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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 201 - 250 of 381

High-R Roofs Case Study Analysis, BA-1006

Author(s)
Straube,
Grin
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report that considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Reducing Radon After Disasters

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
Homeowner guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on dealing with radon following a natural disaster.

Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety

Author(s)
California Seismic Safety Commission
Organization(s)
SSC
Publication Date
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.

How Does a Water Softener Work?

Author(s)
Nicholas Gerbis
Organization(s)
Home & Garden
Publication Date
Resource that explains how water softeners work to reduce scale.

How Much Ventilation Do I Need?

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Website with articles on home ventilation and indoor air quality.

How to Find Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Companion document to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, providing guidance on identifying compliant products, including industry databases and examples of product labeling.

How to Install Cellulose Insulation

Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

How to Insulate a Basement Wall

Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.

Hurricane Retrofit Guide

Author(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Publication Date
Report describing the hurricane retrofit guide with focus on walls and wooded framed walls.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

Author(s)
Raymer,
Moyer
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center
Publication Date
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

HVI Airflow Test Procedure

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Publication specifying HVI’s prescriptive procedures for testing and rating airflow of residential ventilation products in accordance with ANSI consensus standards.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Author(s)
Straube
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

ICF Wall Construction

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet summarizing ICF wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

Improvements in Fan Motor Efficiency Could Yield Big Savings

Author(s)
Holliday,
Martin
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article in Energy Design Update describing the cost and savings benefits of electronically commutated motors (ECMs) for HVAC equipment.

Improving Recessed Lighting

Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Organization(s)
PNNL
Publication Date
Report providing information about techniques and approaches to improve the efficiency of recessed lighting.

Indoor Air Quality in 24 California Residences Designed as High-Performance Homes

Author(s)
Less,
Mullen,
Singer,
Walker
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.

Indoor Airflow – Perfect Balance vs. Door Undercut

Author(s)
Guertin Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.

Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications Version 1 (Rev. 04)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Document outlining specifications that were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize new homes equipped with a comprehensive set of indoor air quality (IAQ) features.

Inspecting the Dryer Exhaust

Author(s)
Nich,
Gromicko
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
Publication Date
Article describing the correct installation of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.

Installing and Operating an Efficient Swimming Pool Pump

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
You can save energy and maintain a comfortable swimming pool temperature by using a smaller, higher efficiency pump and by operating it less.

Investigation of Potential Benefits of Revising Exception 1 under “FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, ENERGY CONSERVATION, Section 101.4.7.1.1 Duct Sealing upon Equipment Replacement.”

Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing as-found interior platform return plenums, the magnitude of their contribution to the total amount of duct leakage, and techniques and results of retrofits executed by the HVAC trade during equipment replacement.

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.

Is There a Downside to High-MERV Filters?

Author(s)
Springer
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Information sheet about efficiency and health benefits of MERV filters.

Keeping The Heat In - Chapter 6: Basement insulation

Author(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Publication Date
Information sheet providing links and resources for insulating basements in cold climates.

LED Lighting

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies.

LED Lighting Basics

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Information about LED lighting technology.

Let’s Concentrate on Condensate

Author(s)
Hart
Organization(s)
ASHI Reporter
Publication Date
Article describing how to properly manage condensing HVAC equipment.

Lighting Choices to Save You Money

Author(s)
EnergySaver
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Webpage describing high-efficiency lighting choices for homeowners including LEDs, CFLs, and halogen bulbs.