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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 51 - 100 of 130 results:

Firebreak - Wildfire Resilience Strategies for Real Estate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Urban Land Institute
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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.

Fixing an Expansion Tank with Excess Water

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
PEX Universe
·
Organization(s)
PEX Universe
Description
A webpage discussing how water heater expansion tanks operate and how to repair them.

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.

Garage Performance Testing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Health Canada,
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
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Organization(s)
CMHC,
Environment Canada
Description
Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.

GLP Emissions Criteria

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Carpet and Rug Institute
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Organization(s)
CRI
Description
Document describing the emissions criteria for carpets, cushions, and adhesives to qualify as those with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions under the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality Testing Program.

GREENGUARD Certification for Paints and Coatings

Publication Date
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Author(s)
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
·
Organization(s)
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
Description
Standard describing GREENGUARD Emission Criteria for use with GREENGUARD Certification Program for Low Emitting Products.

Hazard and Risk Assessment Maps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
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Organization(s)
USGS
Description
Webpage providing maps and information to assess the particular hazards and risks for an area.

Health Problems Caused by Secondhand Smoke

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Office on Smoking and Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
·
Organization(s)
OSH,
NCCDPHP,
CDC
Description
Webpage that describes health problems that can be caused by secondhand smoke.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
et al.
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Organization(s)
CDC,
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD,
NIH
Description
Homeowner guidance from CDC, EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on how to safely clean up mold issues following flooding from a natural disaster.

How to Choose a Room Air Cleaner

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Park Ga-Young
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. EPA,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Description
Article describing considerations for choosing a room-level air cleaner to improve indoor air quality.

How to Find Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Companion document to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, providing guidance on identifying compliant products, including industry databases and examples of product labeling.

IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction

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

Indoor Air Pollution from Cooking

Publication Date
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Author(s)
California Air Resources Board,
California Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
CARB,
CalEPA
Description
Article describing ways home owners can improve ventilation in their kitchens.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Webpage describing indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality Certification

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Scientific Certification Systems
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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 airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website helping builders, designers, and home energy raters find products that are compliant with the EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification requirements for low-emission materials.

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.

Indoor AirPlus Program Documents

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website providing the technical specifications and related documents for home builders, subcontractors, architects, and other housing professionals interested in certifying a home to the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program requirements.

Lead: Worker and Employer Guide to Hazards and Recommended Controls

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
·
Organization(s)
EPA,
HUD,
NIH,
OSHA
Description
Guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA on worker and employer interactions with lead contaminants.

List of Codes & Standards

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
·
Organization(s)
NFPA
Description
Webpage published by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) that lists more than 300 consensus codes and standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks.

Low-Cost Radon Reduction Pilot Study

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Francisco Paul W.,
Rose William B,
Merrin Zachary
·
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
Indoor Climate Research and Training,
Illinois Sustainable Technology Center,
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report on the impact of air sealing between the foundation and the living space on radon transport reduction across the foundation and living space floor assembly at fifteen home.

Map of Radon Zones

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website providing links to the EPA developed map of radon risk in the United States.

Measure Guideline: Combustion Safety for Natural Draft Appliances Using Indoor Air

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Brand Larry
·
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy
Description
This measure guideline provides guidance on combustion safety inspection procedures for appliances and heating equipment that use indoor air for combustion and dilution of flue gases in low-rise residential buildings.

Measure Guideline: Condensing Boilers - Optimizing Efficiency and Response Time During Setback Operation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Arena Lois
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report providing step-by-step instructions for heating contractors and hydronic designers for selecting the proper control settings to maximize system performance and improve response time when using a thermostat setback.

Mesothelioma.net

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Mesothelioma.net
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Organization(s)
Mesothelioma.net
Description
Website providing medical information about malignant mesothelioma, a cancer related to asbestos exposure.

Moisture, Mold and Construction Practices

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Gypsum Company
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Organization(s)
U.S. Gypsum Company
Description
Brochure discussing specific practices for mitigating moisture and mold during the construction process.

Mold

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Online course describing mold and mold remediation for environmental and public health professionals.

Mold Course

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Brennan Terry
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Description
Online course providing an overview of mold prevention and mold remediation.

Mold: Worker and Employer Guide to Hazards and Recommended Controls

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
·
Organization(s)
EPA,
HUD,
NIH,
OSHA
Description
Worker guidance from EPA, HUD, NIH, and OSHA on how to deal with mold in homes following natural disasters.

National HVAC Design Report 1

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
This report is designed to meet ASHRAE 62.2-2010/2013 and ANSI/ACCA’s 5 QI-2015 protocol, thereby improving the performance of HVAC equipment in new homes when compared to homes built to minimum code.

Particulate Matter

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Lung Association
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Organization(s)
ALA
Description
American Lung Association web page providing information on particulate matter and indoor air quality.

Particulate Matter (PM) Basics

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Article describing particulate matter (PM), what it is, how it can be harmful, and what can be done about it.

Particulate Matter (PM) Pollution

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Website describing particulate matter (PM) pollution.

Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website from the EPA containing information for homeowners and renters about how to identify asbestos in the home and how to deal with it to reduce exposure to it.