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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 - 100 of 221

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)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
HVI
Publication Date
Description
Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the EPA evaluates potential risks from new and existing chemicals and acts to address any unreasonable risks chemicals may have on human health and the environment. This website explains the implications of such chemicals.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering insulating crawlspaces.
Author(s)
Ford Carmel
Organization(s)
National Association of Home Builders,
NAHB
Publication Date
Description
Document describing the methodology and results from 2009 to 2019 of the National Association of Home Builders' Construction Cost survey, which collects information from builders on the various components that go into the sales price of a typical single-family home.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing whether or not to seal and insulate crawlspaces.
Author(s)
Structural Insulated Panel Association
Organization(s)
Structural Insulated Panel Association
Publication Date
Description
Guide informing architects and engineers about designing buildings to be constructed with structural insulated panels.
Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Website helping communities address coastal issues with data, tools, and training resources.
Author(s)
Mid-America Regional Council
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
A guide on the use of rain barrels for greater water efficiency and use in gardens and lawns.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information on U.S. residential and commercial building codes including adoption status.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Homepage for DOE's Zero Energy Ready Homes program.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing links to building codes, seismic codes, code enforcement, safe buildings, and seismic retrofitting.
Author(s)
Earthquake Country Alliance
Organization(s)
Southern California Earthquake Center
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing how to secure refrigerators and other major appliances to wall studs using earthquake appliance straps or angle brackets and bolts.
Author(s)
Earthquake Country Alliance
Organization(s)
Southern California Earthquake Center
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing how to secure televisions, microwaves, computers, and other electronics to prevent damage during earthquakes.
Author(s)
Earthquake Country Alliance
Organization(s)
Southern California Earthquake Center
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing how to secure water heaters to resist seismic activity.
Author(s)
City of San Jose Planning Building and Code Enforcement
Organization(s)
City of San Jose Planning Building and Code Enforcement
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more earthquake resistant.
Author(s)
MBS Engineering
Organization(s)
MBS Engineering
Publication Date
Description
A one-page fact sheet outlining the purpose of an earthquake valve and how the valve can stop gas from flowing into a residence or building.
Author(s)
Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
USDHS
Publication Date
Description
Website describing what to do for safety in an earthquake and other types of disasters.
Author(s)
University of Washington
Organization(s)
University of Washington
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing embodied carbon through definition, significance to climate, and importance to policymaking.
Author(s)
Minnesota Power
Organization(s)
Minnesota Power
Publication Date
Description
Minnesota Power's energy conservation program for community, home, and business conservation.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Webpage for finding all the information you need to start shopping for ENERGY STAR certified products, including product details, rebates, and retailers near you.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR overview on certified ventilation fans.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website helping builders, designers, and home energy raters find products that are compliant with the EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification requirements for low-emission materials.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
EPA webpage on lead in homes.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
The purpose of this map is to assist national, state and local organizations to target their resources and to implement radon-resistant building codes.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website explaining the risks associated with radon in homes and how to protect homes against radon.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Labor
Organization(s)
DOL
Publication Date
Description
Webpage developed by OSHA to provide workers and employers useful, up-to-date information on fall protection.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
DOE webpage that gives and overview of fans for cooling.
Author(s)
Louisiana State University College of Agriculture
Organization(s)
LSU AgCenter
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from LSU AgCenter answering frequently asked questions after gutting a flooded home, including mitigation strategies for future floods.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Publication Date
Description
Website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A address searchable geographic information system for visualizing the flood hazard of an address and its surrounding area.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A website providing information on funding for mitigation programs to reduce disaster losses under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A selection of publications and guidance to assist communities in making their buildings more resilient against the impacts of high winds.
Author(s)
Building Seismic Safety Council
Organization(s)
BSSC,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting the minimum recommended requirements necessary for the design and construction of new buildings and other structures to resist earthquake ground motions throughout the United States.
Author(s)
Building Seismic Safety Council
Organization(s)
BSSC,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program,
NEHRP
Publication Date
Description
Document containing a series of resource papers that describe earthquake design components, including shear walls, resiliency, ground motion, and story drift and deflection, among others.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A CD guide intended to help communities mitigate damage or loss from tornadoes and other extremewind events, and provide public information resources for conveying the importance of safe room construction.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.
Author(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Organization(s)
FIRESafe Marin
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the vulnerability of different deck setups and materials.
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Description
A webpage containing information on state-based fire sprinkler coalitions.