Guide
Description
Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to upgrade or expand an existing HVAC system.
Case Study
Description
Case study describing technologies that can be implemented in new manufactured homes to increase comfort and realize energy savings.
Reference
Description
Report that collected field data from a whole-home program in Illinois are utilized to compare marketplace-installed measures to the energy saving optimal packages previously developed for 15 housing types.
Reference
Description
Document providing a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in the hot and humid climate.
Home Improvement Expert™ Checklist
Description
Nearly half of all heating and cooling systems in U.S. homes are not installed to manufacturer’s instructions and therefore perform below rated capacity and efficiency. In addition, older oil and gas boilers have low efficiency and use natural draft exhaust with the potential to back draft or spill combustion gases. High-efficiency sealed-combustion direct-vent oil and gas boilers have efficiencies exceeding 90% and include ducted exhaust and supply air that cannot backdraft combustion gases. However, critical installation best practices need to be followed to ensure a successful project. Use this checklist to get the significant energy savings, enhanced comfort, and safety benefits possible from a quality installed oil or gas boiler replacement.
Guide
Description
Guide describing combustion furnaces with selection and installation guidance.
Reference
Description
Report demonstrating cost-effective energy savings targets as well as improved comfort and indoor environmental quality associated with deep energy retrofits by a large public housing authority as part of a larger rehabilitation effort.
Reference
Description
Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to install a radon-mitigating vertical ventilation pipe in new and existing homes with various types of house foundations.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to correctly install flex ducts without excessive coils or loops.
Reference
Description
Document providing a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in the hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.
Reference
Description
Report providing a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis inherent to different models as a way of thinking about the transition from traditional business models into a viable model for delivering deep energy retrofits.
Guide
Description
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.
Home Improvement Expert™ Checklist
Description
In many homes, kitchen exhaust fans are often missing or very ineffective removing moisture, cooking odors, and fumes directly to outdoors. Kitchen exhaust fans help ensure cooking emissions are effectively captured and exhausted. However, critical installation best practices need to be followed to ensure a successful project. Use this checklist to get the significant health benefits possible from a quality installed kitchen exhaust fan.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to install a radon mitigation fan to actively remove radon from the home.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how and where to install ducts, to ensure enough cavity space to avoid compression of the flex ducts or duct insulation.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to correctly install flex ducts without kinks or sharp bends.
Reference
Description
Fact sheet describing the Extended Plate Wall (EPW) a system that incorporates a 2-inch layer of foam plastic insulative sheathing within the framing for top and bottom plates, streamlining air sealing, window and door installation, weather resistive barrier application, and cladding attachment for...
Information Guide
Description
Guide describing how to evaluate ventilations systems before performing home upgrades.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide providing an overview of pest-resistant construction practices and guides in the Building America Solution Center for builders, contractors, and home owners.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide providing an overview of winter weather issues for home owners and building science solutions for home builders.