BSP-034: Designs that Work: Cold Climate (Pontiac, MI)

Resources include related documents on the buildingscience.com website, informative guides and publications, and links to selected internet sites.

GENERAL RESOURCES

• Builder's Guide to Cold Climates (www.buildingsciencepress.com)
• Water Management Guide (www.buildingsciencepress.com)
• Building America Performance Targets
• International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Climate Zones
• DOE Climate Zones by County
• Building Materials Property Table
• Building Science Glossary

OTHER COLD CLIMATE HOUSE DESIGNS

• www.buildingscience.com/buildingamerica/casestudies/prairie_crossing/default.htm
  

• Cold Climate construction details:

• Beacon Hill Profile
  
• Boston Profile
  
• Chicago Profile
  
• Denver Profile
  
• Minneapolis Profile
  
• Vineyard Profile
  

SITE: DRAINAGE, PEST CONTROL, AND LANDSCAPING

• Pest Control

FOUNDATION: MOISTURE CONTROL AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE

• Radon resistant construction practices (EPA radon control web site)
• Borate-treated rigid insulation

MECHANICALS/ELECTRICAL/PLUMBING

• HVAC system sizing (ACCA Manual J and Manual D):

• HVAC Equipment Sizing Strategies: Taking Advantage of High-Performance Buildings
  

• Sizing heating, cooling and ventilation ducts, trunks, and runouts for energy efficient housing
  

• Mechanical ventilation integrated with HVAC system design

• Transfer Grilles:

• Discussion of the Use of Transfer Grilles to Facilitate Air Flow in Central Return Systems
• Transfer Grille Sizing

• Indoor humidity:

• Relative Humidity
  

• Whole house dehumidification system

• Air conditioning best practices

• High-energy efficiency major appliances

BUILDING ENCLOSURE: MOISTURE CONTROL AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE

• Design using advanced framing methods
• Air sealing details
• Insulations, Sheathings, and Vapor Diffusion Retarders
• Solar driven moisture in wall assemblies
• Solar driven moisture in roof assemblies:
• Understanding Attic Ventilation
• Unvented Roof Assemblies for All Climates

• Window flashing:

• Water Management Guide (www.buildingsciencepress.com)
  

• ENERGY STAR® Reflective Roof Product List

COMMISSIONING

• SNAPSHOT (Short Non-Destructive Approach to Provide Significant House Operation Thresholds) form

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES

• Primer on Photovoltaics