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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 1 - 50 of 259 results:

A Guide to Preserving Trees in Development Projects

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Elmendorf William,
Gerhold Henry,
Kuhns Larry
·
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania State University Extension,
PennState Extension
Description
Article describing tree health, environmental considerations, and details on how to preserve trees.

A Practical Guide to Climate-resilient Buildings & Communities

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
United Nations Environment Programme
·
Organization(s)
UNEP
Description
Guidance document from the UN environment programme on climate-resilient buildings and communities practices, including guidance on heat waves, drought, hurricanes, and flooding.

A Practical Guide to Cool Roofs and Cool Pavements

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Global Cool Cities Alliance,
R20 Regions of Climate Action
·
Organization(s)
GCCA,
R20
Description
Guide developed to help contractors, building operators, and city officials successfully adopt cool roof and pavement technology.

AC Coupled for Blackout Protection? No Thanks

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Soltaro
·
Organization(s)
Soltaro
Description
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.

AC vs. DC Coupling Energy Storage Systems

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

Affordable Passive Solar Planbook for North Carolina

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Appalachian State University
·
Organization(s)
AEC,
App State
Description
Study from Appalachian State University on passive solar design to take advantage of local climate zones for energy conservation.

AHAM - Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
·
Organization(s)
AHAM
Description
Website providing research, efficiency and safety standards development, and advocacy to the home appliance industry to bring efficient, high-performing home appliances to consumers.

Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Website describing indoor air quality, and common indoor pollutants and how to reduce exposure to them.

Air Sensor Technology and Indoor Air Quality

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Article describing technologies available for monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ).

Air Sensors International Conference

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
University of California
·
Organization(s)
University of California Davis
Description
Website describing archived program inforamtion for the Air Sensors International Conference, hosted by the University of California, Davis.

All About Shade Trees

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Huber Jeanne
·
Organization(s)
This Old House
Description
Article describing shade trees and how to plant, maintain, and replace them.

Alternative Fuels Data Center

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Website describing electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations, and incentives for installing electric vehicle charging stations.

Analyzing Design Heating Loads in Superinsulated Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Arena Lois
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report analyzing design heating load sizing methods for superinsulated homes in cold climates and comparing them to the actual energy usage to determine if the building load calculation methodology should be changed for calculating the design heating load of these homes.

APA The Engineered Wood Association Homepage

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
APA - The Engineered Wood Association
·
Organization(s)
American Plywood Association,
APA
Description
Website homepage of APA – The Engineered Wood Association, a nonprofit trade association combining the research efforts of scientists and engineers, APA promotes new solutions and improved processes that benefit the entire industry.

Architecture of New Mexico

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Albuquerque Museum
·
Organization(s)
City of Albuquerque,
CABQ
Description
Power Point PDF presentation on historical architecture in New Mexico

ASHRAE Position Document on Indoor Carbon Dioxide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers
·
Organization(s)
ASHRAE
Description
Document describing recent discussions on indoor carbon dioxide (CO 2) levels.

Assessing the Business Case for Hosting Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in New York State

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Nigro Nick,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Atlas Public Policy,
NYSERDA,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Description
Report describing the business case of hosting a Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging station in New York, including analysis of real-world data on equipment use, costs, revenue, and assumptions derived from industry reports and original research.

Attic Venting, Attic Moisture, and Ice Dams

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
·
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Government of Canada
Description
Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Comparison

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

Battery Storage for Resilience

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Elgqvist Emma
·
Organization(s)
NREL
Description
Fact sheet providing information on building-scale and utility-scale battery storage for disaster resistance.

Be Prepared For Extreme Heat, FEMA V-1004

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Information sheet from FEMA on preparation for extreme heat, including measures for keeping homes cool.

Benefits of Trees

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
·
Organization(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
Description
Article describing the benefits trees provide through quotes and anecdotes.

Building Orientation for Optimum Energy

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
·
Organization(s)
InterACHI
Description
Webpage explaining how to site and orient a house to take advantage of the solar path.

Building Thermal Performance, Extreme Heat, and Climate Change

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Nahlik Matthew J.,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
American Society of Civil Engineers,
ASCE
Description
Article published by American Society of Civil Engineers on different building types and their effectiveness resisting extreme heat from a building envelope perspective.

CBE Thermal Comfort Tool

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Tartarini Federico,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Center for the Built Environment,
CBE,
UC Berkeley,
SinBerBEST,
Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore,
BEARS
Description
Online tool for thermal comfort calculations and visualizations SoftwareX 12, 100563 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2020.100563

Charge at Home

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Oregon Department of Energy,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Oregon Department of Energy,
State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality,
Oregon Department of Transportation,
Oregon Public Utility Commission Department of Administrative Services
Description
Webpage describing electric vehicle chargers

Chemicals Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the EPA evaluates potential risks from new and existing chemicals and acts to address any unreasonable risks chemicals may have on human health and the environment. This website explains the implications of such chemicals.

Choose A Light Guide

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

Clean Cities and Communities Coalition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
U.S. DOE
Description
Website describing technical expertise and support regarding electric vehicle infrastructure.

Climate Consultant

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Milne Murray
·
Organization(s)
Society of Building Science Educators,
SBSE,
University of California Los Angeles,
UCLA
Description
Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.

Construction & Design Considerations in Warmer Climates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Zero Energy Project
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Organization(s)
Zero Energy Project
Description
Guidance from Zero Energy Project on construction techniques for warmer climates, such as home orientation, and insulation requirements.

Consumer Tips for a Post-Disaster Home Restoration

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Organization(s)
HUD
Description
Brochure helping homeowners identify hazards, work with contractors to remove the hazards, help ensure the work is done properly, and educate when they can return safely to the home.