Library | Building America Solution Center

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

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

November, 2004

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 America Residential System Research Results: Achieving 30% Whole House Energy Savings Level in Mixed-Humid Climates; January 2006 - December 2006

Author(s)

Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership,

Building Industry Research Alliance,

Building Science Consortium,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

Davis Energy Group,

IBACOS,

National Association of Home Builders Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

BAIHP,

BIRA,

BSC,

CARB,

DEG,

NAHBRC,

NREL

Publication Date

December, 2006

Report summarizing research results for the 30% energy savings level and demonstrates that lead builders can successfully provide 30% homes in the Mixed-Humid Region on a cost-neutral basis.

Construction Guide to 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

September, 2017

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. The Guide is...

Construction Guide to Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 - Part II: 2x4 Walls with 1” - 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing

Author(s)

Kochkin,

Wiehagen

Organization(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Publication Date

September, 2017

The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 in. thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...

De-Icing Ice Dams, BSI-097

Author(s)

Joseph Lstiburek

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation

Publication Date

October, 2018

Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.

Home Energy Guide - Techniques, Tactics, & Tips: Ice Dams

Author(s)

Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center

Organization(s)

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Publication Date

May, 2003

Article describing the causes that form ice dams, as well as solutions for preventing future ice dams on roofs, focusing on air sealing to prevent hot air leakage.

Moisture Research - Optimizing Wall Assemblies

Author(s)

Arena Lois,

Mantha Pallavi

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

May, 2013

Report describing evaluation of several configurations of wall assemblies to determine the accuracy of moisture modeling and make recommendations to ensure durable, efficient assemblies.

Occupant-in-Place Energy Efficiency Retrofit in a Group Home for 30% Energy Savings in Climate Zone 4

Author(s)

Moore

Organization(s)

BA-PIRC,

Newport Partners

Publication Date

August, 2013

Report studying the specification, implementation, and energy savings from an EER in a group home, with an energy savings goal of 30%.

Serenbe Nest Cottages

Author(s)

Butler T,

Curtis O,

Kim E,

Roberts S,

Stephenson R

Organization(s)

NAHB Research Center,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Southface

Publication Date

December, 2012

Report describing construction of test homes in Atlanta, GA meeting Building America savings targets and serving as a basis of design for other homes Martin Dodson plans to build within the Serenbe community.

Strategies for Energy Efficient Remodeling: SEER 2003 Case Study Report

Author(s)

Drumheller,

Wiehagen

Organization(s)

NAHB Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publication Date

November, 2004

Report providing information based on research and case studies, to remodelers and consumers about opportunities to increase home energy performance.

Winchester/Camberley Homes New Construction Test House Design, Construction, and Short-Term Testing in a Mixed-Humid Climate

Author(s)

Mallay,

Wiehagen,

Wood

Organization(s)

NAHB Research Center Industry Partnership,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Publication Date

October, 2012

Report outlining the features of a test house built in Silver Spring , Maryland, and discussing the implementation of the energy efficient design, and reports on the short-term testing results.