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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 151 - 200 of 328 results:

How to Finish Exterior Foundation Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Green Building Advisor
·
Organization(s)
GBA
Description
Website that explains and provides diagrams for covering up above-grade rigid foam insulation.

How to Install Cellulose Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

How to Insulate a Basement Wall

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.

How to Insulate Your Basement

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mathews Erin
·
Organization(s)
This Old House
Description
An article and video of a breakdown on the preparation and installation of basement insulation.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dorsi Chris
·
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Description
Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Re-Siding your Home?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Patricia Gunderson,
Theresa Gilbride
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Description
Factsheet describing re-siding retrofits containing exterior insulation and window upgrades aimed at improved energy savings and comfort.

HVAC A Guide for Contractors to Share with Homeowners, Volume 14

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
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.

HVAC Duct Supports, AC 284

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
International Code Council
·
Organization(s)
ICC
Description
Standards criteria supporting ICC HVAC duct support standards.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Straube John
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Green Home Institute
·
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Green Home Institute
·
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.

Insulated Siding Provides Continuous Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dobson Matt
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Article describing how insulated siding can save homeowners energy by providing continuous exterior insulation.

Insulation: A Guide to Proper Installation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
North America Insulation Manufacturers Association,
Insulation Institute
·
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Description
Website providing builders with information about meeting RESNET Grade 1 criteria when installing insulation.

Interior Spray Foam, BSI-116

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article outlining the use of spray polyurethane foam in residential buildings.

Investigation of Potential Benefits of Revising Exception 1 under “FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, ENERGY CONSERVATION, Section 101.4.7.1.1 Duct Sealing upon Equipment Replacement.”

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet E R,
Beal David
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Report describing as-found interior platform return plenums, the magnitude of their contribution to the total amount of duct leakage, and techniques and results of retrofits executed by the HVAC trade during equipment replacement.

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
·
Organization(s)
BSC
Description
Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.

JM Spider® Drill & Fill Installation Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Johns Manville
·
Organization(s)
Johns Manville
Description
The purpose for this document is to provide basic guidance on the use of proven installation techniques that can be used by installers to help ensure correct “dense pack” application of JM Spider® in drill & fill applications.

Joni Mitchell, Water and Walls, BSI-071

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
BSC,
Building Science Corporation
Description
Article describing walls and moisture development on them.

Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kyle Mittan
·
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Description
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.

Long-Term Results: New Construction Occupied Test House, Urbana, Illinois

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Stecher Dave,
Allison Katherine
·
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report about a two-year study intended to document the energy performance of a house in each sub-metered area and compare the performance to modeled predictions and to assess the thermal comfort performance of the single point mini-split heat pump.

Low Cost Interior Duct Systems for High Performance Homes in Hot Climates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Fonorow Ken,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Florida Home Energy and Resources Organization,
Florida HERO,
Energy Smart Home Plans,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
Document presenting a cost effective method that was used by four builders in the Gainesville, FL area to construct interior ducts in over a dozen site built homes.

Low-Cost Solar Water Heating Research and Development Roadmap

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hudon Kate,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report identifying the target market for solar water heaters and potential pathways and cost/performance targets that must be met for these systems to realize large energy savings.

Manufactured Home Factory Duct Leakage Testing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Slipstream
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Factsheet describing how to test the duct leakage of a manufactured home in the manufactured home factory.

Marine Climate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
PNNL,
DOE

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Neuhauser Ken,
Gates Cathy,
Pettit Betsy
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
·
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Description
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Mea Culpa Roofs, BSI-083

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing methods for insulating and air sealing vented and unvented roofs in various climates zones.

Measure Guideline: Basement Insulation Basics

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Mantha Pallavi,
Puttagunta Srikanth
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Description
Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mantha Pallavi,
Zoeller William,
Shapiro Carl
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

Measure Guideline: Condensing Boilers - Control Strategies for Optimizing Performance and Comfort in Residential Applications

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Arena Lois
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Document intended for designers and installers of hydronic heating systems interested in maximizing the overall system efficiency of condensing boilers when coupled with baseboard convectors. It is applicable to new and retrofit projects.