Skip to main content

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 1 - 50 of 119 results:

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Guide providing information for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth.

A Guide to Residential Energy Storage and Rooftop Solar: State Net Metering Policies and Utility Rate Tariff Structures

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kerby Jessica,
Tarekegne Bethel
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
Article describing utility rates, net metering policies, installation costs, financial incentives, and other info for both consumers who are interested in installing renewable energy systems and for energy justice and clean energy advocates.

Aeroseal: Our Process

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Aeroseal
·
Organization(s)
Aeroseal
Description
A website explaining the process of sealing a home with Aeroseal & how the technology is used to seal holes in the air ducts and vents of the home.

Air Sealing - Seal Air Leaks and Save Energy!

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE,
SEI
Description
Brochure describing the benefits of air-sealing for homeowners.

APA The Engineered Wood Association Homepage

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
·
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Description
Website homepage of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, a nonprofit trade association combining the research efforts of scientists and engineers, APA promotes new solutions and improved processes that benefit the entire industry.

ASCE Ground Snow Loads

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Wilkerson
·
Organization(s)
Medeek Design
Description
Webpage providing mapping tool for obtaining ground snow load, based on ASCE 7-10, for any location in the contiguous United States, with the exception of locations requiring a case study due to extreme local variations in ground snow loads. Fee required for some data.

Attic Ventilation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
·
Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Web page describing the benefits of attic fans, with rules for sizing fans and intake vents.

Attic Venting, Attic Moisture, and Ice Dams

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
·
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Government of Canada
Description
Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Avoiding Moisture Problems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
·
Organization(s)
National Association for State Community Services Programs,
NASCSP,
Weatherization Training Center at Penn College,
Pennsylvania College of Technology,
PCT
Description
Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.

Be Prepared For Extreme Heat, FEMA V-1004

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Best Practices Manual

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
·
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Description
This Best Practices Manual is the product of Hammer & Hand’s ongoing work to document and internally codify our standard operating procedures for construction practice.

Builder's Guide to Cold Climates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Book presenting the best techniques for energy and resource efficient residential construction in the colder climates of North America.

Ceiling Fans - Tips for Maximizing Energy Savings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Calwell Chris,
Horowitz Noah
·
Organization(s)
Massachusetts Department of Energy,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Home Energy Magazine,
State of Massachusetts
Description
Article describing customer tip sheet and how ceiling fans are one of the most popular and generally well regarded of all home energy efficiency features.

Change Is In the Air

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
The Cadmus Group
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD
Description
This is a guide for establishing smoke-free policies in public housing and multifamily properties.

Climate Consultant

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Milne Murray
·
Organization(s)
Society of Building Science Educators,
SBSE,
University of California Los Angeles,
UCLA
Description
Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.

Climate Research

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
·
Organization(s)
NOAA
Description
Website providing weather data.

Coastal Construction Manual - Principles and Practices of Planning, Siting, Designing, Constructing, and Maintaining Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, Fourth edition, Volume I, FEMA P-55

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Coulbourne William,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
Applied Technology Council,
ATC,
URS Group,
DK Low and Associates,
Atkins,
TLSmith Consulting
Description
Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

Color and Mood

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
A website explaining the various shades of light, from warm to cool colors, with a visual diagram illustrating the various shades of light.

Comfort in High-Performance Homes in a Hot-Humid Climate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Beach Robert,
Poerschke Andrew
·
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report describing how space-conditioning systems are operating in the field and if these systems are meeting required standards.

Consumer Tips for a Post-Disaster Home Restoration

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
·
Organization(s)
HUD
Description
Brochure helping homeowners identify hazards, work with contractors to remove the hazards, help ensure the work is done properly, and educate when they can return safely to the home.

Dealing with and preventing ice dams

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
University of Minnesota Extension
·
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota
Description
Webpage explaining what causes the formation of ice dams on roofs and steps to take to prevent them.

Designing Houses That Keep Their Cool

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Wilson Alex
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Description
Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.

Earthquake Home Hazard Hunt, FEMA 528

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Poster describing earthquake safety tips and protection measures to take at home.

Ecosystems Research

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
A map describing the average temperature of shallow groundwater in Fahrenheit across the continental United States.

Energy Auditor - Single Family 2.0: Attic Ventilation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Weatherization Assistance Program
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

ENERGY STAR Certified Ceiling Fans

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.

ENERGY STAR® Certified Heat Pump Water Heaters Sales Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Description
Informational guide describing the benefits, functionality, and cost savings of ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump water heaters, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting incentives.

Erosion Control Treatment Selection Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
·
Organization(s)
USDA,
USDA Forest Service
Description
A publication developed by the U.S. Forest Service for its employees and other federal agency staff describing erosion control methods.

Excessive Heat Events Guidebook

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.

FEMA Bioengineered Shoreline Stabilization

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Document discussing methods to bioengineer stabilization of shorelines using living and non-living plant materials in combination, known as the “Living Shorelines” concept.

FEMA National Risk Index

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Website providing maps for natural disaster risk in the United States.

Firebreak - Wildfire Resilience Strategies for Real Estate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Urban Land Institute
·
Organization(s)
Urban Land Institute
Description
Updated wildfire risk assessment, community impacts, and building science measures following the disastrous 2020 wildfire season in the western U.S.

Flood Cleanup Infographic

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
This document includes tips for safely and effectively cleaning up a home after a flood. It is available in several languages.

Flooded Homes Cleanup Guidance

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website providing series of short how-to videos, infographics and more resources on cleaning up a home after a flood.

For Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center
·
Organization(s)
FSEC
Description
Website with information for consumers about solar thermal systems for homes.

Formaldehyde

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.