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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 51 - 83 of 83

Passive Cooling Designs to Improve Heat Resilience of Homes in Underserved and Vulnerable Communities

Author(s)
Sun Kaiyu,
Zhang Wanni,
Zeng Zhaoyun,
Levinson Ronnen,
Wei Max,
Hong Tianzhen
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
This study evaluated 11 measures for passive cooling using four heat resilience metrics with and without grid power in Fresno CA and found the two most effective measures were installing solar-control window films and adding roof insulation; natural ventilation also helped reduce overheating in...

Passive Design

Author(s)
Green Home Technology Center
Organization(s)
Ohio State University Extension
Publication Date
Website providing guidance on passive heating, cooling, and lighting methods.

Peak power and cooling of shade trees

Author(s)
Akbari Hashem,
Bretz Sarah E,
Kurn Dan M,
Hanford James W
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Paper describing a study on savings in peak power and cooling energy for homes with shade trees.

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.

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.

Residential Heating and Cooling Loads Component Analysis

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Report describing a study using parametric computer simulations of 112 single-family and 63 multi-family residential building prototypes to quantify the contributions of building components such as roofs, walls, windows, infiltration, outside air, lighting, equipment, and people to the aggregate...

SelecTree: A Tree Selection Guide

Author(s)
Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute
Organization(s)
UFEI,
California Polytechnic State University,
Cal Poly
Publication Date
Website tool that can search for trees by name or characteristics and retrieve data describing tree attributes including site preferences and general characteristics and considerations.

Small Wind Site Assessment Guidelines

Author(s)
Olsen,
Preus
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
NREL technical report providing guidance on site selection for installation of small wind turbines.

Suggested Emergency Food Supplies

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
USDHS
Publication Date
Article describing suggested food supplies, sanitation, safety, and cooking for during and after an emergency.

Sustainable Development Guidelines

Author(s)
Gray
Organization(s)
Town of Clarkdale
Publication Date
Presentation on sustainable development including water conservation, passive solar, daylighting, natural ventilation, and land use.

Sustainable Living Series

Author(s)
Office of Sustainability
Organization(s)
Washington University St. Louis
Publication Date
Presentation by the Washington University Office of Sustainability on saving energy.

Team Negawatt

Author(s)
Duarte Carlos,
Gandhi Priya,
Kim Antony,
Landsman Jared,
Santos Luis,
Tepfer Sara,
Wang Taoning
Organization(s)
Center for the Built Environment,
CBE,
University of California Berkeley,
UC Berkeley
Publication Date
Presentation on urban land use and sustainable building design.

Thermal Mass Solutions

Author(s)
Habian Bob
Organization(s)
National Council of Structural Engineers Association NCSEA
Publication Date
Article detailing a case study in which thermal mass was used as part of an overall Net Zero solution for a university building.

Tips & Resources - Evaporative Coolers

Author(s)
City of Fresno
Organization(s)
City of Fresno
Publication Date
Webpage from the City of Fresno's Water Conservation Program describing household water conservation recommendations, including tips for maintaining evaporative coolers.

Trees for Energy Conservation

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Training course describing how to incorporate trees into an energy-conserving landscape.

Urban Forestry Manual

Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA Forest Service
Publication Date
Manual describing scientific, technical, and practical information needed to work with communities on urban forestry, including a section on trees and construction.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Author(s)
USDA
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Interactive map maintained by the USDA showing plant hardiness zones throughout the U.S.

Using Cool Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Webpage describing the use of cool roofs to reduce heat islands and and benefits and costs.

Vented and Sealed Attics in Hot Climates

Author(s)
Rudd Armin,
Lstiburek Joseph
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Building science report describing issues with vented attics in hot-humid climates and how sealed attic construction may be a solution.

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how to identify heat-related illness and what actions to take.

Weather Related Fatality and Injury Statistics

Author(s)
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Publication Date
Web page providing statistics on weather related fatalities and injuries.

Whole House Fans

Author(s)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Technical fact sheet describing proper operation, sizing, and installation of whole-house fans.

Wind and Trees: Air Infiltration Effects on Energy Use in Housing

Author(s)
Mattingly G.E.,
Peters E.F.
Organization(s)
Princeton University
Publication Date
Paper describing wind influences on air infiltration related energy losses for residential housing and the shielding effects of fences, adjacent structures, and vegetation.