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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 - 27 of 27

Author(s)
Joseph Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.
Author(s)
Joseph Lstiburek
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.
Author(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the causes that form ice dams, as well as solutions for preventing future ice dams on roofs, focusing on air sealing to prevent hot air leakage.
Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Software tool available free online that can help calculate heating and cooling requirements to accurately size HVAC equipment in as little as 15 minutes.
Author(s)
Springer David,
Dakin Bill,
German Alea
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Guideline that provides information on properly applying, designing, and installing mechanical ventilation cooling systems for homes located in located in hot-dry and cold-dry climates, as well as a means of understanding the benefits, costs, and tradeoffs of these systems.
Author(s)
Weitzel,
German,
Porse
Organization(s)
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Report presenting performance results from tests conducted on an energy efficiency retrofit project in Stockton, California.
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing guidance for homeowners on how much snow weight a typical roof can handle and when to consider removing snow from the roof.
Author(s)
Paul Fisette
Organization(s)
UMass Amherst Department of Environmental Conservation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how ice dams form on residential roofs, how they damage homes, and solutions to prevent future dams.
Author(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Organization(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Publication Date
Description
Ice dam fact sheet from Wisconsin Focus on Energy explaining how to prevent future ice dams on homes by learning about their formation and mitigation of contributing factors.
Author(s)
IBHS DisasterSafety
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
List of recommendations from IBHS on how to protect homes from ice dam formation.
Author(s)
Kenneth Hellevang
Organization(s)
NDSU
Publication Date
Description
Webpage explaining how to mitigate heat loss through roofs for ice dam prevention.
Author(s)
Shapiro Carl,
Aldrich Robb,
Arena Lois
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing procedures for increasing sensible efficiencies through increased flow rates across the air handling unit and increased indoor coil sizes.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about insulation retrofits for the hot-dry climate zones.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about exterior insulation in the hot-dry climate zones.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about HVAC equipment design to maximize energy efficiency in the hot-dry climate zone.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing solar PV upgrade for an existing homes.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing tankless hot water heating systems in existing homes.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing solar hot water systems in existing homes.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information about a roof retrofit using a metal, cool roof system.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet describing tankless hot water heating systems in existing homes.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about envelope and roof moisture control retrofit for a home.
Author(s)
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about window retrofit strategies for hot-dry climates.
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)
Cold Climate Housing Research Center
Organization(s)
CCHRC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing how different amounts and types of snow loads affect the structural integrity of roofs and homes.