BASC Search | Building America Solution Center

Direct Vent Equipment

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

Disaster-Resistant Roof Venting

Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.

Proper Clothes Dryer Venting

Guide describing how to correctly vent a clothes dryer.

Vented versus Unvented Attic

Guide describing options for designing and locating the thermal boundary at either the attic floor or along the roof line in new and existing homes.

Batt Insulation for Existing Vented Attics

Guide describing how to increase insulation in existing homes by installing batt insulation on the ceiling plane of a vented attic.

Air Sealing and Insulating Ceilings in Vented Attics

Guide describing how to air-seal and insulate a ceiling where the insulation is installed on top of the ceiling (on the attic floor) in a vented attic.

Floors: Above Unconditioned Basement, Vented Crawlspace, Cantilevered Floors, and Floors above Garage, Code Compliance Brief

New language in the 2015 IECC allows different installation of insulation in floors over unconditioned spaces.

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Have Proper Ventilation

Guide describing how to provide combustion air for fireplaces and how to test fireplaces for combustion safety.

Combustion Furnaces

Guide describing combustion furnaces with selection and installation guidance.

Condensing Boilers

Guide describing condensing boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Combustion Appliances

Information guide describing things to consider before attempting retrofits including any combustion appliances, or that may affect them.

Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) Testing

Guide describing how to conduct combustion appliance zone testing.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Attics, Ceilings, and Roofs

Information guide describing things to consider in the attic, ceiling, or roof before attempting retrofits of items including HVAC, wiring, or structural systems.

Unvented Conditioned Attic with Spray Foam Insulation Below Roof Deck

Guide describing a method for insulating an unvented attic by spraying foam insulation along the underside of the roof deck.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Crawlspaces and Basements

Information guide describing things to consider in the basement or crawlspace before attempting retrofits of adjacent items including HVAC, wiring, or structural systems.

Gas-Fired Boilers

Guide describing gas-fired boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Combined Space and Water Heating: Next Steps to Improved Performance

Author(s)

Bohac Dave,

Schoenbauer Ben,

Huelman Patrick H

Organization(s)

University of Minnesota,

UMN,

NothernSTAR,

NSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

July, 2016

Report describing combined space- and water-heating (combi) systems using a high-efficiency direct-vent burner.

Oil-Fired Boilers

Guide describing oil-fired boilers and hot water heat distribution systems used for home heating.

Steam System Balancing for Multifamily Existing Buildings

Guide describing best practice venting strategies for existing steam heating systems in multifamily buildings.

Gas-Fired Tankless Water Heaters

Guide describing the installation of a tankless hot water heater to provide domestic hot water that is heated on demand without the standby losses associated with tank storage water heaters.

Ventilation Air Inlet Locations

Guide describing how to install ventilation air inlets in open locations at a safe distance from potential air contamination sources.

Rigid Foam Board Insulation for Existing Band Joists

Guide describing principles of insulating and air sealing band joists as a stand alone energy upgrade, or as part of creating a closed crawlspace.

Calculating Attic Passive Ventilation

Information guide describing how to calculate attic passive ventilation with example calculations.

Rigid Foam Board Interior Insulation for Existing Foundation Walls

Guide describing how to insulate closed crawlspace walls and band joist areas with rigid foam board insulation.

Evaporative Cooling Systems

This guide describes evaporative cooling technologies which can be used to cool homes in dry climates.

Gas-Fired Boilers - Code Compliance Brief

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about gas-fired boilers to help ensure that the measure will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing notes for code officials on how to plan reviews and conduct field inspections can help builders or remodelers...

Above Deck Rigid Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing the installation of insulating sheathing above the roof deck on existing homes. This retrofit assembly is appropriate for homes with conditioned attics or where the retrofit is intended to create a conditioned attic.

Below Deck Spray Foam Insulation for Existing Roofs

Guide describing how to add spray foam insulation to the underside of the existing roof deck as part of the conversion of a vented attic to an unvented, insulated attic.

Wind Washing

Guide describing wind washing and how to prevent it.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation Over a Sloped Roof

Guide describing how to re-roof an existing home with a sloped and add insulation above the roof deck.

