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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 58 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.

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.

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

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
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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 STAR Certified Ceiling Fans

Publication Date
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Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
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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
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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.

Fans for Cooling

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
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Organization(s)
DOE
Description
DOE webpage that gives and overview of fans for cooling.

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.

Homeowner's and Renter's Guide to Reducing Radon After Disasters

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD
Description
Homeowner guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on dealing with radon following a natural disaster.

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.

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.

Impact of Residential Mechanical Ventilation on Energy Cost and Humidity Control

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Martin Eric
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Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS
Description
The study described in this white paper is based on building energy modeling with an important focus on the indoor humidity impacts of ventilation.

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 AirPlus Program Documents

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website providing the technical specifications and related documents for home builders, subcontractors, architects, and other housing professionals interested in certifying a home to the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program requirements.

Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rules

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
EPA’s 2008 Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule (as amended in 2010 and 2011), aims to protect the public from lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation, repair and painting activities.

Map of Radon Zones

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
The purpose of this map is to assist national, state and local organizations to target their resources and to implement radon-resistant building codes.

Measure Guideline: Ventilation Cooling

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Springer David,
Dakin Bill,
German Alea
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Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Guide describing proper application, design, and installation of mechanical ventilation cooling systems for homes located in hot-dry and cold-dry climates, as well as a means of understanding the benefits, costs, and tradeoffs of these systems.

Night Ventilation Cooling Compliance Option

Publication Date
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Author(s)
California Statewide Utility Codes and Standards Program
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Organization(s)
California Public Utilities Commission,
CPUC
Description
Document describing recommended modeling rules, potential compliance credits, and eligibility criteria for residential night ventilation cooling systems for California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards.

Radon

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website explaining the risks associated with radon in homes and how to protect homes against radon.

Radon Mitigation Standards

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Standard providing information on contractors who offer radon control services to homeowners.

Residential Fan Efficiency - Code Notes

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
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Organization(s)
DOE
Description
IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Review of Residential Comfort Control Products and Opportunities

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Metzger Cheryn E,
Goyal Siddharth,
Baechler Michael C
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Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
This research paper outlines residential HVAC advanced controls and sensors. It includes a technology review, applications, maintenance and commissioning, occupant behavior and a summary of the state-of-the-art technologies for advanced controls for residential HVAC.