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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 51 - 82 of 82

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.

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 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.

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 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.

Public Housing: A Tailored Approach to Energy Retrofits

Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Conlin Francis,
Podorson David,
Alaigh Kunal,
Davis T
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES,
Levy Partnership,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report presenting ways public housing authorities (PHAs) can develop packages of energy efficiency retrofit measures the PHAs can cost-effectively implement with their own staff in the normal course of housing operations at the time when units are refurbished between occupancies.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

The Home Improvement Expert

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Fact sheet poster describing a series of fact sheets and checklists for homeowners to share with contractors to help achieve cost-effective, energy-efficient retrofits for dozens of common home renovation projects.

The Role of Appraisals in Energy Efficiency Financing

Author(s)
Doyle Victoria
Organization(s)
Building Industry Research Alliance,
BIRA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Research study identifying barriers, industry status, critical obstacles to documenting added value from energy efficiency improvements, current opportunities to support reporting about energy efficiency, and next steps toward enabling energy efficiency financing market transformation.

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.

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...

Thin Triple-Pane Windows: Coming Soon to a Hardware Store Near You!

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Fact sheet poster describing the energy efficiency and comfort benefits of thin triple-pane windows as compared to standard triple-pane and double-pane windows.

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

Types of Lighting

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website with consumer information about various types of lighting.

U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home Implementation

Author(s)
Mosiman Garrett,
VonThoma Ed
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMN
Publication Date
Report documenting the process and outcomes involved in achieving the U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) program certification standards while helping homebuilders in Climate Zones 5 and 6 in the Upper Midwest achieve ZERH certification.

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.

What is a Contract?

Author(s)
State of California Department of Consumer Affairs
Organization(s)
State of California
Publication Date
Webpage outlining the definition of contracts and how they function

What's Wrong with My Home? The Simple Answer May Be...You

Author(s)
Puttagunta Srikanth
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Information sheet discussing the differences between homeowner energy consumption trends in highly efficient homes.

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.

Window Attachments Offer Added Savings

Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Fact sheet poster describing and comparing the energy-saving and comfort benefits of window attachment options such as low-emissivity storm windows, automated blinds, cellular shades, and solar screens, etc.