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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 139

2012 IFGC - International Fuel Gas Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2012 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

2012 IMC - International Mechanical Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
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.

2012 Supplement to the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation

Author(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Organization(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Publication Date
A supplement to the 2012 Florida Building Code on energy efficiency and conservation.

2015 IMC - International Mechanical Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2015 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
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.

2021 ASHRAE Handbook - Fundamentals

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Guidebook covering basic principles and data used in the HVAC&R industry. This is the 2021 edition of the handbook, which can be purchased physically or digitally at the reference link in versions using either I-P units of measurement or SI units of measurement.

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

A Plug-and-Play Duct System Evaluation

Author(s)
Beach Robert,
Dickson B,
Grisolia A,
Poerschke A,
Rapport A
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
This report describes an air distribution system composed of a series of uniformly-sized ducts that terminate in rooms throughout the home and return to a central manifold, similar in fashion to a “home-run” cross-linked polyethylene plumbing system. With a well-designed manifold, each duct receives...

AC Comfort

Author(s)
AC Comfort
Organization(s)
AC Comfort
Publication Date
Website containing commercial information related to air conditioning and heating.

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

Author(s)
Rutkowski
Organization(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Publication Date
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.

ACCA Manual ZR – Residential Zoning Systems

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.

ACCA Standard 12: Home Evaluation and Performance Improvement

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
This Standard establishes the minimum requirements to evaluate a residence with regards to energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant comfort, and indoor air quality.

ACCA Standard 5: HVAC Quality Installation Specification

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Standard providing a universally accepted definition for quality installation for residential and commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning applications.

ACCA Standard 9: HVAC Quality Installation Verification Protocols

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Document detailing the requirements, roles, and obligations for participants in an organized effort, ensuring that HVAC installations comply with the ANSI/ACCA 5 QI – 2010 (HVAC Quality Installation Specification) QI Standard.

ACR: The NADCA Standard for Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration of HVAC Systems

Author(s)
National Air Duct Cleaners Association
Organization(s)
National Air Duct Cleaners Association
Publication Date
Standard providing industry-backed information for assessing new and existing HVAC systems, evaluating and verifying the cleanliness of HVAC system components, preventing job related hazards and guiding the cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems to a specific level of cleanliness.

ADC Flexible Duct Performance & Installation Standards

Author(s)
Air Duct Council
Organization(s)
ADC
Publication Date
Standard for use and reference by designers, architects, engineers, contractors, installers and users for evaluating, selecting, specifying and properly installing flexible duct in heating and air conditioning systems.

An Approach to High-Performance Affordable Housing Using Point-Source Space Conditioning

Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Zhu Shengming
Organization(s)
Levy Partnership,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report describing the integration of mini split ductless heat pumps and through-wall transfer fans in small single-story homes, to achieve a 50% reduction in space conditioning energy consumption compared to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, while ensuring affordability and...

ANSI/AHRI Standard 680, 2017 Standard for Performance Rating of Residential Air Filter Equipment

Author(s)
American National Standards Institute,
Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute
Organization(s)
ANSI,
AHRI
Publication Date
Standard 680 establishes definitions, classifications, test requirements, data requirements, ratings, operating requirements, marking and nameplate data and conformance conditions for residential air filter equipment.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2017 - Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard establishing a test procedure for evaluating the performance of air-cleaning devices as a function of particle size. This is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2017, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. The ASHRAE bookstore also...

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2020, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard 55 specifies conditions for acceptable thermal environments and is intended for use in design, operation, and commissioning of buildings and other occupied spaces. This is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2021, and is available for preview and purchase at...

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022 –Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard that provides procedures and methods for meeting minimum ventilation and indoor air quality requirements to engineers, design professionals, owners, and jurisdictional authorities where model codes have been adopted. This is the current version of the standard, which was published in the...

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2016 - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Standard that defines the roles of and minimum requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation systems and the building envelope intended to provide acceptable indoor air quality in low-rise residential buildings. This version of the standard was published in the year 2016, and is available for...

