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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 60

Author(s)
Strack Terry,
Sager Jeremy
Organization(s)
Strack & Associates,
Natural Resources Canada,
NRCan,
CanmetENERGY
Publication Date
Description
Document providing step-by-step guidance to sizing air-source heat pumps for a cold climate.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2012 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2015 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.
Author(s)
International Code Council
Organization(s)
ICC
Publication Date
Description
2018 edition of code establishing minimum regulations for mechanical systems, including heating, cooling, ventilation, exhaust, ducts, fireplaces, combustion and hydronic systems, using prescriptive and performance-related provisions.
Author(s)
Rosival Chris
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry,
MN Department of Labor and Industry
Publication Date
Description
A presentation on the 2020 State Mechanical Code for easier understanding.
Author(s)
AC Comfort
Organization(s)
AC Comfort
Publication Date
Description
Website containing commercial information related to air conditioning and heating.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Website homepage for the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
Author(s)
Rutkowski
Organization(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Publication Date
Description
The manual covers residential zoning issues - multiple, single-zone, and central multi-zone systems - and includes advice on working with homeowners to adapt the heating or cooling system design to meet modern home design features.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Standard providing a universally accepted definition for quality installation for residential and commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning applications.
Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
Organization(s)
ACCA
Publication Date
Description
Document detailing the requirements, roles, and obligations for participants in an organized effort, ensuring that HVAC installations comply with the ANSI/ACCA 5 QI – 2010 (HVAC Quality Installation Specification) QI Standard.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the functionality and benefits of switching to Air Source Heat Pumps, as well as linking to sets of products, rebates, most efficient ASHPs, and providing consumer aid for purchasing an ASHP.
Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE,
American National Standards Institute,
ANSI
Publication Date
Description
Standard 55 specifies conditions for acceptable thermal environments and is intended for use in design, operation, and commissioning of buildings and other occupied spaces. This is the current version of the standard, which was published in the year 2021, and is available for preview and purchase at...
Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
Baechler Michael C,
Hefty Marye G,
Hand James R,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information about energy-efficient heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) equipment options to help homeowners cut their energy use, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase their homes comfort, health, and safety.
Author(s)
Poerschke A,
Beach Robert
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Description
Report describing how space-conditioning systems are operating in the field and if these systems are meeting required standards.
Author(s)
Cummings James B,
Withers Charles R,
Kono Jamie E
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report on experiments comparing the cooling and heating seasonal and peak demand performance of different variable-capacity air conditioning and heat pump units.
Author(s)
Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute
Organization(s)
AHRI
Publication Date
Description
Online database with efficiency information about residential HVAC systems and commercial refrigeration equipment.
Author(s)
NEEA
Organization(s)
NEEA
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the successes and ongoing efforts of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance's Go Ductless ductless heat pump program which successfully encouraged the installation of more than 150,000 minisplit heat pumps in the Northwest between 2010 and 2021.
Author(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website that lists references that can help you determine how to control you indoor air quality while combating an emergency.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website with consumer information about residential heat pump systems.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
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.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing mini split heat pumps and their benefits for consumers.
Author(s)
Martin Eric,
Withers Charles,
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Chasar Dave,
Beal David
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
This report evaluates the performance of variable-capacity comfort systems, with a focus on inverter-driven, variable-capacity systems, as well as proposed system enhancements.
Author(s)
Peterson Joseph M,
Sullivan Greg P,
Cort Katherine A,
Merzouk Massine B,
Metzger Cheryn E
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using interior cellular shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.
Author(s)
Walter Hunt,
Katherine Cort
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using exterior fabric shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain, reduce glare, and improve comfort.
Author(s)
Bhandari Mahabir,
Kunwar Niraj,
Gehl Anthony,
Curcija Charlie
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating the energy savings potential of cellular shades in homes.
Author(s)
Herk,
Poerschke
Organization(s)
IBACOS
Publication Date
Description
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is interested in finding cost-effective solutions for deep energy retrofits (DERs) related to exterior wall insulation in a cold climate, with targets of 50% peak load reduction and 50% space conditioning energy savings.
Author(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
This five-page brochure contains basic information on flood cleanup with illustrations and links to more detailed information.
Author(s)
Spitler Jeffrey D,
Fisher Daniel E,
Cullin James R,
Xing Lu,
Lee Edwin,
Rees S J,
Fan D
Organization(s)
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
De Montfort University,
DMU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a project aimed at developing validated models and design tools for foundation heat exchangers.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Website with information about ENERGY STAR criteria for geothermal heat pumps.
Author(s)
Im,
Liu,
Monk
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Website article discussing the economics of ground source heat pumps.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
A ENERGY STAR guide on efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems in residential homes.
Author(s)
Town of Concord Massachusetts
Organization(s)
Town of Concord Massachusetts
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing basic information on various types of heat pumps and their applications in Massachusetts.
Author(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information for HVAC designers, installers, and consumers about air source heat pumps.
Author(s)
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Training module for HVAC technicians on how to size cold climate heat pumps.
Author(s)
Raymer,
Moyer
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center
Publication Date
Description
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.
Author(s)
Dentz,
Podorson,
Varshney
Organization(s)
ARIES,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
Levy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
This report investigates whether mini-split heat pumps can live up to their potential for one market segment: multifamily retrofits.
Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
Organization(s)
NEEP
Publication Date
Description
Database compiling extended capacity data for numerous cold climate heat pump manufacturers and models.
Author(s)
Green Home Technology Center
Organization(s)
Ohio State University Extension
Publication Date
Description
Website providing guidance on passive heating, cooling, and lighting methods.
Author(s)
Forestry and Natural Resources
Organization(s)
Purdue University
Publication Date
Description
Blog article describing considerations for how to use trees for shading to reduce cooling energy demand.