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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 195

DOE Advanced Manufacturing Office

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website for the Advanced Manufacturing Office detailing work on R&D projects, R&D consortia, and early-stage technical partnerships with national laboratories, companies (for-profit and not-for profit), state and local governments, and universities through competitive, merit reviewed funding...

Electric Fan Use for Cooling During Hot Weather: A Biophysical Modelling Study

Author(s)
Morris Nathan B,
Chaseling Georgia K,
English Timothy,
Gruss Fabian,
Maideen Mohammad Fauzan Bin,
Capon Anthony,
Jay Ollie
Organization(s)
University of Sydney,
University of Copenhagen,
University of Montreal,
Monash University,
The Lancet Planetary Health,
The Lancet Group
Publication Date
Study testing the effect of fan cooling on healthy adults at increased ambient temperatures.

Energy Saver: Thermostats

Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Article by Energy Saver on how to save energy with your thermostat.

Energy Star Flip Your Fridge Calculator

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Calculator helping users determine cost savings of refrigerator replacement.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2021: Clothes Dryers

Author(s)
Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A list of clothes dryers that made the EnergyStar Most Efficient list for 2021, delivering cutting technological innovation along with energy efficiency.

Energy Star Pool Pump Calculator

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Calculator to help homeowner's calculate the size of pool pump they need.

ENERGY STAR Savings Calculator

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website calculator that can calculate how much you can save by switching to ENERGY STAR certified products.

Energy Star Smart Thermostats

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Guide from Energy Star on smart thermostats and offering some guidance for choosing one.

Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Homepage for NREL research, support, and deployment information for the safety and health of workers, visitors, the public, the environment, and laboratory assets.

EPA Urinals

Author(s)
Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
EPA WaterSense guidance on urinals.

Equivalency of SIP Walls to Light Frame Wood Construction Subjected to Seismic Loading

Author(s)
Structural Insulate Panel Association
Organization(s)
Structural Insulate Panel Association,
SIPA
Publication Date
Article in the SIPA Technical Bulletin (No. 11) comparing the earthquake resistance of light-frame wood shear wall construction to residential construction with structural insulated panels (SIPS).

Evaluation of Interior Cellular Shades in a Residential Building

Author(s)
Bhandari Mahabir,
Kunwar Niraj,
Gehl Anthony,
Curcija Charlie
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating the energy savings potential of cellular shades in homes.

Excess Flow Valve

Author(s)
City of Ellensburg
Organization(s)
City of Ellensburg
Publication Date
Flyer from the City of Ellensburg WA describing what an excess flow valve is, how they work, and associated costs.

Excess Flow Valves

Author(s)
Colorado Springs Utilities
Organization(s)
Colorado Springs Utilities
Publication Date
Website for gas utility customers describing the installation of excess flow valves to stop the flow of natural gas into a home in the event of a line rupture.

Excess Flow Valves

Author(s)
Knoxville Utilities Board
Organization(s)
KUB
Publication Date
Webpage describing what excess flow valves are, how they work, and the installation process.

Excess Flow Valves

Author(s)
TECO Peoples Gas
Organization(s)
TECO
Publication Date
Utility webpage describing the monetary costs associated with excess flow valves for TECO in Florida.

Facts + Statistics: Wildfires

Author(s)
Insurance Information Institute
Organization(s)
Insurance Information Institute
Publication Date
Webpage with statistics on recent U.S. wildfires.

FEMA Safe Room Resources

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A website containing FEMA publications on safe rooms for both residential and community use.

FEMA Safe Rooms

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A website explaining the purpose of safe rooms and criteria necessary to meet FEMA P-361 and P-320 criteria.

FEMA Shelter-in-Place Fact Sheets

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheets giving steps for residents to shelter in place during several disaster or emergency scenarios, including flash floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, thunderstorms, tornadoes, winter storms, active shooters, chemical hazards, nuclear/radiological events, pandemics, as well as guidance for...

