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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 79

2012 IEBC - International Existing Building Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2012 edition of code establishing a baseline for existing building retrofits to reach appropriate safety levels under new construction requirements covered in other ICC codes.

2012 IFC - International Fire Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2012 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.

2013 Biosolids Performance Report

Author(s)
East Bay Municipal Utility District,
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Organization(s)
EBMUD,
AWE,
Merced County
Publication Date
Report describing practices and considerationsfor more efficient water use in pools, spas, and fountains.

2014 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters, ICC 500/NSSA

Author(s)
International Code Council,
National Storm Shelter Association
Organization(s)
ICC,
NSSA
Publication Date
The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare relative to the design, construction and installation of storm shelters constructed for protection from high winds associated with tornadoes and hurricanes.

2015 IWUIC - International Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2015 edition of the code establishing regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels; regulates defensible space and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure...

A Field Study of Ventilation System Effectiveness in Low Air Leakage Residences

Author(s)
Hales David,
Eklund Ken,
Kunkle Rick,
Lubliner Michael,
Banks Adria
Organization(s)
Washington State University Extension Energy Program,
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA
Publication Date
Report describing the results of a field study of five different ventilation system types in 29 homes in the Pacific Northwest.

Advanced Framing Construction Guide

Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
Detailed guide to advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.

Air Infiltration in Coastal Regions - The Paston Effect

Author(s)
Bailey Ronald B,
Swanson Hollace J
Organization(s)
BEC
Publication Date
Case study about high humidity, mold and condensation on surfaces in S. Florida, and how building characteristics cause and amplify these problems.

Capillarity - Small Sacrifices, BSI-011

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.

Change Is In the Air

Author(s)
The Cadmus Group
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD
Publication Date
This is a guide for establishing smoke-free policies in public housing and multifamily properties.

Chimney Failure Most Common Damage In An Earthquake

Author(s)
Tucker Jill
Organization(s)
SFGate
Publication Date
News article from SFGate explaining and giving figures on how chimney failure is the most common type of damage to homes during an earthquake.

Coastal Climate Resiliency - Retrofitting Buildings for Flood Risk

Author(s)
Department of City Planning New York City
Organization(s)
Department of City Planning New York City
Publication Date
Report describing retrofitting options and methodology for architects, developers, and property owners to use when making decisions about retrofits for common building types in NY.

Construction Defects – Mortar Bridging and Mortar Droppings Still Plague the Industry

Author(s)
Stephan Bill
Organization(s)
Metropolitan Engineering Consulting & Forensics,
MECF
Publication Date
Article about how mortar droppings during the installation of a brick veneer can clog the weep holes in the wall assembly causing moisture damage. The article also illustrates products that can be installed in the ventilated cavity to mitigate this problem.

Deep-Dish Retrofits, BSI-079

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Dimming CFLs and LEDs

Author(s)
Lutron
Organization(s)
Lutron
Publication Date
Website discusses differences between CFL and LED bulbs.

Earthquake Home Hazard Hunt, FEMA 528

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Poster describing earthquake safety tips and protection measures to take at home.

Energy and IAQ Implications of Residential Ventilation Cooling

Author(s)
Walker Iain S,
Turner William JN
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
This study evaluates the energy, humidity and indoor air quality implications of residential ventilation cooling in all US IECC climate zones.

Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
This publication provides a set of best practices for improving indoor air quality in conjunction with energy upgrade work in homes.

ENERGY STAR

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR website providing information about programs, products and energy efficiency information.

ENERGY STAR Certified Ceiling Fans

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.

Erosion Control for the Home Builder

Author(s)
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
Organization(s)
Jackson Township,
Ohio
Publication Date
Factsheet describing steps builders should take to reduce erosion and control sediment on construction sites during home construction.

Estimating the Payback Period of Additional Insulation

Author(s)
Green Fit Homes
Organization(s)
GFH
Publication Date
Homebuilding’s simple payback estimator for an insulation upgrade – the type and amount of insulation, square footage of the area, recent utility bill, and a quote from insulation contractor.

ETW: Wall - Double Stud Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

ETW: Wall - Double Stud with Spray Foam Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud with spray foam wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

ETW: Wall - ICF Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet that summarizes Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction including advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

ETW: Wall - Truss Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet briefly summarizing truss wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

Evaluation of Low-e Storm Windows in the PNNL Lab Homes

Author(s)
Widder Sarah H,
Knox J R
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Report describing a research study into the performance of Low-E storm windows installed in two test homes at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Washington state.

Evaluation of Retrofit Variable-Speed Furnace Fan Motors

Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Williamson Jim
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report detailing the effects of replacing PSC motors with more efficient, variable-speed motors.

Evaporative Coolers

Author(s)
NORESCO
Organization(s)
NORESCO
Publication Date
Article describing RESNET guidance on evaporative coolers.

For Homes

Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center
Organization(s)
FSEC
Publication Date
Website with information for consumers about solar thermal systems for homes.

Formaldehyde

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.

Geospatial Data Science

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Publication Date
Website with prepopulated information about the United States renewable resources.

Gossamer Wind Ceiling Fans

Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
University of Central Florida
Organization(s)
FSEC,
UCF
Publication Date
Website providing information about the Gossamer Wind Series Ceiling fans, conceived by Danny Parker at the Florida Solar Energy Center as a means of realizing the energy efficiency and comfort potential of ceiling fans.

How Do Buildings Stack Up

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing the impact of stack effect on building performance, highlighting how pressure differences caused by temperature and height affect air infiltration and exfiltration, and detailing strategies like compartmentalization and distributed mechanical systems to manage airflow and maintain...

How Do Buildings Stack Up?, BSI-075

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the stack effect in buildings.

HVAC Duct Supports, AC 284

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Standards criteria supporting ICC HVAC duct support standards.

Inspection and Verification Guidance for WaterSense® Labeled New Homes

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
PDF detailing the inspection and verification guidance for WaterSense labeled new homes including indoor and outdoor efficiency requirements, and homeowner and building management education.

Investigation of Potential Benefits of Revising Exception 1 under “FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, ENERGY CONSERVATION, Section 101.4.7.1.1 Duct Sealing upon Equipment Replacement.”

Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing as-found interior platform return plenums, the magnitude of their contribution to the total amount of duct leakage, and techniques and results of retrofits executed by the HVAC trade during equipment replacement.

Measured Retrofit Savings from Efficient Lighting and Smart Power Strips

Author(s)
Sutherland Karen,
Chasar Dave,
Hoak David,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing a lighting and smart power strip retrofit evaluation that was conducted on 56 all-electric, existing Florida homes to see how lighting and miscellaneous electric loads might be reduced.

Method of Test for Determining the Design and Seasonal Efficiencies of Residential Thermal Distribution Systems, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 152-2014

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
American National Standards Institute
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard that prescribes a testing method to determine the efficiency of space heating and/or cooling thermal distribution systems under seasonal and design conditions. This version of the standard was published in the year 2014, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. The...

MPI Green Performance Standard

Author(s)
Master Painters Institute
Organization(s)
MPI
Publication Date
List of products approved by the Master Painters Institute.

Plaster and Drywall Assemblies Manual

Author(s)
Fowler Mark,
Stanley Bryan,
Coats Darin
Organization(s)
Technical Services Information Bureau,
Walls & Ceilings
Publication Date
Manual covering design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster, IEFs, and drywall, with info on continuous insulation, air barriers, rain screens, fire and sound ratings, etc.