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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 - 29 of 29

Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania Housing Research/Resource Center,
PHRC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
ENRGY STAR webpage discussing the basics of certified ceiling fans.
Author(s)
Calwell Chris,
Horowitz Noah
Organization(s)
Massachusetts Department of Energy,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Home Energy Magazine,
State of Massachusetts
Publication Date
Description
Article describing customer tip sheet and how ceiling fans are one of the most popular and generally well regarded of all home energy efficiency features.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Website that describes two ceiling fan types and their respective ENERGY STAR eligible product types.
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.
Author(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Organization(s)
Florida Disaster
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing retrofit procedures for gable end roofs.
Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
University of Central Florida
Organization(s)
FSEC,
UCF
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about the Gossamer Wind Series Ceiling fans, conceived by Danny Parker at the Florida Solar Energy Center as a means of realizing the energy efficiency and comfort potential of ceiling fans.
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)
Holladay Martin
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.
Author(s)
Straube John
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.
Author(s)
Lubliner Michael,
Kerr Ryan,
Gordon Andrew,
Murray Chuck
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development
Publication Date
Description
Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.
Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Organization(s)
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Website providing an online calculator for determining energy and cost savings from installing radiant barriers in attics.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.
Author(s)
Melody Ingrid,
Fairey Philip W,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
DOE case study findings on raised ceiling interior duct systems.
Author(s)
American Plywood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with the definition and uses for a raised truss.
Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Website with product and standards information about home heating and cooling, and appliances.
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing flashing of roof penetrations to make a home more resistant to high winds, hurricanes, and rainwater intrusion.
Author(s)
Pierce Jim
Organization(s)
Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry,
IAEI
Publication Date
Description
Article on thermal protectors in recessed light fixtures.
Author(s)
Schumacher Christopher
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report reviewing unvented roof assemblies, such as conditioned attics and unvented cathedral ceilings that are becoming common in North American construction.
Author(s)
Ueno Kohta
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document summarizing the various papers on unvented conditioned cathedralized attics found on BSC's website.
Author(s)
Tobiasson Wayne N,
Tantillo Thomas,
Buska James S
Organization(s)
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory,
CRREL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the formation of icicles and ice dams along poorly ventilated roofs and how to mitigate ventilation issues with insulation and vents.
Author(s)
TenWolde Anton,
Rose William B
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the use of attic ventilation to control moisture in cathedral roofs and avoid the formation of ice dams.