Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 64 results:

Advanced Water Heating Specification

2022

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

NEEA

Specifications for water heating systems designed to advance higher performing electric and gas heat pump water heaters.

Airtightness Results of Roof-Only Air Sealing Strategies on 1 1/2-Story Homes in Cold Climates

2014

Mosiman Garrett,

Ojczyk Cindy,

Murry T

University of Minnesota,

NothernSTAR

Research report describing study of interior and exterior air sealing techniques to stop ice dams in five 1.5-story retrofit homes conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.

Analyzing Design Heating Loads in Superinsulated Buildings

2015

Arena Lois

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report analyzing design heating load sizing methods for superinsulated homes in cold climates and comparing them to the actual energy usage to determine if the building load calculation methodology should be changed for calculating the design heating load of these homes.

Brick, Stucco, Housewrap and Building Paper, RR-0105

2001

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study discussing how housewraps restrict or permit the passage of water molecules based on size, but cannot control the direction in which the water vapor molecules move.

BSC Information - Common Flashing Details for All Climates, Sheet 303

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Brochure providing information about flashing in all cimates.

BSC Information - Vapor Open Assemblies for All Climates, Sheet 311

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet providing information about vapor management in building assemblies.

BSC Information - Vapor Permeance of Some Building Materials of Some Building Materials, Sheet 312

2013

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet providing details on the vapor permeance of different types of materials used in building assemblies.

Building a Durable and Energy Efficient Home in Post-Katrina New Orleans, BA-0704

2007

Baker Peter

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study about key sustainability concepts, durability, energy efficiency and new flood resistant design.

Building America Special Research Project - High R-Value Enclosures for High Performance Residential Buildings in All Climate Zones, BA-1005

2011

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.

Combined Space and Water Heating: Next Steps to Improved Performance

2016

Bohac Dave,

Schoenbauer Ben,

Huelman Patrick H

University of Minnesota,

UMN,

NothernSTAR,

NSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing combined space- and water-heating (combi) systems using a high-efficiency direct-vent burner.

Combustion Safety Simplified Test Protocol Field Study

2015

Brand Larry,

et al.

Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,

PARR,

NothernSTAR,

NSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report on a simplified test procedure for combustion safety that is easier to implement and should produce fewer false positives than the previous procedure.

Durable Interior Foundation Insulation Retrofits for Cold Climates, Cloquet Minnesota

2015

University of Minnesota

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Case study describing foundation wall moisture studies at a research facility in Minnesota run by Building America team NorthernSTAR.

Evaluation of Humidity Control Options in Hot-Humid Climate Homes

2011

Winkler Jon,

Christensen Dane,

Fang Xia

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Research study that utilizes EnergyPlus equipped with the moisture capacitance model to analyze the indoor relative humidity in three home types.

Evaluation of the Effective Moisture Penetration Depth Model for Estimating Moisture Buffering in Buildings

2013

Woods Jason,

Winkler Jon,

Christensen Dane

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Research study examining the effective moisture penetration depth (EMPD) model and its suitability for building simulations.

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.

Excavationless Exterior Foundation Insulation Exploratory Study

2013

Mosiman Garrett,

Wagner Terence L,

Schirber Tom

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

U.S. Department of Labor,

DOE

Research study searching for combinations of existing technologies that could enable a minimally invasive, cost-competitive, easily deployable method of upgrading soil-side foundation insulation in existing buildings.

Excavationless: Exterior-Side Foundation Insulation for Existing Homes, Minneapolis, Minnesota

2014

University of Minnesota

UMN,

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Case study describing novel technique for installing exterior spray foam on foundation walls that uses high-pressure water sprayer and a “hydro vac” to remove dirt along the foundation wall.

Expert Meeting Report: Interior Insulation Retrofit of Mass Masonry Wall Assemblies

2012

Ueno Kohta,

Van Straaten R

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Expert Meeting about interior insulation retrofit of mass masonry wall assemblies held on July 30, 2011.

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.

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.

Flexible Residential Test Facility: Impact of Infiltration and Ventilation on Measured Cooling Season Energy and Moisture Levels

2014

Parker Danny S,

et al.

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Research report assessing the moisture and cooling load impacts of airtightness and mechanical ventilation in homes in hot-humid climates.

Groundwater Control, Info-101

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet about groundwater control.

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.

