Barrier and Insulation Installation Component Guide - 2019 Georgia Energy Code

Reference

Document describing the air leakage provisions of Appendix RA of the 2015 IECC (prepared for the State of Georgia to assist with compliance with their 2019 Energy Code).

The wall behind the fireplace is an exterior wall and requires a thermal barrier that is continuous with the rest of the wall’s insulation

The wall behind the fireplace is an exterior wall and requires a thermal barrier that is continuous with the rest of the wall’s insulation

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The home is sheathed with rigid foam insulation and all seams and holes are taped to provide a continuous air barrier.

The home is sheathed with rigid foam insulation and all seams and holes are taped to provide a continuous air barrier.

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Wrong - Wall cavities behind shower are not completely filled with insulation and are lacking the solid interior air barrier.

Wrong - Wall cavities behind shower are not completely filled with insulation and are lacking the solid interior air barrier.

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Right – Cantilever has been properly insulated, air sealed, and cavity has been blocked.

Right – Cantilever has been properly insulated, air sealed, and cavity has been blocked.

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Cost Analysis of Roof-Only Air Sealing and Insulation Strategies on 1 1/2-Story Homes in Cold Climates

Reference

Report exploring alternative methods to find long-term solutions to energy loss in 1 ½-story homes to save energy, improve comfort, prevent frost buildup on the underside of the roof deck, and reduce the risk of ice dam formation/reformation.

The soffit dam and baffle allow air to flow through the vents without disturbing the insulation covering the top plates

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Building America Existing Home Case Study: Insulated Siding Retrofit in a Cold Climate, New Paltz, New York

Case Study

Case study describing the application of insulated siding on an existing home.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Exterior Rigid Foam Insulation at the Edge of a Slab Foundation, Fresno, California

Case Study

Case study describing application of exterior rigid foam insulation on a foundation system.

Wrong – Insulation does not fill entire cavity nor is there an air barrier present between the double wall

Wrong – Insulation does not fill entire cavity nor is there an air barrier present between the double wall

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Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.

Right – This attic knee wall and the floor joist cavity openings beneath it are being sealed and insulated with spray foam.

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The base of the plywood parapet is air sealed with spray foam and fibrous insulation is installed in the rafter cavities in this flat roof retrofit

The base of the plywood parapet is air sealed with spray foam and fibrous insulation is installed in the rafter cavities in this flat roof retrofit

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