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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 - 39 of 39

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2003 edition of the code establishing regulations to safeguard life and property from the intrusion of wildland fire and to prevent structure fires from spreading to wildland fuels; regulates defensible space and provides ignition-resistant construction requirements to protect against fire exposure...
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 2005 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)
Appalachian Energy Center,
Appalachian State University
Organization(s)
AEC,
App State
Publication Date
Description
Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.
Author(s)
ARXX Building Products
Organization(s)
ARXX Building Products
Publication Date
Description
License agreement detailing rights of ARXX and ICF CAD detail users.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
The Builder's Guide provides the building industry with the latest and best practical information on how to apply building science principles to structures as systems in hot-humid climate regions.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Taylor Z Todd,
Bartlett Rosemarie,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
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-dry and mixed-dry climates.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Taylor Z Todd,
Bartlett Rosemarie,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Steward Heidi,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
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 cold and very cold climates.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Taylor Z Todd,
Bartlett Rosemarie,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Steward Heidi,
Love Pat M,
Palmer Jennifer A
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
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 mixed-humid climate.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Document testing feasibility of constructing a new single-family home engineered to reduce the home's energy loads to an absolute minimum so that most needs could be met by solar systems.
Author(s)
Fisette
Organization(s)
University of Massachusetts
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet discussing how OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. OSB will define the future of the structural sheathing market. - See more at: http://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/by-title/choosing-between-oriented-strandboard-and-plywood/#sthash.RilEtDpl.dpuf
Author(s)
Dastur,
Davis
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.
Author(s)
Stephen L. Quarles
Organization(s)
University of California
Publication Date
Description
Article from Stephen L. Quarles on fire resistant decking design and materials recommendations.
Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Simple web-based tool allowing homeowners to calculate the potential savings from installing a cool roof.
Author(s)
Hodgson Alfred T,
Moyer Neil,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
A report describing six mechanical ventilation strategies that were evaluated for their ability to control indoor humidity levels over 14-day periods with simulated occupancy.
Author(s)
Norton Paul,
Hancock Ed,
Barker Greg M,
Reeves Paul
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership,
Partnership for Resource Conservation
Publication Date
Description
Report detailing the monitored and modeled performance of a solar home outside of Washington DC.
Author(s)
Hoeschele
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the factors that can lead to inefficient hot water distribution systems in homes.
Author(s)
Bennett Richard M,
Borchelt Gregg J,
Bryja Jim,
Kjorlien Bill
Organization(s)
Canada Masonry Design Centre,
CMDC
Publication Date
Description
An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.
Author(s)
National Environmental Balancing Bureau
Organization(s)
National Environmental Balancing Bureau,
NEBB
Publication Date
Description
Standard that includes testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB) to produce design flows for air and hydronic systems.
Author(s)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
OSHA
Publication Date
Description
A fact sheet educating the public on the potential hazards and safe use of portable generators.
Author(s)
Melody Ingrid,
Fairey Philip W,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph,
Brennan Terry
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.
Author(s)
Rudd,
Lstiburek,
Eng,
Ueno
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Research study identifying the best performing, most energy-efficient and cost- effective techniques to provide controlled mechanical ventilation and humidity control in hot- humid climates with thermally efficient building envelopes.
Author(s)
Russell,
Sherman,
Rudd
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Document reviewing current and potential ventilation technologies for residential buildings with particular emphasis on North American climates and construction.
Author(s)
Cranor John
Organization(s)
American Society of Home Inspectors,
ASHI
Publication Date
Description
Article outlining the importance of keeping dryer exhaust ducts clean.
Author(s)
Gifford
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how an affordable multifamily building achieved energy savings for the same cost as code-minimum construction.
Author(s)
Christian Jeffrey E
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Case study about affordable housing in a mixed, humid climate.
Author(s)
Rudd,
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
This report describes how twenty homes were tested and monitored in the Zone 2 climate of Houston, Texas, U.S.A., to evaluate the humidity control performance and operating cost of six different integrated dehumidification and ventilation systems that could be applied by production homebuilders.