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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 - 17 of 17

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.

Affordable Solid Panel "Perfect Wall" System

Author(s)
Schirber Tom,
Jacobson Rolf,
Handeen Dan,
Mosiman Garrett,
Huelman Patrick
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report describing the SPS (Structural Panel System), an innovative implementation of the "perfect wall" concept, situating environmental control layers on the exterior side of structural components for improved constructability, cost-effectiveness, and performance, validated through the...

ASTM E84 - 22 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
ASTM standard test method for surface burning response of different building materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2022 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018...

Development and Validation of Algorithms That Analyze Communicating Thermostat Data to Identify Enclosure Retrofit Opportunities

Author(s)
Zeifman Michael,
Roth Kurt
Organization(s)
Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Technical report describing algorithms that use communicating thermostat heating data and that were developed to optimize customer adoption of energy conservation measures, enhancing the identification of retrofit opportunities, estimating post-retrofit energy savings, and enabling home-specific...

DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website listing implementation timelines and links to various versions of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home national program requirements.

Efficient Earth-Sheltered Homes

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.

FEMA Flood Maps

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website describing and providing links to FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, which home owners and builders can use to determine the flood risk of their location.

FEMA National Risk Index: Tsunamis

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Website describing and providing a map showing the tsunami risk index for the United States, which home owners and builders can use to determine the tsunami risk of their location.

Flood Preparedness

Author(s)
California Department of Water Resources
Organization(s)
DWR
Publication Date
Website providing information to the public about preparing for floods and floods related to fires.

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.

Guide to Determining Climate Zone by County: Building America and IECC 2021 Updates

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Antonopoulos Chrissi A,
Margiotta Evan R,
Kaltreider Christian E
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,
EERE
Publication Date
Report identifying Building America and 2021 International Energy Conservation Code climate zone designations for every county in the United States; where a county's climate zone designation has changed since the 2018 IECC, that change is indicated as well.

Rebuild Healthy Homes App - (IOS)

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
App developed by HUD to assist homeowners with lead paint and other hazards common to older homes.

Top 20 Largest California Wildfires

Author(s)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Organization(s)
Cal Fire
Publication Date
Webpage with data on the 20 largest wildfires in California that occurred between the year 1932 and present day.

Wildfire-Resistant Buildings

Author(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction
Publication Date
Article describing ways to design and construct a building to resist wildfires.