Guide
Description
Guide describing the installation of roof vents that are resistant to damage from high winds and entry of wind-borne rain, wildfire embers, or pests.
Guide
Description
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.
Guide
Description
Guide describing various ways of implementing passive and low-energy cooling techniques for a house.
Guide
Description
Guide describing condensing clothes dryers, which have a secondary heat exchanger and do not require exterior venting.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing best practices for dealing with hazards that might be encountered when returning to a home to do renovations after a natural disaster.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to correctly install flex ducts without excessive coils or loops.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to install a capillary break to help manage moisture in foundations.
Home Improvement Expert™ Checklist
Description
Gas water heaters in many homes have low efficiency and use natural draft exhaust with the potential to back draft or spill combustion gases. High-efficiency gas tank water heaters reduce heat losses with highly insulated tanks, use efficient burners, and have ducted supply and exhaust 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 and safety benefits possible from a quality installed gas tank water heater.
Home Improvement Expert™ Checklist
Description
Electric resistance water heaters operate very inefficiently. High-efficiency heat pump water heaters reduce heat loss with well-insulated tanks, produce heat up to 60% more efficiently using the refrigerant cycle, and produce cooling and dehumidification that can be beneficial during hot weather. However, critical installation best practices need to be followed to ensure a successful project. Use this checklist to get the significant energy savings benefits possible from a quality installed heat pump water heater.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing steps that builders can take to reduce the likelihood of standing water and localized flooding around the foundation of a home during rainy conditions.
Home Improvement Expert™ Checklist
Description
In many homes, bathrooms exhaust fans are missing or very ineffective removing moisture from washing and bathing which can increase the risk of mold and mildew. High-efficiency exhaust fans quietly exhaust bathroom air to the outside, and can operate continuously as a whole-house fresh air system to help dilute moisture, dust, pollen, and particulates inside the home. However, critical installation best practices need to be followed to ensure a successful project. Use this checklist to get the significant health and durability benefits possible from a quality installed bathroom exhaust fan.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to correctly install flex ducts without kinks or sharp bends.
Guide
Description
Guide describing the types of whole-house fans, installation details to reduce air leakage, and ways to operate them for comfort and energy savings based on climate zone.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home, Version 1, requirements for high-performance windows.
Guide
Description
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.
Guide
Description
Guide providing information about high-performance and high-efficiency windows including ENERGY STAR-certified windows.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to help drain water away from the perimeter footing.
Guide
Description
Guide describing the use of building cavities as supply or return ducts.
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 have excessive holes, cracks, and missing air barriers resulting in unwanted heat loss in cold weather, heat gain in hot weather, and infiltration of moisture, dust, pollen, and pests year-round. Air sealing is often one of the most cost-effective measures you can take to improve your home’s performance. 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 health benefits possible from quality installed home air sealing.
Home Improvement Expert™ Checklist
Description
Gas water heaters in many homes have low efficiency and use natural draft exhaust with the potential to back draft or spill combustion gases. High-efficiency gas tankless water heaters eliminate heat loss from stored hot water in tank systems, use more efficient burners, have ducted supply and exhaust air that cannot backdraft combustion gases, and can provide an endless supply of hot water. However, critical installation best practices need to be followed to ensure a successful project. Use this checklist to get the significant energy savings and safety benefits possible from a quality installed gas tankless water heater.
Information Guide
Description
Information guide describing the use of attic ventilation fans to mechanically pull outside air through the attic in an attempt to cool the attic, control moisture, and prevent ice dams.
Guide
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.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to correctly vent a clothes dryer to direct exhaust air out of the home.
Guide
Description
Guide describing the use of ducted returns to return stale air from bedrooms and bathrooms to a central heating system.
Guide
Description
Guide describing basic steps for designing an integrated collector storage (ICS) or thermosyphon hot water system.
Guide
Description
Guide describing methods to manage groundwater under and around urban multifamily buildings.
Information Guide
Description
Overview guide providing background information on extreme heat in the United States as it relates to homes and links to guides describing specific ways to make homes more resistant to extreme heat.
Guide
Description
Guide describing how to install jump ducts in bedroom walls to balance air pressures between rooms, enabling stale air to return of the central air handler, even when room doors are closed.