About Ventilation

Ventilation is very important in an energy-efficient home.

Moisture Control

Controlling moisture can make your home more energy-efficient, less costly to heat and cool.

Adding Insulation to an Existing Home

You can probably reduce your energy bills by adding more insulation.

Quick-fix Ways to Weatherize Your Home Against Old Man Winter

The best time to begin preparations for winterizing your home is before Old Man Winter pays a visit.

Preventing Corrosion Under Insulation

Galvanic corrosion, alkaline acidic corrosion, and stress-corrosion cracking have known to happen in certain conditions.

5 Tips on Insulating Your Home Effectively

According to US Department of Energy, almost half of a typical home’s utility bills are spent on heating and cooling.

National Building Code Section 9.36: A New Day for Energy Efficiency

Air Sealing - Building Envelope Improvements

Air will leak through a building envelope that is not well sealed.

BC Housing - Best Practices - Air Sealing and Insulating Inaccessible Attics and Vaulted/F

This guide outlines important considerations when trying to determine whether to perform an interior or exterior retrofi

Tips on Saving Money & Energy at Home

Get started with things you can do now, and use the whole-house approach.

What's the difference between R-Value and U-Value?

Learn about the measurement of heat flow and why it matters to have MORE R-Value and LESS U-Value.

BC Housing - Insulation Considerations for Accessible Attic Ceiling Spaces

This guide outlines important considerations when performing an air sealing and insulation retrofit for an accessible at

BSI-095 How Buildings Age

Building Science Corp. resident realist, Dr. Joe Lstiburek, examines what happens to buildings that are overly thirsty.

Renovation Planning, Design, and Budget

This is your introduction to the renovation process – how it works, how to get prepared, “who's who” in terms of c

Air Sealing for Maximum Efficiency

The constant battle with the elements is a major source of expense when it comes to maintaining a comfortable home.

BSI-049 Confusion About Diffusion

Article by Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corp - buildingscience.com

GM-0702: Guide to Insulating Sheathing

Article by Peter Baker from Guides & Manuals, Building Science Corp. (Jan 2007)- buildingscience.com.

4 Steps to Prevent Excess Moisture in New Homes

Building Scientist Joe Lstiburek talks about the four things builders can do to prevent excess moisture.

4 Strengths of Top-Performing Builders

Mike Benshoof reveals the fundamental elements that top-performing builders use to grow their businesses.

Blower Door Testing Basics

This helpful and practical explanation of blower door testing comes from The Conscious Builder and HomeSol Building Sol

All You Ever Wanted to Know About Building Insulation

A Performance Comparison for Today’s Environmental Home Builder & Renovation Project

How Come Double Vapor Barriers Work?

The most famous “double vapor barrier” of them all is a classic compact flat roof.

BC Housing - Best Practices - Initial Assessments

This guide describes some considerations when performing the initial assessment of a retrofit project with a focus on ho

BC Housing - Best Practices - Health and Safety Considerations

This guide outlines important considerations for health and safety when planning and coordinating a home retrofit projec

Fiber Glass Loose Fill Insulation

Fiber Glass Loose Fill Insulation

Understanding Continuous Air Barrier Systems

An air barrier is only as good as its installation. Here's why... Article by John Bleasby, Canadian Contractor.ca

Keeping The Heat In: Introduction

Published by Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency.

EcoTouch® PINK® Fiberglas®

A Guide to Insulated HVAC Systems

EFFICIENT AIR DELIVERY OCCUPANT COMFORT IMPROVED AIR QUALITY QUIET, COST EFFECTIVE ENERGY CONSERVATION

Do's and Don't's of Duct Cleaning

No one knows whether the dust in your air ducts can cause adverse health effects or whether having them cleaned will imp

475 On Site - Bellwether Craftsman, Vermont, USA

High Performance timber frame building enclosure.

Fact Sheet on HVAC Duct Cleaning

The overall indoor air quality (IAQ) benefits of routine duct cleaning on heating, ventilating, and air conditioning.

ProClima EXTOSEAL ENCORS tape

ProClima Extoseal Encors adhesive flashing tape.

ProClima INTELLO Plus

Variable vapour retarder and air barrier membrane.

475 Walk Through - Masonry Retrofit Smart Enclosure

7 Smart Enclosure Principles

The Smart Enclosure principles are fundamental decision-making guidelines for the building design process.

The 3 Smart Enclosure Tiers

The Smart Enclosure System is broken into Three Tiers of performance.

Why is air-tight bulding important?

A clear explanation of the importance of air tightness in residential construction.

The Role of Modeling When Designing for Absolute Energy Use Intensity Requirements

The Research Support Facility is a 220,000-ft2 office building designed to serve 822 occupants to use half the energy.

Deep Energy Retrofit - Builder Guide

The purpose of this guide is to provide useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques.

BC Housing - Best Practices - Floors and Slabs on Grade

This Guide, published by BC Housing, highlights some important considerations when air sealing floors and

BC Housing - Best Practices - Flash and Fill Insulation Technique

This guide, developed by BC Housing, details the Flash and Fill air sealing and insulating technique for attics.

BC Housing - Best Practices - Fireplace or Other Combustion Appliance Vents

This guide, developed by BC Housing, highlights some important considerations when performing retrofits that address the

BC Housing - Best Practices - Exhaust Vents through Walls and Soffits

This guide, developed by BC Housing, details some important considerations when insulating and air sealing exhaust vents

Getting Better Everyday – By Gord Cooke

NRCan Foundation Level Exam Candidate Handbook

EnerGuide Rating System Candidate Exam Handbook Version 15.3 January 2017

Case Study: A Builder Perspective

Builders’ Top Choice for a Reason. It’s the insulation used in 90% of current U.S. homes.

