Internet Resources: Energy Bulletins, Energy Star® and Renovations

The following energy bulletins provide basic how-to information for a variety of sustainable construction methods, materials and techniques. These bulletins are in PDF format, which can be viewed or printed with Adobe's free Acrobat Reader software.

1. Energy-efficient Homes – An Introduction
2. Energy Efficient Construction
3. Sealing Air Leaks
4. Wall Insulation
5. Combustion Equipment Safety
6. Ceiling and Attic Insulation/Ventilation
7. Insulating Foundation and Floors
8. Attic Access
9. Blower Door Tests

Further Technical Information

For more comprehensive coverage, please visit the resource page of technical bulletins and fact sheets at Southface Energy Institute, a long-time Habitat for Humanity partner.

Habitat for Humanity continues to partner with the Department of Energy through their Building America program. For additional technical bulletins, publications and information on affordable, energy-efficient housing research, please go to the Affordable Housing Research link on their Building Technologies Program site.

The New Energy Star® Standard is a Habitat for Humanity Best Practice
Housing units built to the new Energy Star® standard are 15 percent more energy-efficient than housing built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). Builders can choose either the Prescriptive Path (working with an Energy Rater) or the Performance Path (working with a HERS Rater) to achieve this standard. Regardless of which path you choose, you must also complete the Thermal Bypass Checklist. Learn more about the differences between these two paths at Verification Options on the EPA Web site. Find a listing of Energy and HERS Raters in your state at the RESNET Web site.

Resources for Energy-Efficient and Energy Star® Renovation of Housing
For information on how to rehab homes in an energy-efficient and healthy manner, view the Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor for a step-by-step process appropriate to your climate.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a new Web resource, including detailed task sheets that walk you through energy-efficient renovations at the Energy Star® Home Improvement link.

The Rehab Guide from HUD
A set of guidebooks published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) describes state-of-the-art techniques, materials, and technologies for housing rehabilitation. The nine-volume series, known collectively as The Rehab Guide, was developed under the auspices of the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH).

Copies of the guidebooks can be downloaded for free at http://www.huduser.org/publications/destech/rehabgds.html
or ordered from HUD USER for a nominal fee by calling (800) 245-2691, option 1.