Skip to main content

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 83

Author(s)
Washington State Building Code Council
Organization(s)
Washington State Department of Enterprise Services
Publication Date
Description
State building energy code for the State of Washington.
Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing guidance on the 45L tax credit, assembling the most relevant information for Northwest builders to maximize their tax credit and build energy efficient homes.
Author(s)
Kerby Jessica,
Tarekegne Bethel
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Article describing utility rates, net metering policies, installation costs, financial incentives, and other info for both consumers who are interested in installing renewable energy systems and for energy justice and clean energy advocates.
Author(s)
Webster Brett,
Satre-Meloy Aven,
Badger Leslie,
Donovan Alison,
Lane Damon,
McGrath Kevin,
Wilson Eric,
Reyna Janet,
Metzger Cheryn E,
Pilet Tyler J,
Campbell Martha,
Toffoli Lucas
Organization(s)
Advanced Building Construction Collaborative,
ABC Collaborative,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Rocky Mountain Institute,
RMI,
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation,
VEIC
Publication Date
Description
Report providing product manufacturers, fabricators, contractors and installers, design professionals, owners, and real estate developers with technical performance and cost guidance for scalable zero-carbon-aligned new construction pathways and retrofit packages to achieve zero carbon retrofits and...
Author(s)
Huelman Patrick H,
Crandell Jay H,
Peavey John,
Hudson Ed,
Handeen Daniel
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
UMN,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report examining the structural properties and applications of an innovative studless building system, detailing its testing regime and providing an engineering guide for architects and engineers.
Author(s)
Mallay David
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
The research report outlines a practical and cost-effective strategy utilizing central HVAC systems to optimize humidity control and ventilation in energy-efficient homes located in hot-humid climates, demonstrating significant improvements without requiring complex equipment upgrades.
Author(s)
Bohac Dave,
Harrington Curtis,
Meyers Frederick
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Center for Energy and Environment,
CEE
Publication Date
Description
Report examining the effectiveness of an aerosolized acrylic technique for air sealing existing homes to reduce air leakage and improve energy efficiency.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the functionality and benefits of switching to Air Source Heat Pumps, as well as linking to sets of products, rebates, most efficient ASHPs, and providing consumer aid for purchasing an ASHP.
Author(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Description
Web-based mapping tool offering a fast, reliable way to look up key design parameters specified in Standard ASCE 7-10, 7-16, or 7-22 for a specific address or location which is free to use and can look up data for eight different environmental hazard types: wind, tornado, seismic, ice, rain, flood...
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Training module describing the operation, efficiency, consumer and seller benefits, and cost comparison of Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) against conventional gas, oil, or electric water heaters.
Author(s)
California Energy Codes and Standards
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission
Publication Date
Description
Subprogram of the California Statewide Codes and Standards Program designed to help cities and counties to adopt above-state-code ordinances.
Author(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage outlining how to optimize the installations and performance of mini-split heat pump systems. As well, it discusses a set of design considerations for multi-level homes, low load homes, and heat distribution to rooms without a heat source.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
A website explaining the various shades of light, from warm to cool colors, with a visual diagram illustrating the various shades of light.
Author(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
List of multifamily commercial heat pump water heater products that meet the NEEA Advanced Water Heating Specification Requirements.
Author(s)
Consortium of Energy Efficiency Inc.
Organization(s)
CEE
Publication Date
Description
Website for CEE, the US and Canadian consortium of natural gas and electric efficiency program administrators.
Author(s)
Jiang Yilin,
Wang Junke,
Song Li,
Tang Choon Yik,
Wang Gang,
Brambley Michael,
Ejenakevwe Kevwe
Organization(s)
University of Oklahoma,
University of Miami,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report examining the use of smart thermostat data to detect performance degradation and optimize comfort control in home AC systems.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR Key product criteria for dishwashers.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of approximately 35,000 homes every year.
Author(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Organization(s)
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the successes and ongoing efforts of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance's Go Ductless ductless heat pump program which successfully encouraged the installation of more than 150,000 minisplit heat pumps in the Northwest between 2010 and 2021.
Author(s)
Efficiency Vermont
Organization(s)
Efficiency Vermont
Publication Date
Description
Website to support the state of Vermont transition to a more affordable and cleaner future by affiliate with partners throughout Vermont to save customers money, strengthen our state’s economy, and lower carbon emissions.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR New Homes and Apartments program with links to builder and homeowner resources.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website with consumer information about residential heat pump systems.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Searchable list of heat pumps that meet ENERGY STAR criteria.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage on the ENERGY STAR website that list products that exceed the ENERGY STAR minimum criteria for their category, with links to several product categories, including windows, HVAC, home appliances, and computer monitors.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website for finding rebates and special offers near you on ENERGY STAR certified products. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA helping you save energy and money while protecting the environment.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Informational guide describing the benefits, functionality, and cost savings of ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump water heaters, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting incentives.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Publication Date
Description
Section 608 establishes EPA’s National Recycling and Emission Reduction Program designed to reduce emissions related to maintaining, servicing, repairing, and disposing of air conditioning or refrigeration equipment.
Author(s)
Mile High Flood District
Organization(s)
MHFD
Publication Date
Description
Guidance documents describing Erosion Control Blankets (ECBs) use as a construction material that provides temporary cover and support for establishing vegetation on bare soil. ECB holds topsoil and seed (typically grass) in place to minimize erosion during germination of seed.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Publication Date
Description
Page describing in detail four important actions you should consider to protect your health and indoor air quality (IAQ) when cleaning up after a flood.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing homeowner resources program designed to strengthen homes and commercial buildings against severe weather such as high winds, hail, hurricanes, and even tornadoes.
Author(s)
GIS Geography
Organization(s)
GIS Geography
Publication Date
Description
A website providing free access to a variety of U.S. and international maps.
Author(s)
Carpet and Rug Institute
Organization(s)
CRI
Publication Date
Description
Document describing the emissions criteria for carpets, cushions, and adhesives to qualify as those with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions under the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality Testing Program.
Author(s)
Seth Masia
Organization(s)
American Solar Energy Society,
ASES
Publication Date
Description
Website article discussing the economics of ground source heat pumps.
Author(s)
Murphy Richard W,
Rice C Keith,
Baxter Van D,
Craddick William G
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the ground-source IHP (GS-IHP) design and includes the lessons learned and best practices revealed by the research and development (R&D) effort throughout.
Author(s)
Gabriele Rob
Organization(s)
SafeHome.org
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing how to guard homes and properties against wildfire, as well as what to do during a wildfire, whether sheltering in place or attempting evacuation.
Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Online calculator for estimating payback of adding additional insulation to your house.
Author(s)
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
American Red Cross
Publication Date
Description
Website describing ways to prevent home house fires.