Fiber Glass Case Study: A Contractor Perspective

When The Topic Is Performance. The Focus Is Fiber Glass.

Mineral Fiber Building Installation

Fiber glass and rock and slag wool insulations are the most widely used insulation products on the market. Their proven

BC Housing - Best Practices - Air Sealing, Accessible Attic Ceiling Spaces

This guide explores important factors that should be considered when air sealing an accessible attic ceiling space.

BC Housing - Best Practices - Air Sealing, Above-Grade Walls Int. App.

This guide highlights important factors for consideration when performing retrofits from the interior of a home, with a

BC Housing - Best Practices - Attic Hatches

This guide outlines best practices for insulating and air sealing attic hatches.

BC Housing - Best Practices - Windows and Doors

This guide explores some important factors to consider when retrofitting windows and doors.

BC Housing - Best Practices : Wall Top Plate Penetrations

This guide explores some important factors for consideration when air sealing and insulating wall top plates and plumbin

Maximizing Productivity with Fiber Glass Insulation

Fiber glass and mineral wool enable you to quickly and completely insulate almost any structure.

The Role of Ground Source Heat Pumps for a Canadian Sustainable Energy Strategy

There are essentially two types of geothermal energy.

Passive House - Five Principles in Plain English

This Guide reviews the Five Main Principles of Passive House construction and explains what they mean in plain language.

Attic Access Hatches: Seal and Insulate

Attic Access Hatches, Batt Installation, Ventilation Baffles, Ventilation Chutes, Floors Insulation & Knee Walls

25 Checkpoints for Inspecting Insulation Jobs

This card is intended to provide useful guidance to inspectors, builders and contractors on how to improve the quality o

BC Housing - Best Practices - Considerations for Interior and Exterior Retrofits

This guide details important considerations when performing interior and exterior retrofits.

Deep Energy Retrofit of a Sears Roebuck House—A Home for the Next 100 Years

The American Foursquare, a Sears, Roebuck & Co. kit home, was a staple of small American towns between 1908 and 1940.

The Facts about Mold Growth

In this issue, we address the results of recent research into the nature of mold growth which confirms that fiber glass

Air Sealing - Seal Air Leaks and Save Energy

Air leakage, or infiltration, is outside air that enters a house uncontrollably through cracks and openings.

Facts About Ventilation and Moisture Control

In this issue, we examine attic ventilation, crawl space ventilation, and vapor retarders.

Facts About the Impact of Duct Cleaning on Internal Duct Insulation

Study Analyzes Effectiveness of Duct Cleaning in Improving Indoor Air Quality

BC Housing - Best Practices - Topping Up Existing Insulation

This guide outlines some important factors for consideration when topping up existing insulation, to avoid causing any u

BC Housing - Best Practices - Suspended Floors over Crawlspaces

This guide outlines some important considerations when insulating and air sealing suspended floors over crawlspaces.

Mid-Rise Wood Construction Solutions Guide

The Mid-Rise Wood Construction Solutions Guide identifies several common locations where ROCKWOOL insulation can be used

The 9 Essential Skills for the Workplace

Information about the essential skills required for any worksite, from Skill Plan Canada and Skills Canada.

Understanding Vapor Diffusion in Wall Assemblies

Vapor Diffusion and Condensation Control for Commercial Wall Assemblies

Residential Energy Efficiency Retrofit Training Network

BC Housing - Best Practices - Recessed Pot/Can Light

This guide details some important considerations when insulating and air sealing around recessed pot/can lights.

Installing Batt Insulation Video Series

This is our 3-part proper installation video series with Spanish subtitles.

BC Housing - Best Practices - Protected Porches over Living Spaces

This guide outlines some important considerations when insulating and air sealing a protected porch over a living space.

Fiber Glass Duct Board Fabrication

A video series for professional contractors

BC Housing - Best Practices - Overhanging Floors (Cantilevers)

This guide details some important factors for consideration when insulating and air sealing overhanging (cantilevered) f

Why Air Seal and Insulate?

What are the benefits of air sealing and insulation in your home?

BC Housing - Best Practices - Masonry Chimneys

This guide outlines some important considerations and a detailed procedure for when insulating and air sealing around a

SB12 Performance Path or ENERGY STAR® Compliance: A better home at a lower cost

It is now possible to design, construct and warranty homes that are more energy efficient than the minimum building code (and home

How the BC Energy Step Code Works

The BC Energy Step Code is the product of a multi-year collaboration among local governments, industry stakeholders, utilities, an

BC Housing - Best Practices - Large Openings, Shafts, or Drop Ceilings

This guide outlines important considerations and a detailed procedure for when insulating and air sealing large openings

Build Smart - Canada's Buildings Strategy

A Key Driver of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Air Sealing Your Home

Reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home is a cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs.

BC Housing - Best Practices - Kitchen Range, Dryer, or Exhaust Duct

This guide outlines some important considerations and a detailed procedure for when insulating and air sealing ducts tha

7 Building Essentials

How do you know what really matters if you want to build a good quality home? There is no shortage of opinion about how you sho

Guides 101: Creating your First Guide

Basic instructions for creating a Guide for the first time.