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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 85 results:

AHAM - Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

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

Air Sensors International Conference

Publication Date
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Author(s)
University of California
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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.

An Introduction To PSC Motors

Publication Date
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Author(s)
RW Beckett Corporation
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Organization(s)
RW Beckett Corporation
Description
Webpage that gives an introduction to PSC motors and their operation.

ASHRAE Position Document on Indoor Carbon Dioxide

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

Ceiling Fan Basics

Publication Date
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Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
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Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
ENRGY STAR webpage discussing the basics of certified ceiling fans.

Ceiling Fans - Tips for Maximizing Energy Savings

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Calwell Chris,
Horowitz Noah
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Organization(s)
Massachusetts Department of Energy,
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Home Energy Magazine,
State of Massachusetts
Description
Article describing customer tip sheet and how ceiling fans are one of the most popular and generally well regarded of all home energy efficiency features.

Ceiling Fans Key Product Criteria

Publication Date
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Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
Website that describes two ceiling fan types and their respective ENERGY STAR eligible product types.

Chemicals Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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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.

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.

Cool Solutions: The Whole House Fan

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Mott-Smith John
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Organization(s)
City of Davis,
State of California
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

Cooling with a Whole-House Fan

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
DOE Energy Saver webpage summarizing the use of whole-house fans for cooling.

Cooling with Ventilation

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Chandra Subrato,
Houston Michael M,
Fairey Philip W
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Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Report providing recommendations to builders regarding how to reduce cooling loads, use air-circulation fans, natural ventilation, window and building design for natural ventilation, and whole-house fans.

Designing Houses That Keep Their Cool

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Wilson Alex
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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.

ECM Motors: An Energy Saving Opportunity

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Office of Research Facilities
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Organization(s)
ORF
Description
Bulletin describing the components of ECM motors and comparing their efficiency with PSC motors.

Effect of Residential Ventilation Techniques for Hot and Humid Climates on Indoor Concentrations and Emission Rates of Volatile Organic Compounds

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Hodgson Alfred T,
Moyer Neil,
Beal David
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Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
A report describing six mechanical ventilation strategies that were evaluated for their ability to control indoor humidity levels over 14-day periods with simulated occupancy.

Energy Efficiency Standards

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
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Organization(s)
LBNL
Description
Website describing analyses for products and standards affecting home heating, cooling, and appliances, in regards to technical, economical, and energy efficiency pathways.

Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
This publication provides a set of best practices for improving indoor air quality in conjunction with energy upgrade work in homes.

ENERGY STAR Certified Ceiling Fans

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.

ENERGY STAR Certified Ventilating Fans

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Factsheet describing the benefits of purchasing and installing ENERGY STAR rated fans and ventilation products.

Evaluation of Retrofit Variable-Speed Furnace Fan Motors

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Williamson Jim
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Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report detailing the effects of replacing PSC motors with more efficient, variable-speed motors.

Factsheet: What is Indoor Air Quality?

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Fact sheet describing indoor air quality (IAQ), including information on common sources of indoor air pollutants and best practices for improving IAQ.

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.

FAQs -- After Gutting a Flooded Home

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Louisiana State University College of Agriculture
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Organization(s)
LSU AgCenter
Description
Webpage from LSU AgCenter answering frequently asked questions after gutting a flooded home, including mitigation strategies for future floods.

Gossamer Wind Ceiling Fans

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
University of Central Florida
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Organization(s)
FSEC,
UCF
Description
Website providing information about the Gossamer Wind Series Ceiling fans, conceived by Danny Parker at the Florida Solar Energy Center as a means of realizing the energy efficiency and comfort potential of ceiling fans.

Home Ventilating Institute

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Description
Website providing certified rating programs to help manufacturers, builders, contractors and homeowners compare performance of ventilation products for air flow, sound, and other performance characteristics.

How Much Ventilation Do I Need?

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Description
Website with articles on home ventilation and indoor air quality.

How to Choose a Room Air Cleaner

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Park Ga-Young
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Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. EPA,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Description
Article describing considerations for choosing a room-level air cleaner to improve indoor air quality.

How to Find Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Companion document to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, providing guidance on identifying compliant products, including industry databases and examples of product labeling.

HVI Airflow Test Procedure

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Publication specifying HVI’s prescriptive procedures for testing and rating airflow of residential ventilation products in accordance with ANSI consensus standards.

HVI Certification Program Policies and Procedures

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Publication describing the requirements and procedures for the certified performance ratings program for residential ventilation products administered by the Home Ventilating Institute.

HVI Certified Products Directory

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.

Indoor Air Pollution from Cooking

Publication Date
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Author(s)
California Air Resources Board,
California Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
CARB,
CalEPA
Description
Article describing ways home owners can improve ventilation in their kitchens.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Webpage describing indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality in 24 California Residences Designed as High-Performance Homes

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Less Brennan,
et al.
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Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.

Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low Emission Products

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website helping builders, designers, and home energy raters find products that are compliant with the EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification requirements for low-emission materials.

Lead

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
EPA webpage on lead in homes.