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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 51 - 100 of 108

Guide to Good Leak Testing

Author(s)
Institute of Refrigeration
Organization(s)
IOR,
Carbon Trust
Publication Date
Guide describing refrigeration leaks, including common leak points, how to fix them, and how to prevent them.

Heat-Pump Clothes Dryers

Author(s)
Rice Joseph
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
Blog post about heat pump clothes dryers.

High-Efficiency Products

Author(s)
Northeast Energy Efficiency Parternship
Organization(s)
NEEP
Publication Date
A website detailing initiatives on the east coast for the installation and use of high efficiency products.

How Does a Water Softener Work?

Author(s)
Gerbis Nicholas
Organization(s)
Home & Garden
Publication Date
Resource that explains how water softeners work to reduce scale.

How to Anchor Furniture to a Wall

Author(s)
Wirecutter Staff
Organization(s)
New York Times
Publication Date
Installation tips and product suggestions for mounting hardware.

How-to Anchor it and Protect a Child

Author(s)
Green Smart Links
Organization(s)
Green Smart Links
Publication Date
Includes several good how-to videos for anchoring furniture to different wall types

Inspecting the Dryer Exhaust

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

Inspection and Verification Guidance for WaterSense® Labeled New Homes

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
PDF detailing the inspection and verification guidance for WaterSense labeled new homes including indoor and outdoor efficiency requirements, and homeowner and building management education.

Makeup Air for Range Hoods

Author(s)
Holladay Martin
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Publication Date
If your kitchen has a powerful exhaust fan, it may be pulling air down your chimney or water-heater flue.

Measured Performance of Heat Pump Clothes Dryers

Author(s)
Martin Eric,
Sutherland Karen,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Repor ourlining testing results from a 53 home monitored sample, long-term energy use of electric resistance clothes dryers.

Measured Retrofit Savings from Efficient Lighting and Smart Power Strips

Author(s)
Sutherland Karen,
Chasar Dave,
Hoak David,
Parker Danny S
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Report describing a lighting and smart power strip retrofit evaluation that was conducted on 56 all-electric, existing Florida homes to see how lighting and miscellaneous electric loads might be reduced.

Pool Pumps Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Publication Date
Table of criteria for pool pumps to achieve ENERGY STAR certification.

Pools & Spas: Codes and Standards Enhancement (CASE) Initiative

Author(s)
Fernstorm Gary,
Joyce Elizabeth,
Ludovici Eric,
Worth Chad
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission
Publication Date
This CASE report proposes updates and revisions to the standards for residential swimming pool filtration pumps, new and replacement single phase pump motors under 5 horsepower (HP), controllers, portable electric spas as well as expanding the scope of the current standards to include light emitting...

Provide Flood Protection for Appliances

Author(s)
Federal Alliance For Safe Homes
Organization(s)
FLASH
Publication Date
Webpage describing how to elevate major appliances in case of a flood.

Refrigerator Thermometers: Cold Facts about Food Safety

Author(s)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Organization(s)
FDA
Publication Date
When it comes to protecting yourself and your family from foodborne illness, one of your most effective tools is the kitchen refrigerator.

Refrigerators & Freezers Key Product Criteria

Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Publication Date
The ENERGY STAR criteria for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers.

RELi Rating System

Author(s)
Geen Business Certification Inc.,
U.S. Green Building Council
Organization(s)
USGBC
Publication Date
Website describing the RELi rating system and leadership standard that takes a holistic approach to resilient design.

Residential Grid-interactive Efficient Building Technology and Policy: Harnessing the Power of Homes for a Clean, Affordable, Resilient Grid of the Future

Author(s)
Rinaldi Kara Saul,
Bunnen Elizabeth,
Rogers Sabine
Organization(s)
AnnDyl Policy Group,
National Association of State Energy Officials,
NASEO
Publication Date
Report identifying efficient, connected, smart, and flexible GEB technologies and their future potential, including barriers and opportunities, recommendations for policymakers, and research needs.

Resource Manual for Building WaterSense Labeled New Homes

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Resource to help builders better understand the WaterSense requirements for labeled homes and assist them in meeting the criteria so they can receive the label for their new construction.

Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD)

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
EPA guide on responsible appliance disposal for consumers.

Retrofit Improvements - Anchorage of Appliances

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
A quick-reference guide advising homeowners on how to anchor home appliances and protect from seismic damages.

Retrofit Improvements - Elevate & Secure Water Heater

Author(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs
Organization(s)
HIRL
Publication Date
A retrofit sheet providing information on elevating and securing water heaters to protect against damage during a flood.

