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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 - 40 of 40

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)
Albuquerque Museum
Organization(s)
City of Albuquerque
Publication Date
Description
Power Point PDF presentation on historical architecture in New Mexico
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet providing background and technical information on Trombe wall design
Author(s)
Gromicko
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
Publication Date
Description
Webpage explaining how to site and orient a house to take advantage of the solar path.
Author(s)
Tartarini Federico,
Schiavon Stefano,
Cheung Toby,
Hoyt Tyler
Organization(s)
Center for the Built Environment,
CBE,
University of California Berkeley,
UC Berkeley,
SinBerBEST,
Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore,
BEARS
Publication Date
Description
Online tool for thermal comfort calculations and visualizations SoftwareX 12, 100563 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2020.100563
Author(s)
UCLA Energy Design Tools Group
Organization(s)
Regents of the University of California,
Society of Building Science Educators
Publication Date
Description
Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Williamson Jim
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Research report anayzing the results of a large retrofit project, turining an old school into near zero energy consumption apartments in Greenfield MA.
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)
Solar Decathlon,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website for the U.S. DOE Solar Decathlon competition.
Author(s)
Morris Nathan B,
Chaseling Georgia K,
English Timothy,
Gruss Fabian,
Maideen Mohammad Fauzan Bin,
Capon Anthony,
Jay Ollie
Organization(s)
University of Sydney,
University of Copenhagen,
University of Montreal,
Monash University,
The Lancet Planetary Health,
The Lancet Group
Publication Date
Description
Study testing the effect of fan cooling on healthy adults at increased ambient temperatures.
Author(s)
Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure providing information on the design of the EPA Region 8 headquarters in Denver, CO.
Author(s)
Jeremy Williams
Organization(s)
The Earthbound Report
Publication Date
Description
Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.
Author(s)
Parker,
Sherwin,
Hermelink
Organization(s)
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report about an experimental evaluation has been conducted on a night sky cooling system designed to substantially reduce space cooling needs in homes in North American climates.
Author(s)
Cook Jeffrey,
Martin Marlo,
Chandra Subrato,
Yellott John,
Labs Kenneth,
Clark Gene
Organization(s)
MIT Press,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
MIT
Publication Date
Description
Book describing passive cooling techniques from a technical and academic perspective.
Author(s)
Williams College
Organization(s)
Williams College
Publication Date
Description
Article from Williams College on the key elements of passive solar design for homes.
Author(s)
City of Plymouth MN
Organization(s)
City of Plymouth MN
Publication Date
Description
City of Plymouth webpage providing information on the Plymouth Community Center Project.
Author(s)
Energy Information Administration
Organization(s)
EIA
Publication Date
Description
Data tables on U.S. renewable energy consumption and general trends in the market for renewable energy.
Author(s)
Smarter Homes NZ
Organization(s)
Smarter Homes NZ
Publication Date
Description
Article from Smarter Homes NZ on home building techniques that incorporate passive cooling.
Author(s)
Solar Pathfinder
Organization(s)
Solar Pathfinder
Publication Date
Description
Tool determining the most economical and efficient photovoltaic array location and position.
Author(s)
Solmetric Inc.
Organization(s)
Solmetric Inc.
Publication Date
Description
Handheld solar site analysis tool capturing whole-horizon images for a site and generating shading analysis reports.
Author(s)
Don Prowler and Joseph Bourg
Organization(s)
Whole Building Design Guide
Publication Date
Description
Article providing fundamental information and recommendations for shading windows for energy savings.
Author(s)
Reardon,
McGee,
Milne
Organization(s)
Australian Government
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing guidance on the use of thermal mass with passive heating and cooling strategies.
Author(s)
Baggs David,
Mortensen Neal
Organization(s)
Australian Council of Building Design Professions Ltd,
BDP
Publication Date
Description
Design guide providing technical information regarding building with thermal mass.
Author(s)
Habian Bob
Organization(s)
National Council of Structural Engineers Association NCSEA
Publication Date
Description
Article detailing a case study in which thermal mass was used as part of an overall Net Zero solution for a university building.
Author(s)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Description
Technical fact sheet describing proper operation, sizing, and installation of whole-house fans.
Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center
Organization(s)
University of Central Florida
Publication Date
Description
Web article providing information on how to reduce solar gains through windows.