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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 51 - 100 of 1555

2018 IPC - International Plumbing Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2018 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2018 IRC - International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2018 edition of code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less, bringing together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.

2018 IWUIC - International Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2018 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...

2018 Long-term National Seismic Hazard Map

Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
Organization(s)
USGS
Publication Date
A colored map showing seismic zones across the United States, ranging from lowest to highest seismic hazards.

2018 Uniform Plumbing Code

Author(s)
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
Organization(s)
IAPMO
Publication Date
Code set from IAPMO explaining plumbing standards. 2018 publication.

2019 California Building Code, Title 24, Part 2

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Building code for the state of California providing the building rules and regulations as well as disaster resistance tools.

2020 Minnesota State Mechanical Code Plan Review

Author(s)
Rosival Chris
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry,
MN Department of Labor and Industry
Publication Date
A presentation on the 2020 State Mechanical Code for easier understanding.

2021 ASHRAE Handbook - Fundamentals

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Guidebook covering basic principles and data used in the HVAC&R industry. This is the 2021 edition of the handbook, which can be purchased physically or digitally at the reference link in versions using either I-P units of measurement or SI units of measurement.

2021 IBC - International Building Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code for commercial buildings that brings together all structural, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for all buildings except detached one- and two-family residences and townhouses up to three stories.

2021 IECC - International Energy Conservation Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing a baseline for energy efficiency by setting performance standards for the building envelope (defined as the boundary that separates heated/cooled air from unconditioned, outside air), mechanical systems, lighting systems and service water heating systems in homes...

2021 IFC - International Fire Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing regulations involving life and property safety from fires and explosion hazards, including emergency planning, fire department access and water supply, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and hazardous materials planning and storage.

2021 IFGC - International Fuel Gas Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing a baseline for the design and installation of fuel gas systems and gas fired appliances through performance requirements.

2021 IMC - International Mechanical Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.

2021 IPC - International Plumbing Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for plumbing facilities, including fixtures, water heaters, water supply and distribution, sanitary drainage, storm drainage, etc.

2021 IRC - International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 edition of code for residential buildings that creates minimum regulations for one- and two-family dwellings of three stories or less, bringing together all building, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, energy and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.

2021 IWUIC - International Wildland-Urban Interface Code

Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
2021 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...

4 Products for Enhancing Air Flow in Dryer Vents

Author(s)
Bailes Allison
Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Article describing products that can enhance the efficiency and safety of clothes dryer vents.

5 Ways to Protect Your Home From Wildfires

Author(s)
McGuigan Connor
Organization(s)
Sierra Club
Publication Date
Article from the Sierra Club explaining 5 steps to take to ensure your home's resistance to wildfires, including site maintenance and roof construction guidelines.

9 Recommended Practices for Cold-Climate Ductless Heat Pump Installations

Author(s)
BetterBuilt NW
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Publication Date
Web page describing essential guidelines and recommendations for optimal installation of ductless heat pumps in cold climates, ensuring maximum heating performance and long-term satisfaction for homeowners, supported by research-backed insights and detailed resources.

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Guide providing information for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.

A Community Guide to Factory-Built Housing

Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Document describing advancement in factory built housing innovations.

A Feasibility Study: Ductless Hydronic Distribution systems with Fan Coil Delivery

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
Research study estimating potential energy savings relative to conventional ducted air distribution, and identifying equipment requirements, costs, and barriers.

A Guide to Preserving Trees in Development Projects

Author(s)
Elmendorf William,
Gerhold Henry,
Kuhns Larry
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania State University Extension
Publication Date
Article describing tree health, environmental considerations, and details on how to preserve trees.

A guide to residential energy storage and rooftop solar: State net metering policies and utility rate tariff structures

Author(s)
Kerby Jessica,
Tarekegne Bethel
Organization(s)
PNNL,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Article describing utility rates, net metering policies, installation costs, financial incentives, and other info for both consumers who are interested in installing renewable energy systems and for energy justice and clean energy advocates.

A Plug-and-Play Duct System Evaluation

Author(s)
Beach Robert,
Dickson B,
Grisolia A,
Poerschke A,
Rapport A
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
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...

A Practical Guide to Climate-resilient Buildings & Communities

Author(s)
UN Environment Programme
Organization(s)
United Nations
Publication Date
Guidance document from the UN environment programme on climate-resilient buildings and communities practices, including guidance on heat waves, drought, hurricanes, and flooding.

A Realistic Hot Water Draw Specification for Rating Solar Water Heaters

Author(s)
Burch Jay,
Thornton Jeff
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Thermal Energy System Specialists,
TESS
Publication Date
Document outlining the current and the proposed draws and estimates typical ratings changes from draw specification changes for typical systems in four cities.

A simplified model for estimating population-scale energy impacts of building envelope air-tightening and mechanical ventilation retrofits

Author(s)
Logue,
Turner,
Walker,
Singer
Organization(s)
LBNL,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
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...

AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS — North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights

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
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...

About Attic Ventilation

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Energy Star web page providing guidance on attic ventilation.

ABTCO Estimating and Installation Guide

Author(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Organization(s)
ABTCO Vinyl Siding
Publication Date
Vinyl siding estimating and installation guide for vinyl siding products.

AC Comfort

Author(s)
AC Comfort
Organization(s)
AC Comfort
Publication Date
Website containing commercial information related to air conditioning and heating.

AC115 Acceptance Criteria for Waterproof Membranes for Flooring and Shower Lining

Author(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
Organization(s)
International Code Council
Publication Date
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.

ACCA Manual J - Residential Load Calculation

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Standard covering equipment sizing loads for single-family-detached homes, small multi-unit structures, condo­miniums, town houses and manufactured homes.

ACCA Manual RS - Comfort, Air Quality, and Efficiency by Design

Author(s)
Rutkowski
Organization(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Publication Date
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.

ACCA Manual S - Residential Equipment Selection

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
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.

ACCA Manual ZR – Residential Zoning Systems

Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Technical manual from ACCA outlining correct methods for zoning of residential HVAC systems.