Skip to main content

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 - 50 of 57

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2020, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard 55 specifies conditions for acceptable thermal environments and is intended for use in design, operation, and commissioning of buildings and other occupied spaces. This is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2021, and is available for preview and purchase at...

Attic Ventilation

Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Web page describing the benefits of attic fans, with rules for sizing fans and intake vents.

Attic Ventilation

Author(s)
Weatherization Assistance Program
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Attic Venting, Attic Moisture, and Ice Dams

Author(s)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Government of Canada
Publication Date
Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Avoiding Moisture Problems

Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
Organization(s)
The Weatherization Training Center at Penn College
Publication Date
Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.

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.

Builder's Guide to Cold Climates

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Book presenting the best techniques for energy and resource efficient residential construction in the colder climates of North America.

Builder's Guide to Hot-Humid Climates

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.

Climate Change and Extreme Heat Events

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Report describing extreme heat events, how an extreme heat event threatens public health, and how to prepare for and respond to such an event.

Climate Change Indicators in the United States

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Website providing data indicating climate change.

Climate Consultant 6.0

Author(s)
UCLA Energy Design Tools Group
Organization(s)
Regents of the University of California,
Society of Building Science Educators
Publication Date
Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.

Construction Guide: Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 - Part I: 2x6 Walls

Author(s)
Kochkin,
Wiehagen
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Publication Date
Part I of the Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x6 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as exterior sheathing, gypsum board as interior sheathing, and a cladding system installed over WSP sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories in height. Walls with...

Dealing with and preventing ice dams

Author(s)
University of Minnesota Extension
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota
Publication Date
Webpage explaining what causes the formation of ice dams on roofs and steps to take to prevent them.

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.

EPA Ecosystems Research

Author(s)
EPA
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A map describing the average temperature of shallow groundwater in Fahrenheit across the continental United States.

Excessive Heat Events Guidebook

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.

FEMA National Risk Index

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website providing maps for natural disaster risk in the United States.

FEMA P-55, Coastal Construction Manual Volume II

Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
Jones Christopher P,
Kapur Omar,
Koumoudis Vasso,
Line Philip,
Low David K,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Smith Thomas,
Tezak Scott
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Volume II of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to design, construction, and renovation of homes located in coastal environments.

FEMA P-55, Coastal Construction Manual, Volume I, 4th edition

Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
Jones Christopher P,
Kapur Omar,
Koumoudis Vasso,
Line Philip,
Low David K,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Smith Thomas,
Tezak Scott
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Publication Date
Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

FEMA P-550. Recommended Residential Construction for Coastal Areas: Building on Strong and Safe Foundations

Author(s)
Coulbourne Bill,
Haupt Matt,
Sundberg Scott,
Low David K,
Yeung Jimmy,
Squerciati John
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
URS Corporation,
DK Low and Associates,
Greenhorne and O'Mara,
Dewberry and Davis
Publication Date
Report providing recommended designs and guidance for rebuilding homes destroyed by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.

Firebreak: Wildfire Resilience Strategies for Real Estate

Author(s)
Urban Land Institute
Organization(s)
Urban Land Institute
Publication Date
Updated wildfire risk assessment, community impacts, and building science measures following the disastrous 2020 wildfire season in the western U.S.

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

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Kono Jamie E,
Vieira Robin K,
Fairey Philip W,
Sherwin John S,
Withers Charles,
Hoak David,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Research report assessing the moisture and cooling load impacts of airtightness and mechanical ventilation in homes in hot-humid climates.

Fourth National Climate Assessment, Vol 2

Author(s)
U.S. Global Change Research Program
Organization(s)
U.S. Global Change Research Program
Publication Date
Report analyzing the effect of global climate change on national interests, and providing climate predictions.

Georgia Pulls the Attic-Ventilator Plug (Sort of)

Author(s)
Richard Defendorf
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article describing issues with attic ventilation fans and why the state of Georgia residential code does not allow plug-in attic ventilation fans.

GIS Geography

Author(s)
GIS Geography
Organization(s)
GIS Geography
A website providing free access to a variety of U.S. and international maps.

Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather!

Author(s)
National Center for Environmental Health
Organization(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Publication Date
Web page describing how to identify heat-related illness and how to prevent it.

NOAA Climate Research

Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organization(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Publication Date
Website providing weather data.

NOAA National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center

Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Publication Date
A website issuing watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and increasing the understanding of hazards.

NOAA Storm Prediction Center

Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Publication Date
A website providing timely and accurate forecasts and watches for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes over the contiguous United States.

Prevent Home Roof Damage from Heavy Snow and Ice.

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Webpage providing guidance for homeowners on how much snow weight a typical roof can handle and when to consider removing snow from the roof.

Reexamining Roof Ventilation

Author(s)
Tony Woods
Organization(s)
Home Energy
Publication Date
Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

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.

Roof Venting in a Wet Climate

Author(s)
Paul Fissette
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Q&A article discussing how to address moisture issues in an attic in a wet and humid coastal climate.

Suitability of foundation heat exchangers for ground source heat pump systems in European climates

Author(s)
Cullin James R,
Spitler Jeffrey D,
Gehlin Signhild E A
Organization(s)
Federation of European Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations,
REHVA,
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Swedish Centre for Shallow Geothermal Energy
Publication Date
A research paper discussing the use of foundation heat exchangers for ground source heat pump systems in European climates.

Supplemental Dehumidification in Warm-Humid Climates, BA-1310

Author(s)
Rudd
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
This document covers a description of the need and applied solutions for supplemental dehumidification in warm-humid climates, especially for energy efficient homes where the sensible cooling load has been dramatically reduced.

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.

Types of Insulation

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Information sheet about types and installation of insulation.

U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Case Studies

Author(s)
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit
Organization(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
NOAA
Publication Date
Website providing guidance for people to find and use tools, information, and subject matter expertise to build climate resilience.

Use of Connectors and Brackets, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet 4.3

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Technical fact sheet highlighting important building connections and illustrating the proper use of various types of connection hardware; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

USGS

Author(s)
USGS
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
Webpage for the United States Geological Survey for the Department of the Interior.