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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 1051 - 1100 of 1503

Performance of Combination Hydronic Systems

Author(s)
Butcher Thomas
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Article investigating how a linear input/output relationship can be used as a simple model of the performance of a combination hydronic heating system over heating only, DHW only, and combined loads.

Performance of Four Near Zero Energy Homes: Lessons Learned

Author(s)
Sherwin John,
Colon Carlos J,
Parker Danny S,
Martin Eric
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Paper examining the monitored performance of four newly constructed near zero energy homes in Florida.

Performance of Windows in Walls With Continuous Insulation

Author(s)
Peavey John,
Shah Nay
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report describing research aimed to provide window manufacturers with foundational guidance for installing windows in walls with continuous insulation (CI), addressing critical aspects such as evaluating common installation methods, establishing acceptance criteria for window performance...

Performance profiles of exterior fire protective building envelopes

Author(s)
Jarnskjold Tobias,
Jensen Geir,
Knudsen Atle
Organization(s)
Edition Diffusion Presse Sciences,
EDP Sciences
Publication Date
A study on how fires spread through exterior building envelopes with discussion on how fires propagate in a rain screen cavity.

Permeable Pavement

Author(s)
City of Mercer Island
Organization(s)
City of Mercer Island
Publication Date
Brochure describing what permeable pavement is, where to install it, and how to maintain it.

Pest Prevention by Design: Authoritative Guidelines for Designing Pests out of Structures

Author(s)
Geiger Chris A,
Cox Caroline
Organization(s)
San Francisco Department of the Environment,
SF Environment,
Center for Environmental Health,
CEH,
International Code Council,
ICC
Publication Date
Report providing detailed steps for builders, architects, and property managers to take for integrated pest management for control of a variety of pests including insects, rodents, and birds.

Phased Retrofits in Existing Homes in Florida Phase I: Shallow and Deep Retrofits

Author(s)
Parker Danny,
Sutherland Karen,
Chasar Dave,
Montemumo Joseph,
Amos Bryan,
Kono Jamie E
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing research on how to reduce energy used by residential homes by applying shallow and deep retrofits to an existing home.

Phased Retrofits in Existing Homes in Florida Phase II: Shallow Plus Retrofits

Author(s)
Sutherland Karen,
Parker Danny,
Martin Eric,
Chasar Dave,
Amos Bryan
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC
Publication Date
Report describing single retrofit measures applied to shallow retrofitted homes that could be used to refine the deep retrofit package.

Plant for the Sun!

Author(s)
Forestry and Natural Resources
Organization(s)
Purdue University
Publication Date
Blog article describing considerations for how to use trees for shading to reduce cooling energy demand.

Plaster and Drywall Assemblies Manual

Author(s)
Fowler Mark,
Stanley Bryan,
Coats Darin
Organization(s)
Technical Services Information Bureau,
Walls & Ceilings
Publication Date
Manual covering design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster, IEFs, and drywall, with info on continuous insulation, air barriers, rain screens, fire and sound ratings, etc.

Pools & Spas: Codes and Standards Enhancement (CASE) Initiative

Author(s)
Owrth,
Ludovici,
Joyce,
Fernstrom
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission
Publication Date
This CASE report proposes updates and revisions to the standards for residential swimming pool filtration pumps, new and replacement single phase pump motors under 5 horsepower (HP), controllers, portable electric spas as well as expanding the scope of the current standards to include light emitting...

Prepare for Wildfire: Hardening Your Home

Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Organization(s)
State of California,
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Webpage offering recommendations to homeowners and contractors for retrofitting a home to make it more resistant to wildfires.

Preparedness Webinars

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Database describing FEMA preparedness webinars including natural hazard preparedness.

Preparing for a Winter Storm

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Webpage describing steps homeowners can take to prepare their home and car for winter storms.

Preparing for a Winter Storm

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Webpage describing steps homeowners can take to prepare their home and car for winter storms.

Preparing Homes for Wildfire

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Website describing methods for homeowners to prepare their homes to withstand ember attacks and minimize the likelihood of flames or surface fire touching the home or any attachments.

