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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 151 - 200 of 373 results:

Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations 1

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Fine Homebuilding
Description
Guides describing frost-protected shallow foundations as an alternative method for building an energy-efficient foundation for a house in a cold climate that uses less concrete and saves on labor.

Gas Safety Tips

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
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Organization(s)
PG&E
Description
Webpage describing the safety hazards associated with natural gas and tips on how to avoid these hazards by a step process of turning off natural gas service to a home and restoring service afterwards.

Gas Shut-Off Valve Requirements

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Town of Danville CA
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Organization(s)
Town of Danville CA
Description
Brochure for natural gas utility customers describing seismic valves and excess flow valves for homes.

Gas Shutoff Devices

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pacific Gas & Electric
·
Organization(s)
PG&E
Description
Webpage describing when and how to safely turn off the natural gas to the home during an emergency.

Gas Shutoff Valve Certification for Residential Structures

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Commins Tav
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Organization(s)
State of California Division of the State Architect
Description
Webpage with certification requirements for excess flow and earthquake valves from California's Division of the State Architect (DSA).

Great Fire of London, BSI–098

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Report covering the fire performance of combustible cladding over combustible insulation.

Hazard and Risk Assessment Maps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey
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Organization(s)
USGS
Description
Webpage providing maps and information to assess the particular hazards and risks for an area.

High Performance Home Building Guide for Habitat for Humanity Affiliates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Marburger Lindsey
·
Organization(s)
Federation of American Scientists,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Document providing a roadmap to aid Habitat for Humanity affiliates in building high performing houses by using materials and techniques that are affordable, do not add any maintenance burden, and are volunteer friendly.

High Volume Excess Flow Valves

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration,
U.S. Department of Transportation
·
Organization(s)
PHMSA,
DOT
Description
Webpage describing federal regulation related to excess flow valves on residential natural gas lines.

High-R Roofs Case Study Analysis, BA-1006

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Straube John,
Grin Aaron
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Report that considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.

High-R Walls for New Construction Structural Performance: Wind Pressure Testing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Desjarlais Andre O,
Kochkin Vladimir
·
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report with test results that serve as a baseline of data for further material tests of other high-R wall systems and for comparison to whole-house wind pressure testing.

Home Energy Saver

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
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Organization(s)
LBNL
Description
Online calculator for estimating payback of adding additional insulation to your house.

Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
California Seismic Safety Commission
·
Organization(s)
SSC,
State of California
Description
Guidebook that provides information on earthquake hazards that can damage homes, the design and retrofit of earthquake resistant housing, and how to find more information on earthquake safety.

Hood River Passive House

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hales David
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Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Programs,
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC
Description
Report documenting short-term test results of the Shift House and compares the results of Passive House Planning Package and Building Energy Optimization modeling of the project.

How to Design a Home for a Cold Climate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Diez Roy
·
Organization(s)
New Home Source
Description
Article summarizing for potential homeowners items to check or demand from the builder in designing a home for a cold climate.

How to Finish Exterior Foundation Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Green Building Advisor
·
Organization(s)
GBA
Description
Website that explains and provides diagrams for covering up above-grade rigid foam insulation.

How to Install Cellulose Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

How to Insulate a Basement Wall

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.

How to Insulate Your Basement

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mathews Erin
·
Organization(s)
This Old House
Description
An article and video of a breakdown on the preparation and installation of basement insulation.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dorsi Chris
·
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Description
Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.

HUD 2024 Housing Innovation Showcase Poster: Re-Siding your Home?

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Patricia Gunderson,
Theresa Gilbride
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Description
Factsheet describing re-siding retrofits containing exterior insulation and window upgrades aimed at improved energy savings and comfort.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

ICC-ES Evaluation Report, ESR-1679

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
·
Organization(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
Description
ICC-ES Evaluation Report reviewing proprietary steel shear wall panels developed by Simpson Strong-Tie Company to resist vertical and lateral loads in walls resulting from wind or earthquakes.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Straube John
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Industry Becoming More Comfortable with Excess Flow Valves

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
·
Organization(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Description
Article describing excess flow valves installed on gas lines to shut-off natural gas flow to a home in the event that a gas line is severed due to an earthquake, natural disaster, earthquake, etc.

Information About Purchasing And Installing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southern California Gas Company
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Organization(s)
SoCalGas
Description
Webpage detailing how to purchase and install the correct shut-off valve for homes in California, including differences between earthquake and excess flow valves and how to install each.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Green Home Institute
·
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Innovation in Frost Protected Shallow Foundations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Green Home Institute
·
Organization(s)
Green Home Institute
Description
Video describing how a frost-protected shallow foundation (FPSF) is constructed and including use of a stay-in-place EPS (expanded polystyrene) footing form that provides insulation and simplifies the installation of frost-protected monolithic concrete slab foundations.

Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
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Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.

Insulated Siding Provides Continuous Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dobson Matt
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Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Article describing how insulated siding can save homeowners energy by providing continuous exterior insulation.

Insulation: A Guide to Proper Installation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
North America Insulation Manufacturers Association,
Insulation Institute
·
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Description
Website providing builders with information about meeting RESNET Grade 1 criteria when installing insulation.

Interior Spray Foam, BSI-116

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article outlining the use of spray polyurethane foam in residential buildings.

Introduction to the National Seismic Hazard Maps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Geological Survey,
Earthquake Hazards Program
·
Organization(s)
USGS
Description
Website providing a probabilistic map of the expected number of damaging earthquakes around the U.S.

IRC FAQ: Conditioned Attics, GM-0905

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
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Organization(s)
BSC
Description
Report discussing how to create livable space in the attic that meets IRC code requirements by either creating a ventilated roof assembly, or and unvented attic assembly.