Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.
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 51 - 100 of 108
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing re-siding retrofits containing exterior insulation and window upgrades aimed at improved energy savings and comfort.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Article explaining installing cavity insulation.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Fact sheet describing principles of insulating steam distribution and condensate return lines as an effective way to prevent energy loss.
Organization(s)
Vinyl Siding Institute,
PEPA
Publication Date
Description
A guide for users and energy raters of insulated siding as home insulation.
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Publication Date
Description
Website providing builders with information about meeting RESNET Grade 1 criteria when installing insulation.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research study describing field testing performed in 32 two-story Florida homes to characterize wind washing failures of the house air and thermal boundary.
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
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.
Organization(s)
Johns Manville
Publication Date
Description
The purpose for this document is to provide basic guidance on the use of proven installation techniques that can be used by installers to help ensure correct “dense pack” application of JM Spider® in drill & fill applications.
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing links and resources for insulating basements in cold climates.
Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.
Organization(s)
Knauf
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about Knauf Insulation.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
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.
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Publication Date
Description
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
This Measure Guideline provides design and construction information for a deep energy enclosure retrofit solution of a flat roof assembly.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report on two approaches to retrofitting existing double-stud walls.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Document providing information on basement insulation, air sealing and water management retrofits.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet providing information on installing Rigid XPS foam board insulation to existing brick masonry walls.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing the importance of properly insulating and air sealing masonry walls, providing step by step instructions and approaches.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Document covering the technical aspects of buried and insulated ducts (BEDs), as well as the advantages, disadvantages, and risks of BEDs compared to alternative strategies.
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center Industry Partnership,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Document providing renovators and retrofit contractors an overview of considerations when including wall air sealing and insulation in an energy retrofit project.
Organization(s)
NMIC
Publication Date
Description
Web resource that lays out the pre-work considerations, methods and finishes for installing mechanical insulation.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report about exterior sheathing insulation and inward driven moisture issues.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report demonstrating cost-effective energy savings targets as well as improved comfort and indoor environmental quality associated with deep energy retrofits by a large public housing authority as part of a larger rehabilitation effort.
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Newport Partners
Publication Date
Description
Report studying the specification, implementation, and energy savings from an EER in a group home, with an energy savings goal of 30%.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Report highlighting the evaluation methods used and extent of wind washing found in a study analyzing wind washing in thirty-two two-story homes.
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information about improving the energy efficiency and long-term durability of the buildings that are being reconstructed post Katrina in New Orleans.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Research study exploring a test method measuring air leakage between units through common surfaces and air infiltration across exterior, noncommon surfaces of the enclosure.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
This page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about how to reduce thermal bridging in walls.
Organization(s)
APA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet with the definition and uses for a raised truss.
Organization(s)
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the Re-Side Right initiative by the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Building America research team that proposes enhancing home efficiency during the re-siding process by incorporating an insulating layer that acts as both an air barrier and water resistive barrier...
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Research study about two test homes that are examined with the goal of providing case studies that could be applied to other similar New England homes.
Organization(s)
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Report researching cost- effective solution packages for significant energy efficiency and indoor air quality improvements masonry multifamily urban buildings.
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing how modification of model specifications to include guidance on energy efficiency measures can create a greater level of consistency in executing energy efficiency retrofit measures across the multiple regions where a developer may work.
Retrofitting Knob and Tube Wiring An Investigation into Codes, Assessment, Wiring Practices and Cost
Organization(s)
Building Research Council,
School of Architecture University of Illinois,
Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs
Publication Date
Description
Guide on retrofitting insulation in cavities.
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report about a deep energy retrofit Cool Energy House.
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about insulation retrofits for the hot-dry climate zones.
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about exterior insulation in the hot-dry climate zones.
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report evaluating the renovation of a 5,800-ft2, multiuse facility located in St. Petersburg, on the west coast of central Florida, in the hot-humid climate.
Organization(s)
Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Publication Date
Description
High-density sidewall cavity insulation can be a major comfort and savings boost. It saves energy by slowing both conductive and convective losses, but only if the right things are done and done right. This always requires site-specific thinking.
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information based on research and case studies, to remodelers and consumers about opportunities to increase home energy performance.
Organization(s)
Partnership for Home Innovation,
PHI,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report following the evolution of the construction quality process from its development for new homes to its application construction of a HPH with enhanced specifications, and its application in a crawlspace renovation.
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Research study making several recommendations to whole-home program designers and implementers for improving the cost effectiveness and reach of whole-home programs.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing insulation approaches for homes with slab-on-grade floors.
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Brochure with information about how to select and install house wrap and other weather-resistive barriers.
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a research study exploring how effective interior insulation systems are at keeping basements dry and warm.
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
TexEnergy Solutions,
Residential Energy Services Network,
RESNET
Publication Date
Description
Report providing a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis inherent to different models as a way of thinking about the transition from traditional business models into a viable model for delivering deep energy retrofits.