Prevent Home Roof Damage from Heavy Snow and Ice.

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Webpage providing guidance for homeowners on how much snow weight a typical roof can handle and when to consider removing snow from the roof.

Preventing Ice Dams

Author(s)
Paul Fisette
Organization(s)
UMass Amherst Department of Environmental Conservation
Publication Date
Article describing how ice dams form on residential roofs, how they damage homes, and solutions to prevent future dams.

Preventing Ice Dams Fact Sheet

Author(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Organization(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Publication Date
Ice dam fact sheet from Wisconsin Focus on Energy explaining how to prevent future ice dams on homes by learning about their formation and mitigation of contributing factors.

Primary Frontal Dunes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date

Product Approval Menu

Author(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Organization(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Publication Date
Database of approved products that meet the requirements of the High Velocity Hurricane Zone.

Proper Mulching

Author(s)
Fayetteville NC
Organization(s)
Fayetteville NC
Publication Date
Pamphlet describing proper mulching around trees and problems and benefits associated with mulching.

Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website from the EPA containing information for homeowners and renters about how to identify asbestos in the home and how to deal with it to reduce exposure to it.

Protect Your Home From Floods

Author(s)
Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
Institute for Business & Home Safety
Publication Date
Report covering reducing risk from flooding.

Protect your Home from Hail

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Website providing guidance on how to reduce the risk of damage to a home from hail.

Protect Your Home from Ice Dams

Author(s)
IBHS DisasterSafety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
List of recommendations from IBHS on how to protect homes from ice dam formation.

Protect Your Property from Earthquakes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, evacuation tips, and electrical and appliance tips.

Protect Your Property from Flooding

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple flood safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and additional resources.

Protect Your Property from Storm Surge

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple storm surge (coastal flooding) safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and recovery advice.

Protect Your Property from Wildfires

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, exterior maintenance, and recovery tips.

Protection of Openings-Shutters and Glazing, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 6.2

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Technical fact sheet describing the selection and installation of storm shutters and impact-resistant glazing and other types of opening protection in windborne debris regions; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Pump Day Procedures

Author(s)
ICF Systems
Organization(s)
Massachusetts Building Products
Publication Date
Information sheet including a checklist of steps to follow for pouring concrete.

PV Primer, BA-0212

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report aiming to "de-mystify" technology and economic considerations of residential PV systems.

PVWatts Calculator

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Website estimating energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems throughout the world.

Quality Standards - ACCA

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Webpage of ACCA’s Quality Standards outlining precisely the procedures that contractors should follow when designing, installing, maintaining, repairing, and verifying indoor environment systems.

R602.10 Wall Bracing

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
ICC code chapter 6 focusing on wall bracing and wall construction.

Radiant & Hydronics - ACCA

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Radiant, hydronics, geothermal -- they are a vital part of modern comfort and energy solutions. ACCA helps hydronics contractors operate at peak performance.

Radiant Barriers

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

Author(s)
Melody Ingrid,
Fairey Philip W,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Radon Mitigation Standards

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Standard providing information on contractors who offer radon control services to homeowners.

Radon: Worker and Employer Guide to Hazards and Recommended Controls

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institute of Health Division of Technical Resources,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
EPA,
HUD,
NIH,
OSHA
Publication Date
Worker guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA for radon issues following a natural disaster.

Rain and Groundwater Management Technote

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing design and construction practices to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion in walls and foundations in residential construction.

Rain Control in Buildings, BSD-013

Author(s)
Straube
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document covering basic moisture control principles in the design of above-grade building enclosures; driving rain as a moisture load on walls; a classification system of the various rain control strategies available for walls; and good design practises for walls.

Rain Screen Acknowledgement Form

Author(s)
City of Newberg
Organization(s)
City of Newberg
Publication Date
An example of a form a building codes department created to ensure builders are fully aware and have taken steps to provide drainage so that water doesn’t accumulate behind siding. This example is from the city of Newberg, Oregon.