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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 51 - 100 of 301 results:

Efficient Window Coverings Website

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Efficient Window Coverings
·
Organization(s)
Building Green,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
Website sponsored by DOE to provide consumers with intelligent and unbiased guidance on the best window covering for your climate, your needs, and your windows.

Energy Efficient Window Coverings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Energy Saver
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Web page providing an overview of window coverings such as blinds, shades, shutters, films, and storm windows.

Energy Rated for Added Comfort: AERC-Certified Window Attachments

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Gilbride Theresa L
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
Fact sheet poster describing the certification of window attachment products such as storm windows, roller shades, cellular shade, and solar screens by the Attachment Energy Rating Council (AERC).

Energy Savings from Window Attachments

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Curcija Charlie,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report describing a comprehensive analysis on energy savings from multiple types of shading devices in multiple climate zones.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2024

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Description
Webpage on the ENERGY STAR website that list products that exceed the ENERGY STAR minimum criteria for their category, with links to several product categories, including windows, HVAC, home appliances, and computer monitors.

ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Description
Website for finding rebates and special offers near you on ENERGY STAR certified products. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA helping you save energy and money while protecting the environment.

Erosion and Sediment Control On Your Construction Site

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Community Development and Insfrastructure County of Santa Cruz
·
Organization(s)
Santa Cruz County CDI
Description
Report describing construction site erosion and sediment control practices recommended and required by a county planning department.

Erosion Control for the Home Builder

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
·
Organization(s)
Jackson Township,
Ohio
Description
Factsheet describing steps builders should take to reduce erosion and control sediment on construction sites during home construction.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sullivan Greg P,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using interior cellular shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Peterson Joseph M,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
Report describing the methods and results of a field evaluation of the energy performance of cellular shade window coverings.

Evaluation of CNT Energy Savers Retrofit Packages Implemented in Multifamily Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Farley Jene,
Ruch Russell
·
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report exploring feasibility of designing prescriptive retrofit measure packages for typical Chicago region multifamily buildings in order to achieve 25% source energy savings.

Evaluation of Exterior Shades at PNNL Lab Homes and Occupied Field Sites

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Hunt Walter E
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using exterior fabric shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain, reduce glare, and improve comfort.

Evaluation of Interior Cellular Shades in a Residential Building

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bhandari Mahabir,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating the energy savings potential of cellular shades in homes.

Evaluation of Savings in Energy-Efficient Public Housing in the Pacific Northwest

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Kunkle Rick,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Research study documenting market-ready energy solutions to improve the efficiency of new affordable housing in the marine climate of Washington State.

Expert Meeting Report: Windows Options for New and Existing Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Rothgeb Stacey
·
Organization(s)
NorthernSTAR,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Expert meeting report aimed at a greater understanding of the windows research that Building America partners and national laboratories are engaged in to help professionals and consumers choose best practice strategies.

FDOT Drainage Handbook - Drainage Connection Permits

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Florida Department of Transportation
·
Organization(s)
FDOT
Description
Handbook describing the permitting process regulating the transfer of stormwater from private property owners to the State of Florida Department of Transportation stormwater drainage systems.

FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Activities

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Activity sheets describing questions and preparedness action items for a variety of disasters including floods, fires, earthquakes, and winter weather.

FEMA National Risk Index: Tsunamis

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Website describing and providing a map showing the tsunami risk index for the United States, which home owners and builders can use to determine the tsunami risk of their location.

FEMA Protecting Your Property from Earthquakes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
·
Organization(s)
HUD,
FEMA,
DHS
Description
Brochure detailing how to latch and lock cabinets and drawers to prevent injury to residents of the home.

Find Your Climate Zone

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Attachments Energy Rating Council
·
Organization(s)
AERC
Description
Webpage providing assistance with finding the AERC climate zone of particular locations to aid in selecting window attachment products.

Fire Network: Windows Vulnerabilities

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
·
Organization(s)
UCANR,
University of California Cooperative Extension
Description
A report showing what happens when windows break as a result of temperature differences between the inside and outside of the home, as well as code standards for the State of California regarding window exposure to wildfires.

FLASH website

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Alliance For Safe Homes
·
Organization(s)
FLASH
Description
Website containing resources from the nonprofit FLASH, which "is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters."

Flood and Hurricane Resistant Buildings, BSD-111

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Guide from Building Science Corporation on how to construct a flood and hurricane resistant home.

Floodproofing Non-Residential Buildings, FEMA P-936

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Low David K,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA
Description
Report describing dry floodproofing technologies for non-residential buildings, including information about regulatory requirements, design considerations, and descriptions of floodproofing methods and equipment.

Florida High Wind Concrete and Clay Tile Installation Manual, 5th Edition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Tile Roofing Institute
·
Organization(s)
TRI,
Florida Roofing Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association Inc.,
FRSA
Description
Manual for proper installation practices, industry standards and the code requirements of roofing tiles for the Florida market.

Food and Water in an Emergency, FEMA 477

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA,
American Red Cross
Description
A fact sheet on how to prepare for a natural disaster by storing food and water through an emergency food supply.

FORTIFIED Home Choosing the Right Tape

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Checklist providing recommendations for the right tape in order to reduce the risk of leaks during storms with wind-driven rain.

FORTIFIED Home Corrosion-Resistant Fasteners - New Documentation Requirements

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Checklist highlighting the requirement for metal structural connections and materials fasteners used to retrofit or construct FORTIFIED buildings less than 3,000 ft from saltwater to be suitably protected from corrosion.