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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 81

A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating with ENERGY STAR

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Guide informing homeowners on how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if their attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.

A simplified model for estimating population-scale energy impacts of building envelope air-tightening and mechanical ventilation retrofits

Author(s)
Logue Jennifer M,
Turner William JN,
Walker Iain S,
Singer Brett C
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Report describing how changing the air exchange rate of a home (the sum of the infiltration and mechanical ventilation airflow rates) affects the annual thermal conditioning energy.

ABTCO Estimating and Installation Guide

Author(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.

Aeroseal: Our Process

Author(s)
Aeroseal
Organization(s)
Aeroseal
Publication Date
A website explaining the process of sealing a home with Aeroseal & how the technology is used to seal holes in the air ducts and vents of the home.

Aerosol Envelope Sealing of Existing Residences

Author(s)
Bohac Dave,
Harrington Curtis,
Meyers Frederick
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Center for Energy and Environment,
CEE
Publication Date
Report examining the effectiveness of an aerosolized acrylic technique for air sealing existing homes to reduce air leakage and improve energy efficiency.

Aerosol Envelope Sealing of New Residences

Author(s)
Bohac Dave,
Harrington Curtis
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Technical report describing the research behind a new aerosol-based sealing method, utilizing pressurization and a dispersed sealant fog, facilitated by a standard blower door, to automatically measure, locate, and seal air leaks in new homes in the United States, providing an efficient solution to...

Aerosol-Based Method Seals the Deal for Tighter New Homes

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Publication Date
Fact sheet outlining an innovative aerosol-based sealing technique for tightening building envelopes in new homes, involving pressurizing the structure and dispersing an aerosol sealant "fog" to autonomously identify and seal leaks, with real-time feedback through a standard blower door and laptop...

Air Leakage in Recessed Lighting

Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania Housing Research/Resource Center,
PHRC
Publication Date
Recessed lighting is here to stay. If installed incorrectly they may contribute to air leakage and compromise building integrity.

Air Leakage Testing and Air Sealing in Existing Multifamily Units

Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Conlin Francis
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES,
Levy Partnership,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Research study identifying common air leakage pathways in one type of low-rise multifamily building common in mixed-humid climates.

Air Sealing - Seal Air Leaks and Save Energy!

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE,
SEI
Publication Date
Brochure with information for homeowners about the benefits of air sealing.

Air Sealing That Works

Author(s)
Bruton Jack,
Baczek Steven
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
An article explaining how an airtight shell for the home helps to achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.

Air-Seal Windows and Doors

Author(s)
Sloggatt Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Article providing steps to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of the home.

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.

Attics, Topic 4.01

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
NREL webpage of standard work specification of exterior and interior, attic floors, attic knee walls, and unique installations.

Building America Top Innovations 2013 - Attic Air Sealing Guidelines

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Factsheet describing research sponsored by DOE's Building America program to research the importance of attic air sealing and best practice attic air sealing techniques for new and existing homes.

Deep-Dish Retrofits, BSI-079

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Fact sheet poster describing benefits and qualification of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) certified Zero Energy Ready Homes and providing eight examples of certified homes.

Duct and HVAC Insulation

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

Energy Efficient New Homes and Apartments

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Website describing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR New Homes and Apartments program with links to builder and homeowner resources.

Energy Rated for Added Comfort: AERC-Certified Window Attachments

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Fact sheet poster describing the certification of window attachment products such as storm windows, roller shades, cellular shade, and solar screens by the Attachment Energy Rating Council (AERC).

Evaluation of Retrofit Delivery Packages

Author(s)
Berman Mark,
Smith Pepper,
Porse Erik
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Report evaluating opportunities to improve and streamline delivery of residential retrofit measures.

Expert Meeting Report: Cladding Attachment Over Exterior Insulation

Author(s)
Baker Peter
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report about an expert meeting focused on issues surrounding cladding attachment and performance of walls with exterior insulating sheathing.

Field Trial of an Aerosol-Based Enclosure Sealing Technology

Author(s)
Springer David,
Harrington Curtis
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report presenting the results from several demonstrations of a new method for sealing building envelop air leaks.

Five Things, BSI-039

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing five fundamental changes to building construction from the last 50 years and their modern construction consequences.

Foam Shrinks, and Other Lessons, PA-1201

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.

FORTIFIED Home Inside FORTIFIED

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Website providing resources for roofers to construct high-wind, hurricane, and hail-resistant roofs from IBHS Fortified program.

Freeze Protection for CPVC Fire Sprinkler Piping Guide

Author(s)
City of Gresham,
State of Oregon
Organization(s)
City of Gresham,
State of Oregon
Publication Date
A guideline containing fire sprinkler insulation requirements from the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department.

How Do Buildings Stack Up

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing the impact of stack effect on building performance, highlighting how pressure differences caused by temperature and height affect air infiltration and exfiltration, and detailing strategies like compartmentalization and distributed mechanical systems to manage airflow and maintain...

How Do Buildings Stack Up?, BSI-075

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing the stack effect in buildings.

How to Seal Up to Prevent Rodent Infestations

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
A website providing a checklist of important areas to check when sealing holes inside and outside of the home to prevent entry by rodents and other outside pests.

Improving Recessed Lighting

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Report providing information about techniques and approaches to improve the efficiency of recessed lighting.

Indoor Air Quality in 24 California Residences Designed as High-Performance Homes

Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Mullen Nasim A,
Singer Brett C,
Walker Iain S
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.

Just Right and Airtight, BSI-053

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing air leakage in buildings.