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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 59

Light Bulbs

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining why homeowners should install ENERGY STAR certified lightbulbs, which helps to save homeowners on utility bills and protect the environment.

Color and Mood

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining the various shades of light, from warm to cool colors, with a visual diagram illustrating the various shades of light.

Residential Solar System Guidelines

Author(s)
City of Burnsville
Organization(s)
City of Burnsville
Publication Date
Brochure detailing the guidelines, recommendations, and preferences of the City of Burnsville for citizens installing solar photovoltaics.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Comparison

Author(s)
Clean Energy Reviews
Organization(s)
CER
Publication Date
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of battery energy storage systems for solar power systems.

Hybrid Inverter Comparison Chart

Author(s)
Clean Energy Reviews
Organization(s)
CER
Publication Date
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of hybrid inverters for solar power systems.

Off-Grid Inverter Comparison Chart

Author(s)
Clean Energy Reviews
Organization(s)
CER
Publication Date
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of off-grid inverters for solar power systems.

High-Efficiency Products

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Parternship
Organization(s)
NEEP
Publication Date
A website detailing initiatives on the east coast for the installation and use of high efficiency products.

Choose A Light Guide

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A simple three-step guide for homeowners who are looking to replace existing light bulbs with more energy-efficient, higher-performing bulbs.

What are the Connections between Mercury and CFLs?

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
A website explaining the connection between using compact fluorescent lightbulbs and the amount of mercury released into the environment.

CFL Glossary

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website describing a list of common vocabulary used when describing light bulbs.

Learn About Brightness

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining the measurement of light bulbs, measurable in lumens, & brightness levels that ENERGY STAR products produce.

LED Bulbs Made Easy

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A fact sheet providing information on ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs & how to find the right one to fit your lighting fixture.

Lighting Controls

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website exploring the use of lighting controls products like dimmers, motion sensors and timers to save energy in the home.

Lumens and the Lighting Facts Label

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining lumens & how to compare the amount of light that lightbulbs can produce when shopping for replacements.

Savings Calculator

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website calculator that can calculate how much you can save by switching to ENERGY STAR certified products.

AC Coupled for Blackout Protection? No Thanks

Author(s)
Soltaro
Organization(s)
Soltaro
Publication Date
Website article comparing DC and AC batteries and explaining that DC batteries have black start ability to restart from solar power while providing AC batteries need grid power to restart if fully discharged.

Learn About LED Lighting

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining the basics of LED lightning, their lifespan, their use in general lighting applications, the amount of heat produced, and why you should choose ENERGY STAR certified LED products for your home.

Lighting Principles and Terms

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A website explaining basic lighting principles and terms & how they are applied to the home.

AC vs. DC Coupling Energy Storage Systems

Author(s)
Miller Lucas
Organization(s)
Mayfield Renewables
Publication Date
Website article describing the advantages and disadvantages of AC and DC battery energy storage systems and inverters for solar power systems.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2021 - Clothes Dryers

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
A list of clothes dryers that made the EnergyStar Most Efficient list for 2021, delivering cutting technological innovation along with energy efficiency.

Solar Battery System Types - AC Vs DC Coupled

Author(s)
Svarc Jason
Organization(s)
Clean Energy Reviews,
CER
Publication Date
Website article describing the way solar panels are coupled to AC and DC battery energy storage systems.

Bay Area Seismic Retrofit

Author(s)
Bay Area Retrofit
Publication Date
YouTube channel featuring 90+ videos to educate Bay Area homeowners and contractors about seismic retrofitting, including information for various home and construction types.

Small Wind Electric Systems

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
A website discussing the use of consumer-grade small electric wind systems such as turbines to lower energy costs.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings

Author(s)
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Website highlighting the DOE Building Technologies Office Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings Initiative, including technical reports, other publications, resources, and presentations.

NFPA 70: National Electric Code

Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
Organization(s)
NFPA
Publication Date
This standard provides a benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards and has been adopted in all 50 states.

Residential Grid-interactive Efficient Building Technology and Policy: Harnessing the Power of Homes for a Clean, Affordable, Resilient Grid of the Future

Author(s)
Rinaldi Kara Saul,
Bunnen Elizabeth,
Rogers Sabine
Organization(s)
AnnDyl Policy Group,
National Association of State Energy Officials,
NASEO
Publication Date
Report identifying efficient, connected, smart, and flexible GEB technologies and their future potential, including barriers and opportunities, recommendations for policymakers, and research needs.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Fact sheet defining a grid-interactive efficient building and its benefits.

OSHA Fact Sheet: Working Safely with Chainsaws

Author(s)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Organization(s)
OSHA
Publication Date
A fact sheet educating the public on the proper operation of chainsaws to reduce the risk of injury from use.

Light Bulb Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
ENERGY STAR lightbulb criteria.

Dimming CFLs and LEDs

Author(s)
Lutron
Organization(s)
Lutron
Publication Date
Website discusses differences between CFL and LED bulbs.

Measured Retrofit Savings from Efficient Lighting and Smart Power Strips

Author(s)
Sutherland Karen,
Chasar Dave,
Hoak David,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing a lighting and smart power strip retrofit evaluation that was conducted on 56 all-electric, existing Florida homes to see how lighting and miscellaneous electric loads might be reduced.

The History of the Light Bulb

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
A website covering the history of the lightbulb that includes a helpful timeline to illustrate lightbulb innovation from the 1800s - Present.

Saving Energy through Advanced Power Strips

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Infographic providing details on choosing the right advanced power strip based on your habits to reduce the electricity wasted when your electronic devices are idle.

NABCEP Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Resource Guide

Author(s)
Brooks William,
Dunlop James P
Organization(s)
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners,
NABCEP
Publication Date
This Photovoltaic (PV) Installer Resource Guide is an informational resource covering basic requirements for PV installations intended for individuals pursuing the Photovoltaic Installer Certification credential offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

Renewable Energy Annual

Author(s)
Energy Information Administration
Organization(s)
EIA
Publication Date
Data tables on U.S. renewable energy consumption and general trends in the market for renewable energy.