Skip to main content

Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 1 - 50 of 83

Author(s)
Rosival Chris
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry,
MN Department of Labor and Industry
Publication Date
Description
A presentation on the 2020 State Mechanical Code for easier understanding.
Author(s)
Elmendorf William,
Gerhold Henry,
Kuhns Larry
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania State University Extension
Publication Date
Description
Article describing tree health, environmental considerations, and details on how to preserve trees.
Author(s)
UN Environment Programme
Organization(s)
United Nations
Publication Date
Description
Guidance document from the UN environment programme on climate-resilient buildings and communities practices, including guidance on heat waves, drought, hurricanes, and flooding.
Author(s)
This Old House
Organization(s)
This Old House
Publication Date
Description
Article describing shade trees and how to plant, maintain, and replace them.
Author(s)
Weatherization Assistance Program
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Powerpoint on attic ventilation developed as training material for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Author(s)
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Government of Canada
Publication Date
Description
Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.
Author(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
Organization(s)
Arbor Day Foundation
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the benefits trees provide through quotes and anecdotes.
Author(s)
Gromicko
Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
Publication Date
Description
Webpage explaining how to site and orient a house to take advantage of the solar path.
Author(s)
Tartarini Federico,
Schiavon Stefano,
Cheung Toby,
Hoyt Tyler
Organization(s)
Center for the Built Environment,
CBE,
University of California Berkeley,
UC Berkeley,
SinBerBEST,
Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore,
BEARS
Publication Date
Description
Online tool for thermal comfort calculations and visualizations SoftwareX 12, 100563 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.softx.2020.100563
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Website providing data indicating climate change.
Author(s)
UCLA Energy Design Tools Group
Organization(s)
Regents of the University of California,
Society of Building Science Educators
Publication Date
Description
Climate Consultant is a software tool for helping architects, builders, contractor, homeowners, and students to understand their local climate.
Author(s)
Sonne Jefferey,
Vieira Robin
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing the effects of tree canopies on residential climates indicating tree cover to be beneficial to climate conditions
Author(s)
Mott-Smith John
Organization(s)
City of Davis California
Publication Date
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.
Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
DOE Energy Saver webpage summarizing the use of whole-house fans for cooling.
Author(s)
Chandra Subrato,
Fairey III Philip W,
Houston Michael M
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
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.
Author(s)
Clean Energy Exhibition
Organization(s)
Clean Energy Exhibition
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing details of an experimental earth tube installation at the Clean Energy Exhibition in Georgia.
Author(s)
Morris Nathan B,
Chaseling Georgia K,
English Timothy,
Gruss Fabian,
Maideen Mohammad Fauzan Bin,
Capon Anthony,
Jay Ollie
Organization(s)
University of Sydney,
University of Copenhagen,
University of Montreal,
Monash University,
The Lancet Planetary Health,
The Lancet Group
Publication Date
Description
Study testing the effect of fan cooling on healthy adults at increased ambient temperatures.
Author(s)
University of Washington
Organization(s)
University of Washington
Publication Date
Description
Webpage describing embodied carbon through definition, significance to climate, and importance to policymaking.
Author(s)
Pandit Ram,
Laband David
Organization(s)
University of Western Australia,
Auburn University
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing the effects of tree shade on residential electricity consumption and energy savings in summer and winter.
Author(s)
Fernandez Nick,
Wang Weimin,
Alvine Kyle J.,
Katipamula Srinivas
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Technical report evaluating the energy savings potential of radiative cooling technologies, particularly photonic 'selective emittance' materials.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
A webpage by the DOE on tips for saving energy with an evaporative cooler.
Author(s)
Home Energy Saver
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Publication Date
Description
Webpage providing tips for installing and maintaining an evaporative cooler.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook meant to provide public officials with information on excessive heat event.
Author(s)
DeWalle David,
Heisler Gordon,
Jacobs Robert
Organization(s)
Northumberland County Conservation District
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing energy impacts from shade trees and forests and solar heating and air infiltration.
Author(s)
U.S. Global Change Research Program
Organization(s)
U.S. Global Change Research Program
Publication Date
Description
Report analyzing the effect of global climate change on national interests, and providing climate predictions.
Author(s)
National Integrated Heat Health Information System
Organization(s)
NOAA
Publication Date
Description
Federal webpage providing information regarding extreme heat and health for the United States.
Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information on low-energy and standard cooling systems, with a focus on saving energy.
Author(s)
Jeremy Williams
Organization(s)
The Earthbound Report
Publication Date
Description
Article from The Earthbound Report on passive cooling design strategies for homes located in hot climates.
Author(s)
Kang,
Lutz-Carillo
Organization(s)
UT Austin School of Architecture
Publication Date
Description
Report detailing natural ventilation and passive airflow systems.
Author(s)
Knowles III,
Miller,
Ruppert,
Lenfesty,
Haldeman
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Publication Date
Description
This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.
Author(s)
National Center for Environmental Health
Organization(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Publication Date
Description
Web page describing how to identify heat-related illness and how to prevent it.
Author(s)
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Parker Danny S,
Barkaszi Stephen F
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Paper describing energy savings in space cooling from shading condenser units.
Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
DOE Energy Saver webpage providing a brief summary of natural ventilation for houses.
Author(s)
Cook Jeffrey,
Martin Marlo,
Chandra Subrato,
Yellott John,
Labs Kenneth,
Clark Gene
Organization(s)
MIT Press,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
MIT
Publication Date
Description
Book describing passive cooling techniques from a technical and academic perspective.