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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 451 - 500 of 941 results:

How to Prepare Your Home for Wildfires

Publication Date
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Author(s)
National Fire Protection Association
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Organization(s)
NFPA
Description
Factsheet describing defensible space and wildfire risk reduction steps that homeowners can take to make their homes safer during a wildfire.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dorsi Chris
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Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Description
Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.

How to Seal Up to Prevent Rodent Infestations

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Organization(s)
CDC
Description
A website providing a checklist of important areas to check when sealing holes inside and outside of the home to prevent entry by rodents and other outside pests.

How To: Mounting Solar on Sips

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sughrue Patrick
·
Organization(s)
Premier SIPS Structural Insulated Panels,
Home Power Magazine
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.

Hurricane Preparedness Digital Toolkit

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
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Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Description
Webpage containing a library of ready-to-use social media posts, graphics and video links that promote life-saving information about how individuals and families can prepare for and survive during a hurricane.

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Gable End Overhangs

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Florida Disaster
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Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Description
A document aimed at reducing the vulnerability of a gable end roof to wind damage in a hurricane.

Hurricane Retrofit Guide - Wood Frame Walls

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Florida Disaster
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Organization(s)
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Description
Report describing the hurricane retrofit guide with focus on walls and wooded framed walls.

Hurricane Shutter Types

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hurricane Research Division,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Organization(s)
NOAA
Description
NOAA webpage providing images and short descriptions of different types of hurricane shutters.

Hurricanes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Description
Website detailing how to prepare for, stay safe during, and return home after hurricanes.

HVAC in Multifamily Buildings

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Description
Paper providing a comprehensive overview of HVAC system design considerations and challenges specific to multifamily residential buildings, focusing on optimizing performance and addressing common issues.

HVI Airflow Test Procedure

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Publication specifying HVI’s prescriptive procedures for testing and rating airflow of residential ventilation products in accordance with ANSI consensus standards.

HVI Certification Program Policies and Procedures

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
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Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Publication describing the requirements and procedures for the certified performance ratings program for residential ventilation products administered by the Home Ventilating Institute.

HVI Certified Products Directory

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Home Ventilating Institute
·
Organization(s)
HVI
Description
Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

ICC-ES Evaluation Report, ESR-1679

Publication Date
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Author(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
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Organization(s)
ICC Evaluation Service
Description
ICC-ES Evaluation Report reviewing proprietary steel shear wall panels developed by Simpson Strong-Tie Company to resist vertical and lateral loads in walls resulting from wind or earthquakes.

Ignition Resistant Construction Design Manual

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Colorado Springs Fire Department
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Organization(s)
City of Colorado Springs,
State of Colorado
Description
Wildfire guidance for homes located in the wildland urban interface, focused on site design and individual pieces of the home.

Ignition Resistant Construction Guide

Publication Date
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Author(s)
FireSafe Montana
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Organization(s)
FireSafe Montana
Description
Ignition resistant residential construction and landscaping guidelines from FireSafe Montana.

Impact of Residential Mechanical Ventilation on Energy Cost and Humidity Control

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Martin Eric
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,
IBACOS
Description
The study described in this white paper is based on building energy modeling with an important focus on the indoor humidity impacts of ventilation.

Impact Resistance of Brick Veneer Structures to Hurricane Debris

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bennett Richard M,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Canada Masonry Design Centre,
CMDC
Description
An impact test report from projectile missile tests against brick veneer, verifying that brick veneers perform well to resisting hurricane force wind driven debris.

Improving Central Exhaust Systems for Multifamily Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
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Organization(s)
NYSERDA
Description
Report documenting the results of a NYSERDA-funded research project to demonstrate the costs and benefits of a best practice systems approach to improving exhaust ventilation system performance in five multifamily buildings in New York State.

Indirect/Passive Air-Flow Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kang Bhujon,
Lutz-Carillo Sky
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Organization(s)
University of Texas
Description
Report detailing natural ventilation and passive airflow systems.

Indoor Air Quality in 24 California Residences Designed as High-Performance Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Less Brennan,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
This research study used pollutant measurements, home inspections, diagnostic testing and occupant surveys to assess IAQ in 24 new or deeply retrofitted homes designed to be high performance green buildings in California.

Indoor AirPlus

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Indoor airPLUS is a voluntary partnership and labeling program that helps new home builders improve the quality of indoor air by requiring construction practices and product specifications that minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants.

Indoor AirPlus Program Documents

Publication Date
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Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
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Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website providing the technical specifications and related documents for home builders, subcontractors, architects, and other housing professionals interested in certifying a home to the EPA's Indoor airPLUS program requirements.

Industry Becoming More Comfortable with Excess Flow Valves

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
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Organization(s)
Pipeline & Gas Journal
Description
Article describing excess flow valves installed on gas lines to shut-off natural gas flow to a home in the event that a gas line is severed due to an earthquake, natural disaster, earthquake, etc.

Information About Purchasing And Installing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southern California Gas Company
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Organization(s)
SoCalGas
Description
Webpage detailing how to purchase and install the correct shut-off valve for homes in California, including differences between earthquake and excess flow valves and how to install each.

Inspecting the Dryer Exhaust

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gromicko Nick,
Gromicko Ben
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Organization(s)
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors,
InterNACHI
Description
Article describing the correct installation of clothes dryer exhaust ducts.

Install Window Shutters

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Knowles III Hal S,
et al.
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Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Description
This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.

Installing and Maintaining Evaporative Coolers

Publication Date
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Author(s)
Otterbein Roy
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Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Article describing what evaporative coolers are, how they work, different types, performance, where they are appropriate, and how to install and maintain them.