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Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 1 - 50 of 117

2009 IFGC - International Fuel Gas Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2009 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

2012 UPC - Uniform Plumbing Code

Author(s)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Publication Date
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2012 Publication.

2015 IFGC - International Fuel Gas Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2015 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

2015 Uniform Plumbing Code

Author(s)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Publication Date
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2015 publication.

2018 IFGC - International Fuel Gas Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2018 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

4 Products for Enhancing Air Flow in Dryer Vents

Author(s)
Bailes Allison
Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Article describing products that can enhance the efficiency and safety of clothes dryer vents.

AHAM - Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

Author(s)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Organization(s)
AHAM
Publication Date
Website providing research, efficiency and safety standards development, and advocacy to the home appliance industry to bring efficient, high-performing home appliances to consumers.

AHAM Verifide Facts about Clean Air

Author(s)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Organization(s)
AHAM
Publication Date
Website reporting efficiencies for dehumidifiers, room air conditioners, and room air cleaners that are tested by independent laboratories and reported by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

American Gas Association White Paper Automatic Shut-off Valves (ASV) And Remote Control Valves (RCV) On Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines

Author(s)
American Gas Association
Organization(s)
AGA
Publication Date
Report providing information regarding the benefits and challenges associated with the installation of earthquake-actuated automatic shut-off valves (ASVs) or remote-control valves (RCVs) to stop the flow of natural gas into buildings in the event of an earthquake or rupture of the gas line.

Anchor it and Protect a Child

Author(s)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Organization(s)
USCPSC
Publication Date
Safety brochure from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) describing the dangers to children of furniture tipping over if it is not securely anchored.

Anchor It! Secure Furniture and TVs: Protect Children

Author(s)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Organization(s)
USCPSC
Publication Date
Website providing consumers with information about the risk to children from appliances and furniture tipping over and ways to anchor furniture and appliances to prevent this hazard.

Assessment of Literature Related to Combustion Appliance Venting Systems

Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Wray Craig P,
Stratton Chris J,
Singer Brett C,
Rapp Vi H
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
The exhaust from residential combustion appliances contains air pollutants and high levels of moisture that must be conveyed to the outdoors to maintain acceptable indoor quality.

Association of Bay Area Governments

Author(s)
Association of Bay Area Governments
Organization(s)
ABAG
Publication Date
A basic guide walking through the various types of valves useful in mitigating the effects of earthquakes and other seismic events on natural gas pipelines for residential use.

Choosing Wood-Burning Appliances

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A list of EPA-certified wood-burning appliances for home heating for a range of budgets.

Clothes Dryers

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR clothes dryer buying guidance for consumers.

Clothes Dryers Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR criteria that requires clothes dryers meet this set of efficiency and cycle time requirements using eligibility and energy performance metrics.

Clothes Washers Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR clothes washers key product criteria eligibility and energy performance metrics.

Combustion Appliance Safety & Efficiency Testing

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Information sheet summarizing inspection and testing of combustion appliances taught during the 2006 Florida whole-house weatherization training as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hot Climate Initiative.

Combustion Appliance Safety Inspection for Vented Appliances

Author(s)
Building Performance Institute
Organization(s)
BPI
Publication Date
Fact sheet that details the steps needed to perform a combustion appliance safety inspection to determine if fossil fuel-fired appliances are operating safely under a depressurized condition.

Development of a Residential Smart Range Hood

Author(s)
Moore Mike,
Bowles Sam,
Lyons James,
Nebbia Joe
Organization(s)
Newport Partners
Publication Date
Report detailing the value of a smart range hood (SRH) that was developed as part of a project aimed at addressing indoor air quality (IAQ) health risks by targeting key pollutants in residential kitchens, with a focus on being consumer-friendly, quiet, effective, and efficient, meeting established...

Directory of WaterSense Labeled Products

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing lists of WaterSense-qualified products for home plumbing and irrigation equipment that meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.

Dishwashers Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR Key product criteria for dishwashers.

Dryer Safety Tips

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Information sheet with safety tips for home owners on proper maintenance of clothes dryers.

Earthquake Country Alliance: Refrigerators

Author(s)
Earthquake Country Alliance,
Southern California Earthquake Center
Organization(s)
ECA,
SCEC
Publication Date
Factsheet describing how to secure refrigerators and other major appliances to wall studs using earthquake appliance straps or angle brackets and bolts.

Earthquake Country Alliance: TVs, Computers and Electronics

Author(s)
Earthquake Country Alliance,
Southern California Earthquake Center
Organization(s)
ECA,
SCEC
Publication Date
Factsheet describing how to secure televisions, microwaves, computers, and other electronics to prevent damage during earthquakes.

Earthquake Country Alliance: Water Heater

Author(s)
Earthquake Country Alliance,
Southern California Earthquake Center
Organization(s)
ECA,
SCEC
Publication Date
Factsheet describing how to secure water heaters to resist seismic activity.

Earthquake Safety at Home, FEMA P-530

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

Earthquake Valve Overview

Author(s)
MBS Engineering
Organization(s)
MBS Engineering
Publication Date
A one-page fact sheet outlining the purpose of an earthquake valve and how the valve can stop gas from flowing into a residence or building.

Energy Saver

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website from the U.S. Department of Energy providing consumers with information on saving energy and using renewable energy technologies.

Energy Saver: Laundry

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
DOE's consumer information about energy and laundry.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2021 - Clothes Dryers

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A list of clothes dryers that made the EnergyStar Most Efficient list for 2021, delivering cutting technological innovation along with energy efficiency.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2024

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Webpage on the ENERGY STAR website that list products that exceed the ENERGY STAR minimum criteria for their category, with links to several product categories, including windows, HVAC, home appliances, and computer monitors.

ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Website for finding rebates and special offers near you on ENERGY STAR certified products. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA helping you save energy and money while protecting the environment.

Expert Home Improvements

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR's Expert Home Improvements webpage.

Find a Fridge or Freezer Recycling Program

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR article on finding a refrigerator or freezer recycling program.

Flip Your Fridge Calculator

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Calculator helping users determine cost savings of refrigerator replacement.

Furniture Stability

Author(s)
American Home Furnishings Alliance
Organization(s)
AHFA
Publication Date
Regulatory compliance regarding furniture stability requirements

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings

Author(s)
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website highlighting the DOE Building Technologies Office Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings Initiative, including technical reports, other publications, resources, and presentations.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Fact sheet defining a grid-interactive efficient building and its benefits.