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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 1 - 50 of 164 results:

A Crash Course in Roof Venting, PA-1101

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing methods for venting a vented attic and a roof assembly over an unvented attic.

About Attic Ventilation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Energy Star web page providing guidance on attic ventilation.

AC Coupled for Blackout Protection? No Thanks

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Soltaro
·
Organization(s)
Soltaro
Description
Website article comparing DC and AC batteries and explaining that DC batteries have black start ability to restart from solar power while providing AC batteries need grid power to restart if fully discharged.

AC vs. DC Coupling Energy Storage Systems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Miller Lucas
·
Organization(s)
Mayfield Renewables
Description
Website article describing the advantages and disadvantages of AC and DC battery energy storage systems and inverters for solar power systems.

Alaska Residential Building Manual, 7th Edition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Deer Charlie,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
University of Alaska,
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Description
Manual describing best practices or home construction in Alaska and northern climates.

Alternative Fuels Data Center

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
·
Organization(s)
U.S. EPA
Description
Website describing electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging stations, and incentives for installing electric vehicle charging stations.

Analyzing Design Heating Loads in Superinsulated Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Arena Lois
·
Organization(s)
Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,
CARB,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report analyzing design heating load sizing methods for superinsulated homes in cold climates and comparing them to the actual energy usage to determine if the building load calculation methodology should be changed for calculating the design heating load of these homes.

Assessing the Business Case for Hosting Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in New York State

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Nigro Nick,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Atlas Public Policy,
NYSERDA,
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Description
Report describing the business case of hosting a Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging station in New York, including analysis of real-world data on equipment use, costs, revenue, and assumptions derived from industry reports and original research.

Attic Air Sealing Guide and Details, GM-1001

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
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.

Attic or Roof? An Evaluation of Two Advanced Weatherization Packages, BA-1205

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Neuhauser Ken
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory,
NREL
Description
Report about a project that examines implementation of advanced retrofit measures in the context of a large-scale weatherization program and the archetypal Chicago, Illinois, brick bungalow.

Attics, Topic 4.01

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
NREL
Description
NREL webpage of standard work specification of exterior and interior, attic floors, attic knee walls, and unique installations.

Avoiding Moisture Problems

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Van der Meer Bill
·
Organization(s)
National Association for State Community Services Programs,
NASCSP,
Weatherization Training Center at Penn College,
Pennsylvania College of Technology,
PCT
Description
Technical article describing issues and moisture concerns related to weatherization efforts.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part I

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Yost Peter
·
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Description
Article describing the building science implications of insulating vented or unvented attics.

Avoiding Wet Roofs - Part II

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Yost Peter
·
Organization(s)
Journal of Light Construction,
JLC
Description
Article describing the research into insulating vented versus unvented attics.

Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Comparison

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Clean Energy Reviews
·
Organization(s)
CER
Description
Website providing comparison charts and reviews of battery energy storage systems for solar power systems.

Battery Storage for Resilience

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Elgqvist Emma
·
Organization(s)
NREL
Description
Fact sheet providing information on building-scale and utility-scale battery storage for disaster resistance.

Building America Top Innovations 2013: Attic Air Sealing Guidelines

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Fact sheet describing research sponsored by DOE's Building America program to research the importance of attic air-sealing and best practice attic air-sealing techniques for new and existing homes.

Building in Extreme Cold, BSI-031

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing the control layers (air, thermal, and vapor barriers) needed to build homes successfully in very cold locations.

Ceilings and Attics

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
·
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI
Description
Information sheet with information about insulating and ventilating attics.

Charge at Home

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Oregon Department of Energy,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Oregon Department of Energy,
State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality,
Oregon Department of Transportation,
Oregon Public Utility Commission Department of Administrative Services
Description
Webpage describing electric vehicle chargers

Choose A Light Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
A simple three-step guide for homeowners who are looking to replace existing light bulbs with more energy-efficient, higher-performing bulbs.

Clean Cities and Communities Coalition

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
U.S. DOE
Description
Website describing technical expertise and support regarding electric vehicle infrastructure.

Closed Crawlspaces Do Double Duty

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Dastur Cyrus,
Davis Bruce
·
Organization(s)
Home Energy Magazine
Description
Article describing how closed crawlspaces can do "double duty" by controlling moisture and providing energy savings.

Compact Buried Ducts in a Hot-Humid Climate House

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mallay David
·
Organization(s)
Home Innovation Research Labs,
HIRL
Description
Report on heating and cooling air-distribution ducts that are insulated, installed close to the ceiling in a vented attic and covered with attic insulation to minimize energy loss.

Cool Hand Luke Meets Attics, BSI-077

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing the difference between conditioned or unvented attics and unconditioned or vented attics.

Cool Solutions: The Whole House Fan

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Mott-Smith John
·
Organization(s)
City of Davis,
State of California
Description
Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

Crawlspace Insulation

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Southface Energy Institute,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
ORNL,
SEI,
DOE
Description
Information sheet about crawlspace insulation, including installation details.

Crawlspaces – Either In or Out, BSI-115

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article discussing whether or not to seal and insulate crawlspaces.

CRRC - Cool Roof Rating Council

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cool Roof Rating Council
·
Organization(s)
CRRC
Description
Website providing information about the Cool Roof Rating Council including programs, membership, and resources for the construction industry.

Dam Ice Dam, BSI-046

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing strategies for reducing the risk of ice dam formation on roofs in winter.

De-Icing Ice Dams, BSI-097

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Description
Article describing the importance of air sealing, insulation, and roof ventilation in reducing the likelihood of ice dam formation on roofs in cold snowy climates.

Earthquake Safety at Home, FEMA P-530

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
·
Organization(s)
FEMA
Description
Guide provides homeowners ways to prepare for an earthquake and protect a home against earthquake damage.

Electric Vehicle Charger Selection Guide

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
California Energy Commission
·
Organization(s)
California Energy Commission
Description
Report describing guidance for selecting an electric vehicle charger