Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 51 - 100 of 129 results:

Do-It-Yourself Savings Project: Install Exterior Storm Windows With Low-E Coating

2020

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

A website by the U.S. DOE highlighting the potential energy savings from upgrading energy inefficient windows with low-emissivity.

Energy and IAQ Implications of Residential Ventilation Cooling

2014

Walker Iain S,

Turner William JN

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

This study evaluates the energy, humidity and indoor air quality implications of residential ventilation cooling in all US IECC climate zones.

Energy Resources: A Course on the Fundamentals of the World's Energy, its Source, Usage and Conservation

2025

Dallas Abbott

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

Online textbook describing energy, including energy types, and energy use in homes.

Energy Saver: Heat Pump Systems

2024

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Website with consumer information about residential heat pump systems.

Energy Saver: Thermostats

2021

Energy Saver

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Article by Energy Saver on how to save energy with your thermostat.

Energy Savers: Geothermal Heat Pumps

2012

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2021 - Clothes Dryers

2021

ENERGY STAR

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

A list of clothes dryers that made the EnergyStar Most Efficient list for 2021, delivering cutting technological innovation along with energy efficiency.

ENERGY STAR Program Requirements Product Specification for Central Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Equipment – Eligibility Criteria Version 6.1

2022

ENERGY STAR

Program criteria for central air conditioner and heat pump equipment.

ENERGY STAR® Certified Mini Split Heat Pumps

2023

ENERGY STAR

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,

EPA,

ENERGY STAR

Factsheet describing mini split heat pumps and their benefits for consumers.

Equivalency of SIP Walls to Light Frame Wood Construction Subjected to Seismic Loading

2021

Structural Insulate Panel Association

SIPA

Article in the SIPA Technical Bulletin (No. 11) comparing the earthquake resistance of light-frame wood shear wall construction to residential construction with structural insulated panels (SIPS).

ETW: Wall - Double Stud Wall Construction

2014

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

ETW: Wall - Double Stud with Spray Foam Wall Construction

2014

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud with spray foam wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

ETW: Wall - Truss Wall Construction

2014

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet briefly summarizing truss wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

2016

Sullivan Greg P,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using interior cellular shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.

Evaluation of Exterior Shades at PNNL Lab Homes and Occupied Field Sites

2020

Cort Katherine A,

Hunt Walter E

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using exterior fabric shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain, reduce glare, and improve comfort.

Evaluation of Interior Cellular Shades in a Residential Building

2021

Bhandari Mahabir,

et al.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating the energy savings potential of cellular shades in homes.

Evaluation of the Thermal and Moisture Performance of Insulating Shades

2022

Cort Katherine A,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating condensation buildup on windows when using insulating shades.

Expert Meeting Report: Recommendations for Applying Water Heaters in Combination Space and Domestic Water Heating Systems

2012

Rudd Armin,

et al.

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Expert meeting describing meeting details for recommendations for applying water heaters in combination space and domestic water heating systems.

Extended Plate and Beam Wall System: Concept Investigation and Initial Evaluation

2015

Wiehagen Joseph,

Kochkin Vladimir

Partnership for Home Innovation,

PHI,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL

Report on high-R wall design called extended plate and beam that uses foam sheathing insulation with wall framing.

Field Performance of Inverter-Driven Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

2015

Williamson Jim,

Aldrich Robb

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Report on field monitoring of inverter-driven ASHPs in cold-climate homes.

Foundation Heat Exchanger Model and Design Tool Development and Validation

2011

Spitler Jeffrey D,

et al.

Oklahoma State University,

OSU,

De Montfort University,

DMU,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL

Report describing a project aimed at developing validated models and design tools for foundation heat exchangers.

Geothermal (Ground-Source) Heat Pumps: Market Status, Barriers to Adoption, and Actions to Overcome Barriers

2008

Hughes Patrick J

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report investigating the status of the geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry and technology in the United States, assembling GHP energy savings potential, identifying key barriers to application of GHPs, and identifying actions that could accelerate adoption of GHPs.

Ground Source Heat and Cooling

2024

Seth Masia

American Solar Energy Society,

ASES

Website article discussing the economics of ground source heat pumps.

Guide to Installing Air-Source Heat Pumps in Cold Climates: A Companion to NEEP’s Guide to Sizing & Selecting Air-Source Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

2024

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships

NEEP

Factsheet describing how to install air source heat pumps for residential heating and cooling in cold climates.

Guide to Insulating Sheathing

2007

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Guide providing information on using exterior foam insulating sheathing in building wall assemblies to enhance thermal performance.

