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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 2251 - 2300 of 2311

Why Add a Tank to a Tankless Water Heater?

Author(s)
Chandler Michael
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Article about one way to deal with the cold-water surprise effect of tankless water heaters.

Why Expansion Tanks Need to be Understood

Author(s)
Eatherton Mark
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Publication Date
Article explaining the importance of expansion tank knowledge.

Why Seal and Insulate?

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Introductory guide to air sealing the envelope of a home to reduce wasted energy and save on energy costs.

Why we need to know more about basement moisture

Author(s)
Marilou Cheple,
Patrick H. Huelman
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
ASHRAE,
ORNL,
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Publication Date
Conference paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings describing moisture from basements and crawlspaces as a source of indoor humidity and providing recommendations for finishing below-grade spaces to limit potential indoor...

Wildfire codes and standards

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
Website containing links to key wildfire codes and standards.

Wildfire Hazard Potential

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Organization(s)
USDA
Publication Date
Webpage from USDA and U.S. Forest Service with a map of potential wildfire risk across the U.S.

Wildfire Home Retrofit Guide

Author(s)
Restaino Christina,
Kocher Susan,
Shaw Nicole,
Hawks Steven,
Murphy Carlie,
Quarles Stephen L
Organization(s)
University of Nevada Reno Extension,
University of California Cooperative Extension,
Tahoe Resource Conservation District,
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Guide from University of Nevada, Reno Extension providing specific recommendations for how to retrofit existing homes for wildfire resilience.

Wildfire Operations: Wildfire Science

Author(s)
Canada Government of Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Climate Change
Organization(s)
GNWT ECC
Publication Date
Website describing how wildfires spread and how fuels, weather, and topography influence fires.

Wildfire Operations: Wildfire Science

Author(s)
Canada Government of Northwest Territories Department of Environment and Climate Change
Organization(s)
GNWT ECC
Publication Date
Webpage describing the behavior of wildfires.

Wildfire Public Policy

Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Webpage describing ways builders and communities an reduce wildfire risk.

Wildfire Ready

Author(s)
DisasterSafety.org
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
A webpage providing guidance on increasing the wildfire resistance of a home.

Wildfire Risk to Communities

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture,
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA,
USFS
Publication Date
A website created by the U.S. Forest Service, containing interactive maps, charts and resources to help communities explore their risk to wildfires.

Wildfire Smoke Impacts on Residential IAQ

Author(s)
Antonopoulos Chrissi A,
Emmerich Steven,
Singer Brett,
Karg Rick
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Article describing the impacts of wildfire smoke on indoor air quality and some ways ASHRAE is responding.

Wildfire Statistics

Author(s)
Congressional Research Service
Organization(s)
CRS
Publication Date
Fact sheet providing recent statistics on wildfires in the U.S.

Wildfire-Resistant Buildings

Author(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Article describing ways to design and construct a building to resist wildfires.

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)

Author(s)
U.S. Fire Administration
Organization(s)
USFA
Publication Date
Webpage from USFA compiling resources from across the U.S. on Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) information.

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Products

Author(s)
CAL FIRE Fire Engineering Division
Organization(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection,
Cal Fire,
CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal,
CAL FIRE - OSFM
Publication Date
A list of exterior building products and materials approved for use in wildland urban interface zoned homes. These products are non-combustible or ignition-resistant.

Wildland Urban Interface Construction Shasta County

Author(s)
Department of Resource Management Building Division
Organization(s)
County of Shasta California
Publication Date
An example of wildland urban interface construction requirements for new buildings built in very high fire risk zones/areas.

Wind and Trees: Air Infiltration Effects on Energy Use in Housing

Author(s)
Mattingly G.E.,
Peters E.F.
Organization(s)
Princeton University
Publication Date
Paper describing wind influences on air infiltration related energy losses for residential housing and the shielding effects of fences, adjacent structures, and vegetation.