Revised Analysis of Efficiency Standards for Pool Pumps and Motors, and Spas

Author(s)
Fischel Ben,
Steffensen Sean
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission,
CEC
Publication Date
This report discusses proposed updates to the pool pumps and motors, and portable electric spas standards in the Appliance Efficiency Regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 20, Sections 1601 to 1609). These proposed updates are part of the 2012 Appliance Efficiency Rulemaking, Phase I...

Save More On Laundry with a Heat Pump Clothes Dryer

Author(s)
Leslie Jones
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. EPA,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Date
Article explaining the energy cost reduction and other benefits associated with installing a heat pump clothes dryer

Saving Energy through Advanced Power Strips

Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization(s)
NREL
Publication Date
Infographic providing details on choosing the right advanced power strip based on your habits to reduce the electricity wasted when your electronic devices are idle.

Servicing High Efficiency Boilers Part 2

Author(s)
Eatherton Mark
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Publication Date
Second part of an article series focusing on servicing high efficiency modcon boilers. This part focuses on paperwork and follow-up communication with the homeowner for scheduling annual maintenance.

Servicing High Efficiency Modcon Boilers

Author(s)
Eatherton Mark
Organization(s)
Contractor Magazine
Publication Date
Article describing the author's experiences in owning and servicing a modcon boiler.

Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth STURDY Act, H. R. 1314

Author(s)
Schakowsky Janice
Organization(s)
U.S. House of Representatives
Publication Date
Bill requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission to revise the safety standards for freestanding clothing storage units such as a dressers, bureaus, or chests of drawers to include testing related to tip overs and new warning requirements for all such products entering the U.S. market; passed...

Technical Reference Manual for WaterSense Labeled Homes

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Resource manual for builders, designers, architects, plumbers, and others interested in the WaterSense Labeled Homes Program providing an overview of the program, explains how to meet the program requirements, gives descriptions of water-saving technologies, and provides links to further resources.

The Corsi-Rosenthal Box

Author(s)
Burnes Roberta
Organization(s)
Kentucky Department of Air Quality
Publication Date
Presentation describing how to make a Corsi-Rosenthal Box for air cleaning.

The Facts about Clothes Dryer Exhaust Systems

Author(s)
Cranor John
Organization(s)
American Society of Home Inspectors,
ASHI
Publication Date
Article outlining the importance of keeping dryer exhaust ducts clean.

Tips for Natural Gas Safety at Home

Author(s)
NorthWest Natural
Organization(s)
NW Natural
Publication Date
Website providing consumer tips for using natural gas safely in the home, including guidance on cooking, fireplaces, ventilation, pilot lights, piping, etc.

Water Safety in Buildings

Author(s)
World Health Organization,
Institutional Repository for Information Sharing
Organization(s)
WHO,
IRIS
Publication Date
This text is one of series of supporting documents that provide guidance on implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for drinking-water quality; intended to support improvement of water safety within buildings.

WaterSense - Find a WaterSense Home Verifier

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Resource that provides a directory of individuals that have successfully completed all requirements of at least one WaterSense Approved Certification Method (WACM) through a Home Certification Organization (HCO).

WaterSense - Product Search

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Website providing a searchable list of products that meet the EPA WaterSense criteria for water savings.

WaterSense Homes Certification

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Webpage from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describing the EPA WaterSense program including the Mandatory Checklist for WaterSense Labeled Homes, information on how to get certified, and information on finding or becoming a WaterSense Home Certifying Organization.

WaterSense Labeled Homes Technical Sheet: Bathroom Sink Faucets

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
This fact sheet outlines the requirements for WaterSense® labeled bathroom sink faucets, detailing their water-efficient features, compliance with flow rate standards, how they are tested, how they are built, and how they are verified to ensure their quality and compliance with conservation and...

WaterSense Labeled Homes Technical Sheet: Clothes Washers

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the requirements for EPA WaterSense® certified clothes washers that highlights the integrated water factor, integrated modified energy factor, top-loading vs. front-loading specifications, efficiency code standards, local requirements, faucet types and regulations for building...

WaterSense Labeled Homes Technical Sheet: Dishwashers

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the requirements for EPA WaterSense® certified dishwashers that highlights water cycle specifications, efficiency code standards, water consumption level relation to criteria, the advantages of ENERGY STAR dishwashers, and the regulations for building and verifying a labeled...

WaterSense Labeled Homes Technical Sheet: Leak Detection and Flow Monitoring System

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how to effectively build, implement, and verify leak detection and flow monitoring systems, detailing their significance in identifying and preventing leaks, selecting appropriate devices, installation procedures, and verification protocols within the context of water...

WaterSense Labeled Homes Technical Sheet: Service Water Pressure

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
WaterSense
Organization(s)
EPA,
WaterSense
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing the significance of managing service water pressure within recommended ranges through the installation of pressure-regulating valves (PRVs), emphasizing their role in preventing damage, conserving energy, and ensuring water-efficient operation in residential properties; There...