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 - 12 of 12

Cool Neighborhoods: The Measurement of Small Scale Heat Islands

Author(s)

Sonne Jefferey,

Vieira Robin

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

January, 2000

Paper describing the effects of tree canopies on residential climates indicating tree cover to be beneficial to climate conditions

Cooling with Ventilation

Author(s)

Chandra Subrato,

Fairey III Philip W,

Houston Michael M

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

December, 1986

Report providing recommendations to builders regarding how to reduce cooling loads, use air-circulation fans, natural ventilation, window and building design for natural ventilation, and whole-house fans.

Design and Construction of Interior Duct System

Author(s)

McIlvaine Janet E R,

Beal David,

Fairey Philip W

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

July, 2002

This study focuses on the design, construction, and performance of the interior chase approach as implemented by five different builders in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

Discussion of Strategies for Mounting Photovoltaic Arrays on Rooftops

Author(s)

Barkaszi Stephen F,

Dunlop James P

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

April, 2001

A research paper exploring the installation and mounting of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on rooftops and the challenges faced by system designers and installers.

Effect of Ducted HPWH on Space-Conditioning and Water Heating Energy Use – Central Florida Lab Home

Author(s)

Colon Carlos J,

Martin Eric,

Parker Danny S

Organization(s)

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

November, 2016

Technical report evaluating the effects of heat pump water heaters on heating and cooling energy usage in laboratory homes.

From Energy Guzzler to Near-Zero Energy Home: Lessons from the Phased Deep Retrofit Project

Author(s)

Chasar Dave,

Parker Danny,

Sutherland Karen,

Martin Eric

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC,

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,

ACEEE

Publication Date

August, 2016

Conference paper describing how retrofits were used in a Florida home to change it from a high energy user to a near zero-energy home.

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

June, 2014

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 Impacts of Air Conditioner Condenser Shading

Author(s)

Sonne Jeffrey K,

Parker Danny S,

Barkaszi Stephen F

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

January, 1996

Paper describing energy savings in space cooling from shading condenser units.

Measured Retrofit Savings from Efficient Lighting and Smart Power Strips

Author(s)

Sutherland Karen,

Parker Danny,

Chasar Dave,

Hoak David

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

August, 2014

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.

Phased Retrofits in Existing Homes in Florida Phase I: Shallow and Deep Retrofits

Author(s)

Parker Danny,

Sutherland Karen,

Chasar Dave,

Montemumo Joseph,

Amos Bryan,

Kono Jamie E

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

February, 2016

Report describing research on how to reduce energy used by residential homes by applying shallow and deep retrofits to an existing home.

Phased Retrofits in Existing Homes in Florida Phase II: Shallow Plus Retrofits

Author(s)

Sutherland Karen,

Parker Danny,

Martin Eric,

Chasar Dave,

Amos Bryan

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC,

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC

Publication Date

February, 2016

Report describing single retrofit measures applied to shallow retrofitted homes that could be used to refine the deep retrofit package.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

Author(s)

Melody Ingrid,

Fairey Philip W,

Beal David

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

June, 2005

Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.