Library | Building America Solution Center

Showing 51 - 100 of 116 results:

How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor

Information sheet presenting the correct methods for building an insulated cathedral ceiling.

How to Install Cellulose Insulation

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Information sheet presenting techniques for installing cellulose insulation.

How to Prevent Roof Damage from Winter Ice Buildup

2019

Dorsi Chris

Montana State University Extension,

MSU Extension

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.

Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast: Mitigation Assessment Team Report, Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA 549

2006

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

Guide discussing observations, recommendations, and technical guidance as a result of Hurricane Katrina

HVI Airflow Test Procedure

2015

Home Ventilating Institute

HVI

Publication specifying HVI’s prescriptive procedures for testing and rating airflow of residential ventilation products in accordance with ANSI consensus standards.

HVI Certification Program Policies and Procedures

2020

Home Ventilating Institute

HVI

Publication describing the requirements and procedures for the certified performance ratings program for residential ventilation products administered by the Home Ventilating Institute.

HVI Certified Products Directory

2020

Home Ventilating Institute

HVI

Website providing an online directory of more than 3,600 residential ventilation products lisiting flowrates, sones, watts, and other performance metrics; all listed products have been tested by the Home Ventilating Institute.

Hybrid Assemblies, BSI-100

2017

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article describing issues with condensation in unvented attics insulated with open-cell spray foam.

Ice Dams, BSD-135

2006

Straube John

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article outlining the casuses and solutions for ice dam problems.

Impact of Residential Mechanical Ventilation on Energy Cost and Humidity Control

2014

Martin Eric

Building Science Corporation,

BSC,

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC,

Integrated Building and Construction Solutions,

IBACOS

The study described in this white paper is based on building energy modeling with an important focus on the indoor humidity impacts of ventilation.

Improving Attic Thermal Performance

2004

Parker Danny S

Home Energy Magazine

Article describing the effect metal roofs have on thermal performance in hot-humid climates.

Improving Comfort, Saving Energy with Large Circulator Fans

2008

Aynsley Richard

Big Ass Fans,

HPAC Engineering

Article describing how air speed affects thermal comfort and how fans can provide energy savings.

Indoor Air Pollution from Cooking

2020

California Air Resources Board,

California Environmental Protection Agency

CARB,

CalEPA

Article describing ways home owners can improve ventilation in their kitchens.

Installation of Cavity Insulation, Info-501

2009

Building Science Corporation

BSC

Article explaining installing cavity insulation.

Investigating Solutions to Wind Washing Issues in 2-Story Florida Homes; Phase 1

2009

Cummings James B,

Withers Charles R,

LaHiff Ian L

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Research study describing field testing performed in 32 two-story Florida homes to characterize wind washing failures of the house air and thermal boundary.

Kick the Can! No Recessed Lights in the Building Envelope

2011

Bailes Allison

Energy Vanguard

Article discussing the downside to recessed can lights.

Literature Review of the Impact and Need for Attic Ventilation in Florida Homes

2005

Parker Danny S

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

PDF literature review of the impact and need for attic ventilation in Florida homes.

Measure Guideline: Air Sealing Attics in Multifamily Buildings

2012

Maxwell Sean,

Otis Casey

Consortium for Advanced Residential Buildings,

CARB,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Steven Winter Associates,

SWA

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

2013

Mantha Pallavi,

Zoeller William,

Shapiro Carl

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Project discussing buried or encapsulated ducts and their pros and cons.

Measure Guideline: Guide to Attic Air Sealing

2014

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation

Guideline describing information and specifications relevant to air-seal existing attics.

Measure Guideline: Ventilation Cooling

2012

Springer David,

Dakin Bill,

German Alea

Alliance for Residential Building Innovation,

ARBI,

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

Davis Energy Group,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Guide describing proper application, design, and installation of mechanical ventilation cooling systems for homes located in hot-dry and cold-dry climates, as well as a means of understanding the benefits, costs, and tradeoffs of these systems.

Miami-Dade County – Checklist #0155 for the Approval of Roof Ventilators, Turbines, and Ridge Vents

2012

Miami-Dade County

Report covering the selection of roof vents for rainwater resistance.

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana, FEMA P-757

2009

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

FEMA report describing findings from an investigation of Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana and residential construction recommendations based on those findings.

Mitigation Assessment Team Report: Hurricane Michael in Florida: Building Performance Observations Recommendations and Technical Guidance, FEMA P-2077

2020

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA

FEMA Mitigation Assessment Team Report describing damages from Hurricane Michael in Florida in Oct. 2018 and recommendations for future hurricane preparedness.

Modernized Appliance Efficiency Database System (MAEDbS) Enhancements and Improvements

2022

California Energy Commission

Webpage for the CEC’s Modern Appliance Efficiency Database System

Modernized Appliance Efficiency Database System Product List

2022

California Energy Commission

CEC

List of appliance brands and models, showing their performance and efficiency as tested by the appropriate standard.

Moisture Performance of Unvented Attics with Vapor Diffusion Ports and Buried Ducts in Hot, Humid Climates

2024

Kaufman Zoe,

et al.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory,

NREL,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report on the use of vapor diffusion ports to reduce moisture issues with buried ductwork in unvented attics in hot-humid climates.

