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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 1 - 9 of 9 results:

Construction Defects – Mortar Bridging and Mortar Droppings Still Plague the Industry

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Stephan Bill
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Organization(s)
Metropolitan Engineering Consulting & Forensics,
MECF
Description
Article about how mortar droppings during the installation of a brick veneer can clog the weep holes in the wall assembly causing moisture damage. The article also illustrates products that can be installed in the ventilated cavity to mitigate this problem.

Evaluation of Passive Vents in New-Construction Multifamily Buildings

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
U.S. Department of Energy
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Organization(s)
CARB,
DOE
Description
Case study on exhaust ventilation and corresponding outdoor air intake strategies implemented in high-performance new-construction multifamily buildings.

Renewable Energy Ready Home Solar Site Assessment Tool

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website tool intended to guide home builders in assessing whether a new home has the proper physical orientation to support a future installation of a solar energy system.

Resource Manual for Building WaterSense Labeled New Homes

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Resource to help builders better understand the WaterSense requirements for labeled homes and assist them in meeting the criteria so they can receive the label for their new construction.

Sensitivity Analysis of Installation Faults on Heat Pump Performance

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Piotr Domanski,
Hugh Henderson,
Payne W Vance
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Organization(s)
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
NIST
Description
Technical study exploring the impact of different installation faults on heat pump performance in a single-family house.

WaterSense Labeled New Home Inspection Checklist

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
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Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Description
Resource that provides a checklist of program criteria for water-efficient new homes under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program.