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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 111

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
EPA's website about asbestos.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
FEMA,
EPA,
NIH,
OSHA
Publication Date
Description
Guidance from HUD, EPA, NIH, and FEMA for workers who deal directly with asbestos.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
The EPA Burn Wise program promotes the importance of burning the right wood, the right way, in the right appliance.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the EPA evaluates potential risks from new and existing chemicals and acts to address any unreasonable risks chemicals may have on human health and the environment. This website explains the implications of such chemicals.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
A website explaining how to quickly clean up a broken compact fluorescent lightbulb.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Website providing data indicating climate change.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing lists of WaterSense-qualified products for home plumbing and irrigation equipment that meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR website providing information about programs, products and energy efficiency information.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website describing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR New Homes and Apartments program with links to builder and homeowner resources.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Table of criteria for pool pumps to achieve ENERGY STAR certification.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
The ENERGY STAR criteria for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
This report is designed to meet ASHRAE 62.2-2010/2013 and ANSI/ACCA’s 5 QI-2015 protocol, thereby improving the performance of HVAC equipment in new homes when compared to homes built to minimum code.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR webpage describing the benefits of storm windows and a link to a product list.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing an ENERGY STAR climate zone map and criteria for ENERGY STAR storm windows per climate zone.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website helping builders, designers, and home energy raters find products that are compliant with the EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification requirements for low-emission materials.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing the technical specifications and related documents for home builders, subcontractors, architects, and other housing professionals interested in certifying a home to the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program requirements.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
EPA webpage on lead in homes.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
The purpose of this map is to assist national, state and local organizations to target their resources and to implement radon-resistant building codes.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing links to the EPA developed map of radon risk in the United States.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website explaining the risks associated with radon in homes and how to protect homes against radon.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
DOE,
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about the benefits of purchasing and installing ENERGY STAR rated fans and ventilation products.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website with information about ENERGY STAR criteria for geothermal heat pumps.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Report about opportunities for ventilation when traditional methods are limited by weather conditions or by contaminants in the outdoor air.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
EPA webpage explaining the heat island effect and providing links to related content.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA,
EPA,
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to deal with asbestos in homes following natural disasters.
Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institutes of Health,
Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force
Organization(s)
CDC,
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Publication Date
Description
Homeowner guidance from CDC, EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to safely clean up mold issues following flooding from a natural disaster.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Institute of Health Division of Technical Resources
Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Publication Date
Description
Guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on homeowner safety dealing with lead contaminants.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Homeowner guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on dealing with radon following a natural disaster.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Companion document to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, providing guidance on identifying compliant products, including industry databases and examples of product labeling.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining specifications that were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize new homes equipped with a comprehensive set of indoor air quality (IAQ) features.