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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 273 results:

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.

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).

DSIRE - Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
NC Clean Energy Technology Center
·
Organization(s)
NC Clean Energy Technology Center,
North Carolina State University,
NC State University
Description
Website for finding policies and incentives by state for renewables and efficiency.

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.

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°.

Electric Energy Management in the Smart Home: Perspectives on Enabling Technologies and Consumer Behavior

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Zipperer Adam,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Colorado State University,
CSU,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard,
UTBM,
Fort Collins Utilities
Description
Journal article presenting a discussion of the state-of-the- art in electricity management in smart homes, the various enabling technologies that will accelerate this concept, and topics around consumer behavior with respect to energy usage.

Energy Performance Techniques and Technologies: Preserving Historic Homes, Volume 13

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Britt Michelle,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Kaufman Heritage Conservation,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Document providing a resource to help contractors renovate historic houses, while addressing issues such as building durability, indoor air quality, and occupant health, safety, and comfort.

EPA Clean Air Act Section 608: Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Section 608 establishes EPA’s National Recycling and Emission Reduction Program designed to reduce emissions related to maintaining, servicing, repairing, and disposing of air conditioning or refrigeration equipment.

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.

Exploring Cost-Effective High Performance Residential Retrofits for Affordable Housing in the Hot Humid Climate

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
McIlvaine Janet,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
Report presenting the process of a residential retrofit project for houses in the states of Florida and Alabama, including findings at the time of reporting and highlights of the first home to meet the target HERS Index of 70.

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.

FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Activities

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Activity sheets describing questions and preparedness action items for a variety of disasters including floods, fires, earthquakes, and winter weather.

FEMA National Risk Index: Tsunamis

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Website describing and providing a map showing the tsunami risk index for the United States, which home owners and builders can use to determine the tsunami risk of their location.

FEMA Protecting Your Property from Earthquakes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
·
Organization(s)
HUD,
FEMA,
DHS
Description
Brochure detailing how to latch and lock cabinets and drawers to prevent injury to residents of the home.

Field Assessment of Energy Audit Tools for Retrofit Programs

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bohac Dave,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMN
Description
Report describing a project focused on the use of home energy ratings as a tool to promote energy retrofits in existing homes.

FLASH website

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Alliance For Safe Homes
·
Organization(s)
FLASH
Description
Website containing resources from the nonprofit FLASH, which "is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters."

Flood and Hurricane Resistant Buildings, BSD-111

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Guide from Building Science Corporation on how to construct a flood and hurricane resistant home.

Florida High Wind Concrete and Clay Tile Installation Manual, 5th Edition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Tile Roofing Institute
·
Organization(s)
TRI,
Florida Roofing Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association Inc.,
FRSA
Description
Manual for proper installation practices, industry standards and the code requirements of roofing tiles for the Florida market.

Food and Water in an Emergency, FEMA 477

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Description
A fact sheet on how to prepare for a natural disaster by storing food and water through an emergency food supply.

Fort Benning Indianhead Townhome Renovations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Stephenson R,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Southface Energy Institute,
SEI
Description
Report outlining the energy upgrade package implemented in Ft. Benning, GA, Indianhead Townhomes project and the findings of the Southface Energy Institute's post-renovation analysis.

FORTIFIED Home Choosing the Right Tape

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Checklist providing recommendations for the right tape in order to reduce the risk of leaks during storms with wind-driven rain.

FORTIFIED Home Corrosion-Resistant Fasteners - New Documentation Requirements

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Checklist highlighting the requirement for metal structural connections and materials fasteners used to retrofit or construct FORTIFIED buildings less than 3,000 ft from saltwater to be suitably protected from corrosion.

FORTIFIED Home Hurricane Technical Requirements Summary: Existing Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Report summarizing the requirements for strenghtening and protecting the roof, openings in the house, and creating a continuous load path to strengthen walls and foundation per the IBHS Fortified Homes Hurricane Standard for Existing Homes.

FORTIFIED Home Inside FORTIFIED

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Website providing resources for roofers to construct high-wind, hurricane, and hail-resistant roofs from IBHS Fortified program.