Energy Star Checklist, Section 1: Overall Air Barrier and Thermal Alignment

This is a growing collection of videos and animations on Energy Star for Homes certification. We will continue adding details as we build them.

1.2: GARAGE BAND JOIST AIR BARRIER

T Pl5yb7m Nbq0 Hq Jv R Hc Eo U Wf B Rxsllcn Nbi N3 Hd Kk

Concrete & Masonry

Details for Warm and Dry Basement Living Space

Warm and dry basement living space begins with keeping the basement dry—duh. All moisture from outside must be directed away from the interior walls and slab.

Nov. 2, 2015

1.1: OVERALL ALIGNMENT THROUGHOUT THE HOME

7 Vq Szj5u N52dq Pj J Dt Mnto T Ry C Kj9 Bb Ph92vrehlok

Framing

Air Sealing Basics—Begin at the Plate

It's easy to air seal the middle of the wall where there are no gaps, cracks, or joints. The edges are a different story, especially when one edge is wood and the other is concrete...

May 12, 2015

6 Ec49 G Witd F Mz Sg Ou P T M Dc Gb9 O Afbz Wjle Smwaw4 Zw

Framing

Airtight Walls From the Inside

Regular walls just won't cut it anymore. Higher-achieving energy codes mean higher-performance walls, airtightness targets, and home energy rating system (HERS) scores. Here are...

April 20, 2015

Roofing

The Pen Test for Air-, Water- and Thermal-Tightness

Water and air leaks in a building shell are difficult enough to detail on simple buildings. Complex structures can cause headaches for builders, remodelers, and architects who...

Jan. 15, 2016

4apk T6jr0 6 N Dsp Ff7 Etq An Q1q00o Gh Xg Lh5 N3 Nl6zs

WRB & Flashing

Window and WRB: Integration Keeps Water Out of Walls

Sealing the layers—and overlapping them right—is how high-performance building gets done

Sept. 8, 2016

5gk Vrzywv Ab Rbwqvz Q8 Ulb Nokzcy Xjj K Yay Kj Rlm Nk

Concrete & Masonry

Building Performance Begins on the Blueprints

Thermal shorts and good design don't mix

March 28, 2016

Fi Ge Pfyln Jvjwt7o8 Sm Xmz Lcs Jz D Kk Uk Ep D8 K Linjw

Insulation & Air Sealing

Airtight Drywall: Step by Step

With blower door tests in the building code, it is up to more than just the insulators or the GC to deliver results: many trades have a stake.

March 14, 2016

1.3: ATTIC EAVE BAFFLES WHERE VENTS/LEAKAGE EXIST

Attic Insulation Ventilation Solutions Img 0973

Insulation & Air Sealing

There's More to Attic Insulation Than Attic Insulation: There is Venting, Air Sealing, and Misery

How to reduce ice dams, improve thermal performance, and boost the durability of homes with vented, insulated attics

April 7, 2022

1.5 AIR BARRIER AT BAND JOISTS

T Ers0ytfk T Dqwa Nq Qmo Xc 6k Pvye I Noyi Jj Ip Ovp0 M

Framing

Airseal the Rim Joist and Wall Framing Connection

Glue the rim joist, caulk the gaps, and overhang the wall sheathing to tighten this leaky building assembly

Sept. 29, 2017

36 T Bh8 Iv8 W8v Ow5qu Yr Yfoa C Hr H K2 B7 Vf6p5xyq E

Framing

Sill Seal with Flashing Tape Air Barrier

The biggest crack in the house, revisited for #ThrowbackThursday

Nov. 10, 2015

1.4: SLAB-EDGE INSULATION

Qr Wty Rv T9v4o Zwa42qj Coq Il2 Px 2 Ww Cwvp Xb Dz1 Q

Concrete & Masonry

Insulated Monolithic Slab with Brick Ledge

Adding brick to the outside of a house complicates insulating outside a slab. So Insulate inside.

July 18, 2016

Xb Q Bwsu A5 Ks Qe Ql Mdp A Sf Fs2n8f 3v55 Zdbx Fau Q

Concrete & Masonry

An Insulated Basement Slab That Floats

A four-dimensional detail drawing of an insulated and damp-resistant basement slab

Jan. 15, 2020

Construction Phase

Slab Edge Insulation: Why it Matters

You can't stop heat flow, but you can keep your floor from becoming a big ol' heat sink

June 15, 2016

Xt0 Kre Pr V N8 R4y3 Vfiy Z Pm S Sh T0 Jj2ct10ew G Am60

Concrete & Masonry

Frost-Protected Monolithic Slab

An affordable insulated slab foundation suitable for climate zones 4, 5, and 6

July 11, 2016

Tm12 Jq Z Kz8 Ho Pvn O4 Bd He2 Y0z8re8 H16sh4 Bs Lae M

Concrete & Masonry

Monolithic Slab Edge Insulation for Warm and Hot Climates

An affordable insulated slab foundation suitable for climate zones 1, 2, and 3

May 9, 2016

Za0yw Gzb0uc0q10 B22g9o Cq0z L Dbr6d Fb4 W Ka Gq Dvg Y

Concrete & Masonry

How to Pour an Insulated Floating Slab

Work the surface with a series of trowels to bring the water to the surface for a smooth finish

Jan. 21, 2016

1.6: MINIMIZE THERMAL BRIDGING

Insulation & Air Sealing

Exterior Insulation Guide: Cold Climate

Everything* you need to know about wrapping old homes with cold bones: climate zones 5, 6, and 7Bringing an old house up to date energy-wise can improve comfort and energy performance...

Jan. 4, 2018