Hurricanes and High Winds Overview

Overview guide outlining home construction techniques used in hurricane and high wind areas.

Kitchen Exhaust Retrofit Duct Guide

Guide describing the retrofit of kitchen exhaust systems, including duct sizing and routing considerations.

Integrated Heating and Hot Water with Tankless Gas or Electric Water Heating

Guide describing installation procedures for combined space and water heating systems.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Existing HVAC Systems

Information guide describing considerations for before retrofitting HVAC systems, retrofit scope considerations, and HVAC system replacement options.

Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to install a bathroom exhaust fan to remove excess moisture.

Unvented Attic Insulation

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented attic along the roof line.

Evaporative Cooling - Code Compliance Brief

This brief discusses the provisions in the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and International Residential Code (IRC) related to evaporative cooling.

Flood-Resistant Crawlspace Foundations

Guide describing how to design or retrofit a crawlspace to reduce the risk of damage during a flood event.

Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide describing how to install efficient kitchen exhaust systems.

Oil-Fired Boilers - Code Compliance Brief

The focus of this brief is on boiler efficiency, sizing requirements, controls, combustion air, and pipe insulation for the 2015 version of the IRC/IECC.

Flashing of Wall Penetrations in Existing Homes

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.

Attic Air Sealing, Insulating, and Ventilating for Ice Dam Prevention

Information guide describing proper attic air-sealing, insulation, and ventilation to combat ice dam formation on roofs in cold climate zones.

Attic Ventilation Fans

Guide describing the use of attic ventilation fans to mechanically pull outside air through the attic in an attempt to cool the attic, control moisture, and prevent ice dams.

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.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves on Steam Heating Systems

Guide describing how to analyze boiler and building performance and install thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) to reduce temperatures in over heated spaces.

Combustion Safety - CO Alarms Installed

Guide describing how to choose and install a carbon monoxide alarm.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Walls, Windows, and Doors

Information guide describing things to consider before retrofitting walls, windows, and doors, including wiring, moisture protection, and lead paints.

Condensation Control in Attics and Roofs in Cold Weather

Guide describing causes of condensation in attics and roof assemblies during cold weather and ways to reduce this condensation.

Ventless (Condensing) Clothes Dryers

Guide describing condensing clothes dryers, which have a secondary heat exchanger and do not require exterior venting.

Winter Weather Overview Guide

Information guide providing an overview of winter weather issues for home owners and building science solutions for home builders.

Water Managed Roof – Re-roofing and Adding Insulation over a Flat Roof

Guide describing an approach to re-roofing an existing flat roof to improve thermal, water, and air control performance.

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation

Guide describing buried ducts in loose-fill attic insulation, a method that can only be used in dry climates.

Wildfire Overview

Overview guide describing wildfire risks and construction strategies to increase the wildfire resistance of homes located in wildland urban interface areas.

Ducts Buried in Attic Insulation and Encapsulated

Guide describing approaches to burying and encapsulating ducts in unconditioned attics to increase the overall R-value of duct insulation.

Unvented, Insulated Crawlspaces

Guide describing methods for insulating an unvented crawlspace or conditioned basement with rigid foam on the interior side of the walls to provide an insulated space for HVAC equipment.

Flashing of Penetrations in Existing Roofs

Guide describing how to provide a continuous water control layer across the roof assembly by sealing all penetrations for pipes, vents, etc. in existing roofs.

Passive and Low-Energy Cooling

Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.

Capillary Break Beneath Slab - Polyethylene Sheeting or Rigid Insulation over Aggregate or Sand and Geotextile Mat

Guide describing how to install a capillary break under a slab foundation using either polyethylene sheeting or rigid insulation installed over aggregate or over sand and geotextile matting.

Building Science Introduction - Heat Flow

Information guide providing background information about heat flow in residential buildings.

No Kinks or Sharp Bends in Flex Duct Installation

Guide outlining how to correctly install flex ducts without kinks or sharp bends.

