Library | Building America Solution Center

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 - 29 of 29

Building America Best Practices Series, Volume 10: Retrofit Techniques and Technologies: Air Sealing

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Williamson Jennifer,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL

Publication Date

April, 2010

Report identifying the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution.

Building Energy Simulation Test for Existing Homes (BESTEST-EX); Phase 1 Test Procedure: Building Thermal Fabric Cases

Author(s)

Judkoff Ron,

Polly Benjamin,

Bianchi Marcus V A,

Neymark Joel

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

J. Neymark & Associates

Publication Date

August, 2010

Document providing an example procedure for establishing acceptance-range criteria to assess results from software undergoing BESTEST-EX.

Central Fan Integrated Ventilation Systems, Info-610

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2010

Report about ventilation system design, including central fan integrated supply (CFIS) system, made up of a 6-inch outdoor air intake duct connected to the return side of the air handler with a fan cycling control to make sure the fan runs a programmed minimum amount of time.

Evaluation of Bias Issues within Regression-Based Inverse Modeling Methods Against Climate and Building Characteristics Using Synthetic Data

Author(s)

Cummings Jamie E,

Parker Danny S,

Sutherland Karen

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

July, 2010

Report evaluating the accuracy of the regression technique used in 2006 by using the same least-squares regression analysis on data created from hourly energy simulation software.

Example Procedures for Developing Acceptance-Range Criteria for BESTEST-EX

Author(s)

Judkoff Ron,

Polly Benjamin,

Bianchi Marcus V A,

Neymark Joel

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

J. Neymark & Associates

Publication Date

August, 2010

Document providing an example procedure for establishing acceptance-range criteria to assess results from software undergoing BESTEST-EX.

Exploring Cost-Effective, High Performance Residential Retrofits for Affordable Housing in the Hot Humid Climate

Author(s)

McIlvaine Janet,

Sutherland Karen,

Schleith Kevin,

Chandra Subrato

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC,

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Publication Date

August, 2010

Report presenting the process of a residential retrofit project for houses in the states of Florida and Alabama, including findings at the time of reporting and highlights of the first home to meet the target HERS Index of 70.

High Performance Building Details: Garage Band Joist Air Barrier

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2010

Information sheet about air barriers.

High Performance Building Details: Insulation and Air Sealing II

Author(s)

Steven Winter Associates

Organization(s)

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2010

Brochure with details on insulation and air sealing.

Low Cost Interior Duct Systems for High Performance Homes in Hot Climates

Author(s)

Fonorow Ken,

Jenkins Dave,

Thomas-Rees Stephanie,

Chandra Subrato

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC,

Florida Home Energy and Resources Organization,

Florida HERO,

Energy Smart Home Plans,

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Publication Date

October, 2010

Document presenting a cost effective method that was used by four builders in the Gainesville, FL area to construct interior ducts in over a dozen site built homes.

Moisture-Safe Unvented Wood Roof Systems, RR-1001

Author(s)

Straube,

Smegal,

Smith

Organization(s)

University of Waterloo,

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

April, 2010

Document describing a hygrothermal modeling study, including all of the US climate zones, a range of interior humidity levels and numerous arrangements and types of insulation.

Mold: Ignorance Is Not Bliss

Author(s)

Puttagunta

Organization(s)

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

November, 2010

Information sheet about mold mitigation.

Opportunities for Energy Conservation and Improved Comfort From Wind Washing Retrofits in Two-Story Homes - Part I

Author(s)

Withers Charles R,

Cummings James B

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

September, 2010

Report highlighting the evaluation methods used and extent of wind washing found in a study analyzing wind washing in thirty-two two-story homes.

Opportunities for Energy Conservation and Improved Comfort From Wind Washing Retrofits in Two-Story Homes - Part II

Author(s)

Withers Charles R,

Cummings James B

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

September, 2010

Report presenting the results of a study evaluating retrofit solutions for addressing the effects of wind washing on homes.

Pilot Evaluation of Energy Savings and Persistence from Residential Energy Demand Feedback Devices in a Hot Climate

Author(s)

Parker Danny S,

Hoak David,

Cummings Jamie E

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

August, 2010

Report briefly reviewing past research on the effects of occupant behavior on residential energy use and then covering a two year pilot evaluation of a low cost residential energy feedback system installed in twenty case study homes in Florida.

Refrigeration System Installation and Startup Procedures, and AC Equipment Efficiency, Info-607

Author(s)

Rudd Armin

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2010

Author(s)

Rudd Armin

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2010

Factsheet describing the importance of system charging, superheat and subcooling.