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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 - 41 of 41

Author(s)
Seth Masia
Organization(s)
American Solar Energy Society,
ASES
Publication Date
Description
Website article discussing the economics of ground source heat pumps.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
EPA
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)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing a DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge. The challenge engages industry partners and focuses around the Cold Climate Heat Pumps, a more environmental and efficient heating alternative to traditional heating.
Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
PNNL,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing curriculum with links to presentations and problem sets for teaching an understanding of sizing cold climate heat pumps.
Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
Organization(s)
NEEP
Publication Date
Description
Users guide to help contractors and homeowners use the Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing Support Tools developed by NEEP to size and select the best air source heat pumps for their cold climate location.
Author(s)
Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute
Organization(s)
AHRI
Publication Date
Description
Performance rating standards for unitary air-conditioners and unitary air-source heat pumps, including definitions, classifications, testing, rating, and operating requirements, as well as minimum data requirements for published ratings and markings.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing mini split heat pumps and their benefits for consumers.
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)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing tips for installing and maintaining an evaporative cooler.
Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing the advantages and disadvantages of ductless mini-split air conditioner.
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)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
Organization(s)
NEEP
Publication Date
Description
Specification defining performance and reporting requirements to meet the voluntary “Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Specification” (ccASHP Specification) for air source heat pumps suited to heat efficiently in cold climates (IECC cz 4 and higher).
Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook covering basic principles and data used in the HVAC&R industry. This is the 2023 edition of the handbook, which can be purchased physically or digitally at the reference link in versions using either I-P units of measurement or SI units of measurement.
Author(s)
Energy Saver,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Web page providing an overview of room-level air conditioning systems such as window units and mini-splits.
Author(s)
Pima County Public Library
Organization(s)
Pima County Public Library
Publication Date
Description
Web article describing the evolution of evaporative coolers, water usage of evaporative coolers, and links to information on selecting an evaporative cooler.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how evaporative coolers work and how to maintain them.
Author(s)
AC Comfort
Organization(s)
AC Comfort
Publication Date
Description
Website containing commercial information related to air conditioning and heating.
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing the research on energy-efficient strategies for small single-story homes, including manufactured and Habitat for Humanity-built homes, utilizing mini split ductless heat pumps and through-wall transfer fans to achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption compared to the 2009...
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)
Dentz Jordan,
Zhu Shengming
Organization(s)
Levy Partnership,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the integration of mini split ductless heat pumps and through-wall transfer fans in small single-story homes, to achieve a 50% reduction in space conditioning energy consumption compared to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, while ensuring affordability and...
Author(s)
Strack Terry,
Sager Jeremy
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada,
NRC,
CanmetENERGY
Publication Date
Description
Document providing step-by-step guidance to sizing air-source heat pumps for a cold climate.
Author(s)
Metzger Cheryn E
Publication Date
Description
Conference paper presented at the 2020 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings presenting the results of an evaluation of control strategies used when new mini-splits are installed in a home with an existing HVAC system.
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)
NORESCO
Organization(s)
NORESCO
Publication Date
Description
Article describing RESNET guidance on evaporative coolers.
Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Henderson Hugh,
Podorson David
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES,
Levy Partnership,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
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)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.
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)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Website with information about ENERGY STAR criteria for geothermal heat pumps.
Author(s)
Spitler Jeffrey D,
Xing Lu,
Cullin James R,
Fisher Daniel E,
Shonder John,
Im Piljae
Organization(s)
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Paper covering a parametric study of foundation heat exchanger-based ground source heat pump systems for several house configurations in a range of European locations, with an emphasis on determining feasible combinations.
Author(s)
Barnaby Charles S,
Wilcox Bruce A
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Publication Date
Description
Technical report detailing a study in which actual cooling loads are compared to modeled cooling loads.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Publication Date
Description
Paper providing a comprehensive overview of HVAC system design considerations and challenges specific to multifamily residential buildings, focusing on optimizing performance and addressing common issues.
Author(s)
Raymer Paul H,
Moyer Neil
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.