Wind Loading on Ridge, Hip and Perimeter Roof Tiles: A Full-Scale Experimental Study

Author(s)
Habte Filmon,
Mooneghi Maryam Asghari,
Baheru Thomas,
Zisis Ioannis,
Chowdhury Arindam Gan,
Masters Forrest,
Irwin Peter
Organization(s)
Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics,
International Association for Wind Engineering,
IAWE
Publication Date
Study showcasing the location of the highest uplift force on the hip, ridge, and perimeter regions of roofs, and thus roofing material needs for the most fasteners and adhesive at these locations.

Wind Safety of the Building Envelope

Author(s)
Smith
Organization(s)
NIBS
Publication Date
Article discussing structural and nonstructural building components and illustrates a variety of wind-induced damages, including wind-driven rain infiltration.

Window and Door Installation, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet 6.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing ways to properly flash windows and doors to resist water intrusion in coastal environments; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Window and Door Installation, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 6.1

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing flashing detail concepts for window and door openings that provide adequate resistance to water intrusion in coastal environments, do not depend solely on sealants, are integral with secondary weather barriers (e.g., housewrap), and are adequately attached to the wall...

Window Attachment Ratings | AERC

Author(s)
Attachments Energy Rating Council
Organization(s)
AERC
Publication Date
Website developed by the Attachments Energy Rating Council to provide consumers with credible, relevant, and comparable information about window attachments and their performance.

Window Attachments

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
U.S. DOE
Publication Date
DOE presentation describing a project to study window attachments.

Window Attachments Offer Added Savings

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Fact sheet poster describing and comparing the energy-saving and comfort benefits of window attachment options such as low-emissivity storm windows, automated blinds, cellular shades, and solar screens, etc.

Window Attachments: Call to Action

Author(s)
Attachments Energy Rating Council
Organization(s)
AERC
Publication Date
Fact sheet providing information on window attachments and their potential for improving energy efficiency.

Window Condensation in Historic Buildings that Have Been Adapted for New Uses

Author(s)
Brown W C
Organization(s)
National Research Council Canada,
NRC
Publication Date
Research study describing an evaluation of selected windows undertaken by IRC researchers at Ottawa’s Laurier House (now being used as a museum) to determine their effectiveness in controlling condensation.

Window Orientation and Shading

Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center
Organization(s)
University of Central Florida
Publication Date
Web article providing information on how to reduce solar gains through windows.

Window Selection Tool: New Construction Windows

Author(s)
Efficient Windows Collaborative
Organization(s)
Efficient Windows Collaborative
Publication Date
The Window Selection Tool will take you through a series of design conditions pertaining to your design and location.

Window Shades Recalled by Carra Imports

Author(s)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Organization(s)
USCPSC
Publication Date
Webpage documenting a recall of a window shade product.

Window Systems

Author(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing impact-resistant window systems with specifics on Florida’s building codes.

Windows, Doors, and Skylights Climate Zone Finder

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR website to find the best windows by selecting your state and county (or zip code in California) to find your climate zone and learn more about picking the best product for your area.

Winter

Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Organization(s)
National Weather Service
Publication Date
Website sharing how to stay safe before, during, and after a winter storm.

Winter power outages can lead to generator concerns

Author(s)
University of Missouri Extension
Organization(s)
University of Missouri
Publication Date
Article describing how generators being used for backup power during outages can lead to safety concerns.

Winter Storm Safety

Author(s)
American Red Cross
Organization(s)
Red Cross
Publication Date
Webpage from American Red Cross describing how to stay safe and prepare homes for severe winter weather such as blizzards.

Winter Weather

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Website providing information to prepare for winter storms, prevent cold temperature-related health problems, and protect yourself during all stages of a winter storm.

Wisdom Way Solar Village

Author(s)
Aldrich Robb
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing sustainable community development of near zero energy homes in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

Wood Combustion Basics

Author(s)
Curkeet Rick
Organization(s)
Intertek
Publication Date
Presentation about the combustion properties of wood.

Wood Construction Connectors 2021–2023

Author(s)
Simpson Strong Tie
Organization(s)
Simpson Strong Tie
Publication Date
Catalog detailing the metal connector products manufactured by Simpson Strong-Tie and their applications and strengths.

Wood Drying: Equilibrium Moisture Content

Author(s)
University of Minnesota
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR
Publication Date
Information sheet about the moisture properties of wood.