Description
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.
Showing results 101 - 181 of 181
Description
Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.
Description
Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.
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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.
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Information guide providing background information about heat flow in residential buildings.
Description
Guide outlining how to correctly install flex ducts without kinks or sharp bends.
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Guide describing how to install a radon-mitigating vertical ventilation pipe in new and existing homes with various types of house foundations.
Description
Guide describing how to evaluate existing ventilations systems before performing home upgrades.
Description
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.
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Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.
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Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.
Description
Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.
Description
Guide describing how to apply heavy membranes at eaves in cold climates to help guard against ice dams.
Publication Date
Overview
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.
Description
Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.
Description
Guide for designing and installing interior ducts in an interstitial floor cavity in new and existing homes.
Description
Information guide providing background information about air flow in residential buildings.
Description
Many homes are missing whole-house fresh air systems that ensure adequate dilution of moisture, dust, pollen, and particulates inside the home. These contaminants can trigger asthma and allergy attacks as well as other health problems. Supply integrated with HVAC fresh air systems draw in adequate outdoor air for effective dilution of contaminants through a duct tied into the HVAC system return duct ahead of the filter. 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 supply integrated with HVAC fresh air system.
Description
Information guide describing ways to design a home to be resistant to extreme heat.
Description
Guide describing how to properly ventilate un-vented combustion appliances such as sealed fireplaces.
Description
Information guide describing how to apply a whole-house approach to home improvement with energy efficiency upgrades, improved indoor air quality, and increased comfort.
Description
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.
Description
Many homes are missing whole-house fresh air systems that ensure adequate dilution of moisture, dust, pollen, and particulates inside the home. These contaminants can trigger asthma and allergy attacks as well as other health problems. Balanced heat recovery ventilation (HRV) and enthalpy recovery ventilation (ERV) provide an equal amount of supply and exhaust air adequate for effective dilution of contaminants. HRV’s include a heat exchanger to capture heat from exhaust air in the winter and supply air in summer for added efficiency. ERV’s also help remove unwanted outdoor moisture in summer and retain desired indoor moisture in winter for added comfort. However, critical installation best practices need to be followed to ensure a successful project. Use this checklist to get the significant health and enhanced comfort benefits possible from a quality installed balanced HRV/ERV fresh air system.
Description
Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.
Description
Guide describing how to air seal and insulate flex ducts.
Description
Guide describing how to air seal and insulate metal ducts.
Description
A guide describing how to elevate and secure HVAC equipment for protection against floods, earthquakes, and high winds.
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Guide describing how to select and install whole-house ventilation systems for existing homes.
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Information guide describing options and considerations for installing a generator for backup power in case of temporary power outages.
Description
Guide describing how to properly construct decks and other building attachments to be resistant to ignition in the event of a wildfire.
Description
Guide describing how to apply flashing to the bottom of exterior walls to create a continuous drainage plane.
Publication Date
Overview
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.
Description
Guide describing how to construct homes and decks to manage heavy snow loads in winter weather.
Overview
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.
Description
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.
Description
Information guide describing defensible space, fire-resistant materials, and other features to include when designing a home for wildfire resistance.
Description
Guide describing how to install step and kick-out flashing on roofs.
Description
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.
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Guide describing steps to take to minimize indoor humidity in preparation for cold winter weather.
Description
No outdoor air intakes connected to return side of the HVAC system, unless controls are installed to operate intermittently & automatically based on a timer and to restrict intake when not in use (e.g., motorized damper)
Description
Guide describing ways to construct wall assemblies in cold climates to minimize the likelihood of condensation formation inside the walls.
Description
This guide describes how to install a whole-building ventilation system to provide adequate dilution of indoor air contaminants.
Description
Guide describing continuous rigid insulation installation procedures to reduce thermal bridging and help provide thermal protection.
Description
Guide describing installation of a fully sealed continuous weather resistant barrier to provide a drainage plane to keep rainwater out of above-grade walls.
Description
Guide describing how to effectively create defensible space between a residence and potential wildfire fuels in high-risk fire hazard areas.
Description
Guide describing basic steps for designing a drainback solar hot water system.
Description
Guide describing how to create a designated shelter-from-heat space in a home to help occupants successfully weather an extreme heat event.
Description
Guide describing the advantages and disadvantages of gable roofs and hip roofs and how both designs react under high wind loads.
Description
Guide discussing disaster resistance related to asphalt shingle roofing when installing roofing on new construction or when repairing or replacing roofing on existing homes.
Description
This guide presents central and individual dwelling unit ventilation and exhaust strategies for multifamily construction.
Description
Guide describing ways to construct a raised-slab foundation to increase a home's resistance to floods.
Description
Guide describing the design and installation of indoor automatic fire sprinklers in residential settings.
Description
Guide describing how to install insulated concrete forms to block excessive heat loss and gain though structural framing.
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Guide describing methods for providing space cooling and refrigeration during extreme heat events and/or power outages.
Description
Guide describing how to insulate a basement to improve the overall thermal performance of the building and provide more dry, usable conditioned space for home occupants and HVAC equipment.
Description
Guide providing information about flashing around a chimney to protect the intersection of the roof and chimney walls from water intrusion and anchoring of a chimney to prevent collapse in high winds.
Description
Guide describing design and installation of compact duct systems for central heating and cooling systems.
Description
Guide describing construction of cisterns for fire suppression installed on private residential property.
Description
Guide describing the planning and installation process for Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) in single-family homes, including model selection, installation location, thermal resource adequacy, and condensate removal.
Description
A guide for choosing, installing, and flashing roof anchoring systems for solar panels.
Description
Guide describing how to select the siding materials best suited to withstand hazards the home is likely to face within its lifetime.
Publication Date
Overview
Applicable codes and standards regarding heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) that are an energy-efficient alternative to electric resistance water heaters.
Description
Guide describing air-sealing of the seams and holes in HVAC air handler and furnace cabinets.
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Guide describing how to thoroughly seal HVAC ducts to ensure air delivery without leakage, and to ensure economical and quiet performance of the HVAC system.
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Guide describing mechanical ventilation tools and methods required for accurate airflow measurement.
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Guide describing techniques and measures for increasing the termite resistance of a home's foundations.
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Guide describing method for designing and installing ducts in a raised ceiling chase.
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Guide describing how to air-seal doors that are next to unconditioned spaces.
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Guide describing ductless heat pump systems used for single-room or whole-house heating and cooling.
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Guide describing the uses, selection process, and specification of high-MERV filters.
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Guide describing how to install ducted returns in bedroom walls to balance air pressures between rooms and to enable stale air to return to a central heating system's air handler for reconditioning even when room doors are closed.
Description
Guide describing replacement of a single-speed pool pump with variable-speed pump.
Description
Guide describing fuel tank anchoring practices for disaster resistance.
Description
Guide describing ways to air-seal an attached garage in new and existing homes.
Description
Guide describing refrigerant-based compression-cooling air conditioning systems for space cooling.
Description
Guide describing the split system heat pumps used for central forced air heating and cooling.
Description
Guide describing how to strengthen or protect windows against wind and wind-borne debris during high-wind events including hurricanes and tornados.
Description
Guide describing how to retrofit older solid masonry homes to withstand seismic activity while including energy efficient retrofits.
Publication Date
Overview
The intent of this brief is to provide code-specific information about air sealing and insulating common walls in multi-family 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, designers, etc.) is expected to result in increased compliance and fewer innovations being questioned at the time of plan review and/or field inspection.