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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 301 - 350 of 502

Improvements in Fan Motor Efficiency Could Yield Big Savings

Author(s)
Holliday,
Martin
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article in Energy Design Update describing the cost and savings benefits of electronically commutated motors (ECMs) for HVAC equipment.

Improving Recessed Lighting

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Organization(s)
PNNL
Publication Date
Report providing information about techniques and approaches to improve the efficiency of recessed lighting.

Industry Becoming More Comfortable with Excess Flow Valves

Author(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Organization(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Publication Date
Article describing excess flow valves installed on gas lines to shut-off natural gas flow to a home in the event that a gas line is severed due to an earthquake, natural disaster, earthquake, etc.

Insulated Siding Provides Continuous Insulation

Author(s)
Dobson
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing how insulated siding can save homeowners energy by providing continuous exterior insulation.

Insulating Attic Ceilings

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
NREL webpage for insulating attics.

Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF)

Author(s)
NAHB Research Center
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center
Publication Date
Information sheet with construction details, pros and cons of insulated concrete forms.

Integrated Ventilation System Increases Energy Efficiency and Ease of Installations

Author(s)
NREL
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the newly developed Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System (VICS) that reduces space requirements and eliminates costly ductwork for separate heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, all while enhancing performance, addressing the demand for energy-efficient homes, and...

Inward Drive – Outward Drying, BSI-061

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering reservoir claddings, back ventilation and vapor throttles.

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.

Is battery storage right for you?

Author(s)
Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Organization(s)
SMUD
Publication Date
Webpage describing benefits of adding battery storage to homes and an estimation tool.

Is There a Downside to High-MERV Filters?

Author(s)
Springer
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Information sheet about efficiency and health benefits of MERV filters.

Keeping Warm during Winter Power Outages

Author(s)
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences & Family and Consumer Sciences
Organization(s)
University of Georgia
Publication Date
Webpage describing how to conserve heat or find alternative heat sources during a power outage to keep one room warm.

Key Installation Checkpoints for Manufactured Stone Veneer

Author(s)
National Concrete Masonry Association
Organization(s)
National Concrete Masonry Association
Publication Date
Article providing guidance for installing manufactured stone veneer, including information on rainscreens.

Lead: Worker and Employer Guide to Hazards and Recommended Controls

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
EPA,
HUD,
NIH,
OSHA
Publication Date
Guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA on worker and employer interactions with lead contaminants.

Light Your Home

Author(s)
American Lighting Association
Organization(s)
ALA
Publication Date
American Lighting Association website homepage.

List of NFPA Codes & Standards

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Webpage published by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) that lists more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.

Load Calculation Tools for Ductless Heat Pumps

Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA
Publication Date
Web article describing two options for sizing ductless minisplit heat pumps, including a free HVAC sizing tool.

Maintain Defensible Space

Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
A webpage outlining CAL FIRE’s recommendations for creating defensible space.

Masonry Detailing Series

Author(s)
International Masonry Institute
Organization(s)
International Masonry Institute
Publication Date
Webpage featuring hundreds of illustrations of masonry construction details for brick, congrete, stone, tile, stucco, etc.

Moisture, Mold and Construction Practices

Author(s)
U.S. Gypsum Company
Organization(s)
U.S. Gypsum Company
Publication Date
Brochure discussing specific practices for mitigating moisture and mold during the construction process.

Mold

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing guidance about mold and moisture for homes, schools, multifamily and commercial buildings.

Mold, Housing & Wood

Author(s)
Robbins,
Morrell
Organization(s)
Western Wood Products Association
Publication Date
Document addressing common questions about moisture, mold and wood.

Mold: Worker and Employer Guide to Hazards and Recommended Controls

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
EPA,
HUD,
NIH,
OSHA
Publication Date
Worker guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA on how to deal with mold in homes following natural disasters.

Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Systems Standards

Author(s)
RESNET
Organization(s)
RESNET
Publication Date
RESNET standards aimed to ensure that accurate and consistent home energy ratings are performed by accredited home energy rating providers through their raters nationwide.

NABCEP Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Resource Guide

Author(s)
Brooks William,
Dunlop James
Organization(s)
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners,
NABCEP
Publication Date
This Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Resource Guide is an informational resource covering basic requirements for PV installations intended for individuals pursuing the Photovoltaic Installer Certification credential offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Nail Withdrawl Capacities in OSB

Author(s)
Premier SIPS
Organization(s)
Premier SIPS
Publication Date
Information sheet with nail withdrawl capacities in OSB.

NEBB Section 15950 - Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing

Author(s)
National Environmental Balancing Bureau
Organization(s)
National Environmental Balancing Bureau,
NEBB
Publication Date
Standard that includes testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) to produce design flows for air and hydronic systems.

New Analyses Reveal WUI Growth in the U.S.

Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Article describing the growth of the wildland urban interface in the United States from 1990 to 2010, expanding from 30.8 to 43.4 million homes (a 41% increase), and growing from 581,000 to 770,000 kM2 (33% growth), an increase of 189,000 km2, an area that is larger than Washington State.

New and Substantially Improved Buildings - Fuel Systems

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Guide for fuel systems design including installation guidance and formulas for calculating loads and buoyancy forces for specifying number, type and capacity of strapping for hold-downs in flood-prone areas.

New National Guide for Wildland-Urban Interface Fires

Author(s)
National Research Council Canada
Organization(s)
National Research Council Canada
Publication Date
Report for local governments, planners, emergency managers, developers, insurers, and property owners describing ways to improve the wildfire resistance of buildings, infrastructure and communities in the wildland urban interface.

NFPA 1142 – Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
An NFPA Standard that identifies a method for determining the minimum water supply necessary for structural fire-fighting purposes in areas where it has been determined that there is no water or inadequate water for fire fighting.