Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 63 results:

All About Larsen Trusses

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor

Website article interviewing the inventor of the Larsen truss, a history of its use, and a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages.

All About Water-Resistive Barriers

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor

Article about different types of weather resistant barrier.

Analysis of Illinois Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Measure Packages

2013

Baker Julie D,

Brand Larry,

Yee Shannon

Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,

PARR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,

MEEA

Report that collected field data from a whole-home program in Illinois are utilized to compare marketplace-installed measures to the energy saving optimal packages previously developed for 15 housing types.

ASHRAE -Thermal Performance of Building Envelope Details for Mid- and High-Rise Buildings (1365-RP)

2011

Hershfield Morrison

ASHRAE,

American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers

Technical report describing the thermal performance of 40 common building envelope details for mid- and high-rise buildings, including analyses to optimize energy efficiency and reduce thermal bridging.

Assessing Foundation Insulation Strategies for the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code in Cold Climate New Home Construction

2013

Mosiman Garrett,

Ojczyk Cindy,

VonThoma Ed

University of Minnesota,

UMN,

NothernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report focused on foundation insulation R-values for cold climates and the design, construction, and performance implications.

AY-126 Thermal and Ignition Barriers For The SPF Industry

2011

Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance

SPFA

SPFA website signup page to access SPFA documents.

Bay Ridge Gardens - Mixed Humid Affordable Multifamily Housing Deep Energy Retrofit

2013

Lyons James,

Moore Mike,

Thompson Margo

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Newport Ventures,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report summarizing commissioning, short-term testing, utility bill data analysis, and results of on-site monitoring of a deep energy retrofit.

BSD-163: Controlling Cold-Weather Condensation Using Insulation

2011

Straube John

BSC,

Building Science Corporation

Article describing selecting insulation for minimizing condensation risks.

Building America Best Practices Case Study Whole-House Solutions for New Homes - Artistic Homes, Albuquerque, NM

2013

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

PNNL

Case study about Artistic Homes of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first home builder in the United States to offer true net zero energy construction to the average home buyer on every home it builds.

Building America Special Research Project - High R-Value Enclosures for High Performance Residential Buildings in All Climate Zones, BA-1005

2011

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.

Buried and Encapsulated Ducts, Jacksonville Florida

2013

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

U.S. Department of Energy

CARB,

DOE

Reference investigating the strategy of using buried and/or encapsulated ducts to reduce duct thermal losses in residential buildings.

Byggmeister Test Home: Analysis and Initial Results of Cold Climate Wood-Framed Home Retrofit

2013

Gates Cathy

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing a deep energy retrofit project for a two-family wood framed home located in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Cold Climate Foundation Retrofit Energy Savings: The Simulated Energy and Experimental Hygrothermal Performance of Cold Climate Foundation Wall Insulation Retrofit Measures - Phase I, Energy Simulation

2013

Goldberg Louise F,

Steigauf Brianna

NothernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

UMN,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Research study describing an experimental and theoretical investigation of the energy and hygrothermal performance of retrofit foundation insulation systems in climate zones 6 and 7.

Continuous Rigid Insulation Sheathing/Siding

2013

National Association of Home Builders Research Center,

et al.

NAHB Research Center,

DOE,

GBA,

ORNL,

EPA

Document presenting step-by-step process for installing rigid insulating sheathing over wood studs or house wrap.

Controlling Cold-Weather Condensation Using Insulation, BSD-163

2011

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing research encouraging use of exterior insulation to warm interior sheathing surfaces in walls and roof assemblies to reduce the likelihood of condensation during cold weather

Energy Efficient Crawlspace Foundation Retrofit: Mixed Humid Climate

2013

Del Bianco Marie,

Wiehagen Joseph,

Wood Amber

NAHB Research Center,

Home Innovation Research Labs,

HIRL,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report outlining the steps of translating a new home construction scope of work (SOW) to SOW for retrofit.

Energy Retrofit Field Study and Best Practices in a Hot-Humid Climate

2013

Martin Eric,

Sutherland Karen,

McIlvaine Janet E R

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Research study examining efficiency retrofit opportunities, typical renovation practices, and pathways for achieving U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) goals for existing homes in Florida.

Energy Savings and Breakeven Costs for Residential Heat Pump Water Heaters in the United States

2013

Maguire Jeff,

et al.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report investigating performance and energy savings potential of heat pump water heaters.

Energy Savings Measure Packages: Existing Homes

2011

Casey Sean,

Booten Chuck

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document presenting a simple starting point to determine the most cost-effective Energy Savings Measure Packages (ESMP) for existing homes to achieve 15% and 30% savings in 37 locations across the United States.

Evaluation of CNT Energy Savers Retrofit Packages Implemented in Multifamily Buildings

2013

Farley Jene,

Ruch Russell

Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,

PARR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.

Evaluation of Early Performance Results for Massachusetts Homes in the National Grid Pilot Deep Energy Retrofit Programs

2013

Gates Cathy,

Neuhauser Ken

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report summarizing post-retrofit results for 13 existing homes in a deep energy retrofit pilot program.

Evaluation of Retrofit Delivery Packages

2013

Berman Mark,

Smith Pepper,

Porse Erik

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

Davis Energy Group

Report evaluating opportunities to improve and streamline delivery of residential retrofit measures.

