Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 82 results:

40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Humid Climate, Volume 15

2011

Baechler Michael C,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

A guidebook helping builders in hot-humid climates design and construct homes for energy efficiency, durability, health, safety, and comfort.

40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Marine Climate, Volume 11

2010

Baechler Michael C,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report providing builders in marine climates with guidance for building homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Mixed-Humid Climate, Volume 16

2011

Baechler Michael C,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing measures that builders in mixed-humid climates can use to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

A Realistic Hot Water Draw Specification for Rating Solar Water Heaters

2012

Burch Jay,

Thornton Jeff

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Thermal Energy System Specialists,

TESS

Document outlining the current and the proposed draws and estimates typical ratings changes from draw specification changes for typical systems in four cities.

Advanced Water Heating Specification

2022

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

NEEA

Specifications for water heating systems designed to advance higher performing electric and gas heat pump water heaters.

Application of Spray Foam Insulation Under Plywood and Oriented Strand Board Roof Sheathing, BA-1312

2013

Grin Aaron,

Smegal Jonathan,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report covering moisture and leakage issues associated with spray foam insulation application to the underside of roof sheathing.

Assessing the Energy Savings of Tankless Water Heater Retrofits in Public Housing

2013

Dwiantoro Deny,

Walters R,

Ries R

Building Energy Efficient Homes for America,

BEEHA,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing methodology, analysis, and findings from a case study of a 110-unit retrofit of gas tankless water heaters in a hot/humid climate in Alachua County, Florida.

Attic or Roof? An Evaluation of Two Advanced Weatherization Packages, BA-1205

2012

Neuhauser Ken

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.

Bay Ridge Gardens - Mixed Humid Affordable Multifamily Housing Deep Energy Retrofit

2013

Lyons James,

Moore Mike,

Thompson Margo

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Newport Ventures,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report summarizing commissioning, short-term testing, utility bill data analysis, and results of on-site monitoring of a deep energy retrofit.

Best Practices Solar Case Study: John Wesley Miller Companies, Armory Park del Sol Tucson Arizona

2009

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Case study describing solar thermal and photovoltaic systems in new construction.

Brick, Stucco, Housewrap and Building Paper, RR-0105

2001

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study discussing how housewraps restrict or permit the passage of water molecules based on size, but cannot control the direction in which the water vapor molecules move.

BSC Information - Common Flashing Details for All Climates, Sheet 303

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Brochure providing information about flashing in all cimates.

Builders Challenge Guide to 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Hot-Dry and Mixed-Dry Climates Solar Case Study Grupe: Carsten Crossings, Rocklin California

2009

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Case study describing solar thermal and photovoltaic systems in new construction.

Building America Best Practices Series - 40% Whole-House Energy Savings in the Cold and Very Cold Climates, Volume 12

2011

Baechler Michael C,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Guide describing measures that builders in the cold and very cold climates can take to build homes that have whole-house energy savings of 40% over the Building America benchmark with no added overall costs for consumers.

Building America Best Practices Series: Solar Case Study: Pulte Homes, Civano Tucson AZ

2007

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Case study describing solar thermal and photovoltaic systems in new construction.

Building Science Education: Heat Pump Water Heater Training Module

2024

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Training module describing the operation, efficiency, consumer and seller benefits, and cost comparison of Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH) against conventional gas, oil, or electric water heaters.

Central Heat Pump Water Heater Design Guide

2023

Ecotope

Energy Trust of Oregon

Design guide providing solutions and tools for designing central heat pump water heater systems in multifamily and other commercial buildings.

Combined Space and Water Heating: Next Steps to Improved Performance

2016

Bohac Dave,

Schoenbauer Ben,

Huelman Patrick H

University of Minnesota,

UMN,

NothernSTAR,

NSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing combined space- and water-heating (combi) systems using a high-efficiency direct-vent burner.

Comparison of Advanced Residential Water Heating Technologies in the United States

2013

Fang Xia,

Maguire Jeff,

Wilson Eric

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Research report providing a comparison of the most common residential water heating technologies to determine energy-efficient and cost-effective water heating technologies are when subjected to a variety of typical operating conditions.

Condensing Hybrid Water Heater Monitoring Field Evaluation

2011

Maguire Jeff,

et al.

Mountain Energy Partnership,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report about a hybrid condensing water heater (thermal efficiency = 0.973, energy factor = 0.95) installed in an occupied home in Sacramento, California, and monitored for one year to determine the actual in situ efficiency.

Cool Colored Materials for Roofs

2004

Akbari Hashem,

et al.

California Energy Commission,

CEC,

Public Interest Energy Research Program,

PIER,

Laboratory Directed Research and Development,

LDRD,

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Study describing efforts and outcomes in developing color-pigmented roofing products with coatings to increase solar reflectance.

Cost Effectiveness of Home Energy Retrofits in Pre-Code Vintage Homes in the United States

2012

Fairey Philip W,

Parker Danny S

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE,

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report describing the analytical study of renewable energy retrofits to homes built before 1980 and whether it is cost efficient or not.

Cost, Design, and Performance of Solar Hot Water in Cold-Climate Homes

2006

Aldrich Robb,

Vijayakumar Gayathri

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Report describing the monitored long-term performance of two solar domestic water heating systems in northern climates.

Evaluation of Unitary Heat Pump Water Heaters with Load-Shifting Controls in a Shared Multifamily Configuration

2022

Hoeschele Marc,

Haile James,

Grant Peter

Pacific Gas and Electric Company,

PG&E,

Energy Transition Coordinating Council,

ETCC

Report describing the performance, cost, and carbon impacts of unitary heat pump water heaters with load-shifting controls in a shared configuration for a multi-family project, highlighting significant savings in energy usage, CO2 emissions, and utility costs.

