Organization(s)
RESNET,
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing a methodology for calculating Energy Rating Index for code compliance.
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 86
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2015 edition of code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes...
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2015 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2015 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Report telling consumers the risks of radon, how radon gets into a home, and steps consumers can take to reduce radon exposure in their homes.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Guide for homeowners describing how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.
Organization(s)
AABC,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
Standards book discussing the minimum standards of total system balance of HVAC systems.
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Description
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard outlining industry procedure for sizing residential duct systems.
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.
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing a universally accepted definition for quality installation for residential and commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning applications.
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Document detailing the requirements, roles, and obligations for participants in an organized effort, ensuring that HVAC installations comply with the ANSI/ACCA 5 QI – 2010 (HVAC Quality Installation Specification) QI Standard.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Acceptance criteria providing guidelines for demonstrating compliance with codes referenced in the criteria related to barriers to water migration in thin-set installations of ceramic tile and stone flooring and shower sub-pan linings.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report on the design and evaluation of extended plate and beam.
Organization(s)
USCPSC
Publication Date
Description
Updated detailed information about Formaldehyde.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
University of Central Florida,
UCF
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a field investigation of failure rates of whole-house mechanical ventilation systems installed in Florida homes.
Organization(s)
ABAG
Publication Date
Description
A basic guide walking through the various types of valves useful in mitigating the effects of earthquakes and other seismic events on natural gas pipelines for residential use.
Organization(s)
National Roofing Contractors Association,
NRCA
Publication Date
Description
An article discussing how different metal roof materials and attachment methods affect the ability of the roof to thermally expand and contract and the durability of different solutions.
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
UMN,
NothernSTAR,
NSTAR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing combined space- and water-heating (combi) systems using a high-efficiency direct-vent burner.
Organization(s)
BPI
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet that details the steps needed to perform a combustion appliance safety inspection to determine if fossil fuel-fired appliances are operating safely under a depressurized condition.
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing how space-conditioning systems are operating in the field and if these systems are meeting required standards.
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Report outlining the steps developers can take to create high-performance standards on a community-wide scale.
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL
Publication Date
Description
Report on heating and cooling air-distribution ducts that are insulated, installed close to the ceiling in a vented attic and covered with attic insulation to minimize energy loss.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Report telling consumers how radon gets into a home and how to reduce radon entry into a home.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
A factsheet that offers guidance on choosing appropriate materials and using proper construction practices when rebuilding, repairing, or renovating a home to increase its resistance to fires.
Organization(s)
Building Enclosure Moisture Management Institute
Publication Date
Description
Conference paper describing the use of engineered rainscreen products to provide air flow and water drainage space in wall assemblies in residential and commercial buildings.
Organization(s)
Advanced Energy
Publication Date
Description
Guide about designing and installing closed crawlspaces.
Organization(s)
University of Arizona,
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences,
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing drip irrigation for landscaping.
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing minimum functionality requirements for earthquake-actuated automatic gas shutoff devices; applicable to systems carrying natural gas and propane, the devices are used in piping, equipment, and appliances typically found in structures of three stories or less.
Organization(s)
ORF
Publication Date
Description
Bulletin describing the components of ECM motors and comparing their efficiency with PSC motors.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
A map describing the average temperature of shallow groundwater in Fahrenheit across the continental United States.
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Technical report evaluating the effects of heat pump water heaters on heating and cooling energy usage in laboratory homes.
Organization(s)
San Diego County,
Country Fire Authority,
CFA
Publication Date
Description
A San Diego County standard highlighting the requirements for residential emergency vehicle turnarounds.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, Standard 90.1-2016, ANSI/ASHRAE
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
A standard providing minimum energy efficiency requirements for buildings that are not low-rise residential buildings.
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Program criteria for residential exhaust fans used for ventilation.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using interior cellular shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.
Evaluation of Mini-Split Heat Pumps as Supplemental and Full System Retrofits in a Hot Humid Climate
Organization(s)
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,
ACEEE
Publication Date
Description
Technical report presenting the results of an evaluation of homes using high-efficiency mini-split heat pumps to supplement the primary heating and cooling systems.
Organization(s)
Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration News,
ACHR News
Publication Date
Description
Article describing benefits of ECM motors and how they can be installed as retrofit motors in HVAC equipment.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing links to scalable guidance and tools about the importance of earthquake mitiation to the private sector, its owners, managers, and employees.
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES
Publication Date
Description
Report on the field evaluation of whole-building approaches and estimation of the relative contributions of select technologies toward reducing energy use related to space conditioning in new manufactured homes.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the in situ performance evaluation of newly released heat pump water heaters (HPWHs), highlighting their energy and cost savings potential compared to conventional electric resistance water heaters and other alternatives, based on data collected from installations in Massachusetts...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing research about a test implementation of an unvented tile roof assembly in a hot-humid climate.
Organization(s)
MNDPS,
State Fire Marshal Division,
SFM
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing fire related terms such as noncombustible, fire resistant, fire retardant, flame spread, how they are applied, and related testing standards.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing flow-through assemblies of walls.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist providing specific information about the type of residential building eligible for designation consideration in the FORTIFIED Home program.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist providing additional guidance and options for asphalt shingle installations at roof edges, intersections and valleys.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,
ACEEE
Publication Date
Description
Conference paper describing how retrofits were used in a Florida home to change it from a high energy user to a near zero-energy home.
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide,
WBDG,
Applied Research Associates Inc.,
National Institute of Building Sciences,
NIBS
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the fundamentals and basics of glazing hazard mitigation practices for both new and existing buildings.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing techniques to air-seal townhouses and row houses.