Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from DOE describing how to conserve energy and save money with a home energy audit.
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 74
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of code establishing a baseline for existing building retrofits to reach appropriate safety levels under new construction requirements covered in other ICC codes.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 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 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 minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2015 edition of code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less, bringing together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2015 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...
Organization(s)
Washington State University Extension Energy Program,
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the results of a field study of five different ventilation system types in 29 homes in the Pacific Northwest.
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing testing and analysis on deep energy retrofits of existing single-family homes in the U.S.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Standards criteria supporting ICC HVAC duct support standards.
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Description
Detailed guide to advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.
Organization(s)
Bailey Engineering Corporation,
BEC
Publication Date
Description
Case study about high humidity, mold and condensation on surfaces in S. Florida, and how building characteristics cause and amplify these problems.
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
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...
Organization(s)
ASCE,
Structural Engineering Institute,
SEI
Publication Date
Description
Standard using deficiency-based and systematic procedures that use performance-based principles to evaluate and retrofit existing buildings to withstand the effects of earthquakes. This version of the standard was published in the year 2013, and is available in both digital and print versions. The...
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Article describing different kinds of water-resistant backer boards.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing correct ways to eliminate water damage by incorporating a sacrificial layer to foundation walls and footings.
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Publication Date
Description
This is a guide for establishing smoke-free policies in public housing and multifamily properties.
Organization(s)
SFGate
Publication Date
Description
News article from SFGate explaining and giving figures on how chimney failure is the most common type of damage to homes during an earthquake.
Organization(s)
Department of City Planning,
New York City
Publication Date
Description
Report describing retrofitting options and methodology for architects, developers, and property owners to use when making decisions about retrofits for common building types in NY.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.
Organization(s)
Lutron
Publication Date
Description
Website discusses differences between CFL and LED bulbs.
Organization(s)
Fire Protection Research Foundation
Publication Date
Description
Report identifying codes and standards that embody the concepts of resiliency.
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Website with prepopulated information about the United States renewable resources.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet that summarizes Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction including advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR website providing information about programs, products and energy efficiency information.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
The ENERGY STAR criteria for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR specifications for residential window, door and skylights, Version 6, effective January 1, 2015.
Organization(s)
Jackson Township,
Ohio
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing steps builders should take to reduce erosion and control sediment on construction sites during home construction.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report detailing the effects of replacing PSC motors with more efficient, variable-speed motors.
Organization(s)
NORESCO
Publication Date
Description
Article describing RESNET guidance on evaporative coolers.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Poster describing earthquake safety tips and protection measures to take at home.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
A guide for homeowners on determining the risks from tornadoes and hurricanes and selecting a safe room type and location, as well as providing detailed plans for safe room construction.
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing for homeowners how to protect their homes from flooding, 3rd Edition.
Organization(s)
International Code Council
Publication Date
Description
Code describing energy codes for energy-conserving and compliant designs in Florida.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.
Organization(s)
FESC
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about the Gossamer Wind Series Ceiling fans, conceived by Danny Parker at the Florida Solar Energy Center as a means of realizing the energy efficiency and comfort potential of ceiling fans.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
This publication provides a set of best practices for improving indoor air quality in conjunction with energy upgrade work in homes.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud with spray foam wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet briefly summarizing truss wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Organization(s)
Niagara Frontier Publications
Publication Date
Description
Recommendations from IBHS describing how to safely use generators during winter storm power outages.
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Standard document establishing construction standards for one- and two-family dwellings constructed in high wind regions.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet summarizing ICF wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
PDF detailing the inspection and verification guidance for WaterSense labeled new homes including indoor and outdoor efficiency requirements, and homeowner and building management education.
Introduction and Overview: Proper Installation of Fiber Glass and Rock and Slag Wool Batt Insulation
Organization(s)
North America Insulation Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Description
Website providing builders with information about meeting RESNET Grade 1 criteria when installing insulation.
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Description
Website providing a probabilistic map of the expected number of damaging earthquakes around the U.S.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a lighting and smart power strip retrofit evaluation that was conducted on 56 all-electric, existing Florida homes to see how lighting and miscellaneous electric loads might be reduced.
Organization(s)
Technical Services Information Bureau,
Walls & Ceilings
Publication Date
Description
Manual covering design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster, IEFs, and drywall, with info on continuous insulation, air barriers, rain screens, fire and sound ratings, etc.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
DOE case study findings on raised ceiling interior duct systems.