49 -052 TBCPosted 06/02/08ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes
Thermal Bypass Inspection Checklist
Home Address: City: State: .
Thermal Bypass Inspection Guidelines Corrections
Needed
Builder
Verified
Rater
Verified N/A
Requirements:
Insulation shall be installed in full contact with sealed interior and exterior air barrier except for alternate to interior air barrier
under item no. 2 (W lls Adjoining Exterior Walls or Unconditioned Spaces)a
All Climate Zones:
1.1 Overall Alignment Throughout Home
1.2 Garage Band Joist Air Barrier (at bays adjoining conditioned space)
1.3 Attic Eave Baffles Where Vents/Leakage Exist
Only at Climate Zones 4 and Higher:
1.4 Slab-edge Insulation (A maximum of 25% of the slab edge may be
uninsulated in Climate Zones 4 and 5.)
Best Practices Encouraged, Not Req’d.:
1.5 Air Barrier At All Band Joists (Climate Zones 4 and higher)
1. Overall Air Barrier
and Thermal
Barrier Alignment
1.6 Minimize Thermal Bridging (e.g., OVE framing, SIPs, ICFs)
Requirements:
•Fully insulated wall aligned with air barrier at both interior and exterior, OR
•Alternate for Climate Zones 1 thru 3, sealed exterior air barrier aligned with RESNET Grade 1 insulation fully supported•Continuous top and bottom plates or sealed blocking
2.1 Wall Behind Shower/Tub
2.2 Wall Behind Fireplace
2.3 Insulated Attic Slopes/Walls
2.4 Attic Knee Walls
2.5 Skylight Shaft Walls
2.6 Wall Adjoining Porch Roof
2.7 Staircase Walls
2. Walls Adjoining
Exterior Walls or
Unconditioned
Spaces
2.8 Double Walls
Requirements: •Air barrier is installed at any exposed fibrous insulation edges
•Insulation is installed to maintain permanent contact with sub-floor above including necessary supports (e.g., staves for
blankets, netting for blown-in)
•Blanket insulation is verified to have no gaps, voids or compression.
•Blown-in insulation is verified to have proper density with firm packing
3.1 Insulated Floor Above Garage
3. Floors between
Conditioned and
Exterior Spaces
3.2 Cantilevered Floor
Requirements:
Openings to unconditioned space are fully sealed with solid blocking or flashing and any remaining gaps are sealed with
caulk or foam (provide fire-rated collars and caulking where required)
4.1 Duct Shaft
4. Shafts
4.2 Piping Shaft/Penetrations
4.3 Flue Shaft
Requirements:
•All attic penetrations and dropped ceilings include a full interior air barrier aligned with insulation with any gaps fully sealed
with caulk, foam or tape
•Movable insulation fits snugly in opening and air barrier is fully gasketed
5.1 Attic Access Panel (fully gasketed and insulated)
5.2 Attic Drop-down Stair (fully gasketed and insulated)
5.3 Dropped Ceiling/Soffit (full air barrier aligned with insulation)
5.4 Recessed Lighting Fixtures (ICAT labeled and sealed to drywall)
5. Attic/ Ceiling
Interface
5.5 Whole-house Fan (insulated cover gasketed to the opening)
Requirements:
Gap between drywall shaft wall (i.e., common wall) and the structural framing between units is fully sealed at all exterior
boundary conditions
6. Common Walls
Between Dwelling
Units
6.1 Common Wall Between Dwelling Units
Home Energy Rating Provider: _______________________ Rater Inspection Date: _______________ Builder Inspection Date: _______________
Home Energy Rater Company Name: ___________________________ Builder Company Name: _______________________________________
Home Energy Rater Signature: ________________________________ Builder Employee Signature:_____________________________________