Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Description
A field guide with residential construction best practices.
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 151 - 193 of 193
Organization(s)
National Roofing Contractors Association
Publication Date
Description
Manuals describing design, materials, and installation techniques applicable to almost all types of roof systems; four-volume set includes Metal Panel and SPF Roof Systems, Membrane Roof Systems, Architectural Metal Flashing and Condensation and Air Leakage Control, and Steep-Slope Roof Systems.
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the evolution of the IRC to permit class 3 vapor retarders (latex paint) in walls coupled with exterior continuous insulation to allow drying and reduce condensation risk.
Organization(s)
City of Portland OR
Publication Date
Description
Guide addressing troubleshooting and frequently asked questions about water pressure.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information about controlling rainwater through use of drainage planes.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing the function of a vapor barrier, and methods to retard the migration of water vapor.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
NSTAR
Publication Date
Description
Presentation describing the challenges of insulating an existing basement, presented to the Building America residential energy-efficiency stakeholder meeting.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing information about vapor management in building assemblies.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing details on the vapor permeance of different types of materials used in building assemblies.
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a method for flashing roof vent boots, describing how to flash the pipe, how to flash over and under the pan, and finish by shaping the shingles, as well as addressing potential water leakage by adding an additional seal with EPDM flashing tape with a butyl adhesive backing to the...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.
Organization(s)
Virginia Cooperative Extension,
Virginia Tech,
VSU
Publication Date
Description
Report describing filtration, distillation, and disinfection methods of water treatment.
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
A info sheet providing information on ENERGY STAR certified water heaters and the various criteria water heaters must undergo to become ENERGY STAR certified, including metrics on efficiency and performance.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document outlining a well-detailed drainage plane and flashings.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document providing guidance on water management concepts and applications for residential buildings.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing current research, summarizes issues that have been experienced with current best practices, and recommends ways in which the best practices can be improved for water managing sheathings.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing details that serve as a visual reference for each of the line items in the Water Management System Builder Checklist.
Organization(s)
Secure Aqua
Publication Date
Description
Article describing different types of water softeners and how they work.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Web page providing links or specifications for homes to be labeled through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the home certification organization, Home Innovation Research Labs and their requirements for whole house water management in a checklist format as well their compliance with certified Water Rating Index (WRI), organization scope, and information verifiers.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the home certification program CHEERS and its requirements for whole house water management in a checklist format.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the home certification organization, Green Builder Coalition and their requirements for whole house water management in a checklist format.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the home certification program, Home Innovation Research Labs' requirements for whole house water management in a checklist format.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the home certification organization, RESNET and its requirements for whole house water management in a checklist format as well as the scope, information verifiers, and partners of the program.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing how the Environmental Protection Agency ensures labeled homes meet the WaterSense efficiency requirements for whole house water management including a list of requirements and a data chart.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
This fact sheet outlines the requirements for WaterSense® labeled bathroom sink faucets, detailing their water-efficient features, compliance with flow rate standards, how they are tested, how they are built, and how they are verified to ensure their quality and compliance with conservation and...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the requirements for EPA WaterSense® certified clothes washers that highlights the integrated water factor, integrated modified energy factor, top-loading vs. front-loading specifications, efficiency code standards, local requirements, faucet types and regulations for building...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the requirements for EPA WaterSense® certified dishwashers that highlights water cycle specifications, efficiency code standards, water consumption level relation to criteria, the advantages of ENERGY STAR dishwashers, and the regulations for building and verifying a labeled...
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing a comprehensive set of protocols for detecting, addressing, and preventing water leaks in homes, covering pressure-loss testing, visual inspections, and specific leak tests for fixtures and appliances to ensure water efficiency, water management, and high preformance of...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing four different efficient hot water delivery (HWD) systems, the trunk-and branch, core, whole-house manifold, and recirculation, with emphasis on system schematics, piping materials, and regulations to design and verify the systems ensuring that they meet the quality and water...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the requirements for EPA WaterSense® certified kitchen faucets that highlights flow rate specifications, efficiency code standards, local requirements, faucet types and regulations for building and verifying a labeled faucet to ensure it meets the quality and water management...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing water-efficient landscaping through informed landscape design and plant selection, outlining considerations for climate, soil, and maintenance, as well as emphasizing the benefits of native and drought-tolerant plants, all within the context of achieving water efficiency...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing how to effectively build, implement, and verify leak detection and flow monitoring systems, detailing their significance in identifying and preventing leaks, selecting appropriate devices, installation procedures, and verification protocols within the context of water...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the significance of managing service water pressure within recommended ranges through the installation of pressure-regulating valves (PRVs), emphasizing their role in preventing damage, conserving energy, and ensuring water-efficient operation in residential properties; There...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
This fact sheet describes the requirements for WaterSense® labeled showerheads in, highlighting their water-saving capabilities, adherence to flow rate criteria, independent performance certification, and how they're built, verified and in alignment with the conservation and water management goals...
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
This fact sheet outlines the mandatory inclusion of WaterSense® labeled toilets in homes, highlighting their water-efficient features, certified performance, and leak prevention; The sheet describes the requirements for these features, steps to build, and steps to verify a labeled toilet to insure...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the implementation of water metering and submetering measures in residential properties, particularly multifamily buildings, to enhance water efficiency, usage tracking, and compliance with relevant regulations; It outlines how to build and verify water meters and submeters to...
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the importance and regulation of EPA WaterSense water softeners including the function of cation exchange water softeners, the importance of salt efficiency, the negative impact of hard water on household appliances, softeners that use demand-initiated regeneration with...
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Resource that provides a checklist of program criteria for water-efficient new homes under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Document describing the technical evaluation process for approving whole house certifications involving water management and efficiency.
Organization(s)
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Publication Date
Description
Manual showing how to properly use grass swales to manage excess water runoff.
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
A factsheet providing information on ENERGY STAR certified gas tankless water heaters with information on how they cut water heating expenses while providing a continuous delivery of hot water.
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
NSTAR
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about the moisture properties of wood.