Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 77 results:

2015 Residential Energy Consumption Survey - RECS Data

2015

U.S. Energy Information Administration

EIA

Federal statistics about national energy consumption in residential homes.

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

2012

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

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

2024

Kerby Jessica,

Tarekegne Bethel

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

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

2021

Aeroseal

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!

1999

Southface Energy Institute,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE,

SEI

Brochure describing the benefits of air-sealing for homeowners.

APA The Engineered Wood Association Homepage

2020

APA - The Engineered Wood Association

American Plywood Association,

APA

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.

Best Practices Manual

2018

Hammer & Hand

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.

Ceiling Fans - Tips for Maximizing Energy Savings

2008

Calwell Chris,

Horowitz Noah

Massachusetts Department of Energy,

Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

Home Energy Magazine,

State of Massachusetts

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

2014

The Cadmus Group

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,

HUD

This is a guide for establishing smoke-free policies in public housing and multifamily properties.

Choosing, Installing, and Operating an Efficient Swimming Pool Pump

2018

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

You can save energy and maintain a comfortable swimming pool temperature by using a smaller, higher efficiency pump and by operating it less.

Climate Science Special Report 4th National Climate Assessment Vol 1

2017

U.S. Global Change Research Program

USGCRP,

Climate Science Special Report,

CSSR

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

Closed Crawl Space Performance: Proof of Concept in the Production Builder Marketplace

2008

Dastur Cyrus,

Mauceri Maria,

Hannas Benjamin

Advanced Energy

Report aimed to quantify the impact of closed crawlspaces in new homes, and investigate modeling software to ensure accuracy of energy consumption predictions in these homes.

Closed Crawl Spaces - An Introduction to Design, Construction and Performance

2005

Dastur Cyrus,

Davis Bruce,

Warren William E

Advanced Energy

Guide about designing and installing closed crawlspaces in the Southeast.

Color and Mood

2024

ENERGY STAR

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

2016

Beach Robert,

Poerschke Andrew

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing how space-conditioning systems are operating in the field and if these systems are meeting required standards.

Comparison of Measured and Calculated Residential Cooling Loads

2007

Barnaby Charles S,

Wilcox Bruce A

American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,

ASHRAE

Technical report detailing a study in which actual cooling loads are compared to modeled cooling loads.

Concluding Two-Year Rulemaking, FTC Announces New EnergyGuide Label

2007

Federal Trade Commission

FTC

Article introducing the FTC’s new EnergyGuide label, including estimates of annual energy usage.

Construction and Demolition: How to Properly Dispose of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Equipment

2011

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

A website explaining how to properly dispose of old refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.

Consumer Tips for a Post-Disaster Home Restoration

2015

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD

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.

Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction - How to Fix Your Home

2016

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Report telling consumers how radon gets into a home and how to reduce radon entry into a home.

Digital Coast

2020

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA

Website helping communities address coastal issues with data, tools, and training resources.

Earthquake Home Hazard Hunt, FEMA 528

2014

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Poster describing earthquake safety tips and protection measures to take at home.

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) Frequently Asked Questions

2011

ENERGY STAR

A FAQ explaining the purpose of the Energy Independence and Security Act, a law which sets energy efficiency standards for lightbulbs.

ENERGY STAR Certified Ceiling Fans

2014

ENERGY STAR

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.

ENERGY STAR® Certified Heat Pump Water Heaters Sales Guide

2024

ENERGY STAR

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA

Informational guide describing the benefits, functionality, and cost savings of ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump water heaters, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting incentives.

ENERGY STAR® Program Requirements for Residential Windows, Doors, and Skylights

2014

ENERGY STAR

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR specifications for residential window, door and skylights, Version 6, effective January 1, 2015.

EPA Adds Clothes Dryers to Energy Star Program, Increasing Energy Efficiency of New Appliances

2014

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Archived 2014 EPA newsroom release describing new EnergyStar standards for clothes dryers.

