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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 - 38 of 38

Affordable Passive Solar Planbook for North Carolina

Author(s)
Appalachian Energy Center,
Appalachian State University
Organization(s)
AEC,
App State
Publication Date
Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.

Analysis of Pre-Retrofit Building and Utility Data

Author(s)
Prahl Duncan,
Beach Robert
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Report outlining workflow and results of regression models on monthly and daily utility data (meter readings of electricity consumption), outlining a process for screening and gathering useful results from inverse models.

Be prepared for extreme heat

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Building America Best Practices Series Volume 15: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Humid Climate

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
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...

Building America Best Practices Series: Volume 1; Builders and Buyers Handbook for Improving New Home Efficiency, Comfort, and Durability in the Hot and Humid Climate

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
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.

Building Thermal Performance, Extreme Heat, and Climate Change

Author(s)
Matthew J. Nahlik,
Mikhail V. Chester,
Stephanie S. Pincetl,
David Eisenman,
Deepak Sivaraman,
Paul English
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Article published by American Society of Civil Engineers on different building types and their effictiveness resisting extreme heat from a building envelope perspective.

Combustion Appliance Safety & Efficiency Testing

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Information sheet summarizing inspection and testing of combustion appliances taught during the 2006 Florida whole-house weatherization training as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hot Climate Initiative.

Construction & Design Considerations in Warmer Climates

Author(s)
Zero Energy Project
Organization(s)
Zero Energy Project
Publication Date
Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.

Cool Roofs

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing 'cool roofs' and their usage for passive home cooling.

Designing Energy Efficient New Homes for a Warm Climate

Author(s)
The Home Energy Community of Practice
Organization(s)
The Home Energy Community of Practice
Publication Date
Article from The Home Energy Community of Practice on designing energy efficient homes in hot climate zones, including home orientation, window location, and roof design considerations.

Designing Houses That Keep Their Cool

Author(s)
Wilson Alex
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.

Extreme Heat

Author(s)
Ready.gov
Organization(s)
Ready.gov
Publication Date
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

Extreme Heat—A Tale of Two Cities, BSI-032

Author(s)
Joseph Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.

Flexible Residential Test Facility: Impact of Infiltration and Ventilation on Measured Heating Season Energy and Moisture Levels

Author(s)
Vieira,
Parker,
Fairey III,
Sherwin,
Withers,
Hoak
Organization(s)
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Research study outlining savings from reducing air infiltration, with and without the addition of mechanical ventilation, using two identical laboratory homes designed to model existing Florida building stock.

How Many Hours-of-Safety Do Our Homes Have in Extreme Weather?

Author(s)
Jacob Corvidae,
Sneha Ayyagari
Organization(s)
RMI
Publication Date
Article from RMI on how climate change is leading to an increase in critical extreme heat hours and what smart building strategies can be taken to mitigate some of these effects including paint color and insulation.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

Author(s)
Parker
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat

Author(s)
Kyle Mittan
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Publication Date
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.

Laboratory Test Report for Six ENERGY STAR Dehumidifiers

Author(s)
Winkler Jon,
Christensen Dane,
Tomerlin Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report documenting the measured performance of six residential ENERGY STAR vapor compression dehumidifiers.

Low Cost Interior Duct Systems for High Performance Homes in Hot Climates

Author(s)
Fonorow Ken,
Jenkins Dave,
Thomas-Rees Stephanie,
Chandra Subrato
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Florida Home Energy and Resources Organization,
Florida HERO,
Energy Smart Home Plans,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Document presenting a cost effective method that was used by four builders in the Gainesville, FL area to construct interior ducts in over a dozen site built homes.

Passive Solar Design

Author(s)
Williams College
Organization(s)
Williams College
Publication Date
Article from Williams College on the key elements of passive solar design for homes.

Pilot Evaluation of Energy Savings from Residential Energy Demand Feedback Devices

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Hoak David,
Cummings Jamie E
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report briefly reviewing past research on the effects of occupant behavior on residential energy use and then covering a two year pilot evaluation of a low cost residential energy feedback system installed in twenty case study homes in Florida.

Research Results from A Few Alternate Methods of Interior Duct Systems in Factory Built Housing Located In the Hot Humid Climate

Author(s)
Moyer Neil,
Stroer Dennis,
Hoak David,
McIlvaine Janet,
Chandra Subrato
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Calcs Plus
Publication Date
Document presenting results from testing prototype HVAC duct system designs that would locate the entire length of duct work within the air and thermal barriers of the building envelope. These include one that incorporated a high-side supply register, one that utilized a single soffit located within...

Residential Dehumidification Systems Research for Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)
Rudd,
Lstiburek,
Eng,
Ueno
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Research study identifying the best performing, most energy-efficient and cost- effective techniques to provide controlled mechanical ventilation and humidity control in hot- humid climates with thermally efficient building envelopes.

Retrofitting the Southeast: The Cool Energy House

Author(s)
Zoeller,
Shapiro,
Vijayakumar,
Puttagunta
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Report about a deep energy retrofit Cool Energy House.

Smart Guide Passive Cooling

Author(s)
Smarter Homes NZ
Organization(s)
Smarter Homes NZ
Publication Date
Article from Smarter Homes NZ on home building techniques that incorporate passive cooling.

Supplemental Humidity Control, Info-620

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet offering general recommendations on supplemental humidity control and outlines viable system configurations.

The Importance of Windows in Hot Climates

Author(s)
Kohta Ueno
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article from Green Building Advisor on the importance of window selection in hot climates, with an emphasis on window glazing.