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 - 15 of 15

2012 IMC - International Mechanical Code

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC

Publication Date

April, 2011

2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.

2018 IMC - International Mechanical Code

Author(s)

International Code Council

Organization(s)

ICC

Publication Date

August, 2017

2018 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.

A Feasibility Study: Ductless Hydronic Distribution systems with Fan Coil Delivery

Author(s)

Springer David,

Dakin Bill,

Backman Christine

Organization(s)

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Davis Energy Group

Publication Date

July, 2012

Research study estimating potential energy savings relative to conventional ducted air distribution, and identifying equipment requirements, costs, and barriers.

ACCA Manual RS - Comfort, Air Quality, and Efficiency by Design

Author(s)

Rutkowski

Organization(s)

Air Conditioning Contractors of America

Publication Date

December, 2015

The manual covers residential zoning issues - multiple, single-zone, and central multi-zone systems - and includes advice on working with homeowners to adapt the heating or cooling system design to meet modern home design features.

Are Residential Whole-House Mechanical Ventilation Systems Reliable Enough to Mandate Tight Homes?

Author(s)

Withers,

Vieira,

Sonne

Organization(s)

FSEC

Publication Date

September, 2016

Report describing a field investigation of failure rates of whole-house mechanical ventilation systems installed in Florida homes.

Building America Research Benchmark Definition, Updated December 2009

Author(s)

Hendron,

Engebrecht

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publication Date

January, 2010

Document describing the Building America research benchmark for the residential building program.

Certified Home Ventilating Products Directory

Author(s)

Home Ventilating Institute

Organization(s)

HVI

Publication Date

August, 2020

Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.

Combustion Appliance Safety Inspection for Vented Appliances

Author(s)

Building Performance Institute

Organization(s)

BPI

Publication Date

January, 2016

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 an Outdoor Temperature Based Control Algorithm for Residential Mechanical Ventilation Control

Author(s)

Less,

Walker,

Tang

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

The main principle of smart ventilation used in this study is to shift ventilation from time periods with large indoor-outdoor temperature differences, to periods where these differences are smaller, and their energy impacts are expected to be less.

ECM Motors: An Energy Saving Opportunity

Author(s)

National Institute of Health Division of Technical Resources

Organization(s)

National Institute of Health

Publication Date

November, 2016

Bulletin describing the components of ECM motors and comparing their efficiency with PSC motors.

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

Publication Date

January, 2014

Report detailing the effects of replacing PSC motors with more efficient, variable-speed motors.

Investigation of the Effectiveness and Failure Rates of Whole-house Mechanical Ventilation Systems in Florida

Author(s)

Sonne,

Withers,

Vieira

Organization(s)

FSEC

Publication Date

June, 2015

Report describing the results of a 21-home field study investigating the effectiveness and failure rates of whole-house mechanical ventilation systems installed in Florida homes over the last 15 years.

Measure Guideline: Ventilation Guidance for Residential High-Performance New Construction - Multifamily

Author(s)

Lstiburek

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

January, 2017

Report describing the most cost-effective ventilation and indoor air quality solutions for multifamily homes that meet ASHRAE 62.2-2016.

Reducing Residential Peak Electricity Demand with Mechanical Pre-Cooling of Building Thermal Mass

Author(s)

Turner,

Roux,

Walker

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

This study used an advanced airflow, energy and humidity modeling tool to evaluate the potential for residential mechanical pre-scooling strategies to reduce peak electriciy demand.

Washington State Residential Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code (VIAQ): Whole House Ventilation Systems Field Research Report

Author(s)

Lubliner,

Kunkle,

Devine,

Gordon

Organization(s)

Washington State University Extension Energy Program

Publication Date

January, 2002

Report describing a field study of 31 homes to test envelope and duct leakage and fan flowrates, and to determine ventilation operation characteristics.