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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 213 results:

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.

Directory of Certified Product Performance

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Air-Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration Institute
·
Organization(s)
AHRI
Description
Online database with efficiency information about residential HVAC systems and commercial refrigeration equipment.

Distribution and Room Air Mixing Risks to Retrofitted Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Burdick Arlan
·
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS
Description
Report outlining the issues with using existing ducts with a new low-load HVAC system, which reduces throw at supply registers causing decreased mixing of supply and room air, leading to potential thermal comfort complaints.

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.

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Energy Saver
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Webpage describing the advantages and disadvantages of ductless mini-split air conditioner.

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.

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
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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 and IAQ Implications of Residential Ventilation Cooling

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Walker Iain S,
Turner William JN
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
This study evaluates the energy, humidity and indoor air quality implications of residential ventilation cooling in all US IECC climate zones.

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 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 Saver: Heat Pump Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Website with consumer information about residential heat pump systems.

Energy Savers: Geothermal Heat Pumps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.

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 Mini Split Heat Pumps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Factsheet describing mini split heat pumps and their benefits for consumers.

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 Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sullivan Greg P,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
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.

Evaluation of Exterior Shades at PNNL Lab Homes and Occupied Field Sites

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Hunt Walter E
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
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.

Evaluation of Interior Cellular Shades in a Residential Building

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bhandari Mahabir,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating the energy savings potential of cellular shades in homes.

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.

Evaporative Coolers

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
NORESCO
·
Organization(s)
NORESCO
Description
Article describing RESNET guidance on evaporative coolers.

Evaporative Coolers

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Article describing how evaporative coolers work and how to maintain them.

Evaporative Coolers: General History of the Evaporative Cooler

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pima County Public Library
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Organization(s)
Pima County Public Library
Description
Web article describing the evolution of evaporative coolers, water usage of evaporative coolers, and links to information on selecting 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
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Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
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Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.

Fans for Cooling

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
DOE webpage that gives and overview of fans for cooling.

Flexible Roofing Facility: 2001 Summer Test Results

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
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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.

Flood Cleanup: Protecting Indoor Air Quality

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
This five-page brochure contains basic information on flood cleanup with illustrations and links to more detailed information.

Forest Home Sites Influence Heating and Cooling Energy

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
DeWalle David,
Heisler Gordon,
Jacobs Robert
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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.