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Air Sealing Window and Door Rough Openings

Guide describing how to air-seal the rough openings around doors and windows.

Application of window and door nonexpanding foam sealant

Wrong – The rough opening around window is not air sealed.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Caulk applied against the backer rod to seal a window rough opening

Air-seal the rough opening around doors and windows to minimize air leakage.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Closed-cell backer rod is installed for air-sealing window and door rough openings.

Right – The rough opening around window has been filled with backer-rod to air seal.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Air seal door and window rough openings with backer rod, caulk, or nonexpanding foam

Reference

Retrofit Techniques and Technologies: Air Sealing, Volume 10

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Williamson Jennifer,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report identifying the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution.

Publication Date

Mon, 04/12/2010 - 12:00

Right – The rough opening around the window has been filled with low-expansion foam to air seal.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Right – Backer-rod is a foam product available in various diameters that can be used to air-seal openings around doors and windows.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Whole house fans draw cool night-time air in through open windows and expel hot house air into the vented attic

Publication Date

Mon, 03/01/1999 - 12:00

Right - New flashing has been installed to complete the air and water control layers at the window openings of this wall retrofit that includes insulating the wall cavities with spray foam

Vinyl Siding with Integrated Rigid Foam for Existing Walls

Guide describing the design and installation considerations for recladding of above grade walls using insulated vinyl siding.

Air Sealing Doors Adjacent to Unconditioned Space

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

1 inch exterior insulation sheathing as attic eave baffle and vent

DWG

PDF

Stucco Over Rigid Foam Insulation

Guide describing how to install stucco over rigid foam insulation in new and existing homes.

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.

Certified Insulated Siding: Quality, Comfort and Energy Performance

Author(s)

Dobson,

Brignati

Organization(s)

Vinyl Siding Institute,

Newport Ventures

This presentation will help you define insulated siding, understand R-value testing of insulated siding, describe proper installation of insulated siding, comply with energy codes and understand building energy performance program and software recognition.

Wrong – Fibrous insulation is not an air barrier and cannot be used to air-seal openings.

Publication Date

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:00

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Author(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Organization(s)

Ply Gem Siding Group

Publication Date

April, 2015

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Builders Challenge Technology Information Packages - Cold Climate: Chicago

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2008

Case study describing building in cold and very cold climates.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Preventing Thermal Bypass

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2012

Case study describing techniques used to prevent thermal bypass in new homes.

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

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2014

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

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Attention to Detail in High-Performance Homes 2012, Heritage Buildings, Leland NC

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2012

Case study describing one builder's conversion to high-performance building in the hot-humid regions of the Atlantic seaboard.

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.

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.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Tom Walsh & Co., New Columbia, Portland, OR

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

February, 2013

Case study describing a new construction building project of 20 homes that earned HERS scores that represent greater than 50% energy savings in heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC.

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

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

December, 2014

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.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Quadrant Homes, Kentlake Highlands, Kent, WA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

February, 2013

Case study describing a builder's technology package that achieves energy savings of 50% over standard practice compared to the 2006 IECC.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Schneider Homes, Inc., Village at Miller Creek, Burien, WA

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

February, 2013

Case study describing new home construction in the marine climate that achieved 50% savings over the 2004 IECC.

New Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Pine Mountain Builders, Pine Mountain, Georgia

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Organization(s)

PNNL

Publication Date

January, 2013

Case study describing a builder in Georgia that designs energy-efficient homes for a green community, yielding homes with HERS scores as lowas 59 and electric bills as low as $50 a month.

DOE ZERH HIA 2017 Case Study: United Way of Long Island, United Veterans Beacon House, Huntington Station, NY

Author(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

PNNL,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2017

Case study showing project and performance data and energy-efficiency measures for a DOE 2017 Housing Innovation Award winning home that was certified to the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home criteria.