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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 201 - 250 of 752

Author(s)
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Organization(s)
EIA
Publication Date
Description
Federal statistics about national energy consumption in residential homes.
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Report on problems and solutions with EIFS stucco wall cladding systems.
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
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.
Author(s)
Walker Iain S,
Turner William JN
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
This study evaluates the energy, humidity and indoor air quality implications of residential ventilation cooling in all US IECC climate zones.
Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Description
Website describing analyses for products and standards affecting home heating, cooling, and appliances, in regards to technical, economical, and energy efficiency pathways.
Author(s)
Del Bianco Marie,
Wiehagen Joseph,
Wood Amber
Organization(s)
NAHB Research Center,
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Description
Report outlining the steps of translating a new home construction scope of work (SOW) to SOW for retrofit.
Author(s)
ADM Associates,
California Energy Commission,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
Florida Solar Energy Center
Organization(s)
CEC,
LBNL,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research project addressing low-cost options that reduce monthly energy costs and improve the quality of life by enhancing comfort levels in low-income homes.
Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Web page providing an overview of window coverings such as blinds, shades, shutters, films, and storm windows.
Author(s)
Tabares-Velasco Paulo Cesar
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Research study analyzing the effects a nonlinear enthalpy profile has on thermal performance and expected energy benefits for PCM-enhanced insulation.
Author(s)
Parker Danny S,
Gu Lixing,
Wichers Michael,
Vieira Robin K
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Document comparing simulation results from a modified version of the EnergyGauge program to include various HVAC runtime strategies.
Author(s)
Britt Michelle,
Baechler Michael C,
Gilbride Theresa L,
Hefty Marye G,
Makela Erin,
Schneider Elaine,
Kaufman Ned
Organization(s)
Kaufman Heritage Conservation,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
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.
Author(s)
Baechler Michael C,
Adams Karen T,
Hefty Marye G,
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
Description
Document providing descriptions of the many insulation options available to homeowners, along with guidance on where, when, and how to install insulation throughout your house.
Author(s)
Martin Eric,
Sutherland Karen,
McIlvaine Janet E R
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research study examining efficiency retrofit opportunities, typical renovation practices, and pathways for achieving U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) goals for existing homes in Florida.
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
Publication Date
Description
Article from NAHB research center describing home building techniques for homes in hot climate zones.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Website with consumer information about residential heat pump systems.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
DOE's consumer information about energy and laundry.
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.
Author(s)
Cummings James B,
Withers Charles R
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Description
Research study describing experiments run in an unoccupied 1600 square foot house to evaluate the delivered performance as well as the relative performance of a SEER 21 variable capacity heat pump versus a SEER 13 heat pump.
Author(s)
Baker Julie D,
Brand Larry,
Wells J,
Yee Shannon
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
MEEA,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report using pre- and post-system upgrade data to analyze the energy savings associated with Iowa's HVAC SAVE program for space heating.
Author(s)
Casey Sean,
Booten Chuck
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Document presenting a simple starting point to determine the most cost-effective Energy Savings Measure Packages (ESMP) for existing homes to achieve 15% and 30% savings in 37 locations across the United States.
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
This publication provides a set of best practices for improving indoor air quality in conjunction with energy upgrade work in homes.
Author(s)
Francisco Paul W.,
Sun Yigang,
Merrin Zachary,
Gilleade Kiel,
Graham Molly,
Wilson Jonathan,
Jacobs David,
Brand Larry,
Lafluer Jason
Organization(s)
Gas Technology Institute
Publication Date
Description
Technical report describing the enhancement of energy efficiency in existing buildings through a systems approach, assessing airflow-focused retrofits for improved energy savings and indoor air quality, considering factors like air leakage, distribution system dynamics, duct leakage, and ventilation...
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Description
ENERGY STAR website providing information about programs, products and energy efficiency information.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Website providing consumer information about ceiling fans, including specifications and buying guidance.
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Description
Factsheet describing the benefits of purchasing and installing ENERGY STAR rated fans and ventilation products.
Author(s)
Conrad David,
Kapur Omar,
Mahadevia Amit,
Maldonado Desi,
Moline Julia,
Overcash Glenn,
Passman Samantha,
Perotin Manuel,
Reeder Adam,
Seitz Laura,
Sheldon Adrienne,
Squerciati John
Organization(s)
FEMA,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
Atkins Global,
URS Group,
Dewberry
Publication Date
Description
Comprehensive design guide describing the benefits and details of retrofit methods for buildings and equipment in flood-prone areas. Estimated costs are outdated due to publication date.
Author(s)
Building Science Corporation
Organization(s)
BSC
Publication Date
Description
Information sheet briefly summarizing double stud with spray foam wall construction including the advantages and disadvantages of this construction strategy.
Author(s)
Aldrich Robb,
Arena Lois
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing the evaluation and selection of ventilation systems for homes retrofitted for energy aesthetic and health/safety improvements in Las Vegas.
Author(s)
Robertson Joseph,
Collis Jon,
Polly Benjamin
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Colorado School of Mines
Publication Date
Description
Research study simulation adapting and applies the general framework described in Building Energy Simulation Test for Existing Homes for self-testing residential building energy model calibration methods.
Author(s)
Arena Lois,
Vijayakumar Gayathri
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report summarizing CARB's analysis of Boulder, Colorado's SmartRegs ordinance in the existing home market.
Author(s)
Farley Jene,
Ruch Russell
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.
Author(s)
Winkler Jon,
Christensen Dane,
Fang Xia
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Research study that utilizes EnergyPlus equipped with the moisture capacitance model to analyze the indoor relative humidity in three home types.
Author(s)
Brand Larry,
Kerr Ryan,
Rowley Patricia
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Gas Technology Institute,
GTI Energy,
Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
MEEA,
CNT Energy,
Elevate Energy,
Future Energy Enterprises,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Document reviewing four cold-climate northern Illinois energy efficiency retrofit programs to identify practices, tools, and approaches to streamline and reduce costs of comprehensive retrofits, and to improve the consistency of audit and retrofit delivery practices across different programs.
Author(s)
Berman Mark,
Smith Pepper,
Porse Erik
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group
Publication Date
Description
Report evaluating opportunities to improve and streamline delivery of residential retrofit measures.
Author(s)
Norton Paul,
Kerrigan Philip
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Mountain Energy Partnership
Publication Date
Description
In this report, BSC seeks to research and report on the field monitoring of the performance of in-situ supplemental dehumidification systems in low-energy, high performance, homes in a hot-humid climate.
Author(s)
Maxwell Sean,
Berger David,
Zuluaga Marc
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Publication Date
Description
Report describing research that helps inform best practices for air-sealing multifamily buildings in the Northeast.
Author(s)
NORESCO
Organization(s)
NORESCO
Publication Date
Description
Article describing RESNET guidance on evaporative coolers.
Author(s)
Mohalley Christopher
Organization(s)
Air Conditioning Heating and Refrigeration News,
ACHR News
Publication Date
Description
Article describing benefits of ECM motors and how they can be installed as retrofit motors in HVAC equipment.