5900-176 Thermal Bypass Checklist for Energy Star Homes

OMB Control No. xxxx-xxxx

E

NERGY STAR Qualified Homes

Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist

Home Address: City: State:
Thermal Bypass	Inspection Guidelines 1	Must Correct	Builder Approved2	Verifier Approved	N/A
Overall Air Barrier and Thermal Barrier Alignment	Insulation installed in full contact with sealed interior and exterior air barrier except for alternate to interior air barrier under item 2, Walls Adjoining Exterior Walls or Unconditioned Spaces
	All Climate Zones
	1.1 Overall alignment of insulation throughout home				
	1.2 Garage band joist air barrier in place 3				
	1.3 Attic eave baffles in place where vents/leakage exist 4				
	Climate Zones 4 and Higher
	1.4 Slab edge insulation properly installed				
	Best Practices Encouraged, but Not Required
	1.5 Air barrier in place at all band joists 5				
Walls Adjoining Exterior Walls or Unconditioned Spaces	Fully insulated wall aligned with air barrier at both interior and exterior, OR; Alternate for Climate Zones 1 through 3, sealed exterior air barrier aligned with fully supported RESNET Grade 1 insulation Continuous top and bottom plates in place or sealed blocking used
	2.1 Walls insulated behind showers and tubs				
	2.2 Walls insulated behind fireplaces				
	2.3 Attic slopes and walls insulated				
	2.4 Attic knee walls insulated				
	2.5 Skylight shaft walls insulated				
	2.6 Wall adjoining porch roof insulated				
	2.7 Staircase walls insulated				
	2.8 Double walls insulated				
Floors between Conditioned and Exterior Spaces	Air barrier installed at any exposed fibrous insulation edges Insulation installed to maintain permanent contact with sub-floor above, including necessary supports 6 Blanket insulation verified to have no gaps, voids, or compression Blown-in insulation verified to have proper density with firm packing
	3.1 Floor insulated above garage				
	3.2 Cantilevered floors insulated				
Shafts	Openings to unconditioned space fully sealed with solid blocking or flashing and any remaining gaps sealed with caulk or foam (fire-rated collars and caulking installed where required)
	4.1 Duct shafts sealed				
	4.2 Piping shafts and penetrations sealed				
	4.3 Flue shafts sealed				
Attic / Ceiling Interface	All surfaces and dropped ceilings include a full interior-side air barrier aligned with insulation All penetrations and gaps fully sealed with caulk, foam, or tape and any flashing as required
	5.1 Sheetrock to top plate at all attic/wall interfaces fully sealed				
	5.2 Attic access panels and drop down stairs sealed 7				
	5.3 Dropped ceilings and soffits sealed				
	5.4 Airtight recessed lighting fixtures installed 8				
	5.5 Whole-house fans include insulated and gasketed cover 9				
Common Walls Between Dwelling Units	Gap between drywall shaft wall (i.e., common wall) and the structural framing between units fully sealed at all exterior boundary conditions
	6.1 Common wall between dwelling units sealed				
Verifier: Verifier Inspection Date: Verifier Initials: Builder Employee: Builder Inspection Date: Builder Initials:

1. For purposes of this checklist, an air barrier is defined as any solid material that blocks air flow between conditioned space and unconditioned space, including necessary sealing to block excessive air flow at edges and seams. Additional information on proper air sealing of thermal bypasses can be found on the Building America Web site (www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/building_america) and in the EEBA Builder’s Guides (www.eeba.org). These references include guidance on identifying and sealing air barriers as well as details on many of the items included in the checklist.

2. At the discretion of the verifier, the builder may verify no more than four items specified in this checklist. When exercised, the builder’s responsibility will be formally acknowledged by the builder signing off on the checklist for the item(s) that they verified.

3. Air barriers must be installed at bays adjoining conditioned space.

4. Wind baffles shall be installed in every bay at eaves for attics with ceiling insulation.

5. An air barrier at all band joists is recommended but not required in Climate Zones 4 and higher.

6. Examples of necessary supports include staves for blankets or netting for blown-in insulation.

7. Attic access panels and attic drop-down stairs must be fully gasketed and insulated.

8. Recessed lighting fixtures must be ICAT labeled and sealed to the drywall.

9. Whole-house fans must have insulated covers gasketed to the opening.

EPA Form 5900-176

The government estimates the average time needed to fill out this form is 0.40 hours and welcomes suggestions for reducing this effort. Send comments (referencing OMB Control Number) to the Director, Collection Strategies Division, U.S. EPA (2822T), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20460.