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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 229 results:

Cooling Related Performance of Finished and Unfinished Metal Roofing Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of finished and unfinished metal roofing systems on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Cooling with a Whole-House Fan

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
DOE Energy Saver webpage summarizing the use of whole-house fans for cooling.

Cooling with Ventilation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Chandra Subrato,
Houston Michael M,
Fairey Philip W
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Report providing recommendations to builders regarding how to reduce cooling loads, use air-circulation fans, natural ventilation, window and building design for natural ventilation, and whole-house fans.

CRRC - Cool Roof Rating Council

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cool Roof Rating Council
·
Organization(s)
CRRC
Description
Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.

Deep Energy Retrofits - Lessons learned

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Walker Iain S
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Description
Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Lessons Learned chapter focuses on successful deep energy retrofit projects throughout the U.S.

Deep Energy Retrofits - Occupant Behavior

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Walker Iain S
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Occupant Behavior chapter discusses how to assess homeowner behavior patterns and use these patterns to enhance overall energy savings.

Deep Energy Retrofits - Over-Time, Phased Guidance

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Walker Iain S
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Over Time, Phased Guidance chapter presents a phased approach to deep energy retrofits.

Deep Energy Retrofits - Reducing Costs and Increasing Cost-Effectiveness

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Walker Iain S
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Reducing costs and Increasing Cost-Effectiveness chapter provides suggestions for controlling deep retrofit costs, including both 'do's' and 'don'ts'.

Designing Energy Efficient New Homes for a Warm Climate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
EXtension Home Energy - Cooperative Extension
·
Organization(s)
EXtension Home Energy - Cooperative Extension
Description
Article from The Home Energy Community of Practice on designing energy efficient homes in hot climate zones, including home orientation, window location, and roof design considerations.

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.

DOE Steep Slope Calculator

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
ORNL,
DOE
Description
Simple web-based tool allowing homeowners to calculate the potential savings from installing a cool roof.

Earth Tubes Exhibit

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Clean Energy Exhibition
·
Organization(s)
Clean Energy Exhibition,
Solar World
Description
Webpage providing details of an experimental earth tube installation at the Clean Energy Exhibition in Georgia.

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.

Efficient Earth-Sheltered Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.

Electric Fan Use for Cooling During Hot Weather: A Biophysical Modelling Study

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Morris Nathan B,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
University of Sydney,
University of Copenhagen,
University of Montreal,
Monash University,
The Lancet Planetary Health,
The Lancet Group
Description
Study testing the effect of fan cooling on healthy adults at increased ambient temperatures.

Embodied Carbon 101

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Carbon Leadership Forum
·
Organization(s)
CLF
Description
Webpage describing embodied carbon through definition, significance to climate, and importance to policymaking.

Emergencies and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website that lists references that can help you determine how to control you indoor air quality while combating an emergency.

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 Renovations Insulation - A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners, Volume 17

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.

Energy Retrofitting Advanced Technologies in a Hot Climate, Henderson Nevada

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Association of Home Builders
·
Organization(s)
NAHB,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD,
Office of Policy Development and Research,
PDR
Description
Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.

Energy Savings from Tree Shade

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pandit Ram,
Laband David
·
Organization(s)
University of Western Australia,
Auburn University
Description
Paper describing the effects of tree shade on residential electricity consumption and energy savings in summer and winter.

Energy Savings Potential of Radiative Cooling Technologies

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Fernandez Nick,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Technical report evaluating the energy savings potential of radiative cooling technologies, particularly photonic 'selective emittance' materials.

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.

EPA Region 8 Headquarters

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Brochure providing information on the design of the EPA Region 8 headquarters in Denver, CO.

Evaluation of Missed Energy Saving Opportunity - Based on Illinois Home Performance Program Field Data: Homeowner Selected Upgrades Versus Cost-Optimized Solutions

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Milby M,
Baker Julie D,
Yee Shannon
·
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR
Description
Study investigating homeowner measure package choices in the Illinois Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program compared to cost-optimal choices determined through Building Energy Optimization (BEopt) modeling software.

Evaporative Cooler

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Webpage providing tips for installing and maintaining an evaporative cooler.

Evaporative Cooler Tips

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
A webpage by the DOE on tips for saving energy with an evaporative cooler.

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.

Extreme Heat

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Ready.gov
·
Organization(s)
Ready.gov,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
USDHS
Description
Webpage from Ready.gov explaining what qualifies as 'extreme heat', how to be safe during an extreme heat event, and how to prepare for extreme heat in homes

Extreme Heat—A Tale of Two Cities, BSI-032

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.

Field Evaluation of Advances in Energy-Efficiency Practices for Manufactured Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES
Description
Report on the field evaluation of whole-building approaches and estimation of the relative contributions of select technologies toward reducing energy use related to space conditioning in new manufactured homes.

Flexible Roofing Facility: 2001 Summer Test Results

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of various roof types on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

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.

Forest Home Sites Influence Heating and Cooling Energy

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
DeWalle David,
Heisler Gordon,
Jacobs Robert
·
Organization(s)
Northumberland County Conservation District,
Society of American Foresters
Description
Journal article describing energy impacts from shade trees and forests and solar heating and air infiltration.

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.

FORTIFIED Home Homeowner Resources

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Webpage describing homeowner resources program designed to strengthen homes and commercial buildings against severe weather such as high winds, hail, hurricanes, and even tornadoes.

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

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hughes Patrick J
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
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.