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A blower door is used to test air leakage in this multifamily building during construction

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This constant airflow regulator (CAR) has been fouled by deposition of aerosolized sealant because it was not protected during duct sealing

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Canned spray foam is used here to seal the gap around a pipe that enters the house through the brick foundation wall.

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Use low-expanding canned spray foam to seal unused holes, gaps around wires, and seams in the outlet box.

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In the attic, all of the top plate seams are sealed with canned spray foam before covering the ceiling deck with blown fiberglass.

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Smoke generators are used to identify air leakage sites during depressurization testing

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Seal all wood framing joints surrounding the chase with sealant and lay a bead of sealant on top edge of chase framing

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Wrong – This metal duct is crushed, is sealed with duct tape instead of mastic or UL-181 metal tape, and is not correctly supported.

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Pumpkin Ridge Passive House Video #012: Interior Attic Air Barrier

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Video describing the interior attic air barrier details in a passive house.

Insulating sheathing is extended up to the roof rafters and sealed around the framing with spray foam as part of this exterior wall retrofit

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Right - The water and air control layers are properly integrated around the hose bib

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Marriage joints between modular home modules at all exterior boundary conditions fully sealed with gasket and foam

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Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Building Enclosure: Managing Air Flow

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Video describing the management of air flow within the building enclosure focusing on air pressure differences from Home Innovation Research Labs.

Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump Install Guide: Part 13 - Odds and Ends

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Video describing air source heat pump installation; part 13 of 14 describes miscellaneous items including air sealing, pest protection, environmental protection, checking attachments and supports, labeling, and double-checking for missed items.

Right – The seams are taped on the coated OSB sheathing of this home to provide a complete air barrier.

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Right – The hard metal ducts are located in conditioned space between floor joists and all seams are sealed with approved metal tape.

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Seal all wood framing joints surrounding the chase with sealant and lay a bead of sealant along top edge of chase framing

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Right – The exhaust fan duct is sealed to the fan with mastic and the fan opening is covered with cardboard to keep out dust during construction.

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Rigid foam or wood blocking can be installed and sealed as shown to prevent airflow through the wall cavities between two rooms of different ceiling heights.

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An infrared camera can show heat transfer and air leaks not visible to the naked eye.

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Balloon-framed walls have no top plate to prevent air flow into wall cavity

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This infrared image shows cold air entering the home through leaks in the sill plate

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Hygrothermal Performance Study: A Field Study Comparison of the Energy and Moisture Performance Characteristics of Ventilated Versus Sealed Crawl Spaces in the South

Reference

Report outlining results from a 2005 hygrothermal pilot study in the South.

Balloon framing at a gable end wall allows air to flow from the conditioned space and the wall cavity into the attic.

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Right - This opening in the foundation wall around this pipe was filled with wire mesh then sealed with spray foam to prevent rodent and insect entry

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Indoor Air Quality in 24 California Residences Designed as High-Performance Homes

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This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.

Right - Attach exterior insulation with insulation washers and tape the seams of the insulation is used as an air barrier.

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A blower door is used to test air leakage in this multifamily building during construction

This constant airflow regulator (CAR) has been fouled by deposition of aerosolized sealant because it was not protected during duct sealing

Canned spray foam is used here to seal the gap around a pipe that enters the house through the brick foundation wall.

Use low-expanding canned spray foam to seal unused holes, gaps around wires, and seams in the outlet box.

In the attic, all of the top plate seams are sealed with canned spray foam before covering the ceiling deck with blown fiberglass.

Smoke generators are used to identify air leakage sites during depressurization testing

Seal all wood framing joints surrounding the chase with sealant and lay a bead of sealant on top edge of chase framing

Wrong – This metal duct is crushed, is sealed with duct tape instead of mastic or UL-181 metal tape, and is not correctly supported.

Pumpkin Ridge Passive House Video #012: Interior Attic Air Barrier

Insulating sheathing is extended up to the roof rafters and sealed around the framing with spray foam as part of this exterior wall retrofit

Right - The water and air control layers are properly integrated around the hose bib

Marriage joints between modular home modules at all exterior boundary conditions fully sealed with gasket and foam

Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series - Building Enclosure: Managing Air Flow

Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump Install Guide: Part 13 - Odds and Ends

Right – The seams are taped on the coated OSB sheathing of this home to provide a complete air barrier.

Right – The hard metal ducts are located in conditioned space between floor joists and all seams are sealed with approved metal tape.

Seal all wood framing joints surrounding the chase with sealant and lay a bead of sealant along top edge of chase framing

Right – The exhaust fan duct is sealed to the fan with mastic and the fan opening is covered with cardboard to keep out dust during construction.

Rigid foam or wood blocking can be installed and sealed as shown to prevent airflow through the wall cavities between two rooms of different ceiling heights.

An infrared camera can show heat transfer and air leaks not visible to the naked eye.

Balloon-framed walls have no top plate to prevent air flow into wall cavity

This infrared image shows cold air entering the home through leaks in the sill plate

Hygrothermal Performance Study: A Field Study Comparison of the Energy and Moisture Performance Characteristics of Ventilated Versus Sealed Crawl Spaces in the South

Balloon framing at a gable end wall allows air to flow from the conditioned space and the wall cavity into the attic.

Right - This opening in the foundation wall around this pipe was filled with wire mesh then sealed with spray foam to prevent rodent and insect entry

Indoor Air Quality in 24 California Residences Designed as High-Performance Homes

Right - Attach exterior insulation with insulation washers and tape the seams of the insulation is used as an air barrier.

Pumpkin Ridge Passive House Video #007: Wall-To-Roof Air Barrier Details

Right – This low-slope flat roof assembly has continuity of both the air and water barriers

Right – This low-slope roof and parapet assembly has continuity of both the air and water barriers