Organization(s)
PEX Universe
Publication Date
Description
A webpage discussing how water heater expansion tanks operate and how to repair them.
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 151 - 200 of 407
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.
Organization(s)
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Website with information for consumers about solar thermal systems for homes.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.
Organization(s)
IBHS
Publication Date
Description
Checklist providing prescriptive instructions on how to retrofit ladder framing on gable end overhangs to achieve a maximum depth of 18 in. from the face of the wall.
Organization(s)
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
De Montfort University,
DMU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Report describing a project aimed at developing validated models and design tools for foundation heat exchangers.
Organization(s)
Oklahoma State University,
OSU,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL
Publication Date
Description
Article describing a numerical model that can be used to size foundation heat exchanger (FHX) systems.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
The FPC Monitoring project has evaluated radiant barrier systems (RBS) as a new potential DSM program.
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy,
ACEEE
Publication Date
Description
Conference paper describing how retrofits were used in a Florida home to change it from a high energy user to a near zero-energy home.
Organization(s)
Florida Disaster
Publication Date
Description
Guide describing retrofit procedures for gable end roofs.
Organization(s)
CMHC,
Environment Canada
Publication Date
Description
Results from a research program testing airtightness, implications of air leakage and contaminant reduction over the garage-to-house interface.
Organization(s)
ANSI,
CSA Group
Publication Date
Description
Standard that applies to storage water heaters, instantaneous water heaters, and circulating water heaters including booster water heaters; the current version of this standard was published in the year 2019 and it is available for purchase along with a digital preview on the ANSI webstore page.
Organization(s)
NREL,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website with prepopulated information about the United States renewable resources.
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report investigating the status of the geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry and technology in the United States, assembling GHP energy savings potential, identifying key barriers to application of GHPs, and identifying actions that could accelerate adoption of GHPs.
Organization(s)
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Website with information about ENERGY STAR criteria for geothermal heat pumps.
Organization(s)
CRI
Publication Date
Description
Document describing the emissions criteria for carpets, cushions, and adhesives to qualify as those with low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions under the Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality Testing Program.
Organization(s)
FSEC,
UCF
Publication Date
Description
Website providing information about the Gossamer Wind Series Ceiling fans, conceived by Danny Parker at the Florida Solar Energy Center as a means of realizing the energy efficiency and comfort potential of ceiling fans.
Organization(s)
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute
Publication Date
Description
Standard describing GREENGUARD Emission Criteria for use with GREENGUARD Certification Program for Low Emitting Products.
Organization(s)
American Solar Energy Society,
ASES
Publication Date
Description
Website article discussing the economics of ground source heat pumps.
Organization(s)
Washington State University Extension Energy Program
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing the uses and benefits of ground-source heat pumps for affordable housing, assisted living, dorms and hotels.
Organization(s)
HUD,
CDC,
EPA,
FEMA,
OSHA
Publication Date
Description
Guidance from HUD for volunteer team leaders, project managers and supervisors who work in recovery and rebuilding after natural disasters.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Report about opportunities for ventilation when traditional methods are limited by weather conditions or by contaminants in the outdoor air.
Organization(s)
ADC
Publication Date
Description
Presentation about proper installation of flexible ducts.
Organization(s)
OSH,
NCCDPHP,
CDC
Publication Date
Description
Webpage that describes health problems that can be caused by secondhand smoke.
Organization(s)
SWA,
Efficiency Vermont
Publication Date
Description
Guide providing detailed selection and installation instructions for heat pump water heaters.
Organization(s)
Energy Vanguard
Publication Date
Description
Article discussing the advantages of using heat pumps and/or hydronic forced air heat instead of furnaces in high-performance homes.
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Provides consumers with general information on solar water heating systems and how to select a contractor.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Blog post about heat pump clothes dryers.
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Publication Date
Description
Report providing information for HVAC designers, installers, and consumers about air source heat pumps.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Publication Date
Description
Report discussing the potential energy savings of new high-efficiency downlights, and the results of product testing to date.
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet about air barriers.
Organization(s)
CARB,
SWA
Publication Date
Description
Brochure describing insulation and air-sealing details.
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report providing an introduction to current photovoltaic and solar thermal building practices.
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report that considers a number of promising wall systems that can meet the requirement for better thermal control.
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Online calculator for estimating payback of adding additional insulation to your house.
Organization(s)
Home Power
Publication Date
Description
Web article about solar site assessment.
Organization(s)
EPA,
FEMA,
HUD
Publication Date
Description
Homeowner guidance from EPA, FEMA, HUD, and NIH on dealing with radon following a natural disaster.
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Publication Date
Description
Report describing for homeowners how to protect their homes from flooding, 3rd Edition.
Organization(s)
SSC,
State of California
Publication Date
Description
Guidebook that provides information on earthquake hazards that can damage homes, the design and retrofit of earthquake resistant housing, and how to find more information on earthquake safety.
Organization(s)
Home & Garden
Publication Date
Description
Resource that explains how water softeners work to reduce scale.
Organization(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
Publication Date
Description
Website with articles on home ventilation and indoor air quality.
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
Companion document to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, providing guidance on identifying compliant products, including industry databases and examples of product labeling.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Blog entry describing methods for insulating basement walls on the interior or exterior.
Organization(s)
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Publication Date
Description
Article describing how to use radiator inlet orifices optimize two-pipe steam heating systems.
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Description
Website blog with guidance about calculating heat-loss.
Organization(s)
Premier SIPS Structural Insulated Panels,
Home Power Magazine
Publication Date
Description
A structural insulated panel (SIP) roof has no embedded lumber in the structure, and therefore nothing substantial for attaching PV array and solar hot water mounts. Single or double lumber splines could be put into the panels, or I-joists at 4-foot intervals could be added.
Organization(s)
HIRL,
NAHB,
ICC
Publication Date
Description
Fact Sheet describing the need for supplemental dehumidification, dehumidifier configuration options, and design considerations.
Organization(s)
FBC
Publication Date
Description
Article presenting the 2008 update on the 2006 details on when required hurricane mitigation retrofits are required and the cost cap on required hurricane mitigation retrofits.
Organization(s)
Florida Building Code
Publication Date
Description
Code describing the requirements for existing site-built single-family homes to receive roof-to-wall retrofits when re-roofing.