Resources
The following resources are provided for you information.
Pressure-Testing Ductwork
Journal of Light Construction - April 2003
Everyone talks about the importance of sealed ductwork,
but the only way to be sure a new system measures up is to test it.
Getting Quality From Fiberglass Insulation
Journal of Light Construction - July 2002
To get the most from fiberglass batts, you have to start
thinking about insulation at the framing stage and coordinate with other
subcontractors. An insulation contractor explains.
Insulating with Spray Cellulose
Journal of Light Construction - October 2001
An insulation contractor explains why he prefers
damp-spray cellulose for wall applications and how he installs it.
Cheating - The Insulation Industry's Dirty Secret
Home Energy Magazine - Nov/Dec 2000
Creating Quality in New Construction A Practioner's Perspective
Home Energy Magazine - Jan/Feb 1996
Mandatory Reading
Builder's Guides
By Joe Lstiburek
Building Science Corporation publishes Builder's Guides for different
climates - cold (heating), hot-humid, hot-dry/mixed-dry (cooling) and
mixed-humid (heating and cooling) climates. These guides include
hundreds of pages of illustrations and resources on such subjects as
house layout and design, foundations, framing, HVAC, insulation,
drywall, plumbing, electrical systems, painting, sheathings and windows
all with respect to moisture control, energy efficiency and ventilation.
You can purchase them through the Energy
and Environmental Building Association.
Most of Arizona is Hot-Dry or Mixed-Dry.
Moisture
Control Manual
Moisture Control Handbook was created to fill the need
for practical, accurate information on moisture control from a building
science or system approach. Written by noted building science experts,
Joseph Lstiburek and John Carmody. It can also be purchased
through the Energy and Environmental
Building Association.
Web Sites
Energy and Environmental
Building Association (EEBA)
International association of energy-efficient builders
and professionals.
Health House
American Lung Association’s site. Very good on indoor air
quality most of which applies to good building practices in general. See
top ten questions to ask your builder.
Building
Science Corporation
Building Science Corporation is a Boston based
architecture and building science consulting firm with clients
throughout North America. Building Science Corporation specializes in
building technology consulting. This is a very good site from basics to
technical. Very large site, may take some time to find what you want.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy
Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy site. Some
good basic information. Like above very large and easy to get
sidetracked.
ENERGY STAR
EPA & Department of Energy web site promoting energy-efficient
construction. Look under Home Improvement section. Can learn the basics
of air sealing, energy analysis, windows and much more.
Affordable Comfort
Non-Profit Organization sponsoring conferences around the country.
Advanced Energy - Buildings
Advanced Energy's Applied Building Science (ABS) Team
helps the building industry produce better products while increasing
profits and avoiding callbacks.
Building America
Building America is a private/public partnership that
develops energy solutions for new and existing homes. The Building
America project combines the knowledge and resources of industry leaders
with the U.S. Department of Energy's technical capabilities. Together,
they act as a catalyst for change in the home-building industry.
Colorado
New Home Choices
Fort Collins, CO Utilities' new home construction web
site. It contain many fact sheets on energy-efficient design and
construction.
Residential Energy Services Network
(RESNET)
The Residential Energy Services Network's (RESNET)
mission is to improve the energy efficiency of the nation's housing
stock and to qualify more families for home ownership by expanding the
national availability of mortgage financing options and home energy
ratings.
Businesses
Venmar
Home ventilation manufacturer
Periodicals
Manufactures Associations