High-R Walls for Remodeling: Wall Cavity Moisture Monitoring

2012

Wiehagen Joseph,

Kochkin Vladimir

NAHB Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Research study presenting results of an existing home monitoring project designed to measure wall cavity moisture characteristics.

Hygric Redistribution in Insulated Assemblies: Retrofitting Residential Envelopes Without Creating Moisture Issues

2013

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Smegal Jonathan

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report exploring four questions to determine the level of risk associated with adding drained exterior insulation to the exterior of an existing home during an energy retrofit.

IBACOS Builder System Performance Packages: January 2003--December 2003

2004

Broniek John

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report presenting system design packages for cold and mixed-humid climates.

Installing Windows with Foam Sheathing on a Wood-Frame Wall

2005

Building Science Corporation,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

BSC,

NREL

Report with guidance for installing windows with foam sheathing on wood-frame walls.

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.

Interior Water Management, Info-306

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Article discussing indoor water management.

Laboratory Evaluation of Energy Recovery Ventilators

2016

Kosar Douglas

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Gas Technology Institute,

GTI Energy,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report targeting the growing number of homes utilizing deep retrofit measures and new construction practices to realize sufficiently lower infiltration levels that require mechanical ventilation as prescribed by ASHRAE Standard 62.2.

Laboratory Test Report for Six ENERGY STAR Dehumidifiers

2011

Winkler Jon,

Christensen Dane,

Tomerlin Jeff

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report documenting the measured performance of six residential ENERGY STAR vapor compression dehumidifiers.

Managing the Drivers of Air Flow and Water Vapor Transport in Existing Single-Family Homes

2012

Cummings James B,

et al.

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Report focusing on managing the driving forces that move air and water vapor across the building envelope.

Measure Guideline: Basement Insulation Basics

2012

Aldrich Robb,

Mantha Pallavi,

Puttagunta Srikanth

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.

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.

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

2014

Grin Aaron,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

2014

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Case study about how to properly tape insulating sheathing drainage planes.

Measure Guideline: Hybrid Foundation Insulation Retrofits

2012

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Ueno Kohta

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Document providing information on basement insulation, air sealing and water management retrofits.

Measure Guideline: Internal Insulation of Masonry Walls

2012

Schumacher Christopher,

Ueno Kohta,

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report summarizing the importance of properly insulating and air sealing masonry walls, providing step by step instructions and approaches.

Measure Guideline: Water Management at Tub and Shower Assemblies

2011

Dickson Bruce

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report covering the fundamental waterproofing strategies for tub and shower assemblies.

Mini-Split Heat Pumps Multifamily Retrofit Feasibility Study

2014

Dentz Jordan,

Henderson Hugh,

Podorson David

Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,

ARIES,

Levy Partnership,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

This report investigates whether mini-split heat pumps can live up to their potential for one market segment: multifamily retrofits.

Moisture and Structural Analysis for High Performance Hybrid Wall Assemblies

2012

Grin Aaron,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing the work conducted for high performance hybrid assemblies.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

2020

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Moisture Durability with Vapor-Permeable Insulating Sheathing

2013

Lstiburek Joseph W,

LePage Robert

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report about exterior sheathing insulation and inward driven moisture issues.

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

2013

LePage Robert,

Schumacher Christopher,

Lukachko Alex

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Moisture-Safe Unvented Wood Roof Systems, RR-1001

2010

Smith John,

Smegal Jonathan,

Straube John

University of Waterloo,

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Document describing a hygrothermal modeling study, including all of the US climate zones, a range of interior humidity levels and numerous arrangements and types of insulation.

Mold: Ignorance Is Not Bliss

2010

Puttagunta Srikanth

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Information sheet about mold mitigation.

Project Overcoat - An Exploration of Exterior Insulation Strategies for 1-1/2 Story Roof Applications in Cold Climates

2013

Ojczyk Cindy,

et al.

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

NSTAR

Research report describing study of exterior retrofit approach for air sealing, insulating, and water management conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.

Project Overcoat: Airtightness Strategies and Impacts for 1 1/2-Story Homes, Minneapolis, Minnesota

2014

University of Minnesota

NorthernSTAR,

NSTAR

Case study describing the External Thermal and Moisture Management System developed by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership for retrofitting roofs with rigid foam over the roof deck, especially on one and a half-story homes.

READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate, GM-0602

2005

Brennan Terry,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.