Vertical Radon Ventilation Pipe

Guide describing how to install a radon-mitigating vertical ventilation pipe in new and existing homes with various types of house foundations.

Pre-Retrofit Assessment of Ventilation Systems

Guide describing how to evaluate existing ventilations systems before performing home upgrades.

Water Managed Existing Sill Beams and Sill Plates

Guide describing how to insulate the sill beam or sill plate on the exterior side in a way that allows drying to the exterior, as part of an exterior wall upgrade.

Reduce Pest Intrusion

Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.

Insulation for Existing Crawl Space Floors

Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.

Capillary Break at Crawlspace Floor - Polyethylene Sheeting under Concrete Slab

Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.

Rigid Foam Insulation Installed over Existing Foundation Slabs

Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.

Sealing and Insulating Existing Floors above Unconditioned Spaces - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

May, 2016

From a model code perspective, submittal of construction documentation, permitting, plan review, and field inspection may be required depending upon the specific details of renovating the floor above an unconditioned space (e.g., floor over a vented crawl space). Several different approaches can be taken to seal and insulate existing floors during a renovation project.

Attic Radiant Barriers

Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.

Ducts in Interstitial Floor Framing

Guide for designing and installing interior ducts in an interstitial floor cavity in new and existing homes.

Building Science Introduction - Air Flow

Information guide providing background information about air flow in residential buildings.

Design for Extreme Heat

Information guide describing ways to design a home to be resistant to extreme heat.

Unvented Combustion Appliances

Guide describing how to properly ventilate un-vented combustion appliances such as sealed fireplaces.

Home Performance Assessment

Information guide describing how to apply a whole-house approach to home improvement with energy efficiency upgrades, improved indoor air quality, and increased comfort.

Encapsulated Ducts

Guide that illustrates how and when to encapsulate ductwork in unconditioned attics, increases the R-value of duct insulation, mitigating condensation issues and reducing air leakage.

Flashing of Roof-Wall Intersections in Existing Homes

Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.

Sealed and Insulated Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate flex ducts.

Sealed and Insulated Metal Ducts

Guide describing how to air seal and insulate metal ducts.

Outdoor HVAC Equipment Elevated and Secured for Resistance to Floods, Earthquakes, and High Winds

A guide describing how to elevate and secure HVAC equipment for protection against floods, earthquakes, and high winds.

Whole House Ventilation Strategies for Existing Homes

Guide describing how to select and install whole-house ventilation systems for existing homes.

Generators for Back-Up Power During Outages

Information guide describing options and considerations for installing a generator for backup power in case of temporary power outages.

Decks are Wildfire-Resistant

Guide describing how to properly construct decks and other building attachments to be resistant to ignition in the event of a wildfire.

Flashing at Bottom of Exterior Walls

Guide describing how to apply flashing to the bottom of exterior walls to create a continuous drainage plane.

Sealing and Insulating Existing Crawl Space Walls - Code Compliance Brief

Publication Date

May, 2016

The intent of this brief is to provide code-related information about sealing and insulating crawl space walls in existing residential buildings to help ensure that the measures will be accepted as being in compliance with the code. Providing the same information to all interested parties (e.g., code officials, builders, contractors, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.

Managing Snow Loads on Roofs and Decks

Guide describing how to construct homes and decks to manage heavy snow loads in winter weather.

Fireplaces, Proper Ventilation for New Wood-Burning Fireplaces - Code Compliance Brief

The intent of this brief is to cover the new requirements for new wood-burning fireplaces regarding doors, dampers, and combustion air and proper ventilation.

Mechanical Ventilation for Attached Garage

Guide describing how to install an exhaust fan in an attached garage to pull fumes out of the garage and to depressurize the garage with reference to the home.

Design for Wildfire Resistance

Information guide describing defensible space, fire-resistant materials, and other features to include when designing a home for wildfire resistance.

Step and Kick-Out Flashing at Roof-Wall Intersections

Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.

Support at Intervals for Flex Ducts

Guide describing how to hang ducts with supporting straps or saddles to adequately support ducts so they do not sag and are not pinched or compressed in a manner that would cause damage to the ducts, the duct insulation, or the duct air barrier covering.