FEMA Title 44 CFR § 60.3(e)(7))

Author(s)
FEMA
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
FEMA guidance for flood damage in areas prone to flooding.

Field Validation of a Smart Energy Recovery Ventilation System Using Low-Cost Indoor Air Quality Sensors

Author(s)
Hains Bryant,
Abi Saab Rawad,
Giddings Tylesha,
Magande Hugh,
Grygier Jenna,
Liang Donghai,
Gao Han,
Sarnat Jeremy,
Horner Elliott
Organization(s)
Southface,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report on a field validation study that utilizes low-cost indoor air quality sensors to assess a smart ventilation system's effectiveness in maintaining acceptable indoor humidity in low-load homes in humid environments, revealing that while the smart ventilation algorithm demonstrated...

Fire in California: Preparing Your Home

Author(s)
University of California Cooperative Extension
Organization(s)
University of California Cooperative Extension
Publication Date
Guidelines from the University of California Cooperative Extension on how fires spread, how homes typically burn, and what homeowners can do to prepare their homes for wildfire season.

Fire Spread on Ember-Ignited Decks

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety,
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
IBHS,
NFPA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety into how burning embers can ignite softwood decks like redwood and cedar and how to minimize the likelihood these decks will be ignited by embers.

Firetherm

Author(s)
Firetherm
Organization(s)
Firetherm
Publication Date
An example of commercially available thermally expansive fire stopping products for controlling the spread of fires in a rainscreen cavity.

Fixing an Expansion Tank with Excess Water

Author(s)
PEX Universe
Organization(s)
PEX Universe
Publication Date
A webpage discussing how water heater expansion tanks operate and how to repair them.

Flame-Spread Ratings

Author(s)
Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshall
Organization(s)
Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshall
Publication Date
Site showing flame spread ratings and definitions for common building materials.

Flood Resistant Provisions of the International Codes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Documents describing Flood Resistant Provisions of the international codes (including the international building, residential, exiting building, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, fire, swimming pool and spa, private sewage disposal, and code council performance codes) and summaries of changes from the...

Foundation and Anchoring Criteria for Safe Rooms

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet discussing designs for prefabricated safe rooms built to ICC 500 standards mentioned in FEMA P-361.

Freeze Protection for CPVC Fire Sprinkler Piping

Author(s)
Prescott Fire Department
Organization(s)
Prescott Fire Department,
City of Prescott Arizona
Publication Date
A guideline containing fire sprinkler insulation requirements from the Prescott, Arizona Fire Department.

Gas safety tips

Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Webpage describing the safety hazards associated with natural gas and tips on how to avoid these hazards by a step process of turning off natural gas service to a home and restoring service afterwards.

Gas Shutoff Devices

Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Webpage describing when and how to safely turn off the natural gas to the home during an emergency.

Guide to Staying Safe During Wildfires

Author(s)
SafeHome.org
Organization(s)
SafeHome.org
Publication Date
Webpage describing how to guard homes and properties against wildfire, as well as what to do during a wildfire, whether sheltering in place or attempting evacuation.

HardiPlank Lap Siding Butt Joint Flashing

Author(s)
Todd Fratzel
Organization(s)
Home Construction and Improvement
Publication Date
A article about the best practice method of installing fiber cement siding, to install flashing at the butt joints of the siding boards, rather than face caulking the butt joints afterwards.

Hazard and Risk Assessment Maps

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Webpage providing maps and information to assess the particular hazards and risks for an area.

Heat & Cool Efficiently

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A ENERGY STAR guide on efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems in residential homes.

High Wind Safe Rooms

Author(s)
High Wind Safe Rooms
Organization(s)
High Wind Safe Rooms
Publication Date
Safe room cost calculator

How to Get Rid of Rats and Mice

Author(s)
King County
Organization(s)
King County
Publication Date
Article describing a 9-step process to getting rid of rats and mice, and some preventative actions to take.

How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfires

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Factsheet describing defensible space and wildfire risk reduction steps that homeowners can take to make their homes safer during a wildfire.