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 1151 - 1200 of 2320

Author(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information for HVAC designers, installers, and consumers about air source heat pumps.
Author(s)
McCullough,
Gordon
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.
Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center
Organization(s)
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage listing research projects studying deep energy retrofits of homes in Florida.
Author(s)
Marburger
Organization(s)
Federation of American Scientists,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Document providing a roadmap to aid Habitat for Humanity affiliates in building high performing houses by using materials and techniques that are affordable, do not add any maintenance burden, and are volunteer friendly.
Author(s)
Hoeschele Marc,
Springer David,
Dakin Bill,
German Alea
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Article from NREL on wall construction guidelines for homes in hot climate zones.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet briefly summarizing truss wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Author(s)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Organization(s)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing federal regulation related to excess flow valves on residential natural gas lines.
Author(s)
High Wind Safe Rooms
Organization(s)
High Wind Safe Rooms
Publication Date
Description
Safe room cost calculator
Author(s)
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet profiling a simple modification that can be made to window air-conditioners to improve their energy efficiency.
Author(s)
Straube,
Grin
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report that considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.
Author(s)
Wiehagen,
Kochkin
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Research study presenting results of an existing home monitoring project designed to measure wall cavity moisture characteristics.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing ASCE 24-14 Flood Resistant Design and Construction changes and highlights, on topics including siting, materials, performance, and utilities.
Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information on low-energy and standard cooling systems, with a focus on saving energy.
Author(s)
LaMarche Janelle,
Cheney Kate,
Akers Craig,
Roth Kurt,
Sachs Olga
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.
Author(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the causes that form ice dams, as well as solutions for preventing future ice dams on roofs, focusing on air sealing to prevent hot air leakage.
Author(s)
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
American Red Cross
Publication Date
Description
Website describing ways to prevent home house fires.
Author(s)
Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
Organization(s)
HFSC
Publication Date
Description
Website containing educational and marketing resources for residential fire sprinklers.
Author(s)
Newport Partners
Organization(s)
The Fire Protection Research Foundation
Publication Date
Description
Report assessing the costs of home fire sprinkler systems.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing homeowners tips on how to secure bookcases and other heavy furniture with brackets and child-proof drawer and cabinet locks.
Author(s)
Quarles,
Valachovic,
Nakamura,
Nader,
De Lasaux
Organization(s)
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Publication Date
Description
A guide that summarizes building materials and design considerations for increasing wildfire-resistivity of homes in areas that are prone to wildfires.
Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Description
Website providing certified rating programs to help manufacturers, builders, contractors and homeowners compare performance of ventilation products for air flow, sound, and other performance characteristics.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA,
EPA,
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to deal with asbestos in homes following natural disasters.
Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institutes of Health,
Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force
Organization(s)
CDC,
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Publication Date
Description
Homeowner guidance from CDC, EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to safely clean up mold issues following flooding from a natural disaster.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institute of Health Division of Technical Resources
Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Publication Date
Description
Guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on homeowner safety dealing with lead contaminants.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Homeowner guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on dealing with radon following a natural disaster.
Author(s)
California Seismic Safety Commission
Organization(s)
SSC
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook that provides information on earthquake hazards that can damage homes, the design and retrofit of earthquake resistant housing, and how to find more information on earthquake safety.
Author(s)
Hales
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Programs,
PIRC
Publication Date
Description
Report documenting short-term test results of the Shift House and compares the results of Passive House Planning Package and Building Energy Optimization modeling of the project.
Author(s)
Heoschele,
Weitzel
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.
Author(s)
Hoeschele
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the factors that can lead to inefficient hot water distribution systems in homes.
Author(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Organization(s)
Siding Cost Guide
Publication Date
Description
A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the function of housewrap, its attributes, and common problems associated with its use, including housewrap vs. building paper and housewrap installation; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing effects of planning, siting, and design decisions on coastal home costs, including initial, operating, and long-term costs; risk determination; and the effect on costs of meeting and exceeding code and NFIP design and construction requirements; also published in FEMA P-499...
Author(s)
Nicholas Gerbis
Organization(s)
Home & Garden
Publication Date
Description
Resource that explains how water softeners work to reduce scale.
Author(s)
Hoak,
Parker,
Hermelink
Organization(s)
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report about measurements of three recent vintage dishwashers of very different efficiencies showing that while they are substantially more efficient than older dishwashers.