Organization(s)
American Lung Association
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining important factors for homeowners to be aware of regarding healthy air in homes.
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 69
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2009 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
NAHB Research Center,
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing the energy performance of the 2011 EVHA winners and to align the EVHA program with the BA program.
Organization(s)
Earth Advantage
Publication Date
Description
A guide about the above code residential home certification called Earth Advantage and required and optional measures available to meet the point requirements for certification.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes...
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less, bringing together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Publication Date
Description
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2012 Publication.
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Research study estimating potential energy savings relative to conventional ducted air distribution, and identifying equipment requirements, costs, and barriers.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Thermal Energy System Specialists,
TESS
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining the current and the proposed draws and estimates typical ratings changes from draw specification changes for typical systems in four cities.
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.
Organization(s)
Advanced Energy
Publication Date
Description
Guide about designing and installing closed crawlspaces in the Southeast.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.
Organization(s)
Portland Cement Association
Publication Date
Description
Document discussing moisture considerations and testing techniques for concrete floors.
Organization(s)
Portland Cement Association
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.
Organization(s)
ICF Builder
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet disucssing myths about insulated concrete forms.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Research study analyzing the effects a nonlinear enthalpy profile has on thermal performance and expected energy benefits for PCM-enhanced insulation.
Organization(s)
ARIES,
Levy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
Report about the Advanced Envelope Research effort will provide factory homebuilders with urgently-needed, cost effective methods for meeting emerging energy code requirements.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Expert meeting describing meeting details for recommendations for applying water heaters in combination space and domestic water heating systems.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about what length screws should be used, and how closely to space the screws when fastening furring strips to a foam-sheathed wall.
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE,
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Study characterizing how foundation heat exchangers (FHXs) used in residential ground source heat pump systems represent a potential cost savings due to their lesser first cost over other types of heat exchangers.
Organization(s)
Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems,
Fraunhofer CSE,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Research study evaluating a low-cost and scalable way to reduce heating energy consumption using the energy-saving features of programmable thermostats (i.e., automatic daytime and nighttime setbacks).
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods to manage moisture, rainwater, and vapor in basements and crawlspaces.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Presentation about heat pump water heater modeling using EnergyPlus.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering control of hydrostatic pressure in wall assemblies.
Organization(s)
Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems,
Fraunhofer CSE,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Research study investigating the factors influencing consumer adoption of HEDs and evaluating the resulting electricity consumption.
Organization(s)
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Report on a project that enhanced the HWSIM distribution system model to more accurately model pipe heat transfer.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Presentation on Improving Air-Conditioner and Heat Pump Modeling.
Organization(s)
Western Cooling Efficiency Center - UC Davis,
BIRA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Research study to help development of an application protocol for aerosol sealing of building shells that will eventually be demonstrated on buildings in retrofit and new construction.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report identifying the target market for solar water heaters and potential pathways and cost/performance targets that must be met for these systems to realize large energy savings.
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report focusing on managing the driving forces that move air and water vapor across the building envelope.
Organization(s)
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document providing an understanding of the importance of the different types of multifamily building attics and their unique challenges, and outlines strategies and materials used in air sealing them.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Document pertaining to design and application guidance for combination space and tankless domestic hot water heating systems used in residential buildings, based on field evaluation, testing, and industry meetings.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Document describing a process to help builders, homeowners, and designers select energy-efficient windows for new and existing residential construction in all U.S. climate zones.
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Report about evaporative condensers, to provide information on a cost-effective solution for energy and demand savings in homes with cooling loads.
Organization(s)
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document with evaluation of 14 heat pump water heaters (including three recently released HPWH products) installed in existing homes in the northeast region of the United States.
Organization(s)
BARA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Building Media
Publication Date
Description
Research study showing that for a relatively small investment, a variable speed pool pump can reduce pool pump energy use by 50% to 75%.
Organization(s)
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Document developed to help residential new construction builders transition from using a three-coat stucco system to a one-coat stucco system installed over 1 in. of expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the work conducted for high performance hybrid assemblies.
Organization(s)
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners,
NABCEP
Publication Date
Description
This Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Resource Guide is an informational resource covering basic requirements for PV installations intended for individuals pursuing the Photovoltaic Installer Certification credential offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center
Publication Date
Description
Report detailing the proposed point structure for the prescriptive approach of the energy efficiency chapter of the NGBS update.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
University of Minnesota,
NREL,
NSTAR
Publication Date
Description
Research study identifying best practices of three successful high performance, custom home builders in the upper Midwest.
Organization(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Publication Date
Description
Database of approved products that meet the requirements of the High Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Organization(s)
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Gas Technology Institute
Publication Date
Description
Report aimed at gaining a better understanding about benefits, challenges and technologies associated with natural gas feedback systems.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing the results of laboratory testing of 20 advanced power strip products.
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
A quick-reference guide advising homeowners on how to anchor home appliances and protect from seismic damages.
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
A quick-reference guide advising homeowners on how to elevate and protect outdoor HVAC equipment from high winds and floods.
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
A retrofit sheet providing information on elevating and securing water heaters to protect against damage during a flood.
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Solar Rating & Certification Corporation,
SRCC,
Thermal Energy System Specialists,
TESS
Publication Date
Description
Document discussing changes in testing the annual performance ratings for solar water heaters.