BPVC Code Cases: Boilers and Pressure Vessels (BPVC-CC-BPV) - 2017

Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Code establishing the rules of safety relating only to pressure integrity for the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels during construction. This version of the code was published in the year 2017 and is available to order at the referenced link. There are also versions...

BPVC Code Cases: Boilers and Pressure Vessels (BPVC-CC-BPV) - 2021

Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Code establishing the rules of safety relating only to pressure integrity for the design, fabrication, and inspection of boilers and pressure vessels during construction. This version of the code was published in the year 2021 and is available to order at the referenced link. There are also versions...

Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.

Building America Best Practices Series Volume 14: HVAC: A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Baechler Michael C,
Hefty Marye G,
Hand James R,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Report providing information about energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) equipment options to help homeowners cut their energy use, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase their homes comfort, health, and safety.

California Energy Commission's HVAC Design Guide

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Webpage containing California Energy Commission's HVAC design information, including mandatory and prescriptive HVAC requirements for residential and nonresidential buildings following the California Energy Commission's Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

Central Fan Integrated Ventilation Systems, Info-610

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
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.

Certified Home Ventilating Products Directory

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
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.

Choosing Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Author(s)
Gifford
Organization(s)
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.

Cleaning Fibrous Glass Insulated Duct (Ductboard / Duct Board) Systems - Recommended Practices

Author(s)
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Organization(s)
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Manual showing duct cleaning contractors how to identify the different types of insulated air ducts, how to open each type for access by cleaning equipment and personnel, how to close and seal openings after cleaning.

Code Notes: Residential Fan Efficiency

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Combined Space and Water Heating: Next Steps to Improved Performance

Author(s)
Schoenbauer B,
Bohac D,
Huelman Patrick
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Report describing combined space- and water-heating (combi) systems using a high-efficiency direct-vent burner.

Controls and Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers (CSD-1) - 2012

Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Standard covering requirements for the assembly, installation, maintenance, and operation of controls and safety devices on automatically operated boilers directly fired with gas, oil, gas-oil, or electricity, having fuel input ratings under 12,500,000 Btu/hr. This version of the code was published...

Controls and Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers (CSD-1) - 2021

Author(s)
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Standard covering requirements for the assembly, installation, maintenance, and operation of controls and safety devices on automatically operated boilers directly fired with gas, oil, gas-oil, or electricity, having fuel input ratings under 12,500,000 Btu/hr. This version of the code was published...

Cooling and Heating Season Impacts of Right-Sizing of Fixed- and Variable-Capacity Heat Pumps With Attic and Indoor Ductwork

Author(s)
Cummings James B,
Withers Charles R,
Kono Jamie E
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report on experiments comparing the cooling and heating seasonal and peak demand performance of different variable-capacity air conditioning and heat pump units.

Duct and HVAC Insulation

Author(s)
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Organization(s)
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Information sheet with HVAC duct insulation, testing, maintenance and performance information.

Duct System Flammability and Air Sealing Fire Separation Assemblies in the International Residential Code

Author(s)
Rudd,
Prahl
Organization(s)
ABT Systems,
IBACOS
Publication Date
Report identifying two barriers that limit the ability of builders to explore opportunities for higher levels of energy efficiency in housing: the use of duct system materials that inherently achieve airtightness and are right-sized for low-load houses, and, the ability to air seal fire separation...

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners

Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Webpage describing the advantages and disadvantages of ductless mini-split air conditioner.

Earthquake Country Alliance: HVAC Units

Author(s)
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services,
Southern California Earthquake Center
Organization(s)
NEHRP,
FEMA,
Cal OES,
SCEC,
Earthquake Country Alliance,
ECA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing methods for securing HVAC units to avoid damage during an earthquake.

ECM Motors: An Energy Saving Opportunity

Author(s)
National Institute of Health Division of Technical Resources
Organization(s)
National Institute of Health
Publication Date
Bulletin describing the components of ECM motors and comparing their efficiency with PSC motors.