Moving Ducts Inside: Big Builders, Scientists Find Common Ground

2008

Lubliner Michael,

et al.

WSU Extension Energy Program,

Washington State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development

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.

Night Ventilation Cooling Compliance Option

2011

California Statewide Utility Codes and Standards Program

California Public Utilities Commission,

CPUC

Document describing recommended modeling rules, potential compliance credits, and eligibility criteria for residential night ventilation cooling systems for California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards.

No Sweat, BSI-094

2016

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Guide providing information on controlling attic ductwork sweating.

Opportunities for Energy Conservation and Improved Comfort From Wind Washing Retrofits in Two-Story Homes - Part I

2010

Withers Charles R,

Cummings James B

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Report highlighting the evaluation methods used and extent of wind washing found in a study analyzing wind washing in thirty-two two-story homes.

Participant Assisted Data Collection Methods in the California Healthy Homes Indoor Air Quality Study of 2011-13

2013

Mullen Nasim A,

Li Jina,

Singer Brett C

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,

LBNL

Report describing a field study to measure pollutant concentrations in 324 homes in California.

Ping Pong Water and The Chemical Engineer, BSI-016

2016

Lstiburek Joseph W

Building Science Corporation,

BSC

Article outlining moisture accumulation in open cell spray polyurethane foam.

Preventing Ice Dams

2011

Fisette Paul

UMass Amherst Department of Environmental Conservation

Article describing how ice dams form on residential roofs, how they damage homes, and solutions to prevent future dams.

Protect Your Family from Asbestos - Contaminated Vermiculite Insulation

2015

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

This page provides important information on how to protect yourself and your family if you suspect that you might have vermiculite insulation from Libby, Montana.

Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos

2024

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Website from the EPA containing information for homeowners and renters about how to identify asbestos in the home and how to deal with it to reduce exposure to it.

Radiant Barrier Calculator

2011

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

ORNL

Website providing an online calculator for determining energy and cost savings from installing radiant barriers in attics.

Radiant Barrier: Effect of Radiant Barriers on Heating and Cooling Bills

2022

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

ORNL

Fact sheet describing analysis of potential heating and cooling savings from radiant barriers in attics.

Radiant Barriers

2015

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

U.S. Department of Energy's website describing radiant barriers in homes.

Radiant Barriers: A Question and Answer Primer

2005

Melody Ingrid,

Fairey Philip W,

Beal David

Florida Solar Energy Center,

FSEC

Website with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about attic radiant barriers.

Radon-Resistant New Construction Builder/Contractor Resources

2013

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPA

Website with information about radon-resistant construction techniques and other radon resources for builders, contractors and homebuyers.

Reexamining Roof Ventilation

2000

Woods Tony

Home Energy,

National Association for State Community Services Programs,

NASCSP

Article describing moisture and ice dam issues in attics and how to air seal the attic floor.

Residential Fan Efficiency - Code Notes

2012

U.S. Department of Energy

DOE

IECC code note explaining new fan efficacy requirements, along with how to determine which fans are affected by the new fan requirements.

Retrofit of Blown Attic Insulation in Existing HUD-Code Manufactured Homes: Needs Assessment Report

2019

Lubliner Michael,

Ueno Kohta,

Burkett Lena

Washington State University Extension Energy Program,

WSU Extension Energy Program,

U.S. Department of Energy,

DOE

Report describing the costs, benefits, and challenges of attic insulation retrofits in HUD-code manufactured homes.

Review of Residential Comfort Control Products and Opportunities

2017

Metzger Cheryn E,

Goyal Siddharth,

Baechler Michael C

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,

PNNL

This research paper outlines residential HVAC advanced controls and sensors. It includes a technology review, applications, maintenance and commissioning, occupant behavior and a summary of the state-of-the-art technologies for advanced controls for residential HVAC.

Roof Venting in a Wet Climate

2011

Fisette Paul

Journal of Light Construction,

JLC

Q&A article discussing how to address moisture issues in an attic in a wet and humid coastal climate.

Sealed Attics?

2010

Coble Brian

Home Energy Magazine

Article describing how insulating and air sealing unfinished attic spaces can lead to reduced energy bills in some homes.

Standard Test Method for Measuring Capture Efficiency of Domestic Range Hoods, ASTM E3087-18

2018

ASTM International

ASTM

Test method that measures the capture efficiency of wall-mounted domestic range hoods under controlled conditions in a test chambers which available for preview and purchase at the link and was published in the year 2018.

Swapping ECM for PSC fan motor

2011

Holladay Martin

Green Building Advisor,

GBA

Question and Answer article in Energy Design Update describing the cost and savings benefits of electronically commutated motors (ECMs) for HVAC equipment.

The Impacts of Cooking and an Assessment of Indoor Air Quality in Colorado Passive and Tightly Constructed Homes

2018

Militello-Hourigan Ryan Edward,

Miller Shelly L

University of Colorado-Boulder

Article describing a field study that test ventilation performance in nine homes and found current ventilation was inadequate to remove PM2.5 and CO2 levels; however, a directly exhausting range hood can reduce peak PM2.5 concentrations by 75% or more.