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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 - 11 of 11

2012 IMC - International Mechanical Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
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.

A Plug-and-Play Duct System Evaluation

Author(s)
Beach Robert,
Dickson B,
Grisolia A,
Poerschke A,
Rapport A
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
This report describes an air distribution system composed of a series of uniformly-sized ducts that terminate in rooms throughout the home and return to a central manifold, similar in fashion to a “home-run” cross-linked polyethylene plumbing system. With a well-designed manifold, each duct receives...

ACCA Manual D - Residential Duct Systems

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Standard outlining industry procedure for sizing residential duct systems.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 152-2014 - Method of Test for Determining the Design and Seasonal Efficiencies of Residential Thermal Distribution Systems

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard that prescribes a testing method to determine the efficiency of space heating and/or cooling thermal distribution systems under seasonal and design conditions. This version of the standard was published in the year 2014, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. The...

Building with Ducts in Conditioned Space

Author(s)
Sullivan
Organization(s)
Earth Advantage Institute,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
Publication Date
Training manual on how to locate ducts within conditioned space and compact design.

Design and Construction of Interior Duct System

Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David,
Fairey Philip W
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
This study focuses on the design, construction, and performance of the interior chase approach as implemented by five different builders in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

ENERGY STAR HVAC Design Report

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
This report is designed to meet ASHRAE 62.2-2010/2013 and ANSI/ACCA’s 5 QI-2015 protocol, thereby improving the performance of HVAC equipment in new homes when compared to homes built to minimum code.

Investigation of Potential Benefits of Revising Exception 1 under “FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, ENERGY CONSERVATION, Section 101.4.7.1.1 Duct Sealing upon Equipment Replacement.”

Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing as-found interior platform return plenums, the magnitude of their contribution to the total amount of duct leakage, and techniques and results of retrofits executed by the HVAC trade during equipment replacement.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

Author(s)
Lubliner,
Kerr,
Gordon,
Murray
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Program
Publication Date
Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.