Guide to Sizing & Selecting Air-Source Heat Pumps in Cold Climates: A Companion to NEEP's Guide to Installing Air-Source Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

2024

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships

NEEP

Factsheet describing how to install air source heat pumps for residential heating and cooling in cold climates.

Guide to Sizing and Selecting Air-Source Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

2018

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships

NEEP

Guide by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships on how to size heat pumps in a cold climate.

Header Hangers in Bearing Walls, Code Notes Article 126

2011

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Document providing supplemental information for code enforcement professionals about header hangers in bearing walls.

Heat & Cool Efficiently

2021

ENERGY STAR

A ENERGY STAR guide on efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems in residential homes.

Heat Pump Water Heater Model Validation Study

2015

Ecotope,

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Ecotope,

NEEA

Report describing the significant potential for energy use reductions through heat pump water heaters, which have been a crucial part of Northwest power plans for decades and have recently achieved substantial savings with new integrated models and climate specifications.

Heat Pumps for Heating and Cooling

2023

Town of Concord Massachusetts

Webpage providing basic information on various types of heat pumps and their applications in Massachusetts.

Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump

2022

Natural Resources Canada

Report providing information for HVAC designers, installers, and consumers about air source heat pumps.

High Performance Building Details - Advanced Framing I

2010

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

CARB,

SWA

Brochure describing advanced framing techniques.

High Performance Building Details - Advanced Framing II

2010

Steven Winter Associates,

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings

CARB,

SWA

Brochure describing advanced framing techniques.

How to Make a Two-Pipe Steam Heating System Really Work

2003

Gifford Henry

American Boiler Manufacturers Association

Article describing how to use radiator inlet orifices optimize two-pipe steam heating systems.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Why Heat Pumps?

2024

Edward Louie,

Theresa Gilbride

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Factsheet outlining the advantages of using heat pumps, which are an efficient way to heat and cool a home.

Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA 549

2006

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Guide discussing observations, recommendations, and technical guidance as a result of Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Gable End Overhangs

2020

Florida Disaster

Florida Division of Emergency Management

A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.

HVAC – Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing

2024

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

PNNL,

DOE

Webpage providing curriculum with links to presentations and problem sets for teaching an understanding of sizing cold climate heat pumps.

HVAC in Multifamily Buildings

2006

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation

Paper providing a comprehensive overview of HVAC system design considerations and challenges specific to multifamily residential buildings, focusing on optimizing performance and addressing common issues.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

2006

Raymer Paul H,

Moyer Neil

Tamarack Technologies,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

Impact Resistance of Advanced Framed Wall Systems with Insulating Sheathing as the Primary Sheathing, RR-0603

2009

Baker Peter,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study describing the impact resistance performance of advanced framed wall systems with insulating sheathing as the primary sheathing from wind blown debris.

Interaction between Heat Pump Water Heaters or Other Internal Point Source Loads and a Central Heating System

2017

Widder Sarah H,

et al.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,

NEEA,

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Report describing the objective evaluation of space conditioning interactions between heat pump water heaters and home heating systems during winter 2016-2017, revealing a smaller than anticipated impact on space conditioning loads.

Keeping Warm during Winter Power Outages

2008

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences & Family and Consumer Sciences

University of Georgia

Webpage describing how to conserve heat or find alternative heat sources during a power outage to keep one room warm.

Load Calculation Tools for Ductless Heat Pumps

2023

BetterBuilt Northwest,

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

BetterBuiltNW,

NEEA

Web article describing two options for sizing ductless minisplit heat pumps, including a free HVAC sizing tool.

Lower Battery Costs, High Value of Backup Power Drive Distributed Storage Deployment

2021

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

NREL,

DOE

News article describing the state of the residential battery storage market.

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

2015

Ply Gem Siding Group

Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

2013

Mantha Pallavi,

Zoeller William,

Shapiro Carl

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

Measure Guideline: Combined Space and Water Heating Installation and Optimization

2017

Bohac Dave,

Schoenbauer Ben,

Huelman Patrick H

NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

UMN

Report describing the installation and operation of forced-air heating and domestic hot water combi systems in residential homes.

Measure Guideline: Combustion Safety for Natural Draft Appliances Through Appliance Zone Isolation

2014

Fitzgerald J,

Bohac Dave

Center for Energy and Environment,

CEE,

NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

UMN

Measure Guideline describing how to assess and carry out the isolation of natural draft combustion appliances from the conditioned spaces of low-rise residential buildings.