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Byggmeister Test Home: Cold Climate Multifamily Masonry Building Condition Assessment and Retrofit Analysis

Reference

Report describing findings from a multifamily test home focusing on the combination of energy measures that are feasible, affordable and suitable for multifamily construction in cold climates.

Retrofit of a MultiFamily Mass Masonry Building in New England

Reference

Research study about a high performance retrofit of an existing brick building (a former convent) into condominiums, all affordable housing.

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

Reference

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Wrong – This electric wiring hole was filled with foam that is not protected with copper mesh or hardware cloth so rodents could chew through the foam and enter the house (see Solution Center Guide "Reduce Pest Intrusion").

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Trade-Friendly Retrofit Insulated Panels for Existing Buildings, Albany New York

Reference

Case study about a structural sheathing product composed of enhanced EPS rigid foam with OSB adhered on one side.

Evaluation of Early Performance Results for Massachusetts Homes in the National Grid Pilot Deep Energy Retrofit Programs

Reference

Report summarizing post-retrofit results for 13 existing homes in a deep energy retrofit pilot program.

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

Case Study

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

Right - This poured concrete basement wall is insulated on the exterior and under the slab with rigid insulation; footing details include interior and exterior footing drain pipe.

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Right - Concrete masonry unit (CMU) basement wall showing exterior insulation and sill detail; above-grade wall has sheathing to the inside of the rigid foam.

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A concrete slab-on-grade foundation with exterior insulation, which can be elevated above the local grade as a flood-prevention strategy.

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This exterior wall retrofit permits drying to the exterior of a sill plate installed on an untreated irregular foundation wall

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This exterior wall retrofit permits drying to the exterior of a sill plate installed on an untreated flat foundation wall

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Rigid foam insulating sheathing is installed on existing garage ceiling and covered with a new gypsum board fire protection layer installed over the foam.

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Unvented roof assembly at eave retrofitted with rigid foam, spray foam, and taped top edge of existing house wrap or building paper

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Reaching for Peak Performance in Existing Homes - A Cold Climate Study With Synergy Construction

Reference

Research study about two test homes that are examined with the goal of providing case studies that could be applied to other similar New England homes.

Serenbe Nest Cottages

Reference

Report describing construction of test homes in Atlanta, GA meeting Building America savings targets and serving as a basis of design for other homes Martin Dodson plans to build within the Serenbe community.

Evaluation of Ventilation Strategies in New Construction Multifamily Buildings

Reference

Report describing research that helps inform best practices for air-sealing multifamily buildings in the Northeast.

The Performance House - A Cold Climate Challenge Home

Reference

Report about seeking a 30% source energy savings targets over a comparable 2009 International Energy Conservation Code-built home in the cold climate zone, using simple measures.

Support at Intervals for Flex Ducts

Guide

Guide describing how to hang HVAC ducts with supporting straps or saddles to adequately support ducts so they do not sag and are not pinched or compressed.

Insulating Plumbing Pipes

Guide

Guide describing how to insulate plumbing pipes.

Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) Testing

Guide

Guide describing how to conduct testing for adequate combustion air in the space where a combustion appliance is located if the appliance is located within the conditioned space of the home.

Insulation Below Attic Platforms

Guide

Guide describing how to install insulation below platforms constructed in the attic for walkways, HVAC equipment, or storage.

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Guide

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

Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Guide

Guide describing how to install an efficient kitchen exhaust fan.

Right - Potential locations for basement insulation in new construction, slab insulation should always be underneath, with walls insulated (a) inside, (b) outside, (c) sandwiched inside, or (d) inside and outside of walls.

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Right - Additional potential locations for slab-on-grade insulation include (a) under the slab and outside the perimeter with optional underground moisture block, (b) under the whole foundation, or (c) on top of the slab.

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Byggmeister Test Home: Cold Climate Multifamily Masonry Building Condition Assessment and Retrofit Analysis

Retrofit of a MultiFamily Mass Masonry Building in New England

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

Wrong – This electric wiring hole was filled with foam that is not protected with copper mesh or hardware cloth so rodents could chew through the foam and enter the house (see Solution Center Guide "Reduce Pest Intrusion").

Trade-Friendly Retrofit Insulated Panels for Existing Buildings, Albany New York

Evaluation of Early Performance Results for Massachusetts Homes in the National Grid Pilot Deep Energy Retrofit Programs

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

Right - This poured concrete basement wall is insulated on the exterior and under the slab with rigid insulation; footing details include interior and exterior footing drain pipe.

Right - Concrete masonry unit (CMU) basement wall showing exterior insulation and sill detail; above-grade wall has sheathing to the inside of the rigid foam.

A concrete slab-on-grade foundation with exterior insulation, which can be elevated above the local grade as a flood-prevention strategy.

This exterior wall retrofit permits drying to the exterior of a sill plate installed on an untreated irregular foundation wall

This exterior wall retrofit permits drying to the exterior of a sill plate installed on an untreated flat foundation wall

Rigid foam insulating sheathing is installed on existing garage ceiling and covered with a new gypsum board fire protection layer installed over the foam.

Unvented roof assembly at eave retrofitted with rigid foam, spray foam, and taped top edge of existing house wrap or building paper

Reaching for Peak Performance in Existing Homes - A Cold Climate Study With Synergy Construction

Serenbe Nest Cottages

Evaluation of Ventilation Strategies in New Construction Multifamily Buildings

The Performance House - A Cold Climate Challenge Home

Support at Intervals for Flex Ducts

Insulating Plumbing Pipes

Combustion Appliance Zone (CAZ) Testing

Insulation Below Attic Platforms

Water Management of Existing Basement Floor

Kitchen Exhaust Fans

Right - Potential locations for basement insulation in new construction, slab insulation should always be underneath, with walls insulated (a) inside, (b) outside, (c) sandwiched inside, or (d) inside and outside of walls.

Right - Additional potential locations for slab-on-grade insulation include (a) under the slab and outside the perimeter with optional underground moisture block, (b) under the whole foundation, or (c) on top of the slab.

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: SMUD's 32nd Avenue Remodel Demonstration Program, Sacramento, CA

Attic or Roof? An Evaluation of Two Advanced Weatherization Packages, BA-1205

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

Moisture Research - Optimizing Wall Assemblies