Library

Document about testing software predictions of retrofit energy savings in existing homes.

Document providing an example procedure for establishing acceptance-range criteria to assess results from software undergoing BESTEST-EX.

California Office of the State Fire Marshal's homepage for the Building Materials Listing Program, providing builders, contractors, architects, and others with access to a database of fire alarm systems and fire-resistant construction materials including roof coverings, wall, ceiling, and floor...

California Office of the State Fire Marshal's compiled and searchable list of different building materials and their test results for fire resistance.

Document presenting some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials.

A comprehensive list of professional certifications offered by the Building Performance Institute. The webpage includes links to overviews of the different certificates, certification scheme handbooks, and directions for taking certification exams and recertification.

Document detailing how to build radon-resistant homes.

Document outlining building science principles about air flow, heat flow and moisture flow in homes.

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

Article describing the principle of capillarity in construction materials.

Book describing Carpentry and Construction, Construction Materials, Hand Tools, Power Tools, Construction Equipment, Jobsite Safety, and Working Conditions, Building Design and Print reading, Inspections Survey Instruments and Operations, Foundation and Outdoor Slab Construction, Floor, Wall, and...

Catalog describing FEMA earthquake-resistant construction resources.

Report summarizing the key opportunities, gaps, and barriers identified by the national laboratory white papers discussing long-term 50% energy reduction goals.

Document with information from a workshop addressing framing materials for residential buildings in California. A copy of the document can be requested at the resource link, and an online copy of the document can be found by searching for it on the California Energy Commission's Library Online...

Report identifying housing characteristics and energy use for fifteen single-family housing types and specifies measure packages that provide an optimum level of energy savings based on a BEopt analysis.

Document providing guidance about choosing the correct caulk for a project.

Report on the stability of furring strips as a means for cladding attachment over walls with thick exterior rigid insulation.

Volume 1 of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, and risk management for homes constructed in coastal environments.

Volume II of a two-volume report providing a comprehensive approach to design, construction, and renovation of homes located in coastal environments.

Report about instrumentation and limited short-term testing completed on a retrofit unoccupied test house in Fresno, California.

Research study comparing various retrofit models in Wisconsin to evaluate performance in terms of savings per home and program cost per home to assess the relative cost effectiveness of each program design.

Document containing a 3D drawing (CAD) of advanced framing details.

Information sheet discussing the properties and benefits of insulating concrete forms.

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...

DOE Energy Saver webpage summarizing the use of whole-house fans for cooling.

Report describing the analytical study of renewable energy retrofits to homes built before 1980 and whether it is cost efficient or not.

Document describing the methodology and results from 2009 to 2019 of the National Association of Home Builders' Construction Cost survey, which collects information from builders on the various components that go into the sales price of a typical single-family home.

Technical bulletin addressing surfacing options in regards to composite wood panels and their emission barrier capabilities.

Webpage from FireSafe Marin explaining the different landscaping strategies near homes to lower the risk of a home's ignition from wildfire.

Fact sheet describing guidance for choosing appropriate materials and using proper construction practices when rebuilding, repairing, or renovating a home to increase its resistance to fires.

Article describing the causes of wood decay and moisture issues.

Article from Stephen L. Quarles on fire resistant decking design and materials recommendations.

Guidance document on deep energy retrofits.

Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Lessons Learned chapter focuses on successful deep energy retrofit projects throughout the U.S.

Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Occupant Behavior chapter discusses how to assess homeowner behavior patterns and use these patterns to enhance overall energy savings.

Part of a larger LBNL report (Deep Energy Retrofit Guidance for the Building America Solutions Center), the Over Time, Phased Guidance chapter presents a phased approach to deep energy retrofits.

Article from The Home Energy Community of Practice on designing energy efficient homes in hot climate zones, including home orientation, window location, and roof design considerations.

Wildfire resistant home checklist from Murray Milne, a professor of architecture at UCLA, who outlines seven steps to take to improve a home's chance of survival during a wildfire.

Report identifying business models for the remodeling industry that foster remodelers adoption of energy efficiency services.

Research report describing the development of standardized test methods for PM2.5 and CO2 sensors enabling reliable, low-cost indoor air quality monitoring and improvement.

Website providing information on U.S. residential and commercial building codes including adoption status.

Consolidated checklist for the U.S. Department of Energy Challenge Home National Program.

Website listing implementation timelines and links to various versions of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home national program requirements.

PDF file explaining the DOE's Zero Energy Ready Home National Requirements (Rev. 04).

Homepage for DOE's Zero Energy Ready Homes program.

Fact sheet poster describing benefits and qualification of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) certified Zero Energy Ready Homes and providing eight examples of certified homes.

Report covering the rainwater performance of building assemblies.

Factsheet describing ways to retrofit a home to make it more earthquake resistant.

Webpage providing earthquake safety tips including proactive home structure and utility action items.

A report describing six mechanical ventilation strategies that were evaluated for their ability to control indoor humidity levels over 14-day periods with simulated occupancy.