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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 - 50 of 55

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Description
Document intended to help owners, designers, builders, inspectors, examiners, and energy consultants comply with and enforce California’s 2008 energy efficiency standards for low-rise residential buildings. The title 24 hotline must be contacted by phone or email to view this standard.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Short guide from FEMA describing how to anchor tall bookcases and file cabinets during seismic events.
Author(s)
Wildlife Damage Management
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperate Extension Service,
CES,
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,
NYSDEC,
Cornell Cooperative Extension,
CCE
Publication Date
Description
Web-based manual providing guidance for removal and preventing entry of nuisance wildlife.
Author(s)
Kleva Stephen
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article explaining the importance of regular inspections of boiler systems in maintaining their safety, lifespan, and efficiency.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Research study discussing how housewraps restrict or permit the passage of water molecules based on size, but cannot control the direction in which the water vapor molecules move.
Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E,
Bonar Jacob
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Presentation about building highly efficient, affordable homes that will achieve 40% whole-house energy savings in mixed-humid climates.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document with the Quality Control Checklist developed as both a guide to assist in the transition to high performance home building, and as a simplified tool to be used as part of any builder's on-site quality control procedures.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information guide describing issues with concrete floors, in multiple climate zones.
Author(s)
County of Santa Cruz Planning Department
Organization(s)
County of Santa Cruz Planning Department
Publication Date
Description
Report describing construction site erosion and sediment control practices recommended and required by a county planning department.
Author(s)
Johns Manville
Organization(s)
Johns Manville
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing detail about hand fabrication of a one-piece straight duct from a 48" x 120" x 1" thick (1.22 m x 3.05 m x 25 mm) sheet where the total inside duct dimensions equals 112" (2.84 m) or less.
Author(s)
Moriarta
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Journal article describing energy and cost savings potential from air sealing multifamily town homes.
Author(s)
Reynolds
Organization(s)
The Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Description
A builder's guide describing hurricane-resistant reinforcements for gable ends.
Author(s)
Hoak,
Parker,
Hermelink
Organization(s)
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report about measurements of three recent vintage dishwashers of very different efficiencies showing that while they are substantially more efficient than older dishwashers.
Author(s)
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
Organization(s)
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
Publication Date
Description
Book providing project management guidance in maintaining satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) of occupied buildings undergoing renovation or construction.
Author(s)
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences & Family and Consumer Sciences
Organization(s)
University of Georgia
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing how to conserve heat or find alternative heat sources during a power outage to keep one room warm.
Author(s)
Lubliner,
Kerr,
Gordon,
Murray
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Program
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Parker,
Sherwin,
Hermelink
Organization(s)
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report about an experimental evaluation has been conducted on a night sky cooling system designed to substantially reduce space cooling needs in homes in North American climates.
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Hoak David,
Cummings Jamie E
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report briefly reviewing past research on the effects of occupant behavior on residential energy use and then covering a two year pilot evaluation of a low cost residential energy feedback system installed in twenty case study homes in Florida.
Author(s)
Lstiburek,
Eng,
Pettit
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining the approach to quality assurance in the construction process as recommended by Building Science Corporation for new residential construction.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information for professional builders and contractors rehabbing flooded single-family houses with emphasis on safe practices and the most important activities in the rehab process.
Author(s)
Moyer Neil,
Stroer Dennis,
Hoak David,
McIlvaine Janet,
Chandra Subrato
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Calcs Plus
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting results from testing prototype HVAC duct system designs that would locate the entire length of duct work within the air and thermal barriers of the building envelope. These include one that incorporated a high-side supply register, one that utilized a single soffit located within...
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Document providing an overview of the Thermal Bypass Checklist for the ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes program.
Author(s)
Lukachko Alex,
Lstiburek Joseph
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report discussing Building America whole house systems research within the broad effort to reduce or eliminate the environmental impact of building and provides specific recommendations for future Building America research based on Building Science Corporations experience with several recent...