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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 - 50 of 52

Author(s)
American Lung Association
Organization(s)
American Lung Association
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining important factors for homeowners to be aware of regarding healthy air in homes.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.
Author(s)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Organization(s)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Publication Date
Description
Updated detailed information about Formaldehyde.
Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
Standard 55 specifies conditions for acceptable thermal environments and is intended for use in design, operation, and commissioning of buildings and other occupied spaces. This is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2021, and is available for preview and purchase at...
Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
Description
This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Adams Karen T,
Hefty Marye G,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Publication Date
Description
This is a guide for establishing smoke-free policies in public housing and multifamily properties.
Author(s)
Poerschke A,
Beach Robert
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Description
Report describing how space-conditioning systems are operating in the field and if these systems are meeting required standards.
Author(s)
Herk Anastasia,
Beggs Timothy
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Description
Report outlining the steps developers can take to create high-performance standards on a community-wide scale.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Brochure helping homeowners identify hazards, work with contractors to remove the hazards, help ensure the work is done properly, and educate when they can return safely to the home.
Author(s)
Canadian Standards Association International,
CSA Group
Organization(s)
CSA International,
CSA Group
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering provisions for electrically operated single- and multiple-station carbon monoxide (CO) alarming devices used in various types of residential occupancies to protect against acute effects of exposure to CO. This version of the standard, originally published in 2001 and revised in...
Author(s)
CSA Group
Organization(s)
CSA Group
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering provisions for electrically operated single- and multiple-station carbon monoxide (CO) alarming devices used in various types of residential occupancies to protect against acute effects of exposure to CO. This version of the standard, originally published in 2017 and revised in...
Author(s)
ADM Associates,
Texas A&M University,
FSEC,
University of Nebraska,
LBNL
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission
Publication Date
Description
Research project addressing low-cost options that reduce monthly energy costs and improve the quality of life by enhancing comfort levels in low-income homes.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website from the U.S. Department of Energy providing consumers with information on saving energy and using renewable energy technologies.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.
Author(s)
Calwell Chris,
Horowitz Noah
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Online article describing how ceiling fans are one of the most popular and generally well regarded of all home energy efficiency features.
Author(s)
Office on Smoking and Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
OSH,
NCCDPHP,
CDC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage that describes health problems that can be caused by secondhand smoke.
Author(s)
National Center for Environmental Health,
Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
NCEH,
DEHSP,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
HHS,
CDC
Publication Date
Description
This manual is designed for state and local healthy homes programs that are working to reduce secondhand smoke exposure in multiunit housing. The manual provides field-tested strategies, recommendations, best practices, and tools.
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Provides consumers with general information on solar water heating systems and how to select a contractor.
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)
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)
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
Organization(s)
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
Publication Date
Description
Book providing project management guidance in maintaining satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) of occupied buildings undergoing renovation or construction.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
You can save energy and maintain a comfortable swimming pool temperature by using a smaller, higher efficiency pump and by operating it less.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Information about LED lighting technology.
Author(s)
RESNET
Organization(s)
RESNET
Publication Date
Description
RESNET standards aimed to ensure that accurate and consistent home energy ratings are performed by accredited home energy rating providers through their raters nationwide.
Author(s)
Geiger Chris A,
Cox Caroline
Organization(s)
San Francisco Department of the Environment,
SF Environment,
Center for Environmental Health,
CEH,
International Code Council,
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Report providing detailed steps for builders, architects, and property managers to take for integrated pest management for control of a variety of pests including insects, rodents, and birds.
Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Conlin Francis,
Podorson David,
Alaigh Kunal,
Davis T
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions Collaborative,
ARIES,
Levy Partnership,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report presenting ways public housing authorities (PHAs) can develop packages of energy efficiency retrofit measures the PHAs can cost-effectively implement with their own staff in the normal course of housing operations at the time when units are refurbished between occupancies.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph,
Brennan Terry
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Publication Date
Description
Toolkits for residents and owner/managers who live and work in federally assisted housing.
Author(s)
FSEC
Organization(s)
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Website with information for consumers about solar thermal systems for homes.
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
ORNL
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Brochure with information for homeowners about the benefits of air sealing.
Author(s)
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
Organization(s)
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
Publication Date
Description
Even as the worst housing market correction in more than 60 years appeared to turn a corner in 2009, the fallout from sharply lower home prices and high unemployment continued.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website with consumer information about various types of lighting.