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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 - 23 of 23

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2017 - Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard establishing a test procedure for evaluating the performance of air-cleaning devices as a function of particle size. This is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2017, and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. The ASHRAE bookstore also...

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2016 - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Standard that defines the roles of and minimum requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation systems and the building envelope intended to provide acceptable indoor air quality in low-rise residential buildings. This version of the standard was published in the year 2016, and is available for...

Ceiling Fan Basics

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENRGY STAR webpage discussing the basics of certified ceiling fans.

Ceilings and Attics

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Organization(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
ORNL
Publication Date
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Code Notes: Residential Fan Efficiency

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Dam Ice Dam, BSI-046

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.

ENERGY STAR Ventilation Fans

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR overview on certified ventilation fans.

EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, Version 1 (Rev. 04)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website providing the technical specifications and related documents for home builders, subcontractors, architects, and other housing professionals interested in certifying a home to the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program requirements.

Fans, Ventilating for Consumers

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
DOE,
EPA
Publication Date
Information sheet about the benefits of purchasing and installing ENERGY STAR rated fans and ventilation products.

Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Report about opportunities for ventilation when traditional methods are limited by weather conditions or by contaminants in the outdoor air.

Integrated Ventilation System Increases Energy Efficiency and Ease of Installations

Author(s)
NREL
Organization(s)
NREL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the newly developed Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System (VICS) that reduces space requirements and eliminates costly ductwork for separate heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, all while enhancing performance, addressing the demand for energy-efficient homes, and...

Inward Drive – Outward Drying, BSI-061

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Report covering reservoir claddings, back ventilation and vapor throttles.

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.

Research and Development of a Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System

Author(s)
Puttagunta Srikanth,
Aldrich Robb,
Cleary Barnett
Organization(s)
Steven Winter Associates,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report describing the research and development of the Ventilation-Integrated Comfort System (VICS) which is a specifically designed, energy-efficient solution that seamlessly integrates with low-capacity, ducted heating, and cooling systems, offering controllable, balanced energy recovery...

Understanding Attic Ventilation, BSD-102

Author(s)
Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
BSD-102 report providing guidance about whether to construct a vented or unvented attic based on hygro-thermal zone.

Vented Eve or Soffit Baffles

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
NREL webpage with information to keep attic ventilation up to code and protected from wind washing.

Weatherstripping

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Information sheet explaining how weatherstripping can be an easy and cost-effective way to save money on energy costs and improve comfort by reducing drafts.

What Is a Weep Hole and Its Purpose?

Author(s)
Krejci Cassie,
Muncaster John
Organization(s)
Polyguard
Publication Date
An article describing a way to protect drain and ventilation holes in brick veneer siding against pests. Selecting a fine screen mesh opening (1/55-inch or 0.5-mm) is important to guard against small insects such as subterranean termites.

Whole House Fan Technology Fact Sheet

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
ORNL
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Brochure about how to install and use a whole-house fan.