Evaluation of Savings in Energy-Efficient Public Housing in the Pacific Northwest

2013

Kunkle Rick,

et al.

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Research study documenting market-ready energy solutions to improve the efficiency of new affordable housing in the marine climate of Washington State.

Evaluation of Two CEDA Weatherization Pilot Implementations of an Exterior Insulation and Over-Clad Retrofit Strategy for Residential Masonry Buildings in Chicago

2013

Neuhauser Ken

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report examining implementation of an exterior insulation and over-clad strategy for brick masonry buildings in Chicago.

Expert Meeting Report: Cladding Attachment Over Exterior Insulation

2013

Baker Peter

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report about an expert meeting focused on issues surrounding cladding attachment and performance of walls with exterior insulating sheathing.

Expert Meeting Report: Foundations Research Results

2013

Ojczyk Cindy,

Huelman Patrick H,

Carmody John

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

UMN

Expert meeting report describing the need for greater understanding of foundation systems including moisture and insulation issues.

External Insulation of Masonry Walls and Wood Framed Walls

2013

Baker Peter

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Research study developing baseline engineering analysis to support the installation of thick layers of exterior insulation (2 in. to 8 in.) on existing masonry walls and wood framed walls.

Fort Devens: Cold Climate, Energy-Efficient, Market-Rate Townhomes

2013

Zoeller William,

Grab Joanna,

Slattery Matt

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report about development of effective strategies to reduce the overall building energy use in line with Building America goals in this modestly priced market rate project.

Foundation Design Handbook

2013

Carmody John,

et al.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

University of Minnesota

Handbook providing guidance on the design and construction of foundations for homes, including insulation, air sealing, and water management details for basements, crawlspaces, and slabs.

High-R Walls for New Construction Structural Performance: Integrated Rim Header Testing

2013

Wiehagen Joseph,

Desjarlais Andre O,

Kochkin Vladimir

NAHB Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report providing testing methodology to evaluate structural rim header designs over openings up to 6 ft. wide and applicable to one- and two-story homes.

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

2013

Desjarlais Andre O,

Kochkin Vladimir

NAHB Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

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.

Hood River Passive House

2013

Hales David

WSU Extension Energy Programs,

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC

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 Install Cellulose Insulation

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

Hybrid Wall Evaluation for Ten New Construction Homes in Wyandotte, Michigan

2013

Lukachko Alex,

Grin Aaron,

Bergey Daniel

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report detailing the design and construction of 10 new houses under the Wyandotte Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2.

Insulated Siding Provides Continuous Insulation

2011

Dobson Matt

Home Energy Magazine

Article describing how insulated siding can save homeowners energy by providing continuous exterior insulation.

Joni Mitchell, Water and Walls, BSI-071

2013

Lstiburek Joseph W

BSC,

Building Science Corporation

Article describing walls and moisture development on them.

Kick the Can! No Recessed Lights in the Building Envelope

2011

Bailes Allison

Energy Vanguard

Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

2013

Neuhauser Ken,

Gates Cathy,

Pettit Betsy

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

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.

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

2013

Mantha Pallavi,

Zoeller William,

Shapiro Carl

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

Measure Guideline: Reducing Thermal Losses and Gains With Buried and Encapsulated Ducts in Hot-Humid Climates

2013

Mantha Pallavi,

Zoeller William,

Shapiro Carl

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

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.

Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance

2013

Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

EPA guidance document providing information on moisture control in buildings.

Moisture Durability with Vapor-Permeable Insulating Sheathing

2013

Lstiburek Joseph W,

LePage Robert

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report about exterior sheathing insulation and inward driven moisture issues.

Moisture Management for High R-Value Walls

2013

LePage Robert,

Schumacher Christopher,

Lukachko Alex

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report explaining moisture-related concerns for high R-value wall assemblies and discusses past Building America research work that informs this study.

Moisture Research - Optimizing Wall Assemblies

2013

Arena Lois,

Mantha Pallavi

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing evaluation of several configurations of wall assemblies to determine the accuracy of moisture modeling and make recommendations to ensure durable, efficient assemblies.

Multi-Family Construction Air Sealing Guide

2013

Steven Winter Associates

SWA

Report providing guidance to air-sealing multifamily homes.

Occupant-in-Place Energy Efficiency Retrofit in a Group Home for 30% Energy Savings in Climate Zone 4

2013

Moore Mike

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Newport Partners

Report studying the specification, implementation, and energy savings from an EER in a group home, with an energy savings goal of 30%.

Performance Evaluation and Opportunity Assessment for St. Bernard Project

2011

Dickson Bruce

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report providing information about improving the energy efficiency and long-term durability of the buildings that are being reconstructed post Katrina in New Orleans.

Predicting Envelope Leakage in Attached Dwellings

2013

Faakye Omari,

Arena Lois,

Griffiths Dianne

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Research study exploring a test method measuring air leakage between units through common surfaces and air infiltration across exterior, noncommon surfaces of the enclosure.

Project Overcoat - An Exploration of Exterior Insulation Strategies for 1-1/2 Story Roof Applications in Cold Climates

2013

Ojczyk Cindy,

et al.

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

NSTAR

Research report describing study of exterior retrofit approach for air sealing, insulating, and water management conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.

Raised-Heel Trusses

2011

American Plywood Association

APA

Information sheet with the definition and uses for a raised truss.