Feasibility of Foundation Heat Exchangers for Residential Ground Source Heat Pump Systems in the United States

2012

Cullin James R,

et al.

American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,

ASHRAE,

Oklahoma State University,

OSU,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL

Study characterizing how foundation heat exchangers (FHXs) used in residential ground source heat pump systems represent a potential cost savings due to their lesser first cost over other types of heat exchangers.

For Homes

2014

Florida Solar Energy Center

FSEC

Website with information for consumers about solar thermal systems for homes.

Formaldehyde

2014

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.

FORTIFIED Home ASCE 7-10 FORTIFIED™ Wind Uplift Design Pressure Calculator for Residential Roof Coverings (2:12 or Greater)1,2,3

2020

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

IBHS

Calculator determining the appropriate design pressures for steep-slope roof coverings for roofers and evlauators.

FORTIFIED Home Homeowner Resources

2024

Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety

IBHS

Webpage describing homeowner resources program designed to strengthen homes and commercial buildings against severe weather such as high winds, hail, hurricanes, and even tornadoes.

Fourth National Climate Assessment, Vol 2: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States

2018

U.S. Global Change Research Program

USGCRP

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

Geospatial Data Science

2014

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

NREL,

DOE

Website with prepopulated information about the United States renewable resources.

Geothermal (Ground-Source) Heat Pumps: Market Status, Barriers to Adoption, and Actions to Overcome Barriers

2008

Hughes Patrick J

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report investigating the status of the geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry and technology in the United States, assembling GHP energy savings potential, identifying key barriers to application of GHPs, and identifying actions that could accelerate adoption of GHPs.

Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments

2008

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Report about indoor air quality related to indoor mold growth.

Health Problems Caused by Secondhand Smoke

2020

Office on Smoking and Health,

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

OSH,

NCCDPHP,

CDC

Webpage that describes health problems that can be caused by secondhand smoke.

Heat your Water with the Sun

2003

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

NREL

Provides consumers with general information on solar water heating systems and how to select a contractor.

Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump

2022

Natural Resources Canada

Report providing information for HVAC designers, installers, and consumers about air source heat pumps.

How Insulating Concrete Form vs. Conventional Construction of Exterior Walls Affects Whole Building Energy Consumption

2003

Petrie Thomas W,

et al.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,

ACEEE

Report sumarizing results of an ICF investigation of side-by-side houses in Knoxville, Tennessee.

How to Choose a Room Air Cleaner

2024

Park Ga-Young

ENERGY STAR,

U.S. EPA,

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Article describing considerations for choosing a room-level air cleaner to improve indoor air quality.

Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers

2024

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Website describing best practices for minimizing exposure to lead while doing repairs and renovations in homes built in 1978 or earlier.

LED Basics - Solid-State Lighting

2013

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Information about LED lighting technology.

LED Lighting

2017

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies.

Light Bulbs

2024

ENERGY STAR

A website explaining why homeowners should install ENERGY STAR certified lightbulbs, which helps to save homeowners on utility bills and protect the environment.

Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards

2013

RESNET

RESNET standards aimed to ensure that accurate and consistent home energy ratings are performed by accredited home energy rating providers through their raters nationwide.

National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center

2020

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

National Weather Service

NOAA,

NWS

A website issuing watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and increasing the understanding of hazards.

National Weather Service: Storm Prediction Center: Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

2020

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

National Weather Service

NOAA,

NWS

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed.

New Construction and Remodeling Tips: 10 Tips for New Construction or Remodeling

2023

American Lung Association

Webpage outlining important considerations when remodeling, including for maintaining healthy air and keeping radon, dirt, and moisture out.

NOAA's National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center: the Enhanced Fujita Scale

2007

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,

National Weather Service

NOAA,

NWS

The Enhanced F-scale is a set of wind estimates (not measurements) based on damage which uses three-second gusts estimated at the point of damage based on a judgment of 8 levels of damage to the 28 indicators listed.