Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 1 - 50 of 102 results:

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.

Airtightness Results of Roof-Only Air Sealing Strategies on 1 1/2-Story Homes in Cold Climates

2014

Mosiman Garrett,

Ojczyk Cindy,

Murry T

University of Minnesota,

NothernSTAR

Research report describing study of interior and exterior air sealing techniques to stop ice dams in five 1.5-story retrofit homes conducted by the NorthernSTAR Building America Partnership team run by University of Minnesota.

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.

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.

BSC Information - Vapor Open Assemblies for All Climates, Sheet 311

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet providing information about vapor management in building assemblies.

BSC Information - Vapor Permeance of Some Building Materials of Some Building Materials, Sheet 312

2013

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Information sheet providing details on the vapor permeance of different types of materials used in building assemblies.

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 a Durable and Energy Efficient Home in Post-Katrina New Orleans, BA-0704

2007

Baker Peter

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Research study about key sustainability concepts, durability, energy efficiency and new flood resistant design.

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 America Special Research Project - High R-Value Enclosures for High Performance Residential Buildings in All Climate Zones, BA-1005

2011

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

This report will review, and summarize the current state of understanding and research into enclosures with higher thermal resistance, so-called “High-R Enclosures.” Recommendations are provided for further research.

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.

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.

Durable Interior Foundation Insulation Retrofits for Cold Climates, Cloquet Minnesota

2015

University of Minnesota

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Case study describing foundation wall moisture studies at a research facility in Minnesota run by Building America team NorthernSTAR.

Evaluation of Humidity Control Options in Hot-Humid Climate Homes

2011

Winkler Jon,

Christensen Dane,

Fang Xia

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Research study that utilizes EnergyPlus equipped with the moisture capacitance model to analyze the indoor relative humidity in three home types.

Evaluation of the Effective Moisture Penetration Depth Model for Estimating Moisture Buffering in Buildings

2013

Woods Jason,

Winkler Jon,

Christensen Dane

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Research study examining the effective moisture penetration depth (EMPD) model and its suitability for building simulations.

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.

Excavationless Exterior Foundation Insulation Exploratory Study

2013

Mosiman Garrett,

Wagner Terence L,

Schirber Tom

NorthernSTAR,

University of Minnesota,

U.S. Department of Labor,

DOE

Research study searching for combinations of existing technologies that could enable a minimally invasive, cost-competitive, easily deployable method of upgrading soil-side foundation insulation in existing buildings.

Excavationless: Exterior-Side Foundation Insulation for Existing Homes, Minneapolis, Minnesota

2014

University of Minnesota

UMN,

NorthernSTAR,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Case study describing novel technique for installing exterior spray foam on foundation walls that uses high-pressure water sprayer and a “hydro vac” to remove dirt along the foundation wall.

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: Interior Insulation Retrofit of Mass Masonry Wall Assemblies

2012

Ueno Kohta,

Van Straaten R

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Expert Meeting about interior insulation retrofit of mass masonry wall assemblies held on July 30, 2011.

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.

Flexible Residential Test Facility: Impact of Infiltration and Ventilation on Measured Cooling Season Energy and Moisture Levels

2014

Parker Danny S,

et al.

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Research report assessing the moisture and cooling load impacts of airtightness and mechanical ventilation in homes in hot-humid climates.

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.

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 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.

High-R Walls for Remodeling: Wall Cavity Moisture Monitoring

2012

Wiehagen Joseph,

Kochkin Vladimir

NAHB Research Center,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Research study presenting results of an existing home monitoring project designed to measure wall cavity moisture characteristics.

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.

Hygric Redistribution in Insulated Assemblies: Retrofitting Residential Envelopes Without Creating Moisture Issues

2013

Lstiburek Joseph W,

Smegal Jonathan

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Report exploring four questions to determine the level of risk associated with adding drained exterior insulation to the exterior of an existing home during an energy retrofit.

IBACOS Builder System Performance Packages: January 2003--December 2003

2004

Broniek John

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report presenting system design packages for cold and mixed-humid climates.

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.

Interior Water Management, Info-306

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Article discussing indoor water management.

Laboratory Evaluation of Energy Recovery Ventilators

2016

Kosar Douglas

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Gas Technology Institute,

GTI Energy,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report targeting the growing number of homes utilizing deep retrofit measures and new construction practices to realize sufficiently lower infiltration levels that require mechanical ventilation as prescribed by ASHRAE Standard 62.2.

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.

Laboratory Test Report for Six ENERGY STAR Dehumidifiers

2011

Winkler Jon,

Christensen Dane,

Tomerlin Jeff

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL

Report documenting the measured performance of six residential ENERGY STAR vapor compression dehumidifiers.

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.

Managing the Drivers of Air Flow and Water Vapor Transport in Existing Single-Family Homes

2012

Cummings James B,

et al.

Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,

BA-PIRC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Report focusing on managing the driving forces that move air and water vapor across the building envelope.

Measure Guideline: Basement Insulation Basics

2012

Aldrich Robb,

Mantha Pallavi,

Puttagunta Srikanth

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

Document describing good practices for insulating basements in new and existing homes.