Expert Meeting Report: Exploring the Disconnect Between Rated and Field Performance of Water Heating Systems

2013

Hoeschele Marc,

Weitzel Elizabeth

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

Davis Energy Group,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

The main objective of this expert meeting was to bring together a group of experts intimately involved with issues related to assessing the performance of residential high efficiency water heating systems.

Expert Meeting Report: Recommendations for Applying Water Heaters in Combination Space and Domestic Water Heating Systems

2012

Rudd Armin,

et al.

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Expert meeting describing meeting details for recommendations for applying water heaters in combination space and domestic water heating systems.

General PV Specification

2009

Aldrich Robb

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Brochure on specifications for PV systems.

General Solar Thermal Specification

2009

Aldrich Robb

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Brochure on specifications for solar thermal systems.

Groundwater Control, Info-101

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet about groundwater control.

Guide to Insulating Sheathing

2007

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Guide providing information on using exterior foam insulating sheathing in building wall assemblies to enhance thermal performance.

Heat Pump Water Heater Guide - Best Practices and Technical Considerations for Single-Family New Construction

2024

ENERGY STAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

DOE,

EPA

Informational guide describing the design, installation, and maintenance best practices and technical considerations for integrated Heat Pump Water Heaters in single-family and multifamily new construction.

Heat Pump Water Heater Model Validation Study

2015

Ecotope,

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Ecotope,

NEEA

Report describing the significant potential for energy use reductions through heat pump water heaters, which have been a crucial part of Northwest power plans for decades and have recently achieved substantial savings with new integrated models and climate specifications.

High Performance Builder Spotlight: NextGen Home, Las Vegas, Nevada

2009

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Case study of new home construction in the hot-dry and mixed-dry climate zones.

High Performance Walls in Hot-Dry Climates

2015

Hoeschele Marc,

et al.

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

Davis Energy Group,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Article from NREL on wall construction guidelines for homes in hot climate zones.

High-Efficiency Window Air Conditioners

2013

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

Factsheet profiling a simple modification that can be made to window air-conditioners to improve their energy efficiency.

High-Performance Home Technologies: Solar Thermal & Photovoltaic Systems, Volume 6 Building America Best Practices Series

2007

Baechler Michael C,

et al.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL,

Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

ORNL

Best Practices document providing an introduction to current photovoltaic and solar thermal building practices.

Home Cooling Systems

2022

Energy Saver

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Website providing information on low-energy and standard cooling systems, with a focus on saving energy.

Hot Water Distribution System Model Enhancements

2012

Hoeschele Marc,

Weitzel Elizabeth

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Davis Energy Group

Report on a project that enhanced the HWSIM distribution system model to more accurately model pipe heat transfer.

Impact of Pilot Light Modeling on the Predicted Annual Performance of Residential Gas Water Heaters

2013

Maguire Jeff,

Burch Jay

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Journal article presenting modeling of residential gas water heaters via dynamic simulation models to determine the effect of the pilot light on their annual energy consumption.

Installing Windows with Foam Sheathing on a Wood-Frame Wall

2005

Building Science Corporation,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

BSC,

NREL

Report with guidance for installing windows with foam sheathing on wood-frame walls.

Interaction between Heat Pump Water Heaters or Other Internal Point Source Loads and a Central Heating System

2017

Widder Sarah H,

et al.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,

NEEA,

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

Report describing the objective evaluation of space conditioning interactions between heat pump water heaters and home heating systems during winter 2016-2017, revealing a smaller than anticipated impact on space conditioning loads.

Laboratory Evaluation of Gas-Fired Tankless and Storage Water Heater Approaches to Combination Water and Space Heating

2013

Kingston T,

Scott S

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Gas Technology Institute,

GTI Energy

Report summarizing results of testing emerging combo water heating technologies under controlled laboratory operations, that differentiate the performance of the various packaged equipment configurations being offered.

Local Officials Guide for Coastal Construction, FEMA P-762

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Guide describing sound mitigation measures to lower building natural disaster vulnerability to assist local officials and community decision makers in coastal areas.

Low-Cost Solar Water Heating Research and Development Roadmap

2012

Hudon Kate,

et al.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report identifying the target market for solar water heaters and potential pathways and cost/performance targets that must be met for these systems to realize large energy savings.

Measure Guideline: Combination Forced-Air Space and Tankless Domestic Hot Water Heating Systems

2012

Rudd Armin

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Document pertaining to design and application guidance for combination space and tankless domestic hot water heating systems used in residential buildings, based on field evaluation, testing, and industry meetings.

Measure Guideline: Combined Space and Water Heating Installation and Optimization

2017

Bohac Dave,

Schoenbauer Ben,

Huelman Patrick H

NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership,

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

UMN

Report describing the installation and operation of forced-air heating and domestic hot water combi systems in residential homes.

Measure Guideline: Deep Energy Enclosure Retrofit (DEER) for Zero Energy House (ZERH) Flat Roofs

2015

Loomis Honorata,

Pettit Betsy

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

This Measure Guideline provides design and construction information for a deep energy enclosure retrofit solution of a flat roof assembly.

Measure Guideline: Guidance on Taped Insulating Sheathing Drainage Planes

2014

Grin Aaron,

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Measure Guideline research report providing simple, long term, and durable solutions when using tapes and flashing membranes in conjunction with the exterior face of rigid polymeric foam sheathing to create the drainage plane of a wall system.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

2014

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation

Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.

Measure Guideline: Transitioning to a Tankless Water Heater

2012

Brozyna Kevin,

Rapport Ari

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Document developed to help residential builders and retrofitters transition from tank-type water heaters to tankless water heaters.