Library | Building America Solution Center

Clanging Pipes and Open Windows: Upgrading NYC Steam Heating Systems for the 21st Century

Author(s)

Flothow

Organization(s)

Energy Efficiency for All,

Steven Winter Associates

Publication Date

November, 2015

Report describing strategies to improve the aging steam heating systems in New York City to improve energy efficiency, reduce oil and gas usage, and cut maintenance costs.

Cleaning Fibrous Glass Insulated Duct (Ductboard / Duct Board) Systems - Recommended Practices

Author(s)

North American Insulation Manufacturers Association

Organization(s)

North American Insulation Manufacturers Association

Publication Date

January, 2013

Manual showing duct cleaning contractors how to identify the different types of insulated air ducts, how to open each type for access by cleaning equipment and personnel, how to close and seal openings after cleaning.

Code Notes: Residential Fan Efficiency

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

August, 2012

IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Specification (Version 4.0)

Author(s)

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships

Organization(s)

NEEP

Publication Date

January, 2023

Specification defining performance and reporting requirements to meet the voluntary “Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Specification” (ccASHP Specification) for air source heat pumps suited to heat efficiently in cold climates (IECC cz 4 and higher). This specification can serve as a model equipment...

Cold Climate DHP Specification

Author(s)

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Organization(s)

NEEA

Publication Date

May, 2024

Webpage outlining how to optimize the installations and performance of mini-split heat pump systems. As well, it discusses a set of design considerations for multi-level homes, low load homes, and heat distribution to rooms without a heat source.

Combined Space and Water Heating: Next Steps to Improved Performance

Author(s)

Schoenbauer B,

Bohac D,

Huelman Patrick

Organization(s)

NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota

Publication Date

July, 2016

Report describing combined space- and water-heating (combi) systems using a high-efficiency direct-vent burner.

Controls and Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers (CSD-1) - 2012

Author(s)

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Organization(s)

ASME

Publication Date

January, 2012

Standard covering requirements for the assembly, installation, maintenance, and operation of controls and safety devices on automatically operated boilers directly fired with gas, oil, gas-oil, or electricity, having fuel input ratings under 12,500,000 Btu/hr. This version of the code was published...

Controls and Safety Devices for Automatically Fired Boilers (CSD-1) - 2021

Author(s)

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Organization(s)

ASME

Publication Date

November, 2021

Standard covering requirements for the assembly, installation, maintenance, and operation of controls and safety devices on automatically operated boilers directly fired with gas, oil, gas-oil, or electricity, having fuel input ratings under 12,500,000 Btu/hr. This version of the code was published...

Cooling and Heating Season Impacts of Right-Sizing of Fixed- and Variable-Capacity Heat Pumps With Attic and Indoor Ductwork

Author(s)

Cummings James B,

Withers Charles R,

Kono Jamie E

Organization(s)

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

June, 2015

Report on experiments comparing the cooling and heating seasonal and peak demand performance of different variable-capacity air conditioning and heat pump units.

Deep Energy Retrofits - Source Energy and Carbon Decisions

Author(s)

Less,

Walker

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Publication Date

January, 2015

Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Source Energy and Carbon Decisions chapter helps users carefully assess the impacts of switching from gas to electricity for heating end-uses, using source energy and/or carbon emissions...

Desiccant-Enhanced Evaporative Air Conditioning: Parametric Analysis and Design

Author(s)

Woods,

Kozubal

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publication Date

October, 2013

Report presenting a parametric analysis using a numerical model of a new concept in desiccant and evaporative air conditioning.

Designing Forced-Air HVAC Systems

Author(s)

Puttagunta

Organization(s)

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

August, 2010

Document providing design guidance and software tool information for forced-air HVAC systems.

Distribution and Room Air Mixing Risks to Retrofitted Homes

Author(s)

Burdick Arlan

Organization(s)

IBACOS

Publication Date

December, 2014

Report outlining the issues with using existing ducts with a new low-load HVAC system, which reduces throw at supply registers causing decreased mixing of supply and room air, leading to potential thermal comfort complaints.

Duct and HVAC Insulation

Author(s)

North American Insulation Manufacturers Association

Organization(s)

North American Insulation Manufacturers Association

Publication Date

January, 2010

Information sheet with HVAC duct insulation, testing, maintenance and performance information.

Duct System Flammability and Air Sealing Fire Separation Assemblies in the International Residential Code

Author(s)

Rudd,

Prahl

Organization(s)

ABT Systems,

IBACOS

Publication Date

December, 2014

Report identifying two barriers that limit the ability of builders to explore opportunities for higher levels of energy efficiency in housing: the use of duct system materials that inherently achieve airtightness and are right-sized for low-load houses, and, the ability to air seal fire separation...

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners

Author(s)

Energy Saver

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

March, 2023

Webpage describing the advantages and disadvantages of ductless mini-split air conditioner.

Earthquake Country Alliance: HVAC Units

Author(s)

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program,

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services,

Southern California Earthquake Center

Organization(s)

NEHRP,

FEMA,

Cal OES,

SCEC,

Earthquake Country Alliance,

ECA

Publication Date

September, 2022

Factsheet describing methods for securing HVAC units to avoid damage during an earthquake.

