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 51 - 100 of 113 results:

Feasibility of Foundation Heat Exchangers for Residential Ground Source Heat Pump Systems in the United States

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cullin James R,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE,
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Description
Study characterizing how foundation heat exchangers (FHXs) used in residential ground source heat pump systems represent a potential cost savings due to their lesser first cost over other types of heat exchangers.

Geospatial Data Science

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Description
Website with prepopulated information about the United States renewable resources.

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

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hughes Patrick J
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
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.

Greenbuilt Retrofit Test House Final Report

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Earle Lieko,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Description
Research report presenting results of short term tests on measures used in an energy efficiency retrofit project in California.

Ground Source Heat and Cooling

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Seth Masia
·
Organization(s)
American Solar Energy Society,
ASES
Description
Website article discussing the economics of ground source heat pumps.

Heat & Cool Efficiently

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
A ENERGY STAR guide on efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems in residential homes.

Heat Pump Water Heater Model Validation Study

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Ecotope,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
·
Organization(s)
Ecotope,
NEEA
Description
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

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Town of Concord Massachusetts
·
Organization(s)
Town of Concord Massachusetts
Description
Webpage providing basic information on various types of heat pumps and their applications in Massachusetts.

Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Natural Resources Canada
·
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Description
Report providing information for HVAC designers, installers, and consumers about air source heat pumps.

HVAC – Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
PNNL,
DOE
Description
Webpage providing curriculum with links to presentations and problem sets for teaching an understanding of sizing cold climate heat pumps.

HVAC in Multifamily Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Description
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

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Raymer Paul H,
Moyer Neil
·
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

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

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Widder Sarah H,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
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

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences & Family and Consumer Sciences
·
Organization(s)
University of Georgia
Description
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

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
·
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Description
Web article describing two options for sizing ductless minisplit heat pumps, including a free HVAC sizing tool.

Local Officials Guide for Coastal Construction, FEMA P-762

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Guide describing sound mitigation measures to lower building natural disaster vulnerability to assist local officials and community decision makers in coastal areas.

Low-Cost Evaluation of Energy Savings at the Community Scale, Fresno California

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Burdick Arlan,
Rapport Ari,
Poerschke Andrew
·
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
Wathen Castanos Hybrid Homes,
WCHH,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report using a field test plan to evaluate the success of implementing energy efficiency upgrades at the community scale incorporating whole-house systems integrated measures package (SIMP).

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mantha Pallavi,
Zoeller William,
Shapiro Carl
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

Measured Performance of Occupied, Side-by-Side, South Texas Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Chasar Dave,
vonSchramm Valerie
·
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report summarizing a case study about the performance of three occupied homes built in 2009 in San Antonio, Texas.

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.

National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
·
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Description
A website issuing watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous tropical weather and increasing the understanding of hazards.

NEEP’s Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump List

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships
·
Organization(s)
NEEP
Description
Database compiling extended capacity data for numerous cold climate heat pump manufacturers and models.

NOAA's National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center: the Enhanced Fujita Scale

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
·
Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Description
The Enhanced F-scale is a set of wind estimates (not measurements) based on damage which uses three-second gusts estimated at the point of damage based on a judgment of 8 levels of damage to the 28 indicators listed.

Oilheat America: Burners

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Oilheat America
·
Organization(s)
Oilheat America
Description
A website providing information on the purpose of burners and the components used in burners.

Passive Design

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Green Home Technology Center
·
Organization(s)
Ohio State University Extension,
OSU
Description
Website providing guidance on passive heating, cooling, and lighting methods.

Passive Solar Design

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Williams College
·
Organization(s)
Williams College
Description
Article from Williams College on the key elements of passive solar design for homes.

Performance of a Hot-Dry Climate Whole-House Retrofit

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
German Alea,
Porse Erik,
Weitzel Elizabeth
·
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group
Description
Report presenting performance results from tests conducted on an energy efficiency retrofit project in Stockton, California.

Performance of Combination Hydronic Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Butcher Thomas
·
Organization(s)
American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
ASHRAE
Description
Article investigating how a linear input/output relationship can be used as a simple model of the performance of a combination hydronic heating system over heating only, DHW only, and combined loads.

Plant for the Sun!

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Forestry and Natural Resources
·
Organization(s)
Purdue University
Description
Blog article describing considerations for how to use trees for shading to reduce cooling energy demand.

Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Webpage describing a DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge. The challenge engages industry partners and focuses around the Cold Climate Heat Pumps, a more environmental and efficient heating alternative to traditional heating.

Residential Ground Source Heat Pump Systems Utilizing Foundation Heat Exchangers

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Spitler Jeffrey D,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Description
Paper covering a parametric study of foundation heat exchanger-based ground source heat pump systems for several house configurations in a range of European locations, with an emphasis on determining feasible combinations.