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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 101 - 150 of 1789

ABTCO Estimating and Installation Guide

Author(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.

AC Comfort

Author(s)
AC Comfort
Organization(s)
AC Comfort
Publication Date
Website containing commercial information related to air conditioning and heating.

AC115 Acceptance Criteria for Waterproof Membranes for Flooring and Shower Lining

Author(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
Organization(s)
International Code Council
Publication Date
Acceptance criteria providing guidelines for demonstrating compliance with codes referenced in the criteria related to barriers to water migration in thin-set installations of ceramic tile and stone flooring and shower sub-pan linings.

ACCA Manual D - Residential Duct Systems

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Standard outlining industry procedure for sizing residential duct systems.

ACCA Manual J - Residential Load Calculation

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Standard covering equipment sizing loads for single-family-detached homes, small multi-unit structures, condo­miniums, town houses and manufactured homes.

ACCA Manual RS - Comfort, Air Quality, and Efficiency by Design

Author(s)
Rutkowski
Organization(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Publication Date
The manual covers residential zoning issues - multiple, single-zone, and central multi-zone systems - and includes advice on working with homeowners to adapt the heating or cooling system design to meet modern home design features.

ACCA Manual ZR – Residential Zoning Systems

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.

ACCA Standard 12: Home Evaluation and Performance Improvement

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
This Standard establishes the minimum requirements to evaluate a residence with regards to energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant comfort, and indoor air quality.

ACCA Standard 5: HVAC Quality Installation Specification

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Standard providing a universally accepted definition for quality installation for residential and commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning applications.

ACCA Standard 9: HVAC Quality Installation Verification Protocols

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Document detailing the requirements, roles, and obligations for participants in an organized effort, ensuring that HVAC installations comply with the ANSI/ACCA 5 QI – 2010 (HVAC Quality Installation Specification) QI Standard.

Achieving Ducts in Conditioned Space

Author(s)
NREL
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
EERE
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing best strategies to bring ductwork on single-story homes with a slab-on-grade foundation in hot, dry climates into the conditioned envelope of the home intending to highlight the pros and cons of multiple ductwork integration strategies, including traditional duct systems in...

ACR: The NADCA Standard for Assessment, Cleaning & Restoration of HVAC Systems

Author(s)
National Air Duct Cleaners Association
Organization(s)
National Air Duct Cleaners Association
Publication Date
Standard providing industry-backed information for assessing new and existing HVAC systems, evaluating and verifying the cleanliness of HVAC system components, preventing job related hazards and guiding the cleaning and restoration of HVAC systems to a specific level of cleanliness.

ADC Flexible Duct Performance & Installation Standards

Author(s)
Air Duct Council
Organization(s)
ADC
Publication Date
Standard for use and reference by designers, architects, engineers, contractors, installers and users for evaluating, selecting, specifying and properly installing flexible duct in heating and air conditioning systems.

ADC Flexible Duct Test Code - FD 72-R1

Author(s)
Air Duct Council
Organization(s)
ADC
Publication Date
Standard that sets forth the specific methods of testing flexible air ducts used for indoor comfort heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications.

Advanced Framing Construction Guide

Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Detailed guide to advanced framing, a system of construction framing techniques designed to optimize material usage and increase energy efficiency.

Advanced Framing, BSI-030

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report detaining advanced framing techniques, including discussion of cost and energy savings.

Advanced Power Strip Research Report

Author(s)
Koser,
Uthe
Organization(s)
NYSERDA
Publication Date
Report investigating implemention of advanced power strips for entertainment and home office electronics would reduce energy consumption across the residential market.

Advanced Wall Framing

Author(s)
NAHB,
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NAHB,
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Information sheet about advanced wall framing.

Advanced Wall Framing

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
Southface Energy Institute
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Factsheet describing advanced framing techniques to reduce the amount of lumber used in the construction of wood-framed houses, while providing more space in the walls for insulation.

Aeroseal: Our Process

Author(s)
Aeroseal
Organization(s)
Aeroseal
Publication Date
A website explaining the process of sealing a home with Aeroseal & how the technology is used to seal holes in the air ducts and vents of the home.

Aerosol Envelope Sealing of New Residences

Author(s)
Bohac Dave,
Harrington Curtis
Organization(s)
EERE,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
Center for Energy and Environment
Publication Date
Technical report describing the research behind a new aerosol-based sealing method, utilizing pressurization and a dispersed sealant fog, facilitated by a standard blower door, to automatically measure, locate, and seal air leaks in new homes in the United States, providing an efficient solution to...

Aerosol-Based Method Seals the Deal for Tighter New Homes

Author(s)
NREL
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Fact sheet outlining an innovative aerosol-based sealing technique for tightening building envelopes in new homes, involving pressurizing the structure and dispersing an aerosol sealant "fog" to autonomously identify and seal leaks, with real-time feedback through a standard blower door and laptop...

Affordable Passive Solar Planbook for North Carolina

Author(s)
Appalachian Energy Center,
Appalachian State University
Organization(s)
AEC,
App State
Publication Date
Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.

Affordable Solid Panel "Perfect Wall" System

Author(s)
Schirber Tom,
Jacobson Rolf,
Handeen Dan,
Mosiman Garrett,
Huelman Patrick
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...

AHAM Verifide Facts about Clean Air

Author(s)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Organization(s)
AHAM
Publication Date
Website reporting efficiencies for dehumidifiers, room air conditioners, and room air cleaners that are tested by independent laboratories and reported by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

AIA Disaster Assistance Handbook, Third Edition

Author(s)
American Institute of Architects
Organization(s)
AIA
Publication Date
Report describing the experience gained from AIA’s Disaster Assistance Program with first-hand accounts of disaster response and recovery, case studies and other best practices, including approaches to designing buildings to be more adaptable to uncertainty.

Air Infiltration from Attached Garages in Canadian Houses

Author(s)
Health Canada,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Environment Canada
Publication Date
Document reporting results from a study done to evaluate effects of automotive emissions from attached garages on the indoor environment.

Air Infiltration in Coastal Regions - The Paston Effect

Author(s)
Bailey Ronald B,
Swanson Hollace J
Organization(s)
Bailey Engineering Corporation,
BEC
Publication Date
Case study about high humidity, mold and condensation on surfaces in S. Florida, and how building characteristics cause and amplify these problems.

Air Sealing That Works

Author(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
An article explaining how an airtight shell for the home helps to achieve a tight envelope that is energy efficient and cost effective.

Air-Seal Windows and Doors

Author(s)
Sloggatt Mike
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Article providing steps to stop air leaks around the windows and doors of the home.

All About Larsen Trusses

Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

All About Shade Trees

Author(s)
This Old House
Organization(s)
This Old House
Publication Date
Article describing shade trees and how to plant, maintain, and replace them.

All About Water-Resistive Barriers

Author(s)
Holladay
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.

Alliance for Water Efficiency

Author(s)
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Organization(s)
Alliance for Water Efficiency
Publication Date
Alliance for Water Efficiency website homepage.

American Cleaning Institute

Author(s)
American Cleaning Institute
Organization(s)
ACI
Publication Date
American Cleaning Institute website homepage.

American Gas Association White Paper Automatic Shut-off Valves (ASV) And Remote Control Valves (RCV) On Natural Gas Transmission Pipelines

Author(s)
American Gas Association
Organization(s)
AGA
Publication Date
Report providing information regarding the benefits and challenges associated with the installation of earthquake-actuated automatic shut-off valves (ASVs) or remote-control valves (RCVs) to stop the flow of natural gas into buildings in the event of an earthquake or rupture of the gas line.