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Wrong – Whole house fan installed with holes in surrounding platform that need to be air sealed

Wrong – Whole house fan installed with holes in surrounding platform that need to be air sealed

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Wrong - The caulk is too far from the sill plate to effectively air-seal the gap.

Wrong - The caulk is too far from the sill plate to effectively air-seal the gap.

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An exhaust fan pulls damp air out of a retrofitted sealed crawlspace while drawing in dry air from the living space

An exhaust fan pulls damp air out of a retrofitted sealed crawlspace while drawing in dry air from the living space

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Right - Air-sealing the wall between the garage and the home is vital for occupant health and safety.

Right - Air-sealing the wall between the garage and the home is vital for occupant health and safety.

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Air-seal around all plumbing and piping installed through walls, ceilings, and flooring adjacent to unconditioned space to prevent air leakage.

Air-seal around all plumbing and piping installed through walls, ceilings, and flooring adjacent to unconditioned space to prevent air leakage.

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Air-seal around all wiring installed through walls, ceilings, and flooring to keep conditioned air from leaking into unconditioned space.

Air-seal around all wiring installed through walls, ceilings, and flooring to keep conditioned air from leaking into unconditioned space.

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Air-seal around recessed can light fixtures that are installed through ceilings to keep conditioned air from leaking into unconditioned space.

Air-seal around recessed can light fixtures that are installed through ceilings to keep conditioned air from leaking into unconditioned space.

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Spray foam insulation is installed in open wall cavities to air seal and insulate

Spray foam insulation is installed in open wall cavities to air seal and insulate

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Foam gaskets are available that may provide some air sealing and sound insulation benefit

Foam gaskets are available that may provide some air sealing and sound insulation benefit

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Measure Guideline: Wall Air Sealing and Insulation Methods in Existing Homes - An Overview of Opportunity and Process

Reference

Document providing renovators and retrofit contractors an overview of considerations when including wall air sealing and insulation in an energy retrofit project.

Examples of many common ceiling penetrations that will be difficult to insulate and air seal in this cathedral ceiling.

Examples of many common ceiling penetrations that will be difficult to insulate and air seal in this cathedral ceiling.

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Air seal your crawlspace access hatch with weatherstripping and insulate the hatch panel with rigid foam and/or batt insulation to minimize air leakage at this common air leakage location.

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A direct-vent sealed-combustion furnace has dedicated pipes for combustion air and exhaust

A direct-vent sealed-combustion furnace has dedicated pipes for combustion air and exhaust

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The gaps around this HVAC boot have been air sealed with spray foam to limit air leakage between the conditioned space and the basement or crawlspace.

The gaps around this HVAC boot have been air sealed with spray foam to limit air leakage between the conditioned space and the basement or crawlspace.

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Wrong - Hole around electrical box is cut too large; gap needs to be air-sealed.

Wrong - Hole around electrical box is cut too large; gap needs to be air-sealed.

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Wrong – No membrane or sealant is installed to air seal at the roof-truss assembly junction with the party walls

Wrong – No membrane or sealant is installed to air seal at the roof-truss assembly junction with the party walls

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Right – A student uses a powered caulk gun to air seal wood-to-wood seams.

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The builder used spray foam in difficult-to-air seal spots like the rim joists.

The builder used spray foam in difficult-to-air seal spots like the rim joists.

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Air seal duct boot to ceiling by installing fiberglass mesh tape and mastic over seam

Air seal duct boot to ceiling by installing fiberglass mesh tape and mastic over seam

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Spray foam air seals gaps around holes and drywall-to-top plate seams.

Spray foam air seals gaps around holes and drywall-to-top plate seams.

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Wrong - HVAC rigid metal duct seam needs to be air sealed with mastic or metal tape.

Wrong - HVAC rigid metal duct seam needs to be air sealed with mastic or metal tape.

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Wrong - Hole in rim joist was cut too large for plumbing pipe and the gaps are not air sealed.

Wrong - Hole in rim joist was cut too large for plumbing pipe and the gaps are not air sealed.

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Wrong - IR image shows a lack of air-sealing and insulation around a ceiling light fixture.

Wrong - IR image shows a lack of air-sealing and insulation around a ceiling light fixture.

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Weatherstripping has been installed along the framing of this attic access panel to air seal the opening.

Weatherstripping has been installed along the framing of this attic access panel to air seal the opening.

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Weatherstripping has been installed along the edge of this attic access panel to air seal the opening.

Weatherstripping has been installed along the edge of this attic access panel to air seal the opening.

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Right – The base of the wall is water proofed and the seam between the base of the wall and the sidewalk is air sealed.

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Air Sealing Retrofits: Conducting an IR Camera Inspection of an Existing Home - Walls and Sill Plates

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Video showing use of an infrared camera to check for air leakage in the walls and sill plates of a home during a blower door test in winter.

Air Sealing Retrofits: Conducting an IR Camera Inspection of an Existing Home - Ceilings and Supply Grills

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Video describing how to use an infrared camera to check for air leakage in the ceiling during a blower door test in winter.

Spray foam insulation insulates and air seals around plumbing pipes and top plates in the attic.

Spray foam insulation insulates and air seals around plumbing pipes and top plates in the attic.

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Fiberglass mesh tape is installed around a duct boot in preparation for air-sealing the seams with mastic.

Fiberglass mesh tape is installed around a duct boot in preparation for air-sealing the seams with mastic.

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