BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Air Sealing Duct and Flue Shafts

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal duct and flue shafts.

Install wood framing cross pieces in the attic rafter bays on each side of the duct chase

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Install wood framing cross pieces in the attic rafter bays on each side of the duct chase

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Wrong: open wall cavity connected to this return air plenum is allowing cellulose attic insulation to be pulled into the furnace

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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.

Air Sealing Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide

Guide describing how to air-seal bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.

Builders Challenge High Performance Builder Spotlight: David Weekley Homes, Houston, Texas

Case Study

Case study describing new home construction in the hot-humid climate, optimizing thermal enclosure, HVAC, water heating and lighting measures.

Form a sheet metal shield around the flue pipe

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Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

Guide

Guide describing how to install flashing that is integrated with air and water control layers around piping, vents, and other wall penetrations as part of an exterior wall retrofit.

Form sheet metal shield around pipe keeping 3-inch clearance

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Building Code Training - Residential Thermal Envelope - Air Sealing

Presentation

Presentation describing the Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code air barrier requirements, envelope concepts including air flow and thermal properties, and common missed insulation and air-sealing opportunities.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Deep Energy Retrofit in the Pacific Northwest

Case Study

Case study describing a whole-house, deep energy retrofit project in the marine climate.

Small Commercial Building Fact Sheet - Building Envelope

Reference

Fact sheet describing building envelope performance measures applicable to residential and small commercial construction.

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

Case Study

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: Nelson Construction: Hamilton Way, Farmington, CT

Case Study

Case study describing the design and testing of 10 high-performance homes in Farmington, Connecticut.

Building America Best Practices Case Study Whole-House Solutions for New Homes - Artistic Homes, Albuquerque, NM

Reference

Case study about Artistic Homes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first home builder in the United States to offer true net zero energy construction to the average home buyer on every home it builds.

Air Sealing Attached Garage

Guide

Guide describing ways to air-seal an attached garage in new and existing homes.

Skylight Shaft Walls

Guide

Guide describing insulation techniques for skylight shaft walls.

Install Top Plates or Blocking at the Top of Walls Adjoining Unconditioned Spaces

Guide

Guide describing how to correctly air-seal a wall with missing top plates or open wall cavities.