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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 - 17 of 17

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

Author(s)
Zipperer Adam,
Aloise-Young Patricia A.,
Suryanarayanan Siddharth,
Roche Robin,
Earle Lieko,
Christensen Dane,
Bauleo Pablo,
Zimmerle Daniel
Organization(s)
Colorado State University,
CSU,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard,
UTBM,
Fort Collins Utilities
Publication Date
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.

Field Assessment of Energy Audit Tools for Retrofit Programs

Author(s)
Bohac Dave,
Edwards Jenny,
Smith Isaac,
Nelson Carl
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
University of Minnesota,
UMN
Publication Date
Report describing a project focused on the use of home energy ratings as a tool to promote energy retrofits in existing homes.

Comparison of Home Retrofit Programs in Wisconsin

Author(s)
Cunningham Kerrie,
Hannigan Eileen
Organization(s)
University of Minnesota,
UMN,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
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.

TaC Studios New Construction Test House

Author(s)
Butler Tom,
Curtis O,
Kim E,
Roberts S,
Stephenson R
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
Southface,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report evaluating a test home built in Atlanta, GA in the mixed-humid climate zone. The report outlines the features of the house, discusses the implementation of the energy efficient design, and presents the results of short-term characterization testing.

Greenbelt Homes Pilot Energy Efficiency Programs Phase 1 Summary: Existing Conditions and Baseline Energy Use

Author(s)
Wiehagen Joseph,
Del Bianco Marie,
Wood Amber
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report detailing field walk-through evaluations, energy simulations for projected savings with exterior insulation upgrades, building envelope energy improvement cost estimates, and installation and maintenance of monitoring equipment and data.

Short-Term Test Results: Multifamily Home Energy Efficiency Retrofit

Author(s)
Lyons James
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report summarizing commissioning, short-term testing, and analysis that occurred before, during, and just after the actual retrofit of the Bay Ridge project.

Sonoma House: Monitoring of the First U.S. Passive House Retrofit

Author(s)
German Alea,
Weitzel B,
Backman Christine,
Hoeschele Marc,
Dakin Bill
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Research study presenting a unique opportunity to both identify and evaluate deep retrofit measures that are practical and potentially cost effective for the retrofit market, as well as review the cost effectiveness of the Passive House design approach for achieving energy savings in deep retrofits.

Strategy Guideline: Demonstration Home

Author(s)
Savage C,
Hunt A
Organization(s)
Building America Retrofit Alliance,
BARA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report intending to provide useful information as the DOE/BA develops and implements comprehensive communications and outreach strategies for demonstration homes.

Test Methods and Protocols for Environmental and Safety Hazards Associated with Home Energy Retrofits

Author(s)
Viner James E,
Pearce M,
Cautley Dan,
Lord M
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,
NorthernSTAR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
University of Minnesota,
UMN,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Report using data from various sources to characterize the impact on human health and property damage from indoor environmental quality and other hazards.

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

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
Publication Date
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).

Method for Determining Optimal Residential Energy Efficiency Packages

Author(s)
Polly Benjamin,
Gestwick Mike,
Bianchi Marcus V A,
Anderson Ren,
Horowitz Scott,
Christensen Craig B,
Judkoff Ron
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report describing an analysis method for determining optimal residential energy efficiency retrofit packages and applies the analysis method to a 1960s-era home in eight U.S. cities.

Retrofitting America: A 1970s Home Energy Efficiency Analysis

Author(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
Steven Winter Associates
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Report about a tool developed to enable users to compare a typical 1970s ranch home against an IECC 2009 code-compliant home of the same configuration and against the 70s base case plus retrofits.

Builders Challenge Quality Criteria Support Document

Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Bartlett Rosemarie,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Love Pat M
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Document providing guidance to U.S. home builders who want to accept the challenge.

Pilot Evaluation of Energy Savings from Residential Energy Demand Feedback Devices

Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Hoak David,
Cummings Jamie E
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report briefly reviewing past research on the effects of occupant behavior on residential energy use and then covering a two year pilot evaluation of a low cost residential energy feedback system installed in twenty case study homes in Florida.