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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 51 - 100 of 339 results:

Cool Neighborhoods: The Measurement of Small Scale Heat Islands

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Vieira Robin K
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy,
ECEEE
Description
Paper describing the effects of tree canopies on residential climates indicating tree cover to be beneficial to climate conditions

Cool Roofs

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
ENERGY STAR webpage discussing the costs and benefits of cool roofs.

Cool Roofs

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing 'cool roofs' and their usage for passive home cooling.

Cool Roofs Help Reduce Energy Costs

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Description
Web page providing information on the types of cool roofs and their benefits to consumers.

Cool Solutions: The Whole House Fan

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mott-Smith John
·
Organization(s)
City of Davis,
State of California
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

Cool Surfaces Savings Explorer

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
LBNL
Description
Tool developed by LBNL to calculate potential savings from increasing wall and roof solar reflectance.

Cooling Related Performance of Finished and Unfinished Metal Roofing Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Sherwin John S
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Study reporting the results of comparative testing of the effect of finished and unfinished metal roofing systems on cooling energy performance in a test facility.

Cooling with a Whole-House Fan

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
DOE Energy Saver webpage summarizing the use of whole-house fans for cooling.

Cooling with Ventilation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Chandra Subrato,
Houston Michael M,
Fairey Philip W
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Report providing recommendations to builders regarding how to reduce cooling loads, use air-circulation fans, natural ventilation, window and building design for natural ventilation, and whole-house fans.

CRRC - Cool Roof Rating Council

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cool Roof Rating Council
·
Organization(s)
CRRC
Description
Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.

Designing Energy Efficient New Homes for a Warm Climate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
EXtension Home Energy - Cooperative Extension
·
Organization(s)
EXtension Home Energy - Cooperative Extension
Description
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.

Designing Houses That Keep Their Cool

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Wilson Alex
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Description
Article from Green Building Advisor on strategies to take when building homes to reduce the need for air conditioning, including insulation, windows, site selection, and roofing.

Digital Coast

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
·
Organization(s)
NOAA
Description
Website helping communities address coastal issues with data, tools, and training resources.

Disconnect or Redirect Your Downspout Brochure

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mid-America Regional Council
·
Organization(s)
MARC
Description
A guide on the use of rain barrels for greater water efficiency and use in gardens and lawns.

DOE Steep Slope Calculator

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
ORNL,
DOE
Description
Simple web-based tool allowing homeowners to calculate the potential savings from installing a cool roof.

Don’t Try Building Hugel Swales

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Spirko Jack
·
Organization(s)
Permaculture Research Institute
Description
Article describing the difference between swales and hugels (berms used to create soil from woody debris).

Durability by Design: 2nd Edition: A Professional's Guide to Durable Home Design

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Office of Policy Development and Research
·
Organization(s)
HUD,
PD&R
Description
Designer checklist covering hazards involving ground and surface water, rain and water vapor, HVAC and plumbing, sunlight, insects, decay, and natural hazards, and builder checklist covering all disaster resistance, sorted by building component.

Earth Tubes Exhibit

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Clean Energy Exhibition
·
Organization(s)
Clean Energy Exhibition,
Solar World
Description
Webpage providing details of an experimental earth tube installation at the Clean Energy Exhibition in Georgia.

Effect on Wind Pressures by Variation of Roof Pitch of Low-Rise Hip-Roof Building

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Irtaza,
Javed,
Jameel
·
Organization(s)
Asian Journal of Civil Engineering
Description
Article presenting a numerical study of wind pressure on the low-rise hip-roof building by varying the roof pitch using computational fluid dynamics computer modeling and wind tunnel testing of hip roofs with different roof pitches: 15°, 20°, 30° and 40°.

Efficient Earth-Sheltered Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Webpage from U.S. Department of Energy describing using Earth-Sheltered home building techniques in hot climate zones.

Electric Fan Use for Cooling During Hot Weather: A Biophysical Modelling Study

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Morris Nathan B,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
University of Sydney,
University of Copenhagen,
University of Montreal,
Monash University,
The Lancet Planetary Health,
The Lancet Group
Description
Study testing the effect of fan cooling on healthy adults at increased ambient temperatures.

Embodied Carbon 101

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Carbon Leadership Forum
·
Organization(s)
CLF
Description
Webpage describing embodied carbon through definition, significance to climate, and importance to policymaking.

Emergencies and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website that lists references that can help you determine how to control you indoor air quality while combating an emergency.

Energy Auditor - Single Family 2.0: Attic Ventilation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Weatherization Assistance Program
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Energy Retrofitting Advanced Technologies in a Hot Climate, Henderson Nevada

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Association of Home Builders
·
Organization(s)
NAHB,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
HUD,
Office of Policy Development and Research,
PDR
Description
Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.

Energy Savings from Tree Shade

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pandit Ram,
Laband David
·
Organization(s)
University of Western Australia,
Auburn University
Description
Paper describing the effects of tree shade on residential electricity consumption and energy savings in summer and winter.

Energy Savings Potential of Radiative Cooling Technologies

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Fernandez Nick,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Technical report evaluating the energy savings potential of radiative cooling technologies, particularly photonic 'selective emittance' materials.

EPA Region 8 Headquarters

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Brochure providing information on the design of the EPA Region 8 headquarters in Denver, CO.

Erosion and Sediment Control On Your Construction Site

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Community Development and Insfrastructure County of Santa Cruz
·
Organization(s)
Santa Cruz County CDI
Description
Report describing construction site erosion and sediment control practices recommended and required by a county planning department.

Erosion Control for the Home Builder

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
·
Organization(s)
Jackson Township,
Ohio
Description
Factsheet describing steps builders should take to reduce erosion and control sediment on construction sites during home construction.

Evaporative Cooler

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Webpage providing tips for installing and maintaining an evaporative cooler.

Evaporative Cooler Tips

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
A webpage by the DOE on tips for saving energy with an evaporative cooler.

Excessive Heat Events Guidebook

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.

Extreme Heat

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Ready.gov
·
Organization(s)
Ready.gov,
U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
USDHS
Description
Webpage from Ready.gov explaining what qualifies as 'extreme heat', how to be safe during an extreme heat event, and how to prepare for extreme heat in homes

Extreme Heat—A Tale of Two Cities, BSI-032

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article from Building Science Corporation on construction techniques for extreme heat conditions in Dubai and Las Vegas.

FDOT Drainage Handbook - Drainage Connection Permits

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Florida Department of Transportation
·
Organization(s)
FDOT
Description
Handbook describing the permitting process regulating the transfer of stormwater from private property owners to the State of Florida Department of Transportation stormwater drainage systems.