ECM Motors: An Energy Saving Opportunity

Author(s)

National Institute of Health Division of Technical Resources

Organization(s)

National Institute of Health

Publication Date

November, 2016

Bulletin describing the components of ECM motors and comparing their efficiency with PSC motors.

Energy Impacts of Nonlinear Behavior of PCM When Applied into Building Envelope

Author(s)

Tabares-Velasco

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publication Date

August, 2012

Research study analyzing the effects a nonlinear enthalpy profile has on thermal performance and expected energy benefits for PCM-enhanced insulation.

Energy Impacts of Various Residential Mechanical Ventilation Strategies

Author(s)

Vieira,

Parker,

Gu,

Wichers

Organization(s)

FSEC

Author(s)

ENERGY STAR

Organization(s)

ENERGY STAR

Publication Date

August, 2020

Checklist for proper HVAC system installation to meet ENERGY STAR requirements.

ENERGY STAR HVAC Design Report

Author(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA

Publication Date

November, 2015

This report is designed to meet ASHRAE 62.2-2010/2013 and ANSI/ACCA’s 5 QI-2015 protocol, thereby improving the performance of HVAC equipment in new homes when compared to homes built to minimum code.

ENERGY STAR® Certified Mini Split Heat Pumps

Author(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Publication Date

May, 2023

Factsheet describing mini split heat pumps and their benefits for consumers.

Evaluation of Air Mixing and Thermal Comfort From High Sidewall Supply Air Jets

Author(s)

Ridouane

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publication Date

September, 2011

Research study evaluating operating conditions required to maintain uniform mixing, within high performance homes, under both heating and cooling conditions.

Evaluation of Retrofit Variable-Speed Furnace Fan Motors

Author(s)

Aldrich Robb,

Williamson Jim

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

January, 2014

Report detailing the effects of replacing PSC motors with more efficient, variable-speed motors.

Evaluation of Ventilation Strategies in New Construction Multifamily Buildings

Author(s)

Maxwell Sean,

Berger David,

Zuluaga Marc

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2014

Report outlining research that helps inform best practices for air sealing multi-family buildings in the Northeast.

Evaporative Cooler Tips

Author(s)

Home Energy Saver

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Publication Date

March, 2023

Webpage providing tips for installing and maintaining an evaporative cooler.

Evaporative Coolers

Author(s)

NORESCO

Organization(s)

NORESCO

Publication Date

June, 2014

Article describing RESNET guidance on evaporative coolers.

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

DOE,

EPA

Publication Date

January, 2013

Information sheet about the benefits of purchasing and installing ENERGY STAR rated fans and ventilation products.

FEMA P-348, 2nd edition; Protecting Building Utility Systems From Flood Damage: Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

February, 2017

Guide describing flood protection measures for utility systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel.

Fiber Glass Duct Board Fabrication Instructions

Author(s)

Johns Manville

Organization(s)

Johns Manville

Publication Date

January, 2008

Author(s)

Hendron Robert,

Rudd Armin,

Anderson Ren,

Barley Dennis,

Hancock Ed,

Townsend Aaron

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Mountain Energy Partnership

Publication Date

December, 2006

Report about field testing that characterizes the uniformity of room-to-room ventilation air distribution under various operating conditions by examining multi-zone tracer gas decay curves and calculating local age-of-air.

Filtration and Disinfection FAQ

Author(s)

American Society of Heating,

Refrigerating,

and Air-conditioning Engineers

Organization(s)

ASHRAE

Publication Date

March, 2023

ASHRAE Q&A addressing HVAC filtration and disinfection for reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Flexible Duct Performance and Installation Standards

Author(s)

Air Diffusion Council

Organization(s)

ADC

Publication Date

January, 2010

Standard providing a comprehensive approach to evaluating, selecting, specifying and installing flexible duct in HVAC systems.

Foundation Heat Exchanger Model and Design Tool Development and Validation

Author(s)

Spitler Jeffrey D,

Fisher Daniel E,

Cullin James R,

Xing Lu,

Lee Edwin,

Rees S J,

Fan D

Organization(s)

Oklahoma State University,

OSU,

De Montfort University,

DMU,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL

Publication Date

September, 2011

Report describing a project aimed at developing validated models and design tools for foundation heat exchangers.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings

Author(s)

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

July, 2020

Website highlighting the DOE Building Technologies Office Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings Initiative, including technical reports, other publications, resources, and presentations.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC); Water Heating; Appliances; and Refrigeration

Author(s)

Goetzler,

Guernsey,

Kassuga

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report evaluating HVAC building technologies based on their ability to provide grid services and the type of value provided, including efficiency, load shed, load shift, and modulation.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Lighting and Electronics

Author(s)

Nubbe,

Yamada

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report evaluating lighting and electronic building technologies based on their ability to provide grid services and the type of value provided, including efficiency, load shed, load shift, and modulation.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Overview of Research Challenges and Gaps

Author(s)

Nubbe,

Neukomm,

Fares

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report providing an introduction to core concepts of GEBs, and explaining how flexible building loads can be integrated and controlled to benefit consumers, the grid, and society more broadly.