Resources

Advanced Insulation, Inc.
Advanced Insulation, Inc. Energy Efficiency Information at Your Finger
Tips
Advanced Insulation, Inc.
Advanced Insulation, Inc.

The following resources are provided as is for you information.  They include links to articles written by Michael Uniacke and links to

Articles by Michael Uniacke

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 Practitioner's Perspective
Home Energy Magazine - Jan/Feb 1996

Videos by Michael Uniacke

Michael Uniacke on Dateline NBC Investigation on Shorting Insulation
1:00 MPG - 19MB

The Superior Quality of Wall Spray Cellulose Insulation
1:02 MPG - 9.7MB

Duct Blaster: Testing for Proper Duct Sealing
0:32 MPG - 11MB

Advanced Insulation Works Hard at Proper Installation of Fiberglass Batts
0:21 MPG - 7MB

Missing Insulation: Common Practice in Arizona
0:30 MPG - 13MB

Spray Foam Insulation Uses and Benefits
1:12 MPG - 21MB

Advanced Insulation Installation Training Center
0:31 MPG - 8MB

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