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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 2287

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing advancement in factory built housing innovations.
Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Guide informing homeowners on how to find and seal basement and attic air leaks, determine if their attic insulation is adequate, make improvements safely, and reduce energy bills.
Author(s)
Springer David,
Dakin Bill,
Backman Christine
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Research study estimating potential energy savings relative to conventional ducted air distribution, and identifying equipment requirements, costs, and barriers.
Author(s)
Hales David,
Eklund Ken,
Kunkle Rick,
Lubliner Michael,
Banks Adria
Organization(s)
Washington State University Extension Energy Program,
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the results of a field study of five different ventilation system types in 29 homes in the Pacific Northwest.
Author(s)
Elmendorf William,
Gerhold Henry,
Kuhns Larry
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania State University Extension
Publication Date
Description
Article describing tree health, environmental considerations, and details on how to preserve trees.
Author(s)
Polly Benjamin,
Gestwick Mike,
Bianchi Marcus V A,
Anderson Ren,
Horowitz Scott,
Christensen Craig,
Judkoff Ron
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing an analysis method for determining optimal residential energy efficiency retrofit packages and applies the analysis method to a 1960s-era home in eight U.S. cities.
Author(s)
Beach Robert,
Dickson B,
Grisolia A,
Poerschke A,
Rapport A
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Description
This report describes an air distribution system composed of a series of uniformly-sized ducts that terminate in rooms throughout the home and return to a central manifold, similar in fashion to a “home-run” cross-linked polyethylene plumbing system. With a well-designed manifold, each duct receives...
Author(s)
UN Environment Programme
Organization(s)
United Nations
Publication Date
Description
Guidance document from the UN environment programme on climate-resilient buildings and communities practices, including guidance on heat waves, drought, hurricanes, and flooding.
Author(s)
Global Cool Cities Alliance,
R20 Regions of Climate Action
Organization(s)
GCCA,
R20
Publication Date
Description
Guide developed to help contractors, building operators, and city officials successfully adopt cool roof and pavement technology.
Author(s)
Burch Jay,
Thornton Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Thermal Energy System Specialists,
TESS
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining the current and the proposed draws and estimates typical ratings changes from draw specification changes for typical systems in four cities.
Author(s)
Logue,
Turner,
Walker,
Singer
Organization(s)
LBNL,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Description
Report describing how changing the air exchange rate of a home (the sum of the infiltration and mechanical ventilation airflow rates) affects the annual thermal conditioning energy. Large-scale changes to air exchange rates of the housing stock can significantly alter the residential sectors energy...
Author(s)
American Architectural Manufacturers Association,
Canadian Standards Association,
CSA Group,
Window & Door Manufacturers Association
Organization(s)
AAMA,
CSA,
CSA Group,
WDMA,
Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance,
FGIA
Publication Date
Description
2017 version of a standard covering requirements for single- and dual-pane windows, glazed side-hinged door systems, sliding doors, tubular daylighting devices, and unit skylights developed jointly by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), the Canadian Standards Association...
Author(s)
Air Barrier Association of America
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing information about self-adhered sheet air barriers located in the non-accessible part of the wall and materials to bridge and seal air leakage pathways and gaps.
Author(s)
Air Barrier Association of America
Organization(s)
ABAA
Publication Date
Description
Standard outlining materials and installation methods for a liquid-applied vapor permeable air barrier systems located in the non-accessible part of the wall.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Energy Star web page providing guidance on attic ventilation.
Author(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Description
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.
Author(s)
AC Comfort
Organization(s)
AC Comfort
Publication Date
Description
Website containing commercial information related to air conditioning and heating.
Author(s)
Soltaro
Organization(s)
Soltaro
Publication Date
Description
Website article comparing DC and AC batteries and explaining that DC batteries have black start ability to restart from solar power while providing AC batteries need grid power to restart if fully discharged.
Author(s)
Miller
Organization(s)
Mayfield Renewables
Publication Date
Description
Website article describing the advantages and disadvantages of AC and DC battery energy storage systems and inverters for solar power systems.
Author(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
Organization(s)
International Code Council
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Website homepage for the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard outlining industry procedure for sizing residential duct systems.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering equipment sizing loads for single-family-detached homes, small multi-unit structures, condo­miniums, town houses and manufactured homes.
Author(s)
Rutkowski
Organization(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard covering sizing strategies for all types of cooling and heating equipment, as well as how to use comprehensive manufacturer’s performance data on sensible, latent, or heating capacity for various operating conditions.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
This Standard establishes the minimum requirements to evaluate a residence with regards to energy efficiency, water conservation, occupant comfort, and indoor air quality.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing a universally accepted definition for quality installation for residential and commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning applications.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
NREL
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
EERE
Publication Date
Description
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...
Author(s)
National Air Duct Cleaners Association
Organization(s)
National Air Duct Cleaners Association
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Air Duct Council
Organization(s)
ADC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Author(s)
Air Duct Council
Organization(s)
ADC
Publication Date
Description
Standard that sets forth the specific methods of testing flexible air ducts used for indoor comfort heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications.