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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 1 - 15 of 15 results:

Analysis of Pre-Retrofit Building and Utility Data

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Prahl Duncan,
Beach Robert
·
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS
Description
Report outlining workflow and results of regression models on monthly and daily utility data (meter readings of electricity consumption), outlining a process for screening and gathering useful results from inverse models.

Attic or Roof? An Evaluation of Two Advanced Weatherization Packages, BA-1205

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Neuhauser Ken
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.

Brick, Stucco, Housewrap and Building Paper, RR-0105

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Research study discussing how housewraps restrict or permit the passage of water molecules based on size, but cannot control the direction in which the water vapor molecules move.

Construction Guide - Next Generation High Performance Walls in Climate Zones 3-5, Part I: 2x6 Walls

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kochkin Vladimir,
Wiehagen Joseph
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL
Description
Part I of the Guide addresses walls constructed with 2x6 wood frame studs, wood structural panel (WSP) sheathing as exterior sheathing, gypsum board as interior sheathing, and a cladding system installed over WSP sheathing in low-rise residential buildings up to three stories in height.

Database of Low-e Storm Window Energy Performance across U.S. Climate Zones

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Culp Thomas D
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Birch Point Consulting,
BPC
Description
Research study evaluating energy savings and cost effectiveness of installing low-emissivity (low-e) storm windows over existing windows in residential homes in all climate zones.

Deep Energy Retrofits - Lessons learned

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Walker Iain S
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Description
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.

Deep Energy Retrofits - Over-Time, Phased Guidance

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Walker Iain S
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
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.

Evaluation of Missed Energy Saving Opportunity - Based on Illinois Home Performance Program Field Data: Homeowner Selected Upgrades Versus Cost-Optimized Solutions

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Milby M,
Baker Julie D,
Yee Shannon
·
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR
Description
Study investigating homeowner measure package choices in the Illinois Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program compared to cost-optimal choices determined through Building Energy Optimization (BEopt) modeling software.

Greenbuilt Retrofit Test House Final Report

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Earle Lieko,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Description
Research report presenting results of short term tests on measures used in an energy efficiency retrofit project in California.

Local Officials Guide for Coastal Construction, FEMA P-762

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Guide describing sound mitigation measures to lower building natural disaster vulnerability to assist local officials and community decision makers in coastal areas.

Low-Cost Evaluation of Energy Savings at the Community Scale, Fresno California

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Burdick Arlan,
Rapport Ari,
Poerschke Andrew
·
Organization(s)
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS,
Wathen Castanos Hybrid Homes,
WCHH,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report using a field test plan to evaluate the success of implementing energy efficiency upgrades at the community scale incorporating whole-house systems integrated measures package (SIMP).

Measured Performance of Occupied, Side-by-Side, South Texas Homes

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Chasar Dave,
vonSchramm Valerie
·
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report summarizing a case study about the performance of three occupied homes built in 2009 in San Antonio, Texas.

Moisture Control for Residential Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report providing extensive guidance on controlling moisture in building envelopes through proper selection and installation on air, water, thermal, and vapor barriers.

Performance of a Hot-Dry Climate Whole-House Retrofit

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
German Alea,
Porse Erik,
Weitzel Elizabeth
·
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group
Description
Report presenting performance results from tests conducted on an energy efficiency retrofit project in Stockton, California.