Skip to main content

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 - 18 of 18 results:

Building Materials Property Table, Info-500

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
·
Organization(s)
BSC
Description
Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.

Cladding Attachment Over Thick Exterior Insulated Sheathing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Baker Peter,
Eng P,
LePage Robert
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.

Construction Guide - Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5 Part 2: 2x4 Walls with 1” to 1.5” Exterior Insulative Sheathing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kochkin Vladimir,
Wiehagen Joseph
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
The Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x4 wood frame studs, wood structural panel sheathing (WSP) as wall bracing and added backing for foam sheathing, a layer of rigid foam sheathing insulation up to 1.5 inches thick over the WSP, and a cladding system installed over the foam sheathing in low...

Cost, Design, and Performance of Solar Hot Water in Cold-Climate Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Vijayakumar Gayathri
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Description
Report describing the monitored long-term performance of two solar domestic water heating systems in northern climates.

Evaluation of CNT Energy Savers Retrofit Packages Implemented in Multifamily Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Farley Jene,
Ruch Russell
·
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.

General Solar Thermal Specification

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Description
Brochure on specifications for solar thermal systems.

High Performance Walls in Hot-Dry Climates

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hoeschele Marc,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Article from NREL on wall construction guidelines for homes in hot climate zones.

READ THIS: Before You Design, Build or Renovate, GM-0602

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Brennan Terry,
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Document with important building science considerations, designed for members of the residential construction and remodeling industries, as well as owners and managers who work in affordable housing.

Retrofitting Forced Air Combi Systems: A Cold Climate Field Assessment

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
McAlpine Jake,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMIN
Description
This project analyzed combined condensing water heaters or boilers and hydronic air coils to provide high efficiency domestic hot water (DHW) and forced air space heating. Called "combi" systems, they provided similar space and water heating performance less expensively than installing two...

Types of Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Information sheet about types and installation of insulation.