Library | Building America Solution Center

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 - 16 of 16

Development of a Residential Smart Range Hood

Author(s)

Moore Mike,

Bowles Sam,

Lyons James,

Nebbia Joe

Organization(s)

Newport Partners

Publication Date

January, 2020

Report detailing the value of a smart range hood (SRH) that was developed as part of a project aimed at addressing indoor air quality (IAQ) health risks by targeting key pollutants in residential kitchens, with a focus on being consumer-friendly, quiet, effective, and efficient, meeting established...

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series - Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC); Water Heating; Appliances; and Refrigeration

Author(s)

Goetzler Bill,

Guernsey Matt,

Kassuga Theo

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report evaluating HVAC building technologies based on their ability to provide grid services and the type of value provided, including efficiency, load shed, load shift, and modulation.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series - Lighting and Electronics

Author(s)

Nubbe Valerie,

Yamada Mary

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report evaluating lighting and electronic building technologies based on their ability to provide grid services and the type of value provided, including efficiency, load shed, load shift, and modulation.

High-Efficiency Window Air Conditioners

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Factsheet profiling a simple modification that can be made to window air-conditioners to improve their energy efficiency.

How Energy Efficient are Modern Dishwashers?

Author(s)

Hoak David,

Parker Danny S,

Hermelink Andreas H

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

August, 2008

Report about measurements of three recent vintage dishwashers of very different efficiencies showing that while they are substantially more efficient than older dishwashers.

How To Use the EnergyGuide Label To Shop for Home Appliances

Author(s)

Federal Trade Commission

Organization(s)

FTC

Publication Date

August, 2020

FTC website explaining the usefulness of the EnergyGuide label when shopping for home appliances.

Interior Water Management, Info-306

Author(s)

Building Science Corporation

Organization(s)

BSC

Publication Date

May, 2009

Article discussing indoor water management.

Makeup Air for Range Hoods

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Publication Date

November, 2010

If your kitchen has a powerful exhaust fan, it may be pulling air down your chimney or water-heater flue.

Reducing Energy Use in Existing Homes by 30%: Learning From Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

Author(s)

Liaukus Christine

Organization(s)

Building America Research Alliance,

BARA,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2014

Research project aimed to verify whether homes in the New Jersey HPwES program achieved 30% source energy savings, and if so, what measures were implemented to achieve them.

Results of Laboratory Testing of Advanced Power Strips

Author(s)

Earle Lieko,

Sparn Bethany

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

August, 2012

Report summarizing the results of laboratory testing of 20 advanced power strip products.

Servicing High Efficiency Boilers Part 2

Author(s)

Eatherton Mark

Organization(s)

Contractor Magazine

Publication Date

May, 2009

Second part of an article series focusing on servicing high efficiency modcon boilers. This part focuses on paperwork and follow-up communication with the homeowner for scheduling annual maintenance.

Servicing High Efficiency Modcon Boilers

Author(s)

Eatherton Mark

Organization(s)

Contractor Magazine

Publication Date

April, 2009

Article describing the author's experiences in owning and servicing a modcon boiler.

Solar Water Heaters

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

May, 2012

Website describing how solar water heaters -- also called solar domestic hot water systems -- can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home.

The Facts about Clothes Dryer Exhaust Systems

Author(s)

Cranor John

Organization(s)

American Society of Home Inspectors,

ASHI

Publication Date

April, 2005

Article outlining the importance of keeping dryer exhaust ducts clean.

WaterSense Labeled Homes Technical Sheet: Kitchen Faucets

Author(s)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

WaterSense

Organization(s)

EPA,

WaterSense

Publication Date

January, 2023

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...

What Are Seismic Shut-Off Valves?

Author(s)

MBS Engineering

Organization(s)

MBS Engineering

Publication Date

September, 2020

An informational guide established to educate the public on seismic shut-off valves and how to avoid fires following an earthquake.