Guide
Description
Guide describing the practice of burying HVAC ducts in loose-fill insulation on the attic floor.
Guide
Description
Guide describing approaches to burying and encapsulating ducts in unconditioned attics to increase the overall R-value of duct insulation.
Guide
Description
Guide describing method for insulating an unvented crawlspace or conditioned basement with rigid foam on the interior side of the walls.
Guide
Description
Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.
Guide
Description
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.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to retrofit an existing basement floor or slab to reduce moisture issues.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to correctly install flex ducts without kinks or sharp bends.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing the concept of heat flow in residential buildings.
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 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.
Information Guide
Description
Guide describing how to evaluate ventilations systems before performing home upgrades.
Guide
Description
Guide describing ways builders can block off entry points and otherwise make homes inhospitable to all manner of pests.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to upgrade a crawlspace floor in an existing home by adding insulation.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to insulate an existing slab floor by adding rigid foam insulation over the slab then installing a floating subfloor.
Guide
Description
Guide describing application of a radiant barrier layer in the attic to block radiant heat transfer between hot surfaces and heat-absorbing surfaces.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to install and properly integrate flashing at the intersection of the wall and roof on an existing home.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to apply self-adhered asphaltic membranes at eaves in cold climates to help guard against ice dams.
Information Guide
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.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing the concept of air flow in residential buildings and its effects on occupants, building durability, and efficiency.
Home Improvement Expert™ Checklist
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.
Guide
Description
Guide for designing and installing interior ducts in an interstitial floor cavity in new and existing homes.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing ways to design and build a home to be resistant to periods of extreme heat.
Guide
Description
Guide describing concerns with un-vented combustion appliances such as sealed fireplaces.
Home Improvement Expert™ Checklist
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.
Guide
Description
Guide that illustrates how and when to encapsulate ductwork in unconditioned attics, increasing the R-value of duct insulation, mitigating condensation issues, and reducing air leakage.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to air seal and insulate flex ducts.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to air seal and insulate metal ducts.
Guide
Description
A guide describing how to elevate and secure HVAC equipment for protection against floods, earthquakes, and high winds.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to select and install whole-house ventilation systems for existing homes.