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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 156 results:

ENERGY STAR® Certified Heat Pump Water Heaters Sales Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA
Description
Informational guide describing the benefits, functionality, and cost savings of ENERGY STAR® certified heat pump water heaters, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting incentives.

Evaluation of Missed Energy Saving Opportunity - Based on Illinois Home Performance Program Field Data: Homeowner Selected Upgrades Versus Cost-Optimized Solutions

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Milby M,
Baker Julie D,
Yee Shannon
·
Organization(s)
Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit,
PARR
Description
Study investigating homeowner measure package choices in the Illinois Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program compared to cost-optimal choices determined through Building Energy Optimization (BEopt) modeling software.

FEMA Continuous Load Path

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Article explaining what a continuous load path is and the key connection points that make it up.

Field Evaluation of Advances in Energy-Efficiency Practices for Manufactured Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES
Description
Report on the field evaluation of whole-building approaches and estimation of the relative contributions of select technologies toward reducing energy use related to space conditioning in new manufactured homes.

Field Evaluation of Four Novel Roof Designs for Energy-Efficient Manufactured Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dentz Jordan,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Advanced Residential Integrated Energy Solutions,
ARIES
Description
Report of a field evaluation of four novel roof designs to see how each design would reduce space-conditioned energy use so that the knowledge gained could be applied to the design of new manufactured homes.

For Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center
·
Organization(s)
FSEC
Description
Website with information for consumers about solar thermal systems for homes.

Formaldehyde

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Detailed information about Formaldehyde including health effects and strategies to reduce exposure.

FORTIFIED Home Homeowner Resources

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety
·
Organization(s)
IBHS
Description
Webpage describing homeowner resources program designed to strengthen homes and commercial buildings against severe weather such as high winds, hail, hurricanes, and even tornadoes.

Geothermal (Ground-Source) Heat Pumps: Market Status, Barriers to Adoption, and Actions to Overcome Barriers

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Hughes Patrick J
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report investigating the status of the geothermal heat pump (GHP) industry and technology in the United States, assembling GHP energy savings potential, identifying key barriers to application of GHPs, and identifying actions that could accelerate adoption of GHPs.

Health Problems Caused by Secondhand Smoke

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Office on Smoking and Health,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
·
Organization(s)
OSH,
NCCDPHP,
CDC
Description
Webpage that describes health problems that can be caused by secondhand smoke.

Heat your Water with the Sun

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
NREL
Description
Provides consumers with general information on solar water heating systems and how to select a contractor.

Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Natural Resources Canada
·
Organization(s)
Natural Resources Canada
Description
Report providing information for HVAC designers, installers, and consumers about air source heat pumps.

Home Energy Displays: Consumer Adoption and Response

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
LaMarche Janelle,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems,
Fraunhofer CSE,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Research study investigating the factors influencing consumer adoption of HEDs and evaluating the resulting electricity consumption.

Home Energy Guide - Techniques, Tactics, and Tips: Ice Dams

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy Information Center
·
Organization(s)
Minnesota Department of Commerce
Description
Article describing the causes that form ice dams, as well as solutions for preventing future ice dams on roofs, focusing on air sealing to prevent hot air leakage.

How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Description
Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.

How to Choose a Room Air Cleaner

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Park Ga-Young
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR,
U.S. EPA,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Description
Article describing considerations for choosing a room-level air cleaner to improve indoor air quality.

How to Install Cellulose Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Holladay Martin
·
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor,
GBA
Description
Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dorsi Chris
·
Organization(s)
Montana State University Extension,
MSU Extension
Description
Article from Montana State University Extension explaining how proper insulation techniques can greatly reduce the risks of ice dams on roofs in cold climate zones.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Straube John
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Implementing a Zero Energy Ready Home Multifamily Project

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Springer David,
German Alea
·
Organization(s)
Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,
ARBI,
Davis Energy Group
Description
Report on on lessons learned from building one multifamily home to the Zero Energy Ready Home program requirements.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Parker Danny S
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

Lead-Safe Renovations for DIYers

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
EPA
Description
Website describing best practices for minimizing exposure to lead while doing repairs and renovations in homes built in 1978 or earlier.

LED Lighting

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
The light-emitting diode (LED) is one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technologies.

Light Bulbs

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
A website explaining why homeowners should install ENERGY STAR certified lightbulbs, which helps to save homeowners on utility bills and protect the environment.

Measure Guideline: Air Sealing Attics in Multifamily Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Maxwell Sean,
Otis Casey
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Steven Winter Associates,
SWA
Description
Guideline describing the importance of the different types of multifamily building attics and their unique challenges, and outlines strategies and materials used in air-sealing them.

Measure Guideline: Buried and/or Encapsulated Ducts

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mantha Pallavi,
Zoeller William,
Shapiro Carl
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Description
Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.

Measured Performance of Occupied, Side-by-Side, South Texas Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Chasar Dave,
vonSchramm Valerie
·
Organization(s)
Building America Partnership for Improved Residential Construction,
BA-PIRC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC,
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Report summarizing a case study about the performance of three occupied homes built in 2009 in San Antonio, Texas.

Mortgage Industry National Home Energy Rating Standards

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
RESNET
·
Organization(s)
RESNET
Description
RESNET standards aimed to ensure that accurate and consistent home energy ratings are performed by accredited home energy rating providers through their raters nationwide.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lubliner Michael,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
WSU Extension Energy Program,
Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development
Description
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.