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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 - 12 of 12

Air Distribution Retrofit Strategies for Affordable Housing

Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Conlin Francis,
Holloway Parker,
Podorson David,
Varshney Kapil
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES,
Levy Partnership,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report describing two retrofit duct sealing techniques - manually-applied sealants and injecting a spray sealant, that were implemented in several low-rise multi-unit buildings in North Carolina.

Duct and HVAC Insulation

Author(s)
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Publication Date
Information sheet with HVAC duct insulation, testing, maintenance and performance information.

Five Things, BSI-039

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing five fundamental changes to building construction from the last 50 years and their modern construction consequences.

Just Right and Airtight, BSI-053

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article describing air leakage in buildings.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Author(s)
Neuhauser Ken,
Gates Cathy,
Pettit Betsy
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.

Measure Guideline: Air Sealing Mechanical Closets in Slab-on-Grade Homes

Author(s)
Dickson Bruce
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Document covering two fundamental retrofit strategies for air sealing around air handling systems that are located within the living space in an enclosed closet.

Measure Guideline: Sealing and Insulating Ducts in Existing Homes

Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Puttagunta Srikanth
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Report describing the sealing and insulating of HVAC duct systems in existing homes.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

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
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.

Retrofit of a MultiFamily Mass Masonry Building in New England

Author(s)
Ueno Kohta,
Kerrigan Philip,
Wytrykowska Honorata,
Van Straaten R
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Research study about a high performance retrofit of an existing brick building (a former convent) into condominiums, all affordable housing.

Ventilating Your Home

Author(s)
Puttagunta Srikanth
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet about proper ventilation and air sealing.