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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 1 - 28 of 28

A Simplified Model for Estimating Population-Scale Energy Impacts of Building Envelope Air-Tightening and Mechanical Ventilation Retrofits

Author(s)
Logue Jennifer M,
Turner William JN,
Walker Iain S,
Singer Brett C
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Report describing how changing the air exchange rate of a home (the sum of the infiltration and mechanical ventilation airflow rates) affects the annual thermal conditioning energy.

Air Leakage in Recessed Lighting

Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
Organization(s)
Pennsylvania Housing Research/Resource Center,
PHRC
Publication Date
Article describing recessed lighting, which if installed incorrectly may contribute to air leakage and compromise building envelope efficiency.

Air Sealing - Seal Air Leaks and Save Energy!

Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
Organization(s)
DOE,
SEI
Publication Date
Brochure describing the benefits of air-sealing for homeowners.

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Document providing background and approach for the prep work necessary prior to adding attic insulation - focusing on combustion safety, ventilation for indoor air quality, and attic ventilation for durability.

Duct and HVAC Insulation

Author(s)
North American Insulation Manufacturers Association
Organization(s)
NAIMA
Publication Date
Information sheet with HVAC duct insulation, testing, maintenance and performance information.

Field Trial of an Aerosol-Based Enclosure Sealing Technology

Author(s)
Springer David,
Harrington Curtis
Organization(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Publication Date
Report presenting the results from several demonstrations of a new method for sealing building envelop air leaks.

Fixing Air Leakage in Connecticut Town Houses

Author(s)
Moriarta Courtney
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine,
National Property Inspections,
NPI
Publication Date
Journal article describing energy and cost savings potential from air sealing multifamily town homes.

Foam Shrinks, and Other Lessons, PA-1201

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Journal article describing lessons learned from updating a 16-year-old deep-energy retrofit.

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

Author(s)
Less Brennan,
Mullen Nasim A,
Singer Brett C,
Walker Iain S
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
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.

JM Spider® Drill & Fill Installation Guide

Author(s)
Johns Manville
Organization(s)
Johns Manville
Publication Date
The purpose for this document is to provide basic guidance on the use of proven installation techniques that can be used by installers to help ensure correct “dense pack” application of JM Spider® in drill & fill applications.

Mass Save Deep Energy Retrofit Builder Guide, GM-1302

Author(s)
Neuhauser Ken,
Gates Cathy,
Pettit Betsy
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Guidebook providing useful examples of high performance retrofit techniques for the building enclosure of wood frame residential construction in a cold and somewhat wet climate.

Mastic Home Exteriors Installation Guide

Author(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Organization(s)
Ply Gem Siding Group
Publication Date
Siding installation guide for Ply Gem Siding Group products.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

Author(s)
Lubliner Michael,
Kerr Ryan,
Gordon Andrew,
Murray Chuck
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development
Publication Date
Conference paper making the case that moving ducts to conditioned space saves energy, is practical for production builders (when accompanied by careful pre-planning), and creates significant andmarketable energy savings for homebuyers.

Standard Specification for Elastomeric Cellular Preformed Gasket and Sealing Material, ASTM C509-06(2011)

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard specification covering elastomeric cellular preformed gasket and sealing materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2011 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2021, 2015, 2006, and...

Standard Specification for Elastomeric Cellular Preformed Gasket and Sealing Material, ASTM C509-06(2021)

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard specification covering elastomeric cellular preformed gasket and sealing materials. This version of the standard was published in the year 2021 and is available for preview and purchase at the reference link. Other versions of the standard were published in the years 2015, 2011, 2006, and...

Standard Specification for Elastomeric Joint Sealants, ASTM C920-18

Author(s)
American Society for Testing and Materials,
ASTM International
Organization(s)
ASTM
Publication Date
Standard specification covering the properties of a cured single- or multicomponent cold-applied elastomeric joint sealant for sealing, caulking, or glazing operations on buildings, plazas, and decks for vehicular or pedestrian use, and types of construction other than highway and airfield pavements...

Stop Pests in Housing

Author(s)
Northeastern IPM Center
Organization(s)
Northeastern IPM Center
Publication Date
Website providing information on all types of pest management for multi-family housing.

Thermal Protection in Recessed Luminaires

Author(s)
Pierce Jim
Organization(s)
Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry,
IAEI
Publication Date
Article on thermal protectors in recessed light fixtures.

Understanding Air Barriers, BSD-104

Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Information sheet providing definitions, applications, and techniques for applying air barriers.

Why Seal and Insulate?

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
Introductory guide to air sealing the envelope of a home to reduce wasted energy and save on energy costs.