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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 - 32 of 32

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Document providing a resource to help builders large and small build high-quality, energy-efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings in space conditioning and water heating in the hot and humid climate.
Author(s)
Hendron Robert,
Anderson Ren,
Judkoff Ron,
Christensen Craig,
Eastment Mark,
Norton Paul,
Reeves Paul,
Hancock Ed
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Partnership for Resource Conservation,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
Document illustrating some analysis concepts that are proven to be effective and reliable in analyzing the transient energy usage of advanced energy systems as well as of entire houses.
Author(s)
California Legislative Information
Organization(s)
California Legislative Information
Publication Date
Description
Description of California Senate Bill SB 1898, which requires the sale of new seismic gas shutoff devices sold in California to be certified by the State Architect.
Author(s)
Gifford
Organization(s)
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Description
Part 2 of an article discussing how to maximize two-pipe steam systems for resident space heating.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report investigating the nature, strength, and durability of connections between high performance dwellings and developments.
Author(s)
Akbari Hashem,
Levinson Ronnen,
Wiel Stephen,
Desjarlais Andre,
Miller William,
Jenkins Nancy,
Rosenfeld Arthur,
Scruton Chris
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Study describing efforts and outcomes in developing color-pigmented roofing products with coatings to increase solar reflectance.
Author(s)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing information on how evaporative coolers work, how to select and size a unit, and basic installation practices.
Author(s)
Vibration Isolation and Seismic Control Manufacturers Association and the Amercian Society for Civil Engineers
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report showing installers how to attach ducts, pipes, and associated equipment to buildings to minimize earthquake damage.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
FEMA,
Red Cross
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.
Author(s)
Fulger
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the effective R-values of various subslab insulation products, including foil bubble pack.
Author(s)
Health Canada,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Environment Canada
Publication Date
Description
Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.
Author(s)
Gajda John,
Marceau Medgar,
VanGeem Martha
Organization(s)
Construction Technology Laboratories Inc.,
CTL Group,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD
Publication Date
Description
A report describing the development of a methodology to properly size heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment for concrete homes in the US and Canada.
Author(s)
Parker
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report that describes BSC's Houses That Work II (HTWII) climate-specific technical resource, beginning with an overall HTWII introduction and four sections explaining the four most important hygro-thermal climate regions: Hot-Humid, Mixed-Humid, Cold, and Hot-Dry/Mixed-Dry.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Home Innovations Research Center
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Report describing how to construct a frost protected shallow foundation (FPSF) as a practical alternative to a deeper, more-costly foundation in cold regions with seasonal ground freezing and the potential for frost heave.
Author(s)
Drumheller,
Wiehagen
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information based on research and case studies, to remodelers and consumers about opportunities to increase home energy performance.
Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings
Organization(s)
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Report developed for Habitat for Humanity about lessons learned from demonstration retrofit projects undertaken by Habitat for Humanity affiliates in New York, Maryland, and Pennsylvania; with building systems consulting and technical assistance provided by Steven Winter Associates.
Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E,
Beal David,
Kerrigan Philip
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing testing for the first of a series of six near net-zero-energy test houses, using the results to work towards the construction of a true net-zero-energy house.
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report about a project with successful integration of numerous energy-conservation and renewable-energy features into a beautiful, comfortable, and very energy-efficient off-grid home.
Author(s)
Don Jackson
Organization(s)
The Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
An article written by Don Jackson of The Journal of Light Construction on how to detail brick veneer siding wall.
Author(s)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Description
Technical fact sheet describing proper operation, sizing, and installation of whole-house fans.