Skip to main content

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 - 8 of 8 results:

Duct System Flammability and Air Sealing Fire Separation Assemblies in the International Residential Code

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Prahl Duncan,
Rudd Armin
·
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report identifying two barriers that limit the ability of builders to explore opportunities for higher levels of energy efficiency in housing: the use of duct system materials that inherently achieve airtightness and are right-sized for low-load houses, and, the ability to air seal fire separation...

Energy Savings and Peak Demand Reduction of a SEER 21 Heat Pump vs. a SEER 13 Heat Pump with Attic and Indoor Duct Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cummings James B,
Withers Charles R
·
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Research study describing experiments run in an unoccupied 1600 square foot house to evaluate the delivered performance as well as the relative performance of a SEER 21 variable capacity heat pump versus a SEER 13 heat pump.

Measure Guideline: Condensing Boilers - Optimizing Efficiency and Response Time During Setback Operation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Arena Lois
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report providing step-by-step instructions for heating contractors and hydronic designers for selecting the proper control settings to maximize system performance and improve response time when using a thermostat setback.

Mini-Split Heat Pumps Multifamily Retrofit Feasibility Study

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
Henderson Hugh,
Podorson David
·
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES,
Levy Partnership,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
This report investigates whether mini-split heat pumps can live up to their potential for one market segment: multifamily retrofits.

Sensitivity Analysis of Installation Faults on Heat Pump Performance

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Piotr Domanski,
Hugh Henderson,
Payne W Vance
·
Organization(s)
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
NIST
Description
Technical study exploring the impact of different installation faults on heat pump performance in a single-family house.

Smart Water Heater Pilot

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
·
Organization(s)
NEEA
Description
Website providing consumers with resources to find, select and install heat pump water heaters.

Suitability of foundation heat exchangers for ground source heat pump systems in European climates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cullin James R,
Spitler Jeffrey D,
Gehlin Signhild E A
·
Organization(s)
Federation of European Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations,
REHVA,
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Swedish Centre for Shallow Geothermal Energy
Description
A research paper discussing the use of foundation heat exchangers for ground source heat pump systems in European climates.