Library | Building America Solution Center

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 1 - 21 of 21

Building America Best Practices Series Volume 15: 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Humid Climate

Author(s)

Baechler Michael C,

Gilbride Theresa L,

Hefty Marye G,

Cole Pam C,

Adams Karen T,

Noonan Chrissy F,

Love Pat M

Organization(s)

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL

Publication Date

September, 2011

A guidebook helping builders design and construct homes that are among the most energy efficient available, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort. Measures described in this guide can help builders in the hot-humid climate...

Earthquake Country Alliance: HVAC Units

Author(s)

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program,

Federal Emergency Management Agency,

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services,

Southern California Earthquake Center

Organization(s)

NEHRP,

FEMA,

Cal OES,

SCEC,

Earthquake Country Alliance,

ECA

Publication Date

September, 2022

Factsheet describing methods for securing HVAC units to avoid damage during an earthquake.

Emergencies and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Author(s)

US Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA

Publication Date

March, 2023

Website that lists references that can help you determine how to control you indoor air quality while combating an emergency.

Energy-Efficient Ducted Evaporative Coolers

Author(s)

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Organization(s)

PG&E

Publication Date

April, 2004

Fact sheet providing information on how evaporative coolers work, how to select and size a unit, and basic installation practices.

Evaluation of Mini-Split Heat Pumps as Supplemental and Full System Retrofits in a Hot Humid Climate

Author(s)

Karen Sutherland,

Danny Parker,

Eric Martin

Organization(s)

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,

ACEEE

Publication Date

August, 2016

Technical report presenting the results of an evaluation of homes using high-efficiency mini-split heat pumps to supplement the primary heating and cooling systems.

Evaporative Cooler Tips

Author(s)

Home Energy Saver

Organization(s)

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Publication Date

March, 2023

Webpage providing tips for installing and maintaining an evaporative cooler.

Extreme Heat—A Tale of Two Cities, BSI-032

Author(s)

Joseph Lstiburek

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation

Publication Date

February, 2010

Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.

FEMA P-348, 2nd edition; Protecting Building Utility Systems From Flood Damage: Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

February, 2017

Guide describing flood protection measures for utility systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fuel.

Filtration and Disinfection FAQ

Author(s)

American Society of Heating,

Refrigerating,

and Air-conditioning Engineers

Organization(s)

ASHRAE

Publication Date

March, 2023

ASHRAE Q&A addressing HVAC filtration and disinfection for reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Flood Cleanup: Protecting Indoor Air Quality

Author(s)

US Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

EPA

Publication Date

May, 2023

This five-page brochure contains basic information on flood cleanup with illustrations and links to more detailed information.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC); Water Heating; Appliances; and Refrigeration

Author(s)

Goetzler,

Guernsey,

Kassuga

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report evaluating HVAC building technologies based on their ability to provide grid services and the type of value provided, including efficiency, load shed, load shift, and modulation.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Lighting and Electronics

Author(s)

Nubbe,

Yamada

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report evaluating lighting and electronic building technologies based on their ability to provide grid services and the type of value provided, including efficiency, load shed, load shift, and modulation.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Overview of Research Challenges and Gaps

Author(s)

Nubbe,

Neukomm,

Fares

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report providing an introduction to core concepts of GEBs, and explaining how flexible building loads can be integrated and controlled to benefit consumers, the grid, and society more broadly.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Whole Building Controls, Sensors, Modeling, and Analytics

Author(s)

Roth,

Reyna

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report addressing the current state of these technologies and the challenges of adapting these to the GEB context.

Grid-Interactive Efficient Buildings Technical Report Series: Windows and Opaque Envelope

Author(s)

Mumme,

LaFrance,

Neukomm,

Sawyer

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

December, 2019

Report focuseing on dynamic window and opaque envelope technologies for GEBs, including electrochromic glazing, automated attachments, and thermal storage.

High-Efficiency Window Air Conditioners

Author(s)

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

September, 2013

Factsheet profiling a simple modification that can be made to window air-conditioners to improve their energy efficiency.

Installing and Maintaining Evaporative Coolers

Author(s)

Roy Otterbein

Organization(s)

Home Energy Magazine

Publication Date

May, 1996

Article describing what evaporative coolers are, how they work, different types, performance, where they are appropriate, and how to install and maintain them.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Author(s)

Pettit,

Neuhauser,

Gates

Organization(s)

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Publication Date

July, 2013

Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.

Overview of FEMA P-348, 2017 Edition Protecting Building Utility Systems From Flood Damage

Author(s)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Organization(s)

FEMA

Publication Date

May, 2019

Flyer describing the location of key topics in FEMA P-348, including flood mitigation for MEP and fuel systems.

What kind of filter should I use in my home HVAC system to help protect my family from COVID-19?

Author(s)

US Environmental Protection Agency

Organization(s)

U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Publication Date

March, 2023

EPA coronavirus Q&A discussing the role of HVAC filters in dealing with COVID-19.

Who's Leading: The Dance Between Mini-Splits and Existing HVAC Systems

Author(s)

Metzger

Publication Date

September, 2020

Conference paper presented at the 2020 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings presenting the results of an evaluation of control strategies used when new mini-splits are installed in a home with an existing HVAC system.