Library | Building America Solution Center

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 - 12 of 12

An Approach to High-Performance Affordable Housing Using Point-Source Space Conditioning

Author(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

June, 2021

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...

An Approach to High-Performance Affordable Housing Using Point-Source Space Conditioning

Author(s)

Dentz Jordan,

Zhu Shengming

Organization(s)

Levy Partnership,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2021

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...

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

January, 2016

Report describing how space-conditioning systems are operating in the field and if these systems are meeting required standards.

Cooling and Heating Season Impacts of Right-Sizing of Fixed- and Variable-Capacity Heat Pumps With Attic and Indoor Ductwork

Author(s)

Cummings James B,

Withers Charles R,

Kono Jamie E

Organization(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC

Publication Date

June, 2015

Report on experiments comparing the cooling and heating seasonal and peak demand performance of different variable-capacity air conditioning and heat pump units.

Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioners

Author(s)

Energy Saver

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

March, 2023

Webpage describing the advantages and disadvantages of ductless mini-split air conditioner.

Energy Savings Potential of Radiative Cooling Technologies

Author(s)

Fernandez Nick,

Wang Weimin,

Alvine Kyle J,

Katipamula Srinivas

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

November, 2015

Technical report evaluating the energy savings potential of radiative cooling technologies, particularly photonic 'selective emittance' materials.

Impacts of Shading and Glazing Combinations on Residential Energy Use in a Hot Dry Climate

Author(s)

Farrar-Nagy Sara,

Anderson Ren,

Hancock C E,

Reeves Paul

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Partnership for Resource Conservation,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

July, 2000

Study evaluating opportunities for reducing cooling energy use in a hot dry climate through the use of shading and window options.

Mini-Split Heat Pumps Multifamily Retrofit Feasibility Study

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

May, 2014

This report investigates whether mini-split heat pumps can live up to their potential for one market segment: multifamily retrofits.

Natural Ventilation

Author(s)

Energy Saver

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

June, 2022

DOE Energy Saver webpage providing a brief summary of natural ventilation for houses.

Reducing Residential Peak Electricity Demand with Mechanical Pre-Cooling of Building Thermal Mass

Author(s)

Walker Iain S,

Roux Jordan,

Turner William JN

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2014

This study used an advanced airflow, energy and humidity modeling tool to evaluate the potential for residential mechanical pre-scooling strategies to reduce peak electriciy demand.

Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Installation–Workshop Outcomes

Author(s)

Goetzler William,

Zogg Robert,

Young Jim,

Bargach

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

November, 2016

Report describing information from DOE about rules and standards for residential air conditioners and heat pumps.

Residential Windows and Window Coverings: A Detailed View of the Installed Base and User Behavior

Author(s)

Bickel Stephen,

Phan-Gruber Emily,

Christie Shannon

Organization(s)

D&R International,

D+R International,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

DOE report characterizing the installed base of windows and window coverings, and how users operate window coverings in order to enable precise quantification of energy savings.