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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 201 - 250 of 282 results:

Passive Design

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

Performance of Combination Hydronic Systems

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

Preparedness Webinars

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
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Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Database describing FEMA preparedness webinars including natural hazard preparedness.

Preparing for Disaster, FEMA P-475

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
American Red Cross
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Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Description
Fact sheet describing how to prepare for a natural disaster and assemble a disaster supply kit.

Product Approval Menu

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
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Organization(s)
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
Description
Database of approved products that meet the requirements of the High Velocity Hurricane Zone.

Ready to Respond: Strategies for Multifamily Building Resilience

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Enterprise Green Communities
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Organization(s)
Enterprise Green Communities
Description
Report providing strategies to support occupant behavior changes for enhancing resilience, and to reduce a building's vulnerability to extreme weather, climate change, and loss of power.

Ready.gov: Build A Kit

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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Organization(s)
USDHS
Description
A fact sheet providing tips on how to assemble a kit of food, water and other disaster supplies in the event of an emergency.

Rehabbing Flooded Houses - A Guide for Builders and Contractors

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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Organization(s)
HUD
Description
Guide providing information for professional builders and contractors rehabbing flooded single-family houses with emphasis on safe practices and the most important activities in the rehab process.

Reinforcing gable overhang ladder to prevent sag

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Mahan Mike
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Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Description
A user forum discussing ways to reinforce a gable overhand that was framed using the ladder method by Mike Mahan.

Required Length of Bracing, R602.10.3

Publication Date
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Author(s)
International Code Council
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Organization(s)
ICC
Description
Table in the IRC describing bracing requirements for specified wind speeds and building story locations.

Residential Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
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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
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Author(s)
Spitler Jeffrey D,
et al.
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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.

Residential Safe Rooms - Fact Sheet

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
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Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
A fact sheet educating homeowners on the importance of residential safe rooms, including their cost and how to register a safe room with local officials.

Resistance of Exterior Walls to High Velocity Projectiles

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Kashuba Scott D,
Kuzik Mark D,
Hatzinikolas Michael A
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Organization(s)
Canadian Masonry Research Institute,
CMPA
Description
Report describing the testing of various siding materials for their ability to resist bullets from small firearms.

Roof Sheathing Installation, FEMA Technical Fact Sheet No. 7.1

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
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Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Fact sheet describing proper roof sheathing installation and illustrating fastening methods that will enhance the durability of a building in high-wind areas; also published in FEMA P-499 “Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Technical Fact Sheet Series.”

Small Wind Site Assessment Guidelines

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Olsen Tim,
Preus Robert
·
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Technical report providing site selection guidance for installation of small wind turbines.

Storm Prediction Center

Publication Date
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Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
National Weather Service
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Organization(s)
NOAA,
NWS
Description
A website providing timely and accurate forecasts and watches for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes over the contiguous United States.

Structural Design Loads for the Home Inspector

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
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Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Description
Article defining structural design loads and ways to calculate them, including dead loads, live loads, soil lateral loads, wind loads, snow loads, earthquake loads, and other loads.

Suggested Emergency Food Supplies

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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Organization(s)
USDHS
Description
Article describing suggested food supplies, sanitation, safety, and cooking for during and after an emergency.

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.

Sustainable Living Series

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Office of Sustainability
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Organization(s)
Washington University St. Louis
Description
Presentation by the Washington University in St. Louis Office of Sustainability on saving energy.

Technician’s Guide & Work Book For Quality Installation

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
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Organization(s)
ACCA
Description
The Technician's Guide equips practitioners with the knowledge to properly implement all of the measurement procedures required in the HVAC QI Specification.