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Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 1 - 50 of 57

FORTIFIED Home Homeowner Resources

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

ENERGY STAR® Certified Heat Pump Water Heaters Sales Guide

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

Light Bulbs

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining why homeowners should install ENERGY STAR certified lightbulbs, which helps to save homeowners on utility bills and protect the environment.

Why Choose CW and AW Fenestration Products

Author(s)
Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance
Organization(s)
FGIA
Publication Date
Web article describing the defining characteristics of the CW and AW window performance classes.

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

Author(s)
Kerby Jessica,
Tarekegne Bethel
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
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.

Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Website describing best practices for minimizing exposure to lead while doing repairs and renovations in homes built in 1978 or earlier.

Color and Mood

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

Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump

Author(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Publication Date
Report providing information for HVAC designers, installers, and consumers about air source heat pumps.

Town of Marana AZ

Author(s)
Town of Marana AZ
Organization(s)
Town of Marana AZ
Publication Date
Website regarding the town of Marana's services and departments.

Training

Author(s)
Structural Insulated Panel Association
Organization(s)
SIPA
Publication Date

Aeroseal: Our Process

Author(s)
Aeroseal
Organization(s)
Aeroseal
Publication Date
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.

Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2020

Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
ANSI
Publication Date
Standard 55 specifies conditions for acceptable thermal environments and is intended for use in design, operation, and commissioning of buildings and other occupied spaces; is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2021, and is available for preview and purchase at the...

Protect Your Property from Storm Surge

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple storm surge (coastal flooding) safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and recovery advice.

Protect Your Property from Earthquakes

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, evacuation tips, and electrical and appliance tips.

Protect Your Property from Wildfires

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple earthquake safety measures for homeowners to take, including home reinforcement, exterior maintenance, and recovery tips.

Protect Your Property from Flooding

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Brochure describing multiple flood safety measures for homeowners to take, including home renovation suggestions, yard maintenance, and additional resources.

Safe Room Resources, FEMA P-388 CD

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
A CD guide intended to help communities mitigate damage or loss from tornadoes and other extremewind events, and provide public information resources for conveying the importance of safe room construction.

Small Wind Electric Systems

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
A website discussing the use of consumer-grade small electric wind systems such as turbines to lower energy costs.

APA The Engineered Wood Association Homepage

Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Publication Date
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.

Health Problems Caused by Secondhand Smoke

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

Best Practices Manual

Author(s)
Hammer & Hand
Organization(s)
Hammer & Hand
Publication Date
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.

LED Lighting

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies.

Refrigerator Thermometers: Cold Facts about Food Safety

Author(s)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Organization(s)
FDA
Publication Date
When it comes to protecting yourself and your family from foodborne illness, one of your most effective tools is the kitchen refrigerator.

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

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

Smoke-Free Public Housing and Multifamily Properties

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
Toolkits for residents and owner/managers who live and work in federally assisted housing.

Consumer Tips for a Post-Disaster Home Restoration

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Organization(s)
HUD
Publication Date
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.

Change Is In the Air

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

ENERGY STAR Certified Ceiling Fans

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

Earthquake Home Hazard Hunt, FEMA 528

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

Formaldehyde

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

For Homes

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

LED Basics - Solid-State Lighting

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Information about LED lighting technology.

Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards

Author(s)
RESNET
Organization(s)
RESNET
Publication Date
RESNET standards aimed to ensure that accurate and consistent home energy ratings are performed by accredited home energy rating providers through their raters nationwide.

Pest Prevention by Design: Authoritative Guidelines for Designing Pests out of Structures

Author(s)
Geiger Chris A,
Cox Caroline
Organization(s)
San Francisco Department of the Environment,
SF Environment,
Center for Environmental Health,
CEH,
International Code Council,
ICC
Publication Date
Report providing detailed steps for builders, architects, and property managers to take for integrated pest management for control of a variety of pests including insects, rodents, and birds.

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

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

Smoke-Free Housing

Author(s)
Tobacco Free NYS
Organization(s)
Tobacco Free NYS
Publication Date
Initiatives of smoke-free housing policies in New York State.

Water Safety in Buildings

Author(s)
World Health Organization,
Institutional Repository for Information Sharing
Organization(s)
WHO,
IRIS
Publication Date
This text is one of series of supporting documents that provide guidance on implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for drinking-water quality; intended to support improvement of water safety within buildings.

Reinforced Masonry Pier Construction, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 3.4

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing an alternative to piles in V Zones and A Zones in coastal areas where soil properties preclude pile installation, but the need for an “open foundation system” still exists and recommendations for good masonry practices in coastal environments; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home...

The State of the Nation's Housing 2010

Author(s)
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
Organization(s)
Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
Publication Date
Even as the worst housing market correction in more than 60 years appeared to turn a corner in 2009, the fallout from sharply lower home prices and high unemployment continued.

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

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