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Library

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 154 results:

Energy Saver: Thermostats

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Energy Saver
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Department of Energy,
DOE
Description
Article by Energy Saver on how to save energy with your thermostat.

Energy Savers: Geothermal Heat Pumps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
DOE
Description
Online reference containing general information about geothermal heat pumps.

ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2021 - Clothes Dryers

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
A list of clothes dryers that made the EnergyStar Most Efficient list for 2021, delivering cutting technological innovation along with energy efficiency.

ENERGY STAR® Certified Mini Split Heat Pumps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
EPA,
ENERGY STAR
Description
Factsheet describing mini split heat pumps and their benefits for consumers.

Evaluation of Cellular Shades in the PNNL Lab Homes

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Sullivan Greg P,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using interior cellular shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain in summer and reduce heat loss in winter.

Evaluation of Exterior Shades at PNNL Lab Homes and Occupied Field Sites

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Cort Katherine A,
Hunt Walter E
·
Organization(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing the experimental setup and results of field studies on using exterior fabric shading attachments to reduce solar heat gain, reduce glare, and improve comfort.

Evaluation of Interior Cellular Shades in a Residential Building

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Bhandari Mahabir,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
ORNL,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Description
DOE-sponsored report describing a study investigating the energy savings potential of cellular shades in homes.

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 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.

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.

Ground Source Heat and Cooling

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Seth Masia
·
Organization(s)
American Solar Energy Society,
ASES
Description
Website article discussing the economics of ground source heat pumps.

Heat & Cool Efficiently

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
ENERGY STAR
·
Organization(s)
ENERGY STAR
Description
A ENERGY STAR guide on efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems in residential homes.

Heat Pump Water Heater Model Validation Study

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Ecotope,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
·
Organization(s)
Ecotope,
NEEA
Description
Report describing the significant potential for energy use reductions through heat pump water heaters, which have been a crucial part of Northwest power plans for decades and have recently achieved substantial savings with new integrated models and climate specifications.

Heat Pumps for Heating and Cooling

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Town of Concord Massachusetts
·
Organization(s)
Town of Concord Massachusetts
Description
Webpage providing basic information on various types of heat pumps and their applications in Massachusetts.

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 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 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.

HVAC – Cold Climate Heat Pump Sizing

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
U.S. Department of Energy
·
Organization(s)
PNNL,
DOE
Description
Webpage providing curriculum with links to presentations and problem sets for teaching an understanding of sizing cold climate heat pumps.

HVAC in Multifamily Buildings

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Lstiburek Joseph W
·
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation
Description
Paper providing a comprehensive overview of HVAC system design considerations and challenges specific to multifamily residential buildings, focusing on optimizing performance and addressing common issues.

HVAC System Pressure Relief

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Raymer Paul H,
Moyer Neil
·
Organization(s)
Tamarack Technologies,
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Description
Correcting pressure imbalances in your HVAC system can result in a healthier, more efficient home.

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.

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.

Interaction between Heat Pump Water Heaters or Other Internal Point Source Loads and a Central Heating System

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
Widder Sarah H,
et al.
·
Organization(s)
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance,
NEEA,
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory,
PNNL
Description
Report describing the objective evaluation of space conditioning interactions between heat pump water heaters and home heating systems during winter 2016-2017, revealing a smaller than anticipated impact on space conditioning loads.

Keeping Warm during Winter Power Outages

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences & Family and Consumer Sciences
·
Organization(s)
University of Georgia
Description
Webpage describing how to conserve heat or find alternative heat sources during a power outage to keep one room warm.

Load Calculation Tools for Ductless Heat Pumps

Publication Date
·
Author(s)
BetterBuilt Northwest,
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
·
Organization(s)
BetterBuiltNW,
NEEA
Description
Web article describing two options for sizing ductless minisplit heat pumps, including a free HVAC sizing tool.

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.