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 - 22 of 22

2012 Supplement to the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation

Author(s)

Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation

Organization(s)

FBC

Publication Date

January, 2012

A supplement to the 2012 Florida Building Code on energy efficiency and conservation.

A Feasibility Study: Ductless Hydronic Distribution systems with Fan Coil Delivery

Author(s)

Springer David,

Dakin Bill,

Backman Christine

Organization(s)

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Davis Energy Group

Publication Date

July, 2012

Research study estimating potential energy savings relative to conventional ducted air distribution, and identifying equipment requirements, costs, and barriers.

Energy Impacts of Nonlinear Behavior of PCM When Applied into Building Envelope

Author(s)

Tabares-Velasco Paulo Cesar

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

August, 2012

Research study analyzing the effects a nonlinear enthalpy profile has on thermal performance and expected energy benefits for PCM-enhanced insulation.

Expert Meeting Report: Achieving the Best Installed Performance from High-Efficiency Residential Gas Furnaces

Author(s)

Brand Larry

Organization(s)

Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,

PARR,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Gas Technology Institute,

GTI Energy,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

March, 2012

Expert meeting identifying installation practices that provide the best installed efficiency for residential gas furnaces, explain how AFUE and field efficiency can differ, and investigate the impact of installation practices on the efficiency and long-term durability of the furnace.

How to Perform a Heat-Loss Calculation, Part I

Author(s)

Holladay Martin

Organization(s)

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Publication Date

April, 2012

Website blog with guidance about calculating heat-loss.

Hydronic Heating Retrofits for Low-Rise Multifamily Buildings:Phase 1: Boiler Control Replacement and Monitoring

Author(s)

Dentz Jordan,

Henderson Hugh

Organization(s)

Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,

ARIES,

Levy Partnership

Publication Date

April, 2012

Report evaluating the relative effectiveness of various control and distribution strategies to improve hydronic space heating performance in existing low-rise multifamily buildings

Improving Air-Conditioner and Heat Pump Modeling

Author(s)

Winkler Jon

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

March, 2012

Presentation on Improving Air-Conditioner and Heat Pump Modeling.

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

Author(s)

Cummings James B,

Withers Charles R,

Martin Eric,

Moyer Neil

Organization(s)

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Publication Date

October, 2012

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

Measure Guideline: Air Sealing Mechanical Closets in Slab-on-Grade Homes

Author(s)

Dickson Bruce

Organization(s)

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

February, 2012

Document covering two fundamental retrofit strategies for air sealing around air handling systems that are located within the living space in an enclosed closet.

Measure Guideline: Evaporative Condensers

Author(s)

German Alea,

Dakin Bill,

Hoeschele Marc

Organization(s)

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Davis Energy Group

Publication Date

March, 2012

Report about evaporative condensers, to provide information on a cost-effective solution for energy and demand savings in homes with cooling loads.

Measure Guideline: Ventilation Cooling

Author(s)

Springer David,

Dakin Bill,

German Alea

Organization(s)

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Davis Energy Group,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

April, 2012

Guide describing proper application, design, and installation of mechanical ventilation cooling systems for homes located in hot-dry and cold-dry climates, as well as a means of understanding the benefits, costs, and tradeoffs of these systems.

Modern Hydronic Heating for Residential and Light Commercial Buildings

Author(s)

Siegenthaler John

Organization(s)

Delmar CENGAGE Learning

Publication Date

January, 2012

Book with indepth information about hydronic systems for residential and commercial buildings.

NREL Delivers In-Home HVAC Efficiency Testing Solutions

Author(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

NREL,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2012

Document on the development of two simple in-home efficiency test methods that can be used by technicians, researchers, or interested homeowners to verify the correct operation and energy efficiency of a homes air conditioning and heating equipment.

NREL Provides Guidance to Improve Thermal Comfort in High-Performance Homes

Author(s)

Ridouane El Hassan

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

January, 2012

Document about development of recommendations to help residential HVAC designers select optimal supply inlet size and system operating conditions to maintain good thermal comfort in low heating and cooling load homes.

Residential Fan Efficiency - Code Notes

Author(s)

U.S. Department of Energy

Organization(s)

DOE

Publication Date

August, 2012

IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Residential Feedback Devices and Programs: Opportunities for Natural Gas

Author(s)

Kerr Ryan,

Tondro Meredith

Organization(s)

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Gas Technology Institute,

GTI Energy

Publication Date

December, 2012

Report aimed at gaining a better understanding about benefits, challenges and technologies associated with natural gas feedback systems.

Retrofit Improvements - Elevate & Secure Outdoor HVAC Equipment

Author(s)

Home Innovation Research Labs

Organization(s)

HIRL

Publication Date

February, 2012

A quick-reference guide advising homeowners on how to elevate and protect outdoor HVAC equipment from high winds and floods.

Retrofitting Air Conditioning and Duct Systems in Hot, Dry Climates

Author(s)

Shapiro Carl,

Aldrich Robb,

Arena Lois

Organization(s)

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Publication Date

July, 2012

Report describing procedures for increasing sensible efficiencies through increased flow rates across the air handling unit and increased indoor coil sizes.

Steam System Balancing and Tuning for Multifamily Residential Buildings in Chicagoland

Author(s)

Choi Jayne,

Ludwig Peter,

Brand Larry

Organization(s)

Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,

PARR,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Gas Technology Institute,

GTI Energy,

CNT Energy,

Elevate Energy

Publication Date

August, 2012

Report addressing barriers to information, contractor resources and cost savings associated with steam balancing multifamily buildings.

Strategy Guideline: HVAC Equipment Sizing

Author(s)

Burdick Arlan

Organization(s)

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

February, 2012

Report describing the equipment selection of a split system air conditioner and furnace for an example house in Chicago, Illinois, as well as a heat pump system for an example house in Orlando, Florida.

Strategy Guideline: Transitioning HVAC Companies to Whole House Performance Contractors

Author(s)

Burdick Arlan

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Publication Date

May, 2012

Report describing findings from research related to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) companies that have made the decision to transition to whole house performance contracting (WHPC).

Verification and Validation of EnergyPlus Conduction Finite Difference and Phase Change Material Models for Opaque Wall Assemblies

Author(s)

Tabares-Velasco Paulo Cesar,

Christensen Craig B,

Bianchi Marcus V A,

Booten Chuck

Organization(s)

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Publication Date

July, 2012

Report summarizing NRELs efforts to develop diagnostic test cases to conduct accurate energy simulations when phase change materials (PCMs) are modeled in residential buildings.