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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 89

Author(s)
California Energy Commission
Organization(s)
CEC
Publication Date
Description
Standard containing the 2001 administrative regulations relating to building energy efficiency that applies to all residential and nonresidential buildings in California. The title 24 hotline must be contacted by phone or email to view this standard.
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)
Chandra Subrato,
Parker Danny S,
Sherwin John,
Colon Carlos J,
Fonorow Ken,
Stroer Dennis,
Martin Eric,
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Chasar Dave,
Moyer Neil,
Thomas-Rees Stephanie,
Hoak David,
Beal David,
Gil Camilo
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Florida Home Energy and Resources Organization,
FLHero,
Florida HERO,
Calcs Plus
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing systems research activities for new housing in hot-humid climates, including NightCool, interior duct systems in manufactured housing, ventilation and dehumidification, plug load reduction and solar and conventional hot water.
Author(s)
Prahl Duncan,
Beach Robert
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Description
Report outlining workflow and results of regression models on monthly and daily utility data (meter readings of electricity consumption), outlining a process for screening and gathering useful results from inverse models.
Author(s)
Thomas-Rees Stephanie,
Beal David,
Martin Eric,
Fonorow Ken
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Florida Home Energy and Resources Organization,
FLHero,
Florida HERO
Publication Date
Description
Report describing partner approaches to achieving the Building America goal of 30% whole-house source energy savings using packages adopted at the community scale, using building projects in Florida as a reference.
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Cole Pam C,
Adams Karen T,
Noonan Chrissy F,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
A guidebook helping builders design and construct homes that are among the most energy efficient available, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort. Measures described in this guide can help builders in the hot-humid climate...
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
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 and humid climate.
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,
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)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with details on a building enclosure designed for Albuquerque, NM, as an example for building enclosures built for hot-dry and mixed-dry climates.
Author(s)
Matthew J. Nahlik,
Mikhail V. Chester,
Stephanie S. Pincetl,
David Eisenman,
Deepak Sivaraman,
Paul English
Organization(s)
ASCE
Publication Date
Description
Article published by American Society of Civil Engineers on different building types and their effictiveness resisting extreme heat from a building envelope perspective.
Author(s)
California Energy Commission,
Enermodal Engineering Limited
Organization(s)
CEC,
EEL
Publication Date
Description
Document with information from a workshop addressing framing materials for residential buildings in California. A copy of the document can be requested at the resource link, and an online copy of the document can be found by searching for it on the California Energy Commission's Library Online...
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet summarizing inspection and testing of combustion appliances taught during the 2006 Florida whole-house weatherization training as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hot Climate Initiative.
Author(s)
Zero Energy Project
Organization(s)
Zero Energy Project
Publication Date
Description
Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing 'cool roofs' and their usage for passive home cooling.
Author(s)
The Home Energy Community of Practice
Organization(s)
The Home Energy Community of Practice
Publication Date
Description
Article from The Home Energy Community of Practice on designing energy efficient homes in hot climate zones, including home orientation, window location, and roof design considerations.
Author(s)
Wilson Alex
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Description
Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.
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)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.
Author(s)
Chasar Dave,
Martin Eric
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report demonstrating how the initiative achieves Building America (BA) goals of 30%-50% energy savings in multifamily dwellings in the hot-humid climate zone.
Author(s)
McIlvaine,
Sutherland,
Martin
Organization(s)
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research study examining efficiency retrofit opportunities, typical renovation practices, and pathways for achieving U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) goals for existing homes in Florida.
Author(s)
Martin Eric,
Withers Charles,
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Chasar Dave,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
This report evaluates the performance of variable-capacity comfort systems, with a focus on inverter-driven, variable-capacity systems, as well as proposed system enhancements.
Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet,
Sutherland Karen,
Schleith Kevin,
Chandra Subrato
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Report presenting the process of a residential retrofit project for houses in the states of Florida and Alabama, including findings at the time of reporting and highlights of the first home to meet the target HERS Index of 70.
Author(s)
Ready.gov
Organization(s)
Ready.gov
Publication Date
Description
Webpage from Ready.gov explaining what qualifies as 'extreme heat', how to be safe during an extreme heat event, and how to prepare for extreme heat in homes
Author(s)
Joseph Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Kono Jamie E,
Vieira Robin K,
Fairey Philip W,
Sherwin John S,
Withers Charles,
Hoak David,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research report assessing the moisture and cooling load impacts of airtightness and mechanical ventilation in homes in hot-humid climates.
Author(s)
Vieira,
Parker,
Fairey III,
Sherwin,
Withers,
Hoak
Organization(s)
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research study outlining savings from reducing air infiltration, with and without the addition of mechanical ventilation, using two identical laboratory homes designed to model existing Florida building stock.
Author(s)
Hoeschele Marc,
Springer David,
Dakin Bill,
German Alea
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Article from NREL on wall construction guidelines for homes in hot climate zones.
Author(s)
Jacob Corvidae,
Sneha Ayyagari
Organization(s)
RMI
Publication Date
Description
Article from RMI on how climate change is leading to an increase in critical extreme heat hours and what smart building strategies can be taken to mitigate some of these effects including paint color and insulation.
Author(s)
Parker
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report that describes BSC's Houses That Work II (HTWII) climate-specific technical resource, beginning with an overall HTWII introduction and four sections explaining the four most important hygro-thermal climate regions: Hot-Humid, Mixed-Humid, Cold, and Hot-Dry/Mixed-Dry.
Author(s)
Kyle Mittan
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Publication Date
Description
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.
Author(s)
Winkler Jon,
Christensen Dane,
Tomerlin Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report documenting the measured performance of six residential ENERGY STAR vapor compression dehumidifiers.