Library

A supplement to the 2012 Florida Building Code on energy efficiency and conservation.

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...

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.

Web page describing the benefits of attic fans, with rules for sizing fans and intake vents.

Blog article discussing pros and cons of attic ventilation fans.

Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Report covering interior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.

Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Document focusing on the design and wall components that contribute to a pressure equalized rain screen wall, including the frequency of the weep holes and other brick masonry rain screen wall requirements.

Book presenting the best techniques for energy and resource efficient residential construction in the colder climates of North America.

Web based tool providing decision-making guidance for selecting wall assembly components.

Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.

Website of the Cold Climate Housing Research Center.

Website providing data indicating climate change.

Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.

Website providing weather data.

Report assessing the science of climate change with a focus on the U.S.

Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.

Article about how mortar droppings during the installation of a brick veneer can clog the weep holes in the wall assembly causing moisture damage. The article also illustrates products that can be installed in the ventilated cavity to mitigate this problem.

Webpage explaining what causes the formation of ice dams on roofs and steps to take to prevent them.

Report covering exterior energy retrofits of masonry buildings.

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.

A map describing the average temperature of shallow groundwater in Fahrenheit across the continental United States.

Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

A publication developed by the U.S. Forest Service for its employees and other federal agency staff describing erosion control methods.

Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.

Report that demonstrates the durability, constructability, and cost-effectiveness of the extended plate and beam (EP&B) wall system for new construction housing projects in compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code, addressing moisture risk management and high-performance envelope...

Technical report detailing the vulnerabilities of the U.S. electric grid to weather-related failures.

Document discussing methods to bioengineer stabilization of shorelines using living and non-living plant materials in combination, known as the “Living Shorelines” concept.

Website providing maps for natural disaster risk in the United States.

Updated wildfire risk assessment, community impacts, and building science measures following the disastrous 2020 wildfire season in the western U.S.

Article describing five fundamental changes to building construction from the last 50 years and their modern construction consequences.

This document includes tips for safely and effectively cleaning up a home after a flood. It is available in several languages.

Website providing series of short how-to videos, infographics and more resources on cleaning up a home after a flood.

Report analyzing the effect of global climate change on national interests, and providing climate predictions.

Article describing issues with attic ventilation fans and why the state of Georgia residential code does not allow plug-in attic ventilation fans.

Document describing amendments to IECC 2015 to create the Georgia State Minimum Standard Energy Code.

Website with prepopulated information about the United States renewable resources.

A website providing free access to a variety of U.S. and international maps.

A starting point for ballparking and comparing the cost of different siding materials and a brief overview of the pros and cons of different siding materials.

A report describing how to build a high-performance affordable house to achieve 30% whole house energy savings in the mixed-humid climate region.

Article describing how omission of two small but critical wall details, a kick-out flashing and a weep screed, lead to extensive water damage to a wall.

Guide detailing best practices on how to build wall assemblies with absorptive claddings such as brick, stone that drain and dry well.

Article describing methods for designing and constructing multifamily buildings with insulating concrete forms (ICFs).

Blog article citing the risks and downsides of attic ventilation fans from a building science perspective.

Article describing walls and moisture development on them.

Web page describing how to identify heat-related illness and how to prevent it.