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Library

Explore this extensive library of building science guidance including research reports from DOE’s Building America program as well as hundreds of other articles, fact sheets, webpages, and reference documents related to constructing and renovating homes.

Showing 351 - 400 of 756 results:

How to Insulate a Basement Wall

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.

How To: Mounting Solar on Sips

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sughrue Patrick
·
Organization(s)
Premier SIPS Structural Insulated Panels,
Home Power Magazine
Description
A structural insulated panel (SIP) roof has no embedded lumber in the structure, and therefore nothing substantial for attaching PV array and solar hot water mounts. Single or double lumber splines could be put into the panels, or I-joists at 4-foot intervals could be added.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Re-Siding your Home?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Patricia Gunderson,
Theresa Gilbride
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Description
Factsheet describing re-siding retrofits containing exterior insulation and window upgrades aimed at improved energy savings and comfort.

Humidity Control: Supplemental Dehumidification in Hot-Humid Climates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
National Association of Home Builders,
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
HIRL,
NAHB,
ICC
Description
Fact Sheet describing the need for supplemental dehumidification, dehumidifier configuration options, and design considerations.

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Wood Frame Walls

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Florida Disaster
·
Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Description
Report describing the hurricane retrofit guide with focus on walls and wooded framed walls.

HVAC A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners, Volume 14

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report providing information about energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) equipment options to help homeowners cut their energy use, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase their homes comfort, health, and safety.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Raymer Paul H,
Moyer Neil
·
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

HVI Airflow Test Procedure

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
·
Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Publication specifying HVI’s prescriptive procedures for testing and rating airflow of residential ventilation products in accordance with ANSI consensus standards.

HVI Certification Program Policies and Procedures

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
·
Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Publication describing the requirements and procedures for the certified performance ratings program for residential ventilation products administered by the Home Ventilating Institute.

IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association
·
Organization(s)
SMACNA
Description
Book providing project management guidance in maintaining satisfactory indoor air quality (IAQ) of occupied buildings undergoing renovation or construction.

Impact of Residential Mechanical Ventilation on Energy Cost and Humidity Control

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Martin Eric
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS
Description
The study described in this white paper is based on building energy modeling with an important focus on the indoor humidity impacts of ventilation.

Improving Gas Furnace Performance: A Field and Laboratory Study at End of Life

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Brand Larry,
Baker Julie D,
Yee Shannon
·
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR
Description
Report examining the impacts that common installation practices and age- induced equipment degradation may have on the installed performance of natural gas furnaces, as measured by steady-state efficiency and AFUE.

Improving Recessed Lighting

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Report providing information about techniques and approaches to improve the efficiency of recessed lighting.

Indoor Air Quality Certification

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Scientific Certification Systems
·
Organization(s)
SCS
Description
Standard supporting indoor air quality performance by producers, purchasers and policy makers to improve the environmental performance of products and services.

Indoor Air Quality in 24 California Residences Designed as High-Performance Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.

Indoor Airflow – Perfect Balance vs. Door Undercut

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Guertin Mike
·
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Description
Central return designs require an open pathway between the room and the heart of the house where the return grill is located.

Indoor AirPlus Construction Specifications, Version 1 (Rev. 04)

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Document outlining specifications that were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize new homes equipped with a comprehensive set of indoor air quality (IAQ) features.

Inspecting the Dryer Exhaust

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
·
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Description
Article describing the correct installation of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.

Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.

Insulation: A Guide to Proper Installation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
North America Insulation Manufacturers Association,
Insulation Institute
·
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Description
Website providing builders with information about meeting RESNET Grade 1 criteria when installing insulation.

Investigation of Potential Benefits of Revising Exception 1 under “FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, ENERGY CONSERVATION, Section 101.4.7.1.1 Duct Sealing upon Equipment Replacement.”

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Report describing as-found interior platform return plenums, the magnitude of their contribution to the total amount of duct leakage, and techniques and results of retrofits executed by the HVAC trade during equipment replacement.

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
·
Organization(s)
BSC
Description
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.

Is There a Downside to High-MERV Filters?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Springer David
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Information sheet about efficiency and health benefits of MERV filters.

Is Your Home Ready for an Earthquake?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Yeats Robert
·
Organization(s)
Oregon State University
Description
Article describing dozens of ideas on how to retrofit a home so it is more earthquake ready.

JM Spider® Drill & Fill Installation Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Johns Manville
·
Organization(s)
Johns Manville
Description
The purpose for this document is to provide basic guidance on the use of proven installation techniques that can be used by installers to help ensure correct “dense pack” application of JM Spider® in drill & fill applications.

Laboratory Evaluation of Energy Recovery Ventilators

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kosar Douglas
·
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report targeting the growing number of homes utilizing deep retrofit measures and new construction practices to realize sufficiently lower infiltration levels that require mechanical ventilation as prescribed by ASHRAE Standard 62.2.