Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing approaches to insulating basements in homes built to meet Energy Star levels of performance of heat loss reduction.
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 101 - 150 of 771
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing techniques for insulating basements.
Organization(s)
BA-PIRC,
Newport Ventures
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing commissioning, short-term testing, utility bill data analysis, and results of on-site monitoring of a deep energy retrofit.
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how demand plumbing systems send cold water back to the water heater until hot water arrives at the sink, shower or other fixture where it is needed.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperate Extension Service,
CES,
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
NYSDEC,
Cornell Cooperative Extension,
CCE
Publication Date
Description
Web-based manual providing guidance for removal and preventing entry of nuisance wildlife.
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
Description
This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing measures that builders in mixed-humid climates can use to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report providing an introduction to current photovoltaic and solar thermal building practices.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Brochure intended to provide readers with a working knowledge of residential heating and cooling duct systems.
Organization(s)
AHRI
Publication Date
Description
This directory contains the I=B=R Ratings for cast-iron, steel, aluminum and copper boilers, baseboard and finned tube radiation, indirect-fired water heaters, effective as of the date of this publication.
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Description
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...
Organization(s)
ASME
Publication Date
Description
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...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Book presenting the best techniques for energy and resource efficient residential construction in the colder climates of North America.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Kaufman Heritage Conservation
Publication Date
Description
Document providing a resource to help contractors renovate historic houses, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
A guidebook helping builders design and construct homes that are among the most energy efficient available, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort. Measures described in this guide can help builders in the hot-humid climate...
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.
Building America Best Practices Series, Volume 10: Retrofit Techniques and Technologies: Air Sealing
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report identifying the steps to take, with the help of a qualified home performance contractor, to seal unwanted air leaks while ensuring healthy levels of ventilation and avoiding sources of indoor air pollution.
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy
Publication Date
Description
Expert meeting focusing on identifying gaps and barriers in combustion safety that need to be addressed by future research, and to develop data-driven technical recommendations for code updates so that a common approach for combustion safety can be adopted by all members of the building energy...
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Guidance document providing BA research teams and partners with specific information and approaches to identifying and overcoming potential barriers to Building America (BA) innovations arising in and/or stemming from codes, standards, and rating methods.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report provides a proposed set of guidelines for estimating the energy savings achieved by a package of retrofits or an extensive rehabilitation of an existing home.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Partnership for Resource Conservation,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
Document illustrating some analysis concepts that are proven to be effective and reliable in analyzing the transient energy usage of advanced energy systems as well as of entire houses.
Organization(s)
CCEI
Description
Report presenting the building america research to market plan.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website with consumer and contractor information about building codes and regulations for solar water heating systems.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Document about testing software predictions of retrofit energy savings in existing homes.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
J. Neymark & Associates
Publication Date
Description
Document providing an example procedure for establishing acceptance-range criteria to assess results from software undergoing BESTEST-EX.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.
Organization(s)
BPI
Publication Date
Description
A comprehensive list of professional certifications offered by the Building Performance Institute. The webpage includes links to overviews of the different certificates, certification scheme handbooks, and directions for taking certification exams and recertification.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Description
Website providing information about building plans for the ENERGY STAR thermal bypass checklist.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document with the Quality Control Checklist developed as both a guide to assist in the transition to high performance home building, and as a simplified tool to be used as part of any builder's on-site quality control procedures.
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Description
Article published by American Society of Civil Engineers on different building types and their effictiveness resisting extreme heat from a building envelope perspective.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.
Organization(s)
NW Seismic
Publication Date
Description
A website containing a video series by NW Seismic illustrating how a seismic retrofit should be done and ways they are done incorrectly.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a deep energy retrofit project for a two-family wood framed home located in Belmont, Massachusetts.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report describing findings from a multifamily test home focusing on the combination of energy measures that are feasible, affordable and suitable for multifamily construction in cold climates.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.
Organization(s)
American Technical Publishers
Description
Website with instructional material for career and technical education.
Organization(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Description
Case study about the grid integration of electrical vehicle supply equipment.
Chamberlain Heights Redevelopment: A Large Scale, Cold Climate Study of Affordable Housing Retrofits
Organization(s)
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Report about City of Meriden Housing Authority's (MHA) collaboration with Jonathon Rose Companies to complete a gut renovation of 126 residential units in the Chamberlain Heights retrofit project.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Publication Date
Description
This is a guide for establishing smoke-free policies in public housing and multifamily properties.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Report recording the results of a field study conducted in a single historic home in Seattle, Washington, to document the performance of Indow Windows' interior storm window inserts.
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Case study characterizing the framing factors for the exterior walls, ceilings, and floors of 180 wood-framed low-rise residential buildings across the United States.
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy
Publication Date
Description
Report identifying housing characteristics and energy use for fifteen single-family housing types and specifies measure packages that provide an optimum level of energy savings based on a BEopt analysis.
Organization(s)
University of Massachusetts
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet discussing how OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. - See more at: http://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/choosing-between-oriented-strandboard-and-plywood/#sthash.RilEtDpl.dpuf
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
Document providing guidance about choosing the correct caulk for a project.