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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 104

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2009 edition of the code establishing regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels; regulates defensible space and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure...
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of the code establishing regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels; regulates defensible space and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure...
Author(s)
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Organization(s)
EIA
Publication Date
Description
Federal statistics about national energy consumption in residential homes in 2020
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.
Author(s)
Polly Benjamin,
Gestwick Mike,
Bianchi Marcus V A,
Anderson Ren,
Horowitz Scott,
Christensen Craig,
Judkoff Ron
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing an analysis method for determining optimal residential energy efficiency retrofit packages and applies the analysis method to a 1960s-era home in eight U.S. cities.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering equipment sizing loads for single-family-detached homes, small multi-unit structures, condo­miniums, town houses and manufactured homes.
Author(s)
Blondet Marcial,
Villa Garcia Gladys
Organization(s)
Catholic University of Peru
Publication Date
Description
Document describing adobe construction, its weakness to earthquakes, and techniques used to improve seismic resistance for both new construction and existing adobe buildings.
Author(s)
Koser,
Uthe
Organization(s)
NYSERDA
Publication Date
Description
Report investigating implemention of advanced power strips for entertainment and home office electronics would reduce energy consumption across the residential market.
Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.
Author(s)
American Gas Association
Organization(s)
AGA
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information regarding the benefits and challenges associated with the installation of earthquake-actuated automatic shut-off valves (ASVs) or remote-control valves (RCVs) to stop the flow of natural gas into buildings in the event of an earthquake or rupture of the gas line.
Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Description
Standard that covers the minimum performance and acceptance criteria for an air barrier (AB) material or system for framed walls of low-rise buildings with the service life of the building wall in mind. This link directs to a preview of the version of the standard that was published in the year 2011...
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Cole Pam C,
Adams Karen T,
Butner Ryan S,
Ortiz S J,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing measures that builders in mixed-humid climates can use to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Cole Pam C,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing measures that builders in the cold and very cold climates can take to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.
Author(s)
Britt Michelle,
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Makela Erin,
Schneider Elaine,
Kaufman Ned
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Kaufman Heritage Conservation
Publication Date
Description
Document providing a resource to help contractors renovate historic houses, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort.
Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Baechler Michael C,
Hefty Marye G,
Hand James R,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information about energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) equipment options to help homeowners cut their energy use, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase their homes comfort, health, and safety.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Cole Pam C,
Adams Karen T,
Noonan Chrissy F,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
A guidebook helping builders design and construct homes that are among the most energy efficient available, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort. Measures described in this guide can help builders in the hot-humid climate...
Author(s)
Sullivan
Organization(s)
Earth Advantage Institute,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
Description
Training manual on how to locate ducts within conditioned space and compact design.
Author(s)
Ueno,
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report about the fundamental concepts that must be understood at the planning or initial nspection of existing homes regarding surface and ground water management.
Author(s)
Colorado Geological Survey
Organization(s)
Colorado Geological Survey
Publication Date
Description
Website discussing building foundation problems caused by settling soil in Colorado.
Author(s)
Green Building Advisor
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Document containing a 3D drawing (CAD) of advanced framing details.
Author(s)
Maguire Jeff,
Earle Lieko,
Booten Chuck,
Hancock C E
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
Report about a hybrid condensing water heater (thermal efficiency = 0.973, energy factor = 0.95) installed in an occupied home in Sacramento, California, and monitored for one year to determine the actual in situ efficiency.
Author(s)
Straube
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather
Author(s)
Carpet and Rug Institute
Organization(s)
CRI
Publication Date
Description
Webpage containing downloadable fact sheets covering carpet-related topics including Indoor Air Quality, Asthma and Allergy, Cleaning Products, and Environmental Sustainability.
Author(s)
Casey Sean,
Booten Chuck
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting a simple starting point to determine the most cost-effective Energy Savings Measure Packages (ESMP) for existing homes to achieve 15% and 30% savings in 37 locations across the United States.
Author(s)
Ready.gov
Organization(s)
Ready.gov
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from Ready.gov explaining what qualifies as 'extreme heat', how to be safe during an extreme heat event, and how to prepare for extreme heat in homes
Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
Jones Christopher P,
Kapur Omar,
Koumoudis Vasso,
Line Philip,
Low David K,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Smith Thomas,
Tezak Scott
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Description
Volume II of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to design, construction, and renovation of homes located in coastal environments.
Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
Jones Christopher P,
Kapur Omar,
Koumoudis Vasso,
Line Philip,
Low David K,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Smith Thomas,
Tezak Scott
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Description
Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.
Author(s)
Christensen Dane,
Fang X,
Tomerlin Jeff,
Winkler Jon,
Hancock Ed
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with an analysis of mini split heat pump systems.
Author(s)
Fang X,
Christensen Dane,
Barker Greg M,
Hancock Ed
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a simple and general way to generate House Simulation Protocol (HSP)-consistent internal sensible and latent loads in unoccupied homes.
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
Description
Report describing a project aimed at developing validated models and design tools for foundation heat exchangers.
Author(s)
Guthrie County REC
Organization(s)
Guthrie County REC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from Guthrie County REC with video and image links illustrating how to safely use backup generation during power outages.
Author(s)
Richard Defendorf
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Article describing issues with attic ventilation fans and why the state of Georgia residential code does not allow plug-in attic ventilation fans.
Author(s)
Im,
Liu,
Monk
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Website article discussing the economics of ground source heat pumps.
Author(s)
Karr
Organization(s)
Washington State University Extension Energy Program
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing the uses and benefits of ground-source heat pumps for affordable housing